Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH

As a full disclosure and context, im not using this in an aquarium but as a substrate for propagating plants. I'd tried soil prop, water prop, and lecca before but I'll be honest, this works better than all of them. I see each of my plants developing healthy root systems within a week or two after setting them in the substrate. Otherwise I've just added water, and a little fertilizer if they go for two long. A bit more detail:Pros:Clean, easy, seems to avoid some of the problems I had with lecca on growth of algae. Overall it also seems like im using less water, probably because the granules pack in tighter. Works well for propping with mason jars, old jam containers, etc. Fast propagation and good root growth.Cons:Rough to clean up sometimes, depending on if it gets onto the floor. When dry it has a tendency to break up when friction is applied, so I've had some smear on the floors when it gets loose. Would recommend using a repotting mat or small tarp to help mitigate the clean up. Overall, still highly recommend.

Very nice and clean with clarity after a bit of filtration. My plants love it and my Betta (Neptune), my little white fishie (Ghost) and my mystery snail (Meh) just been thriving with it. I’m playing on doing all 4 tanks with it. Much better than regular gravel and or sand.

Great product so far . Got it for my dying alocasia albo , and it’s already growing new roots

I use this for my plants and alocasia corms and will always use it! The medium is durable, but will fall apart once it’s reached its limit, so watch for that and change out the medium when it happens or roots with rot. I love how pretty it is, too!

This is absolutely amazing substrate for plants and shrimp. It makes things perfect for them and if you only want it for that, you’re golden!As long as you have the patience to rinse this stuff for hours. It is so dusty and dirty that the only way to make it not completely turn your water completely black is to rinse it for literal hours and then, even after all that, still treat the tank with water clarifier.It works, but be warned!

You know when in movies you see sketchy people in an alley talking about buying the good stuff? Well this is it. It’s expensive but so worth it. I don’t even cap it with sand or anything because I love the way it looks. It does initially cause some muddiness in the water if you don’t wash thoroughly enough but if you just wait a few weeks it disappears entirely. Keeps my ph balanced and shrimp happy and smells no neutral.

I felt like this made my tank so much more lively, my loaches loved it! My plants were secure and thriving. I think it is worth the price.

This is relaly pretty! Look good in my 5 ballin tank. I got the smallest bag. It fits good with atleast a inch of layer maybe more?Keeps the plants in good so far, only had it for a day, but it took FOREVER TO RINSE. I ended up putting it in, and let it settle overnight. In the morning it was still foggy, but then by the time I got home, it was clear. My shrimp love it !UPDATE: DONT BUY WHATEVER THE REVIEWS SAY!The reviews were great, so was mine. WAS. It’s horrible it made the PH so low that it killed 3 shrimp, it dirtied my water so bad, and made it 19 hours for it so clear the tank fully. It’s pretty but horrible. Adds to much stuff to the water for beginners