Plus, you should replace your Fluval stratum every 2-3 years at most. That’s because it will lose its nutritional characteristics, rendering it useless for your plants. Conclusion The cleaning process begins the moment you’re adding the substrate to your new tank. If you’ve rinsed it prior, your Fluval stratum won’t need much cleaning afterwards. If not, cleaning is necessary to eliminate any debris, dirt, or crushed pellets that may have escaped the rinsing process. The 2Hr Aquarist. (2020, July 15). Root Or Water Column Fertilization? https://www.2hraquarist.com/blogs/fertilize-planted-tank/root-or-water-dosing Related Article:

Fluval Substrate and How Can It Be Used for What Is Fluval Substrate and How Can It Be Used for

According to Fluval, Stratum will last about 1.5 to 2 years. At the time of writing, my Stratum has been in the aquarium for almost 1.5 years and I see no signs of it breaking down or needing replacing. Generally speaking, your tank’s cloudy water will clear up by itself over time. So long as you have a good filtration system, you shouldn’t worry about cloudy water too much. Is Fluval Stratum Dirty Water Safe for Fish? In a recent experiment, I discovered that you need around 5.5lbs (2.4kg) per 1” (2.5cm) depth of substrate for every 1 square foot of aquarium footprint. This means that my 155-gallon aquarium, which has a footprint of 10 SqFt, required 55lbs (24kg) of Stratum for a 1” (2.5cm) layer. Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is a substrate with a slightly acidic ph which is ideal for most plants, tropical fish and shrimp normally kept in planted freshwater aquariums. It helps control organic discolouration and provides newborn shrimp with a refuge from predators. This mineral-rich volcanic soil is particularly good for use with natural driftwood as it will stop organic discolouration without removing the key nutrients from the wood. This soil is also beneficial for aquatic plants as plant roots easily penetrate and spread throughout, receiving the specially formulated Fluval plant micro-nutrients. What are the benefits of this substrate?

Be careful not to disturb the substrate too much as you’re adding water.Now it’s time to cycle your aquarium and let those beneficial bacteria start growing! Fluval Stratum Substrate This generally depends on the effectiveness of your filtration system and how much Fluval stratum you have. Sometimes it may take double that for the water to clear up. How do You Get Rid of Cloudy Substrate Water? Rinse Substrate: Once you have removed everything from the tank, rinse off your Fluval Stratum substrate using lukewarm tap water until all traces of debris are gone. Be sure to use a soft bristled brush or sponge if necessary to ensure that everything has been thoroughly cleaned out. One water change per day – You want to perform one 10% water change per day until you get the desired result. You will probably only need 1-2 water changes for the situation to improve. Changing too much of the water at once or performing too many water changes within a day can change the water’s chemistry and parameters. Remember – patience.

Substrate For Cory Catfish (Myth debunked) The Best Substrate For Cory Catfish (Myth debunked)

Adding soil to an existing aquarium can be a great way to create a more naturalistic environment for your fish and other aquatic creatures. Here are some tips on how to add soil to your aquarium:1. Choose the right type of soil. If you don’t like sand or if your other fish prefer gravel, this can be a good substrate for cory catfish, too. Try to find the origin or material from the sand. Some types of sand like play sand and coral sand have a lot of calcium and are sharp.As above, Fluval appears to claim it will only last for up to 2 years, then presumably need replacing. I have yet to see this, so I would say no, it doesn’t need replacing unless it has broken down to a dusty mess. Should You Gravel Vacuum Fluval Stratum? Rough handling may cause some pellets to break, and the resulting dust and particles may cloud the water. You should rinse Fluval Stratum Substrate gently with slow-flowing water as its particles are very delicate. Although Fluval Stratum can provide some pores as a hideout for cherry shrimps against any kinds of dangers for them, it is not advisable to be used for these little creatures.