---
product_id: 12883510
title: "Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag"
brand: "fluval"
price: "R3671"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Fluval"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/12883510-fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-substrate-8-8-lb
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Boosts plant root growth Maintains ideal pH & water clarity Safe shrimp nursery Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag

**Brand:** fluval
**Price:** R3671
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🌿 Elevate your aquarium’s ecosystem — where plants flourish and shrimp thrive!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag by fluval
- **How much does it cost?** R3671 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/12883510-fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-substrate-8-8-lb)

## Best For

- fluval enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted fluval brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Optimal pH Stability:** Engineered to maintain a neutral to slightly acidic environment, perfect for tropical fish, plants, and shrimp.
- • **Shrimp’s Safe Haven:** Provides newborn shrimp with a protective refuge, ensuring their survival and growth in your aquarium ecosystem.
- • **Vibrant Plant Growth Catalyst:** Porous granules enable deep root penetration and nutrient absorption for lush, thriving aquatic plants.
- • **No Water Discoloration Guarantee:** Keeps your aquarium water pristine even with natural driftwood décor, enhancing visual appeal.
- • **Rapid Beneficial Bacteria Colonization:** Porous structure accelerates nitrifying bacteria growth, promoting crystal-clear, healthy water conditions.

## Overview

Fluval 12694 Plant and Shrimp Stratum is a premium 8.8 lb substrate designed for freshwater aquariums. Its porous granules promote vigorous plant root growth and rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria, maintaining optimal water quality and a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It also offers newborn shrimp a safe refuge, preventing predation. This substrate prevents water discoloration, even with natural driftwood, making it the go-to choice for planted tanks and shrimp habitats.

## Description

Fluval Stratum is the ideal aquarium substrate for stimulating the growth of aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums. Plant roots easily penetrate and spread throughout the substrate, allowing live aquarium plants to obtain a variety of key, readily available nutrients that will make them flourish. The addition of Fluval Plant Micronutrients will ensure a full complement of essential macro and micro. The substrate's light, non-compacting, porous structure is also highly beneficial to nitrifying bacteria, which rapidly colonize the vast porous surface, providing optimal aquarium water quality for real plants. Fluval Stratum's inherent properties will help support a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for most plant species and species of tropical fish or shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums. Fluval Stratum also provides new aquarium shrimp with the ideal refuge, allowing them to escape predation until they are large enough to emerge into the shrimp tank. This highly attractive substrate will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration usually present when natural driftwood aquarium décor is used. For more fish tank accessories check out the other Fluval products including Fluval aquariums, aquarium filters, filter media, aquarium heaters, aquarium air pumps, aquarium lights, fake plants, aquarium thermometer, fish food, aquarium gravel, planted aquarium tools, fish tank decorations and aquarium stands. Fluval has a wide variety of products that are perfect for your pet fish, shrimp, or betta fish to enjoy in any large fish tank, small fish tank, freshwater tank or in a saltwater tank. The Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is the perfect substrate for planted aquariums and is available in multiple sizes; available as a 4.4 lb. bag, an 8.8 lb. bag and a 17.6 lb. bag.

