10 Best Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate
Updated on: September 2023
Best Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate in 2023
CaribSea Eco-Complete 20-Pound Planted Aquarium, Black
Flourite Dark, 7 kg / 15.4 lbs
- The premium substrate for the Planted Aquarium
- Specially fracted, stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium
- Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any aquarium environment
- Never needs replacement and remains effective for the life of the Aquarium
- Not chemically coated or treated and will not alter the pH of the water
Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel - Stable Porous Natural Planted Aquarium Substrate 15.4 lbs
- GRAVEL: Seachem Flourite Black is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium. Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any freshwater aquarium environment.
- AQUARIUM BED: Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary when using Seachem Flourite Black as this product is most effective when used alone as an integral substrate bed, but it may be mixed with other gravels.
- SET-UP: When adding water to the aquarium, fill slowly to avoid disturbing Flourite Black substrate bed. Place a bowl in the aquarium and add water directly to the bowl, allowing water to overflow softly on to the gravel bed. Initial cloudiness is normal, but to remove this simply use mechanical filtration
- COMPATIBLE: Flourite Black substrates will work fine with an under gravel filter and will not soften or decompose to an unsuitable state within your tank.
- SAFETY: Seachem Flourite Black is not chemically coated or treated, thus does not alter the pH of the water. Flourite Black is beneficial for the life of the aquarium and need not be replaced.
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum, 4.4-Pound
- Mineral rich volcanic soil
- Stimulates strong plant growth
- Promotes neutral to mildly acidic pH
- Suitable for plants or shrimp
- 4.4 Pound bag
Flourite, 7 kg / 15.4 lbs
- Rinse right in the bag
- All natural Porous clay
- For Planted Aquarium
Hewnda 2 pounds to Complete Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate
- The high-level substrate for planting aquariums provides basic nutrition for the plant root structure for long-term successful planting of freshwater aquariums
- Compared with sand and other sand, more suitable for the growth of most grass roots. Formulated for freshwater planted aquariums, tropical fish, and freshwater dwarf shrimp.
- Helps clarify and detoxify water. PH value: 7.5. You can adjust the water quality is more suitable for the growth of aquatic plants ideal range.
- There is no need to wash, please use the original state, if washed with water will lead to muddy mud.
- Note: This product is aquatic breeding purposes, absolutely not edible; Please store this product properly children can not reach the place, to avoid children eating.
Landen Aqua Soil Black - Normal 5L
- Ideal substrate for most aquatic plants, provides healthy plant root system and for shrimps requiring softer water
- Developed for cultivation of aquatics plants and is also suitable substrate for shrimps. It provides fundamental minerals and trace elements, which promote the health and growth of shrimps.
- Made from specially processed natural material from the earth
- Soil does not require rinsing and can be used directly in aquarium.
- Black Color, Normal 3-5mm grain size, Volume 5L Per Bag, Approximate weight 10 lbs (1 Bag 5L)
Mr. Aqua N-MAR-066 1 L Fine Pet Habitat Water Plant Soil
- Composed of organic and inert ingredients providing all essential elements
- Long lasting fertilized plant substrate lasting up to 12-18 months
- Prolongs water exchange periods
- One bag Covers approximately 12" x 6" at 1" deep or 6" x 6" at 2" deep.
- Black in Color
Ultum Nature Controsoil Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate - Normal Black (3 Liter)
- Formulated for freshwater planted aquariums, tropical fish, and freshwater dwarf shrimp.
- Helps clarify and detoxify water
- Dark "Black" color
- Naturally acidifies and softens aquarium water
- Normal granule size (~5mm)
Flourite Black Sand, 7 kg / 15.4 lbs
- This product is easy to use
- This product adds a great Value
- This product is Manufactured in United States
What Does Normal Common Plecostomus Poop Look Like?
One of the most popular freshwater community fish is the common plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus.) But the poop is anything but common.
"Rena, come look at Mr. Big Fish!" cried my mother. Mr. Big Fish is our adopted 9 inch long common plecostomus. "I think his intestines are falling out!"
I looked at Mr. Big Fish and had to gently break it to my Mom that no, his intestines were not falling out. He was just pooping and pooping normally. Mom rubbed her head in her hands and said, "I have to look at fish poop all day?"
If you are considering a common plecostomus (also called suckermouth catfish or plecos) than please be aware that they poop a great deal. The larger the fish, the more they will poop. Common plecos are usually sold as babies when they are only one or two inches long but can grow to be two feet long.
Normal Pleco Poop
Normal plecostomus waste is tan or light brown, ropey and very long. Your plecostomus can easily produce a long rope of waste twice the length of his body. It may take several minutes for the waste to disconnect from the fish's body. A pleco is mostly active at night. A still pleco hanging on the side of the tank can sleep, poop and the poop will trail after him for seemingly ages.
Unlike goldfish waste, the waste does not quickly break up into what appears to be silt or powder. The long rope breaks apart into smaller sections which can get caught on aquarium decorations or float around the top of the tank. Again, this is normal. If you can't handle the poop but want a bottom-feeding fish, try for a smaller species of plecostomus.
What's The Big Deal?
The big deal about plecostomus poop is that you are going to need to perform more water changes in order to keep the water healthy. You may even need to get a second filter in order to offset the huge amounts of wastes being dumped into the tank water per day. If your pleco lives in a pond, then this will not be such an issue, but even if he lives in a 40 gallon tank, waste will be an issue.
Unless you have a very large (50 gallon or more) aquarium or can make daily partial water changes, you will not be able to keep an adult common pleco with other freshwater fish. The chemicals caused by the decaying waste can kill other fish. Mr. Big Fish currently lives in a 20 gallon aquarium with one male betta (Siamese fighting fish.) I do partial water changes every 2 - 3 days. If Mr. Big Fish grows any more, I will have to purchase a larger aquarium. He's a lovely fish and I refuse to get rid of him just because he poops a lot.
References
"Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies, Second Edition." Maddy Hargrove and Mic Hargrove. Wiley Publishing; 2020.
