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Fluval 12697 Natural Mineral-Rich Volcanic Soil Bio Stratum for Planted Tanks, 8.8 lbs. - Aquarium Substrate for Healthy Plant Development, Growth, and Color

  • Based on 333 reviews
Condition: New
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This item's return window has been extended for the holiday season: Returnable until Jan 31, 2025

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Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Petco

Arrives Nov 27 – Nov 30
Order within 10 hours and 23 minutes
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Color: Bio-Stratum


Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)


Style: Substrate


Features

  • Promotes Robust Plant Growth: This aquatic soil helps enrich plant development and fosters vigorous growth with vibrant coloration, ensuring your aquarium thrives with lush foliage
  • Activates Beneficial Water Conditions: Infused with dormant nitrifying organisms, our aqua soil activates upon contact with water, swiftly breaking down waste and initiating the nitrogen cycle for a balanced aquatic ecosystem
  • Stabilizes Water Conditions: Rapidly reducing ammonia levels, Fluval soil helps stabilize water conditions in new aquariums, ensuring a healthy environment for your aquatic inhabitants
  • Enhances Root Penetration: Featuring lightweight 1 mm powder granules, our non-compacting substrate allows delicate roots to effortlessly penetrate and spread, promoting optimal plant growth
  • Improves Water Quality: Porous granules facilitate extensive bacterial colonization, serving as an additional biological filtration source, while a potent blend of nutrients and minerals ensures improved water quality for your aquarium ecosystem

Description

Fluval Bio-Stratum features beneficial "bioactives" that efficiently break down waste, jumpstart the nitrogen cycle, and swiftly diminish ammonia levels, ensuring stable water conditions in new aquariums and sustaining health in established ones. Its fine powder granules serve as an extra biological filtration source, fostering enhanced water quality through their porous and non-compacting nature. Explore our range of fish tank accessories, including aquarium filters, filter media, heaters, air pumps, lights, rocks, thermometers, and stands. With a legacy dating back to 1975, Fluval revolutionized the aquarium industry with the world's first 3-stage filter utilizing synchronous motor technology—an innovation still influential today. Our commitment to innovation continues, as we persistently strive to develop cutting-edge aquarium products that set benchmarks in quality, style, and functionality. Fluval's mission transcends product creation; we aim to inspire aquarists of all levels to appreciate and uphold the hobby's beauty and importance for generations to come.

Product Dimensions: 16.93 x 12.6 x 0.2 inches


Item Weight: 8.8 pounds


Manufacturer: Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.


Country of Origin: Japan


Item model number: 12697


Specific instructions for use: Indoor


Assembly required: No


Batteries required: No


Included Components: All items listed in description.


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Nov 27 – Nov 30

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Great product!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
This product arrived quickly. It was the base of my decorations for a planted fish tank. The plants are thriving. Fish tank is beautiful. I would recommend this product.
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024 by Ruth Copsey

  • Great substrate
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
I used this is my shrimp tank with live plants. Just upgraded to a 20gal tank. Used 2 8.8lb bags that gave my tank 3 inches of soil. I plan to grow baby tears before adding water and fish. Appearance is black and pretty. Easy to vacuum but don't mix because the color will run.
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024 by Ceemarie33 Ceemarie33

  • I love this stuff!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
The pic of the larger tank shows it capped with black sand, and the smaller tank is just stratum. DONT RINSE IT OR STIR IT UP I KNOW IT SAYS RINSE ON THE PACKAGE BUT DONTTTT. I love the way this stuff looks and how beneficial it it to plants. Haven't had it crumble yet, yah it smells like dirt that's normal. Great price. Prob my favorite substrate ever. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2024 by barb barb

  • Love it
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
I was having an ammonia spike but after adding this to the tank on top of my other substrate, my ammonia level dropped from .5 to .2 within a few hours. As you can see in my photo it’s cloudy, that’s on me. It needed to be rinsed a lot more, so make sure to rinse VERY well.
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2024 by Anonymouse Anonymouse

  • Great Aqua Soil
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
I have been using this for all my planted tanks and everything grows so well. I feel like after a year or so you might have to supplement root tabs for your plants. This is a great starter for aquariums and is easy to clean with the gravel vacuum. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the ph. This will drop your aquarium's ph to about 6 so make sure your fish are going to be ok with a lower ph. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023 by aarox

  • Perfect for 10 Gallon
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
A little pricey for the amount you get but its still cheaper than if you bought the same product at big retail store. Lots more benefits than using plain gravel or other substrate types. I didn’t wash this substrate and it did not cloud my water at all. I did develop lots of hair algae on my wood hardscape. This is my fault, too much light. I also believe that it is possible aiding the algae though because of the nutrients from the substrate leeching into the water column. However, my plants looked great beside from the algae. I would definitely buy this in the future but possibly cap it with a gravel substrate so that the nutrients don’t leech. I wonder if that would make a significant difference. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023 by C Viegut C Viegut

  • Forget everything negative you might have read about this stuff
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised at how amazing this stuff is! I did a "fish in" cycle , with daily partial water changes and my fish were not harmed in any way. No ammonia spikes, no nitrites and no DEAD FISH. It has been almost a month now and my plants, shrimp and endler's are thriving! I highly recommend! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024 by Roni Roni

  • Pricey but cheaper than pet stores
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1) Style: Substrate
Can't wait to set up my new aquascape tank
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024 by Paws4Mercy

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