Review: Great product, great price - Pros: • There’s no other product which plants like more than this • Great price, especially compared to pet stores • No odor, fish like it, it looks good and natural, and the water stays clear after installment Cons: • It can be challenging to install, here’s what I recommend. Wash it lightly only once, and pour it into aquarium. Put a piece of aluminum foil over it, and slowly fill aquarium with water. Move the water around a bit (enough to disturb the surface of the substrate, but not the deeper layer), it will get brown, then remove the water. This will ensure that all small particles on the surface layer are removed. Put the piece of aluminum foil over the substrate again and fill. The water will be slightly cloudy, but after about a day with a filter it will clear. Be especially careful if you notice any brown in the water, because if it falls on plant leaves it will encourage algae growth Overall, a great product. This is the best product for growing aquarium plants, if set up correctly, it will make growing plants easy
Review: Water does get clearer by the day once set up - *** Update Week 2. I wanted to share the progress of use of fluval shrimp stratum. As week by week went on water is crystal clear. You may want to add two bags if you want plants since the pellets are so light my plants wouldn’t stay in the stratum. They would float right up to surface of water. Any time you add landscape the pellets will give off a dust or float. Don’t be alarmed, the dust settles back down quickly. So instead of getting another bag, I used plant anchors. They seem to be happy with plant anchors thus far. My PH was a bit high so I had to correct that before adding any fish. So it’s ready to add fish now and I can’t wait. I think it looks great with the landscape. I’m not done with my landscaping I still have the other corner to work. I have a couple of itty bitty baby tetra neons in there you can’t see them. They’re hiding, but if you make a little well in the pellets they like to hide in it. They don’t seem bothered by the stratum at all. I highly recommend this stuff, but best I to get two bags of whatever size you get, to get about 3 inches so your roots to plants will take to it easier is very light weight. Or do plant anchors. I bought this with the anticipation to set my tank up as a planted fresh water aquarium. Live plants apparently love this stuff and that it’s a good substrate for shrimp if you want to have any. Many reviews have complaints about cloudiness of water. I did this as a whole new tank setting up. I don’t recommend if you have fish already in yours. You treat it like you’re setting up a new one laying your landscape in, Anyway, I didn’t pre rinse. I don’t feel it’s necessary it only just makes the pellets soggy. The first day yes water will appear black and muddy. Let your filter do the work!! You may have to change your bio max bag out to a new one it does work. I have to get a new bio max filter since it worked hard to get this water cleared up since set up. First day, dark, black cloud. I even thought did I mess it it up? I should have taken a picture to show comparison and I forgot. Don’t be impatient or think you did something wrong. Just be patient let your filter do the work!! 5 hours later, a light cloudiness. I Next day, crystal clear water. You need patience for this! It’s not immediate. It may take anywhere from 6 hours-48 hours. It took 48 hours for mine to clear up. I need to clean off outside of my tank glass. I didn’t use the lay the bag over the pellets with a small bowl to fill tank with water method. I did just straight in with water pouring very slowly and softly. Water will fizz at first and it’s normal. And then I added the necessary water treatments to make it safe for fish for tap water, since I used tap water. Now I can’t wait until I set up the rest of my landscaping and add fish. I’ll post updates on when it’s done being set up.

## Features

- PROMOTES ROBUST PLANT GROWTH: Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum encourages strong root development by allowing plant roots to easily penetrate and spread throughout the substrate, helping aquatic plants absorb key nutrients for healthy growth
- SUPPORTS BENEFICIAL BACTERIA: The light, porous structure provides an ideal surface for beneficial nitrifying bacteria to colonize, helping support biological filtration and a healthy freshwater aquarium environment
- HELPS MAINTAIN IDEAL WATER CONDITIONS: Designed to support a neutral to slightly acidic pH range, making it ideal for planted aquariums with live aquatic plants, tropical fish, shrimp, and other freshwater species
- IDEAL FOR SHRIMP HABITATS: Creates a natural refuge for newborn shrimp, providing shelter and protection until they are large enough to safely explore the aquarium
- MADE FOR FRESHWATER PLANTED AQUARIUMS: Will not discolor water and helps manage organic discoloration commonly associated with natural driftwood; Includes one 8.8 lb bag of Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum aquarium substrate

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00JMABYUO |
| Allergen Information | Nut Free |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,951 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) #6 in Aquarium Gravel |
| Brand | Fluval |
| Brand Name | Fluval |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 18,429 Reviews |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00015561126946 |
| Included Components | All Items listed in Description |
| Item Form | Granules |
| Item Highlight | Freshwater Planted Tank Substrate for Strong Plant Growth and Shrimp Habitats - Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH |
| Item Type Name | HAGEN PLANT&SHRIMP STRATUM 4KG |
| Item Weight | 4 kg |
| Manufacturer | Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 12694 |
| Model Number | 12694 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
| Pet Type | Fish |
| Target Species | Fish |
| UPC | 015561126946 |
| Unit Count | 140.8 Ounce |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer warranty. |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Fluval
- **Item Form:** Granules
- **Item Weight:** 4 kg
- **Number of Packs:** 1
- **Unit Count:** 140.8 Ounce

## Images

![Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xuz5C1O9L.jpg)
![Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91GSBYpMhqL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91AeSdeomVL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91+6ib5KBCL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate - 8.8 lb Bag - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RH-snQjNL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color, Size** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: I never received my package**
A: Fluval sent me the wrong size bag one time but when you contact them!
They are excellent in correcting it .

