Fluval Stratum Review: My Results After a Year of Use In Six Planted Tanks! (Best Budget Aquasoil)

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Fluval Stratum Review: My Results After a Year of Use In Six Planted Tanks! (Best Budget Aquasoil)

Fluval Stratum is one of the most popular aquasoils in the aquarium hobby today. It’s affordable, widely available, and made by a trusted brand. After using Fluval Stratum for over a year across five aquariums and one shrimp jar, I wanted to share my honest experience to help others decide if it’s the right substrate for their tanks. This review is entirely unsponsored, as I purchased all my Fluval Stratum with my own money.

Fluval Stratum is made from volcanic soil sourced from Mount Aso in Japan, offering a mineral-rich base for plants to grow. While Fluval keeps the exact mineral content under wraps, what makes this aquasoil stand out is its cation exchange capacity (CEC). This ability to absorb and hold nutrients from fish waste and other organic matter helps Fluval Stratum provide plants with long-term nutritional support. Although Fluval doesn’t publish the CEC rating, my experience has shown excellent plant growth in tanks using this substrate, suggesting it performs well in this regard.

In addition to nutrient support, Fluval Stratum has a mild buffering effect that can lower the tank’s pH to a neutral or slightly acidic level. However, this effect is temporary and typically fades within a few months. While this might not be ideal for aquarists needing long-term pH stability, it’s helpful in preventing nutrient loss, as CEC capacity decreases in highly acidic soils.

One of Fluval Stratum’s biggest selling points is its affordability. It’s about 25% cheaper than premium aquasoils like ADA Amazonia and is often more accessible, particularly in large bag sizes. While the price is often marketed as being "on sale" online, I’ve found that this is more of a tactic than a genuine discount, as the price tends to remain consistent. Tropica Aquasoil is a close competitor in price, but availability issues in my area make Fluval Stratum the more convenient option.

When adding Fluval Stratum to an aquarium, some cloudiness is to be expected. While some aquarists prefer to rinse it, I find this unnecessary and instead use a simple method to minimize cloudiness: adding the soil directly and diffusing the force of water with tissue paper while filling the tank. In my experience, the cloudiness settles within a few days, and for faster results, a hang-on-back filter with filter floss works wonders. Although some people cap Fluval Stratum with sand or gravel, I’ve found it unnecessary, even in tanks with Corydoras catfish.

My tanks have seen excellent plant growth with Fluval Stratum, ranging from a 40-gallon tank to smaller setups like an 8-gallon cube and a shrimp jar. While I’ve occasionally dealt with nutrient imbalances caused by fast-growing plants or potassium deficiencies, these issues are not specific to Fluval Stratum. Across all setups, plants like Java Fern, Echinodorus, and various stem plants have grown well.

Fluval Stratum is also safe for shrimp and snails as long as the tank is fully cycled before introducing them. The substrate’s buffering effect diminishes after a few weeks, reducing the risk of pH swings. While some snails, like blue ramshorns, may struggle to move across the substrate, most others, including nerites, have no trouble navigating it.

Overall, Fluval Stratum is a reliable and affordable choice for aquascapers and shrimp keepers alike. It offers excellent plant growth, long-term nutrient support, and compatibility with most invertebrates. While I plan to focus on dirted tanks in the future due to personal preference, I still recommend Fluval Stratum to anyone looking for a high-quality aquasoil.

If you’ve used Fluval Stratum or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more aquarium content. Thanks for watching!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro
00:29 - Product Overview
02:36 - Price
03:41 - Adding Fluval Stratum To Your Aquarium
05:15 - Tank Cycling
05:54 - Fluval Stratum For Plants
07:58 - Shrimp And Snails
09:13 - Fluval Stratum Review

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