Good to see even Eric, a Fluval employee having problems planting into Stratum. Took me a while but here's the method I use. Don't cut the roots too short, leave at least 2 inches. Decide where you want the plant to be then pick a spot 3 inches away. Using tongs hold the plant exactly as Eric showed then push the plant into the substrate as far as you can, even covering the entire plant. Without releasing pressure drag the plant sideways to the intended spot, this has the effect of dragging all of the roots under the substrate. Stratum is so light that this will not damage the plant at all. Now when you pull the plant back up to the correct depth all of the root system remains buried in the substrate which anchors it in place. I have even managed to relocate fully grown Amazon Swords using this method by leaving the roots maybe 4 inches long and dragging them 5 or 6 inches sideways to their correct location.
its best to cap it with sand... trust me. Crystal clear tank in first 24 hours and you keep nutrients locked in, no cleaning substrate required... thank me later!
@@02rids sand causes a seal on the top layer keeping the nutrients in the stratum below it... when u put plants in the roots will dig into the stratum thew the sand. Keeps tank less messy as well
Never rinsed mine filled it up super slow with a quarter inch piece of airline tubing, tank was crystal clear on the first day as soon as the water was in it.
@mamaica1234567890 it shouldn't be coming out of the sand. Maybe you used too little sand? You can always add more sand using a waterbottle on spots that need filling
Love fluval. Their products are amazing and I've been using them since the last 4 years. Whenever it comes to filtration, aquariums, tools and substrate like aquaclear, flex, chi, bow, P and T heaters and stratum (products from fluval that I've been using), Thank you Fluval for helping out so much the fish keeping hobby!
This lowers pH and then buffers it. My water out of the tap is 6.0 and I want to hang around 7.2-7.4 pH - what would I need to add to my tank to buffer and stay around 7.2 pH with fluval stratum? Also, I added a 4.4 pound bag of stratum and the water is clear and nice looking (i put it over sand and dug holes to let it go down next to my plants, in a 75 gallon tank) and it spiked the ammonia to 1.0 ppm. How long until it stops spiking ammonia?
There's a few ways to raise your pH - crushed coral or liquid additives, for example - but be aware that as your tap water is so much lower than your desired level, you'll need to spend quite a lot of time maintaining and checking the pH! With regards to increased ammonia levels from Stratum, it depends on your tank's biological filtration capacity! Adding a quality biological booster like Fluval Cycle Biological Enhancer will help the ammonia level return to normal more quickly.
Mine has been cloudy for 4 days now what filter do you use? I've been running a soonge filter. Just added an aquaclear hang on back today on the 4th day and planted plants
@@anthonygiarrusso4312 I use the stock sponge filter that the fluval spec came with it really keeps my water clear!
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I like this substrate. The issue is that it's so lightweight, it's also difficult to clean and difficult to put plants in without them being anchored somehow.
I used the stratum because it came with my fluval flora. I had the same pair of tongs that came with the tank and even the same plant. I was having a lot of trouble getting the plants to stay. I was pushing them down pretty far as you suggested in the video. The problem was that once I released them from the tongs, they'd stick to the tongs and float up.
That could be related to where the plant is being grasped by the tongs and if there are leaves that are between. For stem plants you should pluck a few bottom leaves off the bottom end of the stem being planted.
At 04:05 most of the plant is out of the substrate, if you start the filter the plant will reach the surface for sure. The roots must be inside the substrate, even if you put some of the plant's leaves into the substrate they will find their way to the light in a few days.
I so love this stuff! One of my all time fave substrates peroid! You want great plats in your tank this is the stuff makes life so much easier and the fact it reduces tannins in the water is a plus!
You are most welcome. In the meantime make sure to visit fluvalaquatics.com and select your country on the homepage, from there go to Support and reach out to us, perhaps it is available where you currently are...
I was wondering how long this substrate takes to settle down? and should I turn on the filter to clear out the water since mine is very dirty and cloudy.
@@RandySoWavvy hey can u put ur fish in the water if it’s not settled i just got a betta and i wanna know if it’s ok i hate seeing him in his tiny home and can u give me some tips if u know any of good things to use like decorating and if the substrate i got is good for him or not
Great video! I have a question about using this for a shrimp tank. I have this in a tank and it’s dropped the alkalinity to a 0 and the pH to well below a 6.0 (the lowest my kit reads). How can I buffer that in order to maintain the ideal water parameters for neocaridina shrimp? From what I know cherries should have like 1-8 KH and a pH of 6.8-7.5. My tap water pH is about a 7.2 and super hard but drops immediately with this substrate well below the recommended levels. Thanks!
It is: Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan'. No, unfortunately we do not sell live stock on our site. Lovely plant and adapts well to a variety of conditions.
Fluval really does make excellent products. Stratum is a really good substrate! I’ve experimented with almost every top brand aquarium soil; Dennerle, ADA, Tropica, etc, etc, Fluval Stratum is a better value.
@@fluval Im trying this substrate for a second time. Being a high CEC substrate, does it obsorb Phosphates out of the water, or is something else responsible for low phosphates? (diatoms?)
Been using this substrate for a month now i n my 30 liter shrimp aquarium. works awesome and looks really good. Love to have this in my 100liter but it costs too much. ill stick with this soil in the smaller aquariums.
26 gal? That's what 100 is. Maybe you should pick up more frugal hobby because I have a 40 gallon shrimp breeding tank I just picked up and it should cost me no more than $40 to fill it with stratum
I'm using Stratum with your Betta Premium tank set up with some basic plants. I was told by my aquarium I purchased from to not syphon at all!, but just to do 25% water changes with a cup as the fish waste is actually ok with Stratum. Is this correct? I have numerous plants in the stratum which doesnt leave much room to even collect surface waste as you mention.
Hi there! In general, we recommend avoiding using a gravel vac with Stratum, as doing so can cause the soil to break down prematurely. Carefully removing any visible waste from on top of the soil is a good idea, but if the tank is too densely planted to allow for that, it's fine to just leave it! 👍
You may use this link to the product page that takes you to the spec tab for this item on fluvalaquatics.com www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/plant-and-shrimp-stratum-2/ 1 X 4.4KG bag should be sufficient unless you want more depth versus what is listed.
Yes there are, many cichlids that dig up substrate, large loaches, any goldfish and there are others. This like all soil type plant substrates are really for the planted aquarium and for species of fish that would be plant friendly with generally peaceful habits and do not typically disrupt substrate.
We're glad you enjoyed the video! You can either cap Stratum with Bio-Stratum, which features smaller granules for ease of planting, or sand. We don't recommend gravel, as it can prematurely break down Stratum! If you'd like to learn more about Bio-Stratum, please watch this video! th-cam.com/video/3JCrsSJMKTg/w-d-xo.html
Antoine, it is not recommended to do so as any other substrate on top of compressed volcanic soil such as this will tend to compress it and defeat one of the main advantages of using it.
