Fluval 12694 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 8.8 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for S...

Our Experience

I was skeptical at first about whether this substrate would actually support plant growth and shrimp health as advertised. I've had mixed experiences with aquarium substrates before, so I approached this one with a healthy dose of caution. However, after using Fluval's Plant and Shrimp Stratum for a week, I must say, it's impressed me thus far.

The immediate benefit I noticed was how easily the substrate broke down into a fine, uniform layer. My initial fear of ending up with clumps or uneven coverage was swiftly dispelled as I spread this out in my tank. It's also incredibly lightweight, making it simple to create the perfect gradient from deep to shallow areas.

My only minor critique is that it kicks up quite a bit of cloudiness when initially added and stirred into the water. This is to be expected with any substrate, but it did take longer than usual for my tank water to clear, which briefly worried me about potential ammonia spikes. Fortunately, my filter handled it just fine after running overnight.

All in all, despite my initial doubts, I'm quite pleased with Fluval's Plant and Shrimp Stratum. My plants are already starting to show signs of improved growth, and my shrimp seem happier than ever, foraging amongst the substrate. It's early days yet, but so far, this product has proven itself worthy of its reputation.