**Q: Will this work in small pots in my tank. I have a gravel tank and a sand tank. Not sure if im ready to go all the way.**
A: Yes it's the size of regular gravel just softer like compressed dirt balls. I put them in small glass bowls and put plants in it.

**Q: How many of the 8.8lbs do I need to get 1.5 inches of substrate in a tank that has a 20x12 foot print?**
A: 20x12 foot print is the footprint of a 10 gallon tank. I used a 8.8lb to get 2" easily. You should be fine getting 1 x 8.8lb bag.

**Q: Hi, is this substrate safe for all types of shrimp?  Thank you**
A: Fluval Plant and Shrimp is pH neutral, therefore with correct water pH is safe for all types of shrimp. It's also vey good for aquatic plants that are needed to create a proper environment for shrimp.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great product, great price
*by L***O on September 27, 2026*

Pros: • There’s no other product which plants like more than this • Great price, especially compared to pet stores • No odor, fish like it, it looks good and natural, and the water stays clear after installment Cons: • It can be challenging to install, here’s what I recommend. Wash it lightly only once, and pour it into aquarium. Put a piece of aluminum foil over it, and slowly fill aquarium with water. Move the water around a bit (enough to disturb the surface of the substrate, but not the deeper layer), it will get brown, then remove the water. This will ensure that all small particles on the surface layer are removed. Put the piece of aluminum foil over the substrate again and fill. The water will be slightly cloudy, but after about a day with a filter it will clear. Be especially careful if you notice any brown in the water, because if it falls on plant leaves it will encourage algae growth Overall, a great product. This is the best product for growing aquarium plants, if set up correctly, it will make growing plants easy

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Water does get clearer by the day once set up
*by A***R on June 27, 2022*

*** Update Week 2. I wanted to share the progress of use of fluval shrimp stratum. As week by week went on water is crystal clear. You may want to add two bags if you want plants since the pellets are so light my plants wouldn’t stay in the stratum. They would float right up to surface of water. Any time you add landscape the pellets will give off a dust or float. Don’t be alarmed, the dust settles back down quickly. So instead of getting another bag, I used plant anchors. They seem to be happy with plant anchors thus far. My PH was a bit high so I had to correct that before adding any fish. So it’s ready to add fish now and I can’t wait. I think it looks great with the landscape. I’m not done with my landscaping I still have the other corner to work. I have a couple of itty bitty baby tetra neons in there you can’t see them. They’re hiding, but if you make a little well in the pellets they like to hide in it. They don’t seem bothered by the stratum at all. I highly recommend this stuff, but best I to get two bags of whatever size you get, to get about 3 inches so your roots to plants will take to it easier is very light weight. Or do plant anchors. I bought this with the anticipation to set my tank up as a planted fresh water aquarium. Live plants apparently love this stuff and that it’s a good substrate for shrimp if you want to have any. Many reviews have complaints about cloudiness of water. I did this as a whole new tank setting up. I don’t recommend if you have fish already in yours. You treat it like you’re setting up a new one laying your landscape in, Anyway, I didn’t pre rinse. I don’t feel it’s necessary it only just makes the pellets soggy. The first day yes water will appear black and muddy. Let your filter do the work!! You may have to change your bio max bag out to a new one it does work. I have to get a new bio max filter since it worked hard to get this water cleared up since set up. First day, dark, black cloud. I even thought did I mess it it up? I should have taken a picture to show comparison and I forgot. Don’t be impatient or think you did something wrong. Just be patient let your filter do the work!! 5 hours later, a light cloudiness. I Next day, crystal clear water. You need patience for this! It’s not immediate. It may take anywhere from 6 hours-48 hours. It took 48 hours for mine to clear up. I need to clean off outside of my tank glass. I didn’t use the lay the bag over the pellets with a small bowl to fill tank with water method. I did just straight in with water pouring very slowly and softly. Water will fizz at first and it’s normal. And then I added the necessary water treatments to make it safe for fish for tap water, since I used tap water. Now I can’t wait until I set up the rest of my landscaping and add fish. I’ll post updates on when it’s done being set up.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Great Choice for a Planted Aquarium
*by Y***E on July 31, 2026*

I knew this substrate was good because I had already seen many recommendations, so I decided to buy it for my 10-gallon aquarium. So far, it has been a great success with my plants. I like how it looks in the aquarium, and I have noticed that my plants have adapted well. I’m happy with this purchase and would choose it again.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-10-09*