I have the 34l fluval flex, Is it advisable to try planting as I have a bristlenose pleco is it likely to destroy plants. I havent yet tried any planting but would like to try. Any advice appreciated also is it a must to add CO2 when using this substrate?
Yes a bristlenose is likely to destroy plants, you can try stem plants and make sure to keep some wood in the aquarium as well as good feeding regimen for the ancistrus, it can work but never for certain. CO2 use will benefit some species of plants more than others, in general, higher light requiring faster growth plants benefit the most from its use, the type of substrate is not really a variable in regards to your question.
I didn't rinse it at all and my water never got cloudy. It got slightly cloudy the 2nd day but that's the same for all tanks. I'm thinking rinsing it loosens it up too much which in turn makes your water cloudy when you set up a tank.
If I move the substrate around in the tank slightly will it mess up? Because I have a Java fern that’s pretty young in the front of the tank and just learned that it’s gonna get big. I think I’ll just move it further into the corner and move that small anubias out of the way. I plan on being gentle because I don’t want to crush it but is it ok being moved slightly so that I can put the roots back into it. Thanks if you answer me.
Also want to add that I know they say not to plant Java ferns in substrate but I don’t have the rhizome covered, same with my anubias. And I have a gravel washer that I use but it never touches the substrate. I just use it as a water changing tool. And hover above the substrate to get any fish waste and other things of the sort.
Hi there, you can definitely move your substrate around in the tank although, it may make the water slightly cloudy and discolored. After some time, the suspended particles will either sink to the bottom of the aquarium or will pass through your filter. 👍
Hey. Great video. Just set up my flex 15 with hardscape and Stratum. I may have moved the rocks around too much after I added the substrate. Eric mentioned that moving rocks etc around too much could “destroy” the substrate. What does that mean? Unusable for planting? Or just really hard to plant in? Wondering if I need to start over again. (Not end of the world, only day 2 of plantless/fishless cycling.) as way of describing, part of the Stratum is perfectly powdery. Looks like river silt.
Hi Stephanie! When we say "destroyed", we mean it becomes broken down and less efficient for plants. The shape and density of Stratum allows plant roots to easily penetrate through it and absorb necessary nutrients. When Stratum is broken down and becomes powdery, it will compact much more rapidly and become more difficult for plants to grow in. We don't believe you'll need to restart your tank, as you'll likely only have disturbed a small portion of the soil - the rest should still be good! 👍
We suggest you review various plants on line to see if they are compatible with your lighting. The aquarium you see in the video has the species of plants listed, they are mid to lower light level requiring.
I am using this stratum in my Fluval 15 Flex. My tank is planted. I just added some Scarlett Temple Red plants. Do I need to supplement with iron or does the stratum have enough?
Larry, here is the link to fluvalaquatics.com page on fluval stratum. Depth of substrate preferred and width of aquarium factor in, please check the tech specs segment for a general recommendation, safer to get 1 X 8lb. bag: www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/12693-plant-and-shrimp-stratum/#.WjAsj9KnHcs
I have a 20 gallon tank with plants and fish. I put gravel in not knowing about Fluval(not told by fish store either). I bought Fluval, but I'm wondering if I need to remove all the gravel and just use Fluval? Put sand over the Fluval? How long do I keep my fish in another tank after putting the Fluval in?
Hi there! We do not recommend mixing gravel and Stratum, so we would advise you to remove the gravel. You can cap Stratum with sand or with Bio-Stratum, but it is not necessary to do so. You can keep your fish in the tank while you work on it - just be as gentle as possible!
I had a real hard time having the plants stay seated in this. It's like planting in Styrofoam peanuts, as the substrate is so light. When you release the plant with the pincers, the stratum pushes out of the way and the plant uproots.
Changed my sub to this and I am having the same issue. As soon as I think I have it where I want it, it comes afloat lol. Maybe a small rock will anchor it down? Any advise?
@@l2kxboost just bury the plant a little deeper and when releasing the tongs/tweezers, give it a little wiggle so the Stratum settles around the plant as you pull the tongs out. Works great, have only had 1-2 plants get uprooted and I'm almost positive that was from my rabbit snails digging them up before the roots could grow some
Hi Fluval, I'm wanting to try this product in a tank where I need to maintain ph 6.5-7, kh 0-5 and low gh 1-3. If I am doing wc's with a mix of RO + soft water HMA - with water going in as ph6.8, kh5, gh1 etc. So where should the stratum settle the kh and ph please? Does it maintain low kh (0/1) and low ph (6.1-2) like other competitor active soils? OR does it maintain ph close to neutral as long as the kh is strong enough. Other soils, I've tried settle the water too acidic for my needs, ie ph 6-6.2 and kh 0/1. Thanks
Iv not setup my tank yet just trying to figure out which foreground, midground, background plants will work best with dragon stone housing betta fish and a couple of ghost shrimps but I am looking at fluval stratum 4 kg
Hi there! We recommend gently rinsing Stratum in a large colander or similar device without agitating the substrate to remove fine dust particles. Temporary turbidity is normal, not harmful to fish, and will settle and clear within 24 hours.
You don't rinse it. I don't know why Fluval is even recommending it in this reply lol. You let it sit for a few hours and the dirt settles down. I had no issue with stratum settling down after sturring it up in the tank.
Hello! You can add more over time, but eventually the soil will compact and need to be completely replaced. The frequency with which this needs to be done depends massivelymostly on the plant species kept and your dosing / maintenance schedules!
I have two big black Moors in a planted tank with fluval substrate, will this hurt them? I’ve seen mixed reviews about what substrate is okay (if any) for fancy goldfish.
What depth of this substrate should I be using for optimum plant growth? I'm putting it in a 100 gallon tank with substrate maybe 6 inches deep in places. Is it OK to pack out the bottom with gravel and put the stratum on top? It's going to be expensive to use 6 inch depth of stratum and maybe unnecessary?
Hi Andy! We don't recommend mixing other substrates with Stratum, as they can prematurely cause the soil to break down. We suggest using at least 1.5" of Stratum, and more for plants with extensive root systems like Cryptocoryne! 6" of substrate is probably a bit more than most plants will use!
@@fluval I think you have missed the point of what I'm asking. I intend to bank the substrate up to perhaps 6 inches in places. You say that 1.5 inches is good, would it be OK to put 4.5 inches of gravel down first and the stratum on top? I don't intend to mix the stratum with anything else but using 6 inches depth of stratum is probably excessive and unnecessary. Is there a problem with putting gravel down first then putting 1.5 inches of stratum over the top rather than using 6 inches of stratum which works out very expensive,
I purchased the 8.8 lb bag of the Fluval Substrate having only used about half the bag's content for my 5.5 nano tank. My question is will keeping the rest in a sturdy zip lock bag be sufficient to maintain its "freshness" and potency and if so how long will this method work? Thank you.
