---
product_id: 61740919
title: "Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg"
brand: "fluval"
price: "R2052"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Fluval"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/61740919-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-4-kg
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Nutrient-rich porous granules Maintains crystal-clear water Safe shrimp refuge zones Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg

**Brand:** fluval
**Price:** R2052
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🌿 Elevate your planted aquarium game with Fluval’s powerhouse substrate!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg by fluval
- **How much does it cost?** R2052 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/61740919-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-4-kg)

## 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

- • **Root Powerhouse:** Porous structure promotes rapid root penetration and nutrient uptake for lush plant growth.
- • **Bacteria Booster:** Porous substrate accelerates beneficial nitrifying bacteria colonization, enhancing tank health.
- • **Shrimp Safe Haven:** Provides newborn shrimp with natural hiding spots, boosting survival rates in your tank.
- • **pH Perfect Balance:** Supports neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for tropical plants, fish, and shrimp.
- • **Crystal Clear Confidence:** Won't discolor water and helps control organic staining from driftwood for pristine visuals.

## Overview

Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum is a 4 kg nutrient-dense, porous substrate designed to accelerate plant root growth and support newborn shrimp by providing natural refuges. It maintains a neutral to slightly acidic pH ideal for tropical aquariums, promotes beneficial bacteria colonization, and keeps water crystal clear without discoloration, making it the top choice for serious planted tank enthusiasts.

## Description

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg at desertcart UK.

Review: Excellent Quality Substrate - While I am still fairly new to the aquarium hobby, I have become somewhat addicted, as appears to be common among our community! Something to note in advance that although you may have read that this Substrate does not leech ammonia, it does appear leech a small amount; enough to stress Shrimp, but probably not enough to bother most fish. I was recording about 0.5 on my Test kit, and I had not added any Ammonia myself at that point just yet. You must cycle your aquarium properly with this substrate. I have used a few types of substrate in my tanks, including cheap potting soil in a "Walstad" style tank. The Fluval Stratum Substrate is my favourite insofar for planted aquariums. This substrate is very light and my plants rooted through it quickly with apparent ease. I would recommend using some aqua-scaping tweezers to plant with, as I feel you would struggle using your fingertips due to how light it is; though, most hobbyists will have already invested in these sorts of tools. I was able to plant dwarf hairgrass in blades of 6-12 across the entire tank without any uprooting. It is nutrient dense are all growing healthily at a rate I am pleased with, even without the use of liquid Co2, or any fertilisers. I did not wash the soil as some other substrates recommend, but my water is still crystal clear! Though, I recommend covering the floor of the aquarium a plastic bag and filling the tank slowly to prevent disturbance, which helps prevent any initial cloudiness and reduces the chance of your newly-planted plants uprooting. This substrate is quite pricey but in my opinion for a hobbyist looking to create a densely planted tank it is worth every penny. Note: I would not recommend using this substrate for fish that like to poke around the substrate, such as goldfish; nor would I recommend it for snails, as they may uproot your plants. It's perfect for shrimp aquariums, and excellent for other fish which don't dig as much, such as Bettas.
Review: Good product - I use instead of soil for my baby/young plants before transitioning in to Pon. Can be used to revive plants that have experienced root rot. Fluval is valuable for money, make a small opening as the tiny balls will go everywhere. I have experienced positive plant recovery and growth.

