Aqueon Plant and Shrimp Aquarium Substrate Aqua Soil for Fish Tanks 5 Pounds

I recently added this substrate to my planted shrimp tank, and it’s been a solid choice. The granules are uniform and easy to spread, creating a clean, natural look. It holds nutrients well, which has helped my plants root and thrive without extra fertilizers. My shrimp seem comfortable, and the water parameters have stayed stable. One note: it can cloud the water a bit during initial setup, so rinse lightly before use. Overall, a great value for anyone looking to boost plant growth and maintain a healthy environment for shrimp. Read more

I've been using this small, dark, round aquarium substrate for my tanks, and it's been a fantastic choice. Its small size makes it incredibly easy to clean with a smaller syphon, especially in my smaller tanks. The substrate's dark color adds a beautiful contrast to the vibrant colors of my plants, fish, and invertebrates like snails and shrimp. One of the standout features is its ease of maintenance. With regular cleaning using a small syphon, I can easily remove debris without disturbing my plants or the delicate habitats of my invertebrates. The substrate also provides a stable base for plant roots and promotes a healthy environment for all tank inhabitants. Overall, I'm very impressed with the quality and functionality of this aquarium substrate. It's versatile, aesthetically pleasing, and makes tank maintenance a breeze. Whether you have plants, fish, or invertebrates, this substrate is a great choice for creating a thriving aquatic ecosystem. Read more

perfect for my snails and shrimp. My Betta loves it Read more

This substrate works great for planted tanks! It’s heavy enough to keep roots in place and doesn’t cloud the water. My plants stay anchored and look healthy. It doesn’t have a ton of built-in nutrients, so I add root tabs for extra growth, but overall it’s clean, long-lasting, and perfect for anyone starting a planted aquarium. 🌿🐟 Read more

Working perfectly in the fish tank so far! Seems to be quality stuff! New to me, my last tank was bare... Community tank, not African cichlids! Learning as I go! No smell, appearance fine, easy to use. So far so good! Read more

Good substrate for my aquarium! It's working well for my plants and tank! It also was the perfect amount for my 10 gallon! Read more

Fantastic substrate! Plants, shrimp & snails love it. Only needed one good rinse. Great dark natural color. Spreads evenly & easily. Better than the other company (you know the one) that charges more for a "similar" product that's actually a lot closer to dirt IMO.... Read more

The bag looks small, but its got some weight to it, so don't be turned away. This could definitely be all the substrate you need for a 5-7 gallon tank, if you are using as the only substrate. They look very aesthetically pleasing and I can see them being great for aqua-scaping a whole aquarium floor bed with them. Personally, I used sand as my main substrate, and still have 2/3 of the bag leftover; I placed a layer of this below my sand to hopefully provide nutrients for any plants I have around the body of the tank. I also solely used this for a mini "terrarium" inside my tank and inside my tunnel system. CLEAN/RINSE these beads in water before placing in your tank! When I held the beads before rinsing, it left a residue on my hands. While there is no debris in the bag/beads, the substrate is slightly dusty and your tank water will be tinted grey if you don't. I rinsed them using a mesh strainer, and that was super quick (less than a minute). I had no issues once filling the tank with water. The color of this substrate is more black/charcoal than brown as advertised, so be aware. I think the price is expensive for what it is, but it's the cheapest compared to competing plant substrates. Had my tank set up since 9/30/24, and haven't seen a