Great question! If you keep your extra Stratum in a sealed bag, it will remain 'fresh' indefinitely. The nutrients contained in the substrate are only depleted once the substrate is introduced to an aquarium and live plants are added.
By siphoning very gently over the surface, not inserting the vac into stratum and churning it up, that would both create a mess and cause it to break down.
Java moss does not in fact require a substrate to grow as it does so virtually on any surface. Mixing pebbles with Stratum usually results in Stratum breaking down as it is delicate in nature.
@@fluval hmm, already did it so I hope it doesn't negatively affect it too bad. It's only a 10 gallon. I have 3" of stratum and a quarter inch of natural colored small stone. Plants are on day 4 and are showing some good signs of rooting.
I'll report back in 12 months and we'll see how things are! Going with a lighter colored shrimp so didn't want the black substrate. If I have to rescape it oh well.
That depends a lot on the KH (temporary hardness), if the KH is low then buffering the water would be called for, both to stabilize the pH and provide some plants with a carbonate source they do use.
So you dont need any sort of soil for underneath the substrate at all? And you dont have to actually vacuum the substrate, just glide over it? I'm trying to do planted tanks for my betta tanks (and future tanks) and wanted to be sure. All the info I have found is either not clear enough or is contradicting with others.
Vacuuming the bottoms with this type of soil need to be done carefully, it is light by nature, keeping the siphoning device above the substrate so only debris rises is sufficient.
I'm using fluval stratum and it's great but I'm just wondering how long it will take to cycle, my aquarium us 14L and has crypts, pearl weed, banana leaf lily's, rotala rotundifolia, java fern, java moss, duckweed, I've dosed seachem excel and stability aswell as water from another aquarium.
You should be able to add a couple of hardy plant friendly fish and monitor ammonia and nitrite conditions, you will be able to control any trends upwards with partial water changes and careful feeding.
Hi there, great question! Adding any soil to an established aquarium is likely to cause an increase in ammonia levels. We recommend trying out Fluval Bio-Stratum, which includes nitrifying bacteria to help reduce the potential ammonia spike! Otherwise, performing a few partial water changes and dosing your aquarium with a quality biological additive like Fluval Cycle should keep the ammonia levels within a suitable range.
You can if you'd like, but it's important to be extremely gentle while doing so - only siphon the top inch or so, and be careful to not break up the granules!
Liam, that would be dictated by a variety of factors. You may always add additional substrate additives as a first layer when filling and as you mention use both root tabs and micro nutrient liquid supplements. The main macro nutrient remains as carbon which is best provided by carbon dioxide injection.
I have a question regarding disturbing this substrate. What if you have Corys or something on the order of this type of fish, which would be weightier than shrimp? Would this still be suitable? I use Fluval stratum in my 5 gallon tank and am considering using it for a 29 gallon.
Connie, good question. Most Corys would be fine, they have small snouts with barbels and would not disrupt the bottom too much. The largest species might cause a bit of water clouding as they dig into the substrate. Large loaches or fish such as many cichlid species should be avoided as their digging would be disruptive and messy with this kind of substrate.
Logan, that really depends on what your pH is and what it is you plan to keep? Please advise us of those two things and we can certainly provide some guidance.
I had rinsed it a bit and placed it in my tank, but the dust seems to be setting on a wood piece I have in my tank. If I add plants wouldn’t it agitate the substrate and make the water dark again? Or should I try giving it another rinse? I’m nervous that turning on my filter will agitate it and make the water stay dark
Hi Damaris, disturbing the Stratum substrate will cause some cloudiness to the water but will not permanently discolor it. All of the larger pieces of suspended substrate will fall to the bottom of the aquarium and the rest of the suspended debris will be filtered out by your filter. The aquarium water will go back to being clear after roughly a day! We hope this helps. 😊
Stratum does not contribute ammonia to aquarium water. In fact in our on going testing in control tanks with nothing but water, stratum and a few live plants we average sub 5 ppm levels. Very gentle rinsing as described on packaging is recommended but not necessary.
When doing partial water changes use a small gravel washer and pass just about the substrate not to pick it up but to siphon only the surface detritus off carefully.
I just got this today and set up my tank I rinsed it all wrong :( used kinda cold little tiny bit warm but was still pretty cool water and the bucket was so murky I just got what substrate I could out of the bucket and put it in the tank it's so muddy looking I can't see anything in the tank,do you think I should just redo it?
How much nutrition is in this stuff I filled a 75 gallon tank with 2-3 inches of this then an inches an a half with sand I planted a melon sword an two little plants how long before I should fertilize 6 months?
Hi Adrian, it's best to start dosing with fertilization right away, on a regular basis! The substrate contains nutrients but plants absorb them through their leaves as well.
i rinsed mine out and just added it to my tank but the water is super dark and cloudy, like the color of the substrate. is this ok and will it clear up?
Yes just let it settle out it will be fine, then you can see what you are doing to plant into it. However if you want the water to clear up faster, you could do a few partial water changes until it is less cloudy, DO NOT disturb the substrate when you pour the new water in. Use a colander or possibly some bubble wrap to pour the water over this will disperse the water rather than making a crater as you pour it in. - Also let it sit and run the filter on max with some filter floss this will also clear things up quicker, then swap out that floss for fresh floss before you are done with your initial setup.
Yes it will. To speed the process up you can run some fine filter media in your filter, as it clears remove the media and rinse it thoroughly to remove the fine particles.
Lorenzo, the sand should not be necessary. If you really want to add some sand then a glass dish can be added and filled with sand, submerged and placed in a particular spot if you wish.
Changed my sub to this last night and I am having the same issue staying in place. As soon as I think I have it where I want it, it comes afloat lol. Maybe a small rock will anchor it down? Any advise?
You can certainly use a small rock to weigh down the plants! Alternatively, try submerging the plants a little deeper into the substrate, if the species allows for it.
@3:38, NOT these tongs, watch as he does not get the roots into the substrate with these bulky chopsticks. I like a finer tip on my plant tweezers, and grab way lower on the roots to get them into the substrate, and I do use the Fluval Stratum, love that product, and Fluval Canister filters. These Tongs are too clumsy.
When reverse osmosis water is mixed with salty shrimp gh mineral, it has a ph of 5.5. Fluval stratum keeps my tank at a ph of 6.2. Doesnt this mean fluval stratum raises ph? If i were to remove the stratum from the tank, my ph would go down to 5.5. This is confusing because everywhere reads that active substrates lower ph but how could this be is ro water has a ph of 5.5 and the stratum keeps the tank at 6.2? I know it would lower the ph aswell if tap water was used. Would it be fair to say fluval stratum will raise or lower the ph depending what kind of water you use to get to crystal red parameters ?
Fluval Stratum will slowly lower pH in the presence of some buffering capacity, if one were to use 100% R/O (which is not the case) water the pH would drop quicker. Your extrapolations are based on using other additives so we are confused at questioning concerning the logic used to ask if Fluval Stratum can raise pH, it will not. You are also including references to GH, it is not GH that buffers the pH of water but rather KH.
@@fluval Sorry let me clarify. This product is meant to be used for crystal red shrimps. Also this product is meant to be use with reverse osmosis water and salty shrimp GH mineral. This product buffers the pH to around 6.2. The pH of reverse osmosis water is 5.5. When this is used with reverse osmosis water it buffers the pH to 6.2 which means that it is slightly raising it. Is this correct ? It also lowers pH if use with tapwater as well. I guess what I’m trying to say is it could lower your pH or increase your pH to get to 6.2. Does this seem accurate ?
For substrate such as this, siphoning just over the surface to pull the debris up, avoid aspirating the compressed soil up a gravel washing tube, it would break it down.
So basically I am moving house,and to do so I will need to drain my tank completely, it has 6 plattie’s in it, and I wish to add this substrate I will be keeping my fish In a bucket while I do this and add the same water and filter is it safe to and fish Straight after adding the soil?
Please visit fluvalaquatics.com for guidance, kindly use this link to the product page for Fluval Stratum and scroll down to the tech specs box, within you will find a use guideline.
Good to see even Eric, a Fluval employee having problems planting into Stratum. Took me a while but here's the method I use. Don't cut the roots too short, leave at least 2 inches. Decide where you want the plant to be then pick a spot 3 inches away. Using tongs hold the plant exactly as Eric showed then push the plant into the substrate as far as you can, even covering the entire plant. Without releasing pressure drag the plant sideways to the intended spot, this has the effect of dragging all of the roots under the substrate. Stratum is so light that this will not damage the plant at all. Now when you pull the plant back up to the correct depth all of the root system remains buried in the substrate which anchors it in place. I have even managed to relocate fully grown Amazon Swords using this method by leaving the roots maybe 4 inches long and dragging them 5 or 6 inches sideways to their correct location.
Great tips fluval, I made some little pots up with this product and put a plant in the pot, they are doing well!
its best to cap it with sand... trust me. Crystal clear tank in first 24 hours and you keep nutrients locked in, no cleaning substrate required... thank me later!
Doesn't the sand cause a seal between the surface of the plant and substrate?
@@02rids sand causes a seal on the top layer keeping the nutrients in the stratum below it... when u put plants in the roots will dig into the stratum thew the sand. Keeps tank less messy as well
Never rinsed mine filled it up super slow with a quarter inch piece of airline tubing, tank was crystal clear on the first day as soon as the water was in it.
But when it comes out of the sand it's ugly
@mamaica1234567890 it shouldn't be coming out of the sand. Maybe you used too little sand? You can always add more sand using a waterbottle on spots that need filling
Love fluval. Their products are amazing and I've been using them since the last 4 years. Whenever it comes to filtration, aquariums, tools and substrate like aquaclear, flex, chi, bow, P and T heaters and stratum (products from fluval that I've been using), Thank you Fluval for helping out so much the fish keeping hobby!
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! 😊
This lowers pH and then buffers it. My water out of the tap is 6.0 and I want to hang around 7.2-7.4 pH - what would I need to add to my tank to buffer and stay around 7.2 pH with fluval stratum? Also, I added a 4.4 pound bag of stratum and the water is clear and nice looking (i put it over sand and dug holes to let it go down next to my plants, in a 75 gallon tank) and it spiked the ammonia to 1.0 ppm. How long until it stops spiking ammonia?
There's a few ways to raise your pH - crushed coral or liquid additives, for example - but be aware that as your tap water is so much lower than your desired level, you'll need to spend quite a lot of time maintaining and checking the pH!
With regards to increased ammonia levels from Stratum, it depends on your tank's biological filtration capacity! Adding a quality biological booster like Fluval Cycle Biological Enhancer will help the ammonia level return to normal more quickly.
Can I add more fluval stratum to my established tank? Instead of being flat, I want to give it mountain layout. Thanks
Yes, there is no issue in adding more to scape the substrate .
Note it really does get murky when starting and I tried rinsing it out a few times
This is what I wanted to know lol
Never clean substrate in tap water. It removes all the goodness for the plants
@@robertwaller7527 can you use filtered tap water? 😊
@@shaylucas9421 I wouldn’t! I just put it straight into the tank. The filter ends up cleaning the water in a couple of hours.
@@robertwaller7527 not when you already got fish in there
I just bought a bag of this at Petco for my fluval spec 5! I cant wait for the water to clear so I can start planting and adding my shrimp :)
Plants do not care if it is cloudy!!!
@@marcusbabcock458 it cleared up within 24 hours that's a damn good filter I already planted and added shrimp
Me too.
Mine has been cloudy for 4 days now what filter do you use? I've been running a soonge filter. Just added an aquaclear hang on back today on the 4th day and planted plants
@@anthonygiarrusso4312 I use the stock sponge filter that the fluval spec came with it really keeps my water clear!
I like this substrate. The issue is that it's so lightweight, it's also difficult to clean and difficult to put plants in without them being anchored somehow.
I used the stratum because it came with my fluval flora. I had the same pair of tongs that came with the tank and even the same plant. I was having a lot of trouble getting the plants to stay. I was pushing them down pretty far as you suggested in the video. The problem was that once I released them from the tongs, they'd stick to the tongs and float up.
That could be related to where the plant is being grasped by the tongs and if there are leaves that are between. For stem plants you should pluck a few bottom leaves off the bottom end of the stem being planted.
Make sure you plan in a dry substrate which is just sprayed with water. That helps a lot. Once you have planted all the plants, fill water.
Udeeksh Sood thank you for the tip. I filled with water and then planted and I think that was the problem
At 04:05 most of the plant is out of the substrate, if you start the filter the plant will reach the surface for sure. The roots must be inside the substrate, even if you put some of the plant's leaves into the substrate they will find their way to the light in a few days.
George, in a newly planted tank featuring these types of plants in this type of substrate it is expected, follow up and some replanting is normal.
I so love this stuff! One of my all time fave substrates peroid! You want great plats in your tank this is the stuff makes life so much easier and the fact it reduces tannins in the water is a plus!
What kind of plant is carpeting the bottom of the tank i just got the 15 flex and im looking for a plant to cover the bottom like that
Zach West hydrocotyle sp
Gonna move and redo my planted shrimp tank today.
Gonna seed it with the dirty prefilter 👏
👌
Im redoing my 15 gallon tall betta tank. I originally had white sand in it but I really want that lunch natural feels this substrate provides
I like these volcanic, mineral rich, porous substrates.
colinbarsby porous Maximus
@@golden1_1dragon12 Maximus Claudius Julius Caesar
I really hope to pick up some of this when I go Canada. Thanks Fluval
You are most welcome. In the meantime make sure to visit fluvalaquatics.com and select your country on the homepage, from there go to Support and reach out to us, perhaps it is available where you currently are...
@@fluval
Iv bought two 8kg bags of this product and EVERYONE says different methods on rinsing or not rinsing it, could u please tell me what to do?
@@fluval
Never mind i watched the video
Question, after a few years when this becomes dirt do I have to fully replace it or could i just add root tabs?
We recommend fully replacing the soil after about 1.5 - 2 years, as it breaks down over time!
I was wondering how long this substrate takes to settle down? and should I turn on the filter to clear out the water since mine is very dirty and cloudy.
Grace Cha turn the filter on and give it a day if it’s still cloudy do a water change
@@RandySoWavvy hey can u put ur fish in the water if it’s not settled i just got a betta and i wanna know if it’s ok i hate seeing him in his tiny home and can u give me some tips if u know any of good things to use like decorating and if the substrate i got is good for him or not
Awesome video :) Could you please tell me what kind of plant is on the bottom of the tank at 0:25? Thank you!
It is H. tripartita sp. Japan.
3:43 how not to plant a rooted plant, the roots are way too long, it's preventing them from going deeper into the substrate
dont you need long roots in the first place to keep it down and have something anchored by the substrate?
Does Fluval stratum have nutrients that are in typical root tabs? I wonder if I need to add root tabs to new installation of Fluval stratum.
There are available nutrients, for heavily rooted plants specific root tab nutrition is still beneficial.
Great video! I have a question about using this for a shrimp tank. I have this in a tank and it’s dropped the alkalinity to a 0 and the pH to well below a 6.0 (the lowest my kit reads). How can I buffer that in order to maintain the ideal water parameters for neocaridina shrimp? From what I know cherries should have like 1-8 KH and a pH of 6.8-7.5. My tap water pH is about a 7.2 and super hard but drops immediately with this substrate well below the recommended levels.
Thanks!
try replacing the water with new one
@@terryterry1655great answer genius
Yes, I was wondering what that plant creeping along in tge tank was and do u sell on yr site?🇨🇦
It is: Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan'. No, unfortunately we do not sell live stock on our site. Lovely plant and adapts well to a variety of conditions.
@@fluval
Will you guys ever release a new version that doesn't require rinsing?
Fluval really does make excellent products. Stratum is a really good substrate! I’ve experimented with almost every top brand aquarium soil; Dennerle, ADA, Tropica, etc, etc, Fluval Stratum is a better value.
That's awesome, thanks for sharing!
@@fluval Im trying this substrate for a second time. Being a high CEC substrate, does it obsorb Phosphates out of the water, or is something else responsible for low phosphates? (diatoms?)
@@andyh8239it absorbs dioxide phosphate some
Awesome video I use fluval substrate in my 29 gallon aquarium and the plants love it I get so much growth it’s insane definitely a good product!
Been using this substrate for a month now i n my 30 liter shrimp aquarium. works awesome and looks really good.
Love to have this in my 100liter but it costs too much. ill stick with this soil in the smaller aquariums.
26 gal? That's what 100 is. Maybe you should pick up more frugal hobby because I have a 40 gallon shrimp breeding tank I just picked up and it should cost me no more than $40 to fill it with stratum
good for u then, this substrate probably cost more in my country @@justinclement5417
I'm using Stratum with your Betta Premium tank set up with some basic plants. I was told by my aquarium I purchased from to not syphon at all!, but just to do 25% water changes with a cup as the fish waste is actually ok with Stratum. Is this correct? I have numerous plants in the stratum which doesnt leave much room to even collect surface waste as you mention.
Hi there! In general, we recommend avoiding using a gravel vac with Stratum, as doing so can cause the soil to break down prematurely. Carefully removing any visible waste from on top of the soil is a good idea, but if the tank is too densely planted to allow for that, it's fine to just leave it! 👍
@@fluval Amazing! Thank you guys.
I have the fluval flex 15 gallon, how many bags or kilograms of this substrate will I need?
You may use this link to the product page that takes you to the spec tab for this item on fluvalaquatics.com www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/plant-and-shrimp-stratum-2/
1 X 4.4KG bag should be sufficient unless you want more depth versus what is listed.
Are there any Freshwater tropical fish that should NOT be kept in a tanks with Flual Stratum substrate?
Yes there are, many cichlids that dig up substrate, large loaches, any goldfish and there are others. This like all soil type plant substrates are really for the planted aquarium and for species of fish that would be plant friendly with generally peaceful habits and do not typically disrupt substrate.
@@fluval Thanks.
Hi I have a question, can I use am undergravel filter with this substrate?
Can I use the fluval stratum for bettas and panda corys?
Yes you may.
Thank you for the video and information! Question: what are your thoughts on capping the stratum with either sand or gravel?
We're glad you enjoyed the video! You can either cap Stratum with Bio-Stratum, which features smaller granules for ease of planting, or sand. We don't recommend gravel, as it can prematurely break down Stratum!
If you'd like to learn more about Bio-Stratum, please watch this video! th-cam.com/video/3JCrsSJMKTg/w-d-xo.html
Can you put white pool sand on top of this i already have 1 black sand tank and want a white sand tank too?
Antoine, it is not recommended to do so as any other substrate on top of compressed volcanic soil such as this will tend to compress it and defeat one of the main advantages of using it.
I have the 34l fluval flex, Is it advisable to try planting as I have a bristlenose pleco is it likely to destroy plants. I havent yet tried any planting but would like to try. Any advice appreciated also is it a must to add CO2 when using this substrate?
Yes a bristlenose is likely to destroy plants, you can try stem plants and make sure to keep some wood in the aquarium as well as good feeding regimen for the ancistrus, it can work but never for certain. CO2 use will benefit some species of plants more than others, in general, higher light requiring faster growth plants benefit the most from its use, the type of substrate is not really a variable in regards to your question.
I didn't rinse it at all and my water never got cloudy. It got slightly cloudy the 2nd day but that's the same for all tanks. I'm thinking rinsing it loosens it up too much which in turn makes your water cloudy when you set up a tank.
Very gentle rinsing in a colander is recommended.
I did it both ways and still got tons of dust. That’s ok because I mean it all settled down in a couple hours and even more the next day
@@NatCatKittyso what's the problem then?
@@justinclement5417 I dunno I can’t even remember why I posted this lol
will 4 kgs be enough for a 15 gallon tank? (14.5 X 9 inches tank)
Harsh Narayan do the math bro not that hard
If I move the substrate around in the tank slightly will it mess up? Because I have a Java fern that’s pretty young in the front of the tank and just learned that it’s gonna get big. I think I’ll just move it further into the corner and move that small anubias out of the way. I plan on being gentle because I don’t want to crush it but is it ok being moved slightly so that I can put the roots back into it. Thanks if you answer me.
Also want to add that I know they say not to plant Java ferns in substrate but I don’t have the rhizome covered, same with my anubias. And I have a gravel washer that I use but it never touches the substrate. I just use it as a water changing tool. And hover above the substrate to get any fish waste and other things of the sort.
Hi there, you can definitely move your substrate around in the tank although, it may make the water slightly cloudy and discolored. After some time, the suspended particles will either sink to the bottom of the aquarium or will pass through your filter. 👍
@@fluval thanks
Hey. Great video. Just set up my flex 15 with hardscape and Stratum. I may have moved the rocks around too much after I added the substrate. Eric mentioned that moving rocks etc around too much could “destroy” the substrate. What does that mean? Unusable for planting? Or just really hard to plant in? Wondering if I need to start over again. (Not end of the world, only day 2 of plantless/fishless cycling.) as way of describing, part of the Stratum is perfectly powdery. Looks like river silt.
Hi Stephanie! When we say "destroyed", we mean it becomes broken down and less efficient for plants. The shape and density of Stratum allows plant roots to easily penetrate through it and absorb necessary nutrients. When Stratum is broken down and becomes powdery, it will compact much more rapidly and become more difficult for plants to grow in. We don't believe you'll need to restart your tank, as you'll likely only have disturbed a small portion of the soil - the rest should still be good! 👍
Would love to upgrade my older filter.
So you recommend planting before cycling the tank?
Absolutely , before , during and after. Ammonium will benefit live plants, they readily use that nitrogen source.
i just grabbed a bag of this stuff today i also got the small fluval c02 kit what are some plants i should try?
We suggest you review various plants on line to see if they are compatible with your lighting. The aquarium you see in the video has the species of plants listed, they are mid to lower light level requiring.
You have about the best job on earth!
Thank you, I enjoy it!
I am using this stratum in my Fluval 15 Flex. My tank is planted. I just added some Scarlett Temple Red plants. Do I need to supplement with iron or does the stratum have enough?
Getting an iron test kit and supplementing is necessary and recommended.
Thank you so much!
how many 4 lb bags of fluval substrate do you think it would take to properly cover the bottom of a regular ten gallon tank?
Larry, here is the link to fluvalaquatics.com page on fluval stratum. Depth of substrate preferred and width of aquarium factor in, please check the tech specs segment for a general recommendation, safer to get 1 X 8lb. bag: www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/12693-plant-and-shrimp-stratum/#.WjAsj9KnHcs
I have a 20 gallon tank with plants and fish. I put gravel in not knowing about Fluval(not told by fish store either). I bought Fluval, but I'm wondering if I need to remove all the gravel and just use Fluval? Put sand over the Fluval? How long do I keep my fish in another tank after putting the Fluval in?
Hi there! We do not recommend mixing gravel and Stratum, so we would advise you to remove the gravel. You can cap Stratum with sand or with Bio-Stratum, but it is not necessary to do so. You can keep your fish in the tank while you work on it - just be as gentle as possible!
@@fluval great!! Thank you so much!
i have ada amazonia ver 2 in tank already, can i add fluval stratum on top of that to raise the height?
Yes that is possible.
I had a real hard time having the plants stay seated in this. It's like planting in Styrofoam peanuts, as the substrate is so light.
When you release the plant with the pincers, the stratum pushes out of the way and the plant uproots.
Same here, so I try the angle method
Changed my sub to this and I am having the same issue. As soon as I think I have it where I want it, it comes afloat lol. Maybe a small rock will anchor it down? Any advise?
@@l2kxboost just bury the plant a little deeper and when releasing the tongs/tweezers, give it a little wiggle so the Stratum settles around the plant as you pull the tongs out. Works great, have only had 1-2 plants get uprooted and I'm almost positive that was from my rabbit snails digging them up before the roots could grow some
Hi Fluval, I'm wanting to try this product in a tank where I need to maintain ph 6.5-7, kh 0-5 and low gh 1-3. If I am doing wc's with a mix of RO + soft water HMA - with water going in as ph6.8, kh5, gh1 etc. So where should the stratum settle the kh and ph please? Does it maintain low kh (0/1) and low ph (6.1-2) like other competitor active soils? OR does it maintain ph close to neutral as long as the kh is strong enough. Other soils, I've tried settle the water too acidic for my needs, ie ph 6-6.2 and kh 0/1. Thanks
Hi there, Stratum helps support a neutral to slightly acidic pH as well as maintain a low KH between 0-1. We hope this helps! 😊
@@fluval thank you, I'll give it a go.
I just bought some fluval dark, should I get fluval stratum for a bottom layer? Haven't started redoing tank yet.
We do not recommend mixing different substrates with Stratum due to its' fragile nature.
So I have this in my tank with live plants but it is better with soil at the bottom of it for the plants?????
Hi there! Fluval Stratum and Bio-Stratum are great choices for aquatic plants. No other substrate / soil is needed!
@@fluval ok I’m just a beginner trying to get my tank started and I’m having trouble here lol
Can i keep a nerite snail with this?
How do I clean the substrate during my weekly water change/maintenance
4:40 watch the video
Which substrate are you using?
Iv not setup my tank yet just trying to figure out which foreground, midground, background plants will work best with dragon stone housing betta fish and a couple of ghost shrimps but I am looking at fluval stratum 4 kg
I rinsed the stratum 3 times and I have nothing but murky, muddy water. It did settle over night but if I touch it slightly it is a mess.
Hi there! We recommend gently rinsing Stratum in a large colander or similar device without agitating the substrate to remove fine dust particles. Temporary turbidity is normal, not harmful to fish, and will settle and clear within 24 hours.
@@fluval Thanks, I probably didn't do it enough the first time. Now it looks perfect!
You don't rinse it. I don't know why Fluval is even recommending it in this reply lol. You let it sit for a few hours and the dirt settles down. I had no issue with stratum settling down after sturring it up in the tank.
If this breaks down over time, do you need to add more or completely redo the tank when it does.
Hello! You can add more over time, but eventually the soil will compact and need to be completely replaced. The frequency with which this needs to be done depends massivelymostly on the plant species kept and your dosing / maintenance schedules!
I have two big black Moors in a planted tank with fluval substrate, will this hurt them? I’ve seen mixed reviews about what substrate is okay (if any) for fancy goldfish.
Hello Kaily, Fluval Stratum will not harm your goldfish! :)
What plant did you use for carping in the established one?
It's Hydrocotyle tripartita! ☘
What depth of this substrate should I be using for optimum plant growth? I'm putting it in a 100 gallon tank with substrate maybe 6 inches deep in places. Is it OK to pack out the bottom with gravel and put the stratum on top? It's going to be expensive to use 6 inch depth of stratum and maybe unnecessary?
Hi Andy! We don't recommend mixing other substrates with Stratum, as they can prematurely cause the soil to break down. We suggest using at least 1.5" of Stratum, and more for plants with extensive root systems like Cryptocoryne! 6" of substrate is probably a bit more than most plants will use!
@@fluval I think you have missed the point of what I'm asking. I intend to bank the substrate up to perhaps 6 inches in places. You say that 1.5 inches is good, would it be OK to put 4.5 inches of gravel down first and the stratum on top? I don't intend to mix the stratum with anything else but using 6 inches depth of stratum is probably excessive and unnecessary. Is there a problem with putting gravel down first then putting 1.5 inches of stratum over the top rather than using 6 inches of stratum which works out very expensive,
I purchased the 8.8 lb bag of the Fluval Substrate having only used about half the bag's content for my 5.5 nano tank. My question is will keeping the rest in a sturdy zip lock bag be sufficient to maintain its "freshness" and potency and if so how long will this method work? Thank you.
Great question! If you keep your extra Stratum in a sealed bag, it will remain 'fresh' indefinitely. The nutrients contained in the substrate are only depleted once the substrate is introduced to an aquarium and live plants are added.
How would you gravel Vac the fluval stratum? Or would you leave it be?
By siphoning very gently over the surface, not inserting the vac into stratum and churning it up, that would both create a mess and cause it to break down.
Can we mix. Fluval substrate with decorative pebbles (that are used to decorate aquarium bottom) will it affect the growth of Java moss plant
Java moss does not in fact require a substrate to grow as it does so virtually on any surface. Mixing pebbles with Stratum usually results in Stratum breaking down as it is delicate in nature.
Is it possible to use hydroponic clay pellets as a aquarium substrate? Maybe for a portion of the tank.
They are usually inert, as such safe but do not have the nutrient content some other substrates do.
Is there a downside to topping it with another color substrate? Not mixing but a thin quarter inch layer for color?
A denser harder substrate on top would accelerated the breakdown of any natural soil type substrate.
@@fluval hmm, already did it so I hope it doesn't negatively affect it too bad. It's only a 10 gallon. I have 3" of stratum and a quarter inch of natural colored small stone. Plants are on day 4 and are showing some good signs of rooting.
I'll report back in 12 months and we'll see how things are! Going with a lighter colored shrimp so didn't want the black substrate. If I have to rescape it oh well.
@@eyetvideos467 how is it working out
Is it really necessary to rinse the substrate? What happens if you add it directly like how we use ADA?
Rinsing has to be done very gently, you can add water directly but do expect to deal with some cloudy water conditions, which will clear up.
When the PH is already low in your area ... is this still a good/safe option to use for a planted shrimp tank?
That depends a lot on the KH (temporary hardness), if the KH is low then buffering the water would be called for, both to stabilize the pH and provide some plants with a carbonate source they do use.
I only use sand substrate then adding some Osmocote 14-14-14 for balance nutrients.
So you dont need any sort of soil for underneath the substrate at all? And you dont have to actually vacuum the substrate, just glide over it?
I'm trying to do planted tanks for my betta tanks (and future tanks) and wanted to be sure. All the info I have found is either not clear enough or is contradicting with others.
Vacuuming the bottoms with this type of soil need to be done carefully, it is light by nature, keeping the siphoning device above the substrate so only debris rises is sufficient.
I'm using fluval stratum and it's great but I'm just wondering how long it will take to cycle, my aquarium us 14L and has crypts, pearl weed, banana leaf lily's, rotala rotundifolia, java fern, java moss, duckweed, I've dosed seachem excel and stability aswell as water from another aquarium.
You should be able to add a couple of hardy plant friendly fish and monitor ammonia and nitrite conditions, you will be able to control any trends upwards with partial water changes and careful feeding.
One or two months. Depending on results from your API test kit.
How would you clean the substrate without crushing or destroying it?? Could you use a small syphon??
You could gently siphon a little above the surface while gently moving a thin trimming tool through the top layer, that would be sufficient.
Ok thanks!
Hiii how do I add this to a established tank, is this possible with the ammonium
Hi there, great question! Adding any soil to an established aquarium is likely to cause an increase in ammonia levels. We recommend trying out Fluval Bio-Stratum, which includes nitrifying bacteria to help reduce the potential ammonia spike! Otherwise, performing a few partial water changes and dosing your aquarium with a quality biological additive like Fluval Cycle should keep the ammonia levels within a suitable range.
Can you do water changes in the stratum?
You can if you'd like, but it's important to be extremely gentle while doing so - only siphon the top inch or so, and be careful to not break up the granules!
Can I put Lava Rocks below Fluval Stratum as substrate ?
Hi there! Yes, you can put Lava Rocks below the Fluval Stratum as a base layer (this way nothing is moving/grinding down the Stratum).
How long till it runs out of nutrients and how can I replace the nutrients without root tabs
Liam, that would be dictated by a variety of factors. You may always add additional substrate additives as a first layer when filling and as you mention use both root tabs and micro nutrient liquid supplements. The main macro nutrient remains as carbon which is best provided by carbon dioxide injection.
I have a question regarding disturbing this substrate. What if you have Corys or something on the order of this type of fish, which would be weightier than shrimp? Would this still be suitable? I use Fluval stratum in my 5 gallon tank and am considering using it for a 29 gallon.
Connie, good question. Most Corys would be fine, they have small snouts with barbels and would not disrupt the bottom too much. The largest species might cause a bit of water clouding as they dig into the substrate. Large loaches or fish such as many cichlid species should be avoided as their digging would be disruptive and messy with this kind of substrate.
Fluval Aquatics thank you for your quick reply and help!
is there anything you need to do different to your water for ur ph
Logan, that really depends on what your pH is and what it is you plan to keep? Please advise us of those two things and we can certainly provide some guidance.
I had rinsed it a bit and placed it in my tank, but the dust seems to be setting on a wood piece I have in my tank. If I add plants wouldn’t it agitate the substrate and make the water dark again? Or should I try giving it another rinse? I’m nervous that turning on my filter will agitate it and make the water stay dark
Hi Damaris, disturbing the Stratum substrate will cause some cloudiness to the water but will not permanently discolor it. All of the larger pieces of suspended substrate will fall to the bottom of the aquarium and the rest of the suspended debris will be filtered out by your filter. The aquarium water will go back to being clear after roughly a day! We hope this helps. 😊
@@fluval you were right thank you ☺️
What happened when you did not rinse the stratum at first ? Does it increase the ammonia in the water?
Stratum does not contribute ammonia to aquarium water. In fact in our on going testing in control tanks with nothing but water, stratum and a few live plants we average sub 5 ppm levels. Very gentle rinsing as described on packaging is recommended but not necessary.
@@fluval thank you for my peace of mind.
I have a Question! I bought this and planted plants with driftwood and was wondering how do you clean the tank when it gets dirty
When doing partial water changes use a small gravel washer and pass just about the substrate not to pick it up but to siphon only the surface detritus off carefully.
@@fluval arent you supposed to pull up substate in the syphon tube and pull gunk out? In other words this dosnt hold up but turns to mush!
@@karennation3580 not with this stratum! it's not like other substrates in that way :)
I just got this today and set up my tank I rinsed it all wrong :( used kinda cold little tiny bit warm but was still pretty cool water and the bucket was so murky I just got what substrate I could out of the bucket and put it in the tank it's so muddy looking I can't see anything in the tank,do you think I should just redo it?
Also really new to the planted tank and fish keeping hobby
Hi there! Let your filter run for a day or two and it'll clear up all the cloudiness caused by the substrate! 👍
Fluval Stratum is great! Love it!
How much nutrition is in this stuff I filled a 75 gallon tank with 2-3 inches of this then an inches an a half with sand I planted a melon sword an two little plants how long before I should fertilize 6 months?
Hi Adrian, it's best to start dosing with fertilization right away, on a regular basis! The substrate contains nutrients but plants absorb them through their leaves as well.
I hv used fluval stratum for 1yr in starting plants grow well i hv used fertilizer too now plants r not growing , should i hv to change the soil ?
Likely within the next year you should start to replace sections that will start to visibly compact and break down.
How do I make the water clear please hep me
Not overstocking, regular water changes as well as aquarium and filter maintenance.
How much Phosphorus do you dose, if any?
Can I mix this substrate with Seachem Flourite red ?
We do not recommend mixing Fluval Stratum with other substrates.
I'm gonna use Fluval Stratum for the first time in my 3 gallon tank for a couple Guppies and Snails, how long do I need to cycle the tank for?
We recommend testing the water regularly to see when the tank is cycled and ready for fish! 👍
i rinsed mine out and just added it to my tank but the water is super dark and cloudy, like the color of the substrate. is this ok and will it clear up?
Yes just let it settle out it will be fine, then you can see what you are doing to plant into it. However if you want the water to clear up faster, you could do a few partial water changes until it is less cloudy, DO NOT disturb the substrate when you pour the new water in. Use a colander or possibly some bubble wrap to pour the water over this will disperse the water rather than making a crater as you pour it in. - Also let it sit and run the filter on max with some filter floss this will also clear things up quicker, then swap out that floss for fresh floss before you are done with your initial setup.
stormtrooper2010 thank you so much
Yes it will. To speed the process up you can run some fine filter media in your filter, as it clears remove the media and rinse it thoroughly to remove the fine particles.
Fluval Aquatics thank you my filter is coming thursday😊
Would you able to cap this with aquarium sand to help anchor plants or would this lead to complications or just unnecessary? Thanks!
Lorenzo, the sand should not be necessary. If you really want to add some sand then a glass dish can be added and filled with sand, submerged and placed in a particular spot if you wish.
@@fluval the whole point is because it looks nicer I’m just asking if its all good to cover all of it up with sand
My tank looks like coffee.
Changed my sub to this last night and I am having the same issue staying in place. As soon as I think I have it where I want it, it comes afloat lol. Maybe a small rock will anchor it down? Any advise?
Im sorry, I meant to say that when I have my plants where I want them they come afloat.
You can certainly use a small rock to weigh down the plants! Alternatively, try submerging the plants a little deeper into the substrate, if the species allows for it.
Can i use stratum with an undergravel filter?
No we would not recommend that, the UG filter likely result in cloudy water that would take much longer to clear, if at all.
@@fluval sponge filter ok??
@3:38, NOT these tongs, watch as he does not get the roots into the substrate with these bulky chopsticks. I like a finer tip on my plant tweezers, and grab way lower on the roots to get them into the substrate, and I do use the Fluval Stratum, love that product, and Fluval Canister filters. These Tongs are too clumsy.
i use my finger to make a hole the other fingers hold the plant and drop it in the hole and cover up
When reverse osmosis water is mixed with salty shrimp gh mineral, it has a ph of 5.5. Fluval stratum keeps my tank at a ph of 6.2. Doesnt this mean fluval stratum raises ph? If i were to remove the stratum from the tank, my ph would go down to 5.5. This is confusing because everywhere reads that active substrates lower ph but how could this be is ro water has a ph of 5.5 and the stratum keeps the tank at 6.2? I know it would lower the ph aswell if tap water was used. Would it be fair to say fluval stratum will raise or lower the ph depending what kind of water you use to get to crystal red parameters ?
Fluval Stratum will slowly lower pH in the presence of some buffering capacity, if one were to use 100% R/O (which is not the case) water the pH would drop quicker. Your extrapolations are based on using other additives so we are confused at questioning concerning the logic used to ask if Fluval Stratum can raise pH, it will not. You are also including references to GH, it is not GH that buffers the pH of water but rather KH.
@@fluval Sorry let me clarify. This product is meant to be used for crystal red shrimps. Also this product is meant to be use with reverse osmosis water and salty shrimp GH mineral. This product buffers the pH to around 6.2. The pH of reverse osmosis water is 5.5. When this is used with reverse osmosis water it buffers the pH to 6.2 which means that it is slightly raising it. Is this correct ? It also lowers pH if use with tapwater as well. I guess what I’m trying to say is it could lower your pH or increase your pH to get to 6.2. Does this seem accurate ?
What’s the best way to do water changes with this substrate in it without disturbing the substrate has still getting waste out
For substrate such as this, siphoning just over the surface to pull the debris up, avoid aspirating the compressed soil up a gravel washing tube, it would break it down.
Fluval Aquatics so adding fertilizer too the water does the stratum absorb it ?
Will the water still clear up in a ten gallon tank with no filter?
Yes, the slight clouding that can result when using this product would settle.
Is it ok for the dry start method ??
When executed properly yes.
can you use this with under gravel filter?
Hi there, we don't recommend it!
Can we add more substrate after planting
Yes but avoid burying the crown of plants that have them.
Is it safe for mature discus and clown loaches?
Stratum is a great choice for Discus, but not for species that dig like Clown Loaches!
So basically I am moving house,and to do so I will need to drain my tank completely, it has 6 plattie’s in it, and I wish to add this substrate I will be keeping my fish In a bucket while I do this and add the same water and filter is it safe to and fish Straight after adding the soil?
Yes, fill the tank carefully, put a large plate on the bottom and gently stream in the water.
I have a 29 gallon tank and i would like to plant some carpeting plants and how many kilograms of fluval substrate should i use in my 29 gallon tank
Please visit fluvalaquatics.com for guidance, kindly use this link to the product page for Fluval Stratum and scroll down to the tech specs box, within you will find a use guideline.
Sorry, here is the link: www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/12695-plant-and-shrimp-stratum/#.Ws94gNTwbcs