## Features

- Encourages strong plant growth - roots easily penetrate and spread throughout substrate to obtain key nutrients
- Porous structure allows for rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria
- Helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH - ideal for most plants, tropical fish and shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums
- Provides newborn shrimp with a refuge from predators until they are large enough to emerge
- Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration when natural driftwood is present
- Note Please be aware that air bubbles being released when first submerged is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. The bubbles is just normal air being released from the porous surface of the product. Only pockets of gas that have built up over time, due to decomposition are of concern, due to the type of gas.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00JMABYUO |
| Allergen Information | Nut Free |
| Batteries Included | No |
| Batteries required | No |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1,026 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) 1 in Aquarium Gravel |
| Breed Recommendation | Large breeds |
| Colour | Brown |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (16,801) |
| Date First Available | 18 July 2014 |
| Flavor | Shrimp |
| Item Form | Granules |
| Item Weight | 4 kg |
| Item model number | 12694 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Pet Life Stage | Adult |
| Pet Type | Fish |
| Product Dimensions | 7.62 x 20.32 x 38.1 cm; 4 kg |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Size | 4kg |
| Special features | Water Resistant |
| Specific Uses | Aquarium |
| Storage Information | Keep Dry |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Fluval
- **Item form:** Granules
- **Item weight:** 4 Kilograms
- **Manufacturer:** Rolf C Hagen UK Ltd
- **UPC:** 015561126946

## Images

![Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xuz5C1O9L.jpg)

## Available Options

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

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What colour is it?**
A: Black (dark!)

**Q: How many bags for a 250 lilters fish tank**
A: It depends if you want a well planted fish tank ,one bag will spread and give approx 1\8" or just less cover which isn't really enough to allow plants to root although some will it you also use gravel. I used 2 bags in my 250 litre tank plus gravel and my plants have rooted well and are quite stable

**Q: How many Kilos would be needed for a Triton 350 corner aquarium. (350 lts)**
A: My Fluval Flex 57l (39cm x 39cm or 15" x15" base) took one 8kg bag and covered it to a  depth of 5-6cm. Hope that gives you an idea.

**Q: Would this be ok with cory catfish?**
A: Yes, fine with cory catfish. I have ten plus adult peppered cories and they are breeding constantly with eight babies now nearing adulthood.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Quality Substrate
*by D***N on 23 July 2020*

While I am still fairly new to the aquarium hobby, I have become somewhat addicted, as appears to be common among our community! Something to note in advance that although you may have read that this Substrate does not leech ammonia, it does appear leech a small amount; enough to stress Shrimp, but probably not enough to bother most fish. I was recording about 0.5 on my Test kit, and I had not added any Ammonia myself at that point just yet. You must cycle your aquarium properly with this substrate. I have used a few types of substrate in my tanks, including cheap potting soil in a "Walstad" style tank. The Fluval Stratum Substrate is my favourite insofar for planted aquariums. This substrate is very light and my plants rooted through it quickly with apparent ease. I would recommend using some aqua-scaping tweezers to plant with, as I feel you would struggle using your fingertips due to how light it is; though, most hobbyists will have already invested in these sorts of tools. I was able to plant dwarf hairgrass in blades of 6-12 across the entire tank without any uprooting. It is nutrient dense are all growing healthily at a rate I am pleased with, even without the use of liquid Co2, or any fertilisers. I did not wash the soil as some other substrates recommend, but my water is still crystal clear! Though, I recommend covering the floor of the aquarium a plastic bag and filling the tank slowly to prevent disturbance, which helps prevent any initial cloudiness and reduces the chance of your newly-planted plants uprooting. This substrate is quite pricey but in my opinion for a hobbyist looking to create a densely planted tank it is worth every penny. Note: I would not recommend using this substrate for fish that like to poke around the substrate, such as goldfish; nor would I recommend it for snails, as they may uproot your plants. It's perfect for shrimp aquariums, and excellent for other fish which don't dig as much, such as Bettas.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good product
*by C***R on 20 February 2026*

I use instead of soil for my baby/young plants before transitioning in to Pon. Can be used to revive plants that have experienced root rot. Fluval is valuable for money, make a small opening as the tiny balls will go everywhere. I have experienced positive plant recovery and growth.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seems excellent
*by M***N on 31 December 2025*

Having read the reviews, I decided not to rinse the product first, and added a layer 4cm deep to my slighty damp tank. I then topped this with a layer of fine sand. I placed plastic on top, including some food container tops to stop this being disturbed when adding the water, which was from this tank prior. Water added gently, then removed the plastic layer, giving very clear water, so plants and fish could be added straight away as the water was already at the correct temperature

## Frequently Bought Together

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-09*