Volcanic Aquasoil

Performance & sizing

Core numbers for matching this unit to your tank and electrical plan.

Power

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Flow rate

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Noise

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Dimensions

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Price range

$

Tank fit (L)

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Consumables & maintenance

Nutrient caps and soil recharge depend on plant load—re-supplement when growth slows and tests indicate depletion.

Description

Fluval Stratum is volcanic soil collected from the mineral-rich foothills of Mount Aso in Japan (Fluval item 12693), sold in 2 kg, 4 kg and 8 kg bags. The granules are porous and non-compacting at 3-5 mm, so roots penetrate and spread through the bed rather than around it, and the low bulk weight keeps load off the base glass. Fluval positions this grade for medium and large tanks with deeper root networks, and the finer 1-3 mm Bio-Stratum for small tanks or as a top layer. Two behaviours are worth planning around. Fluval states that Stratum helps support a neutral to slightly acidic pH, and describes the series as providing a natural way to soften water and reduce carbonate hardness - adding that regular KH testing is recommended. Expect KH to fall rather than hold steady, which suits soft-water plants and the shrimp usually kept alongside them, and makes it the wrong choice under livestock you are deliberately keeping hard. Second, plain Stratum is not inoculated. Its porous structure is described as allowing rapid colonisation by nitrifying bacteria, but the dormant BIOACTIVE bacteria Fluval markets belong to Bio-Stratum and Betta Stratum, not to this bag - budget for a normal cycle. Fluval also notes it will not discolour water and helps control organic discolouration when driftwood is present, and that the 3-5 mm gaps give newborn shrimp a refuge until they are large enough to emerge. For quantity, Fluval's own guidance is kilograms = length x width x substrate depth in centimetres, divided by 1000.

Sources

• fluvalaquatics.com — https://fluvalaquatics.com/us/shop/product/stratum
• fluvalaquatics.com — https://fluvalaquatics.com/us/shop/product/stratum-series-page

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Where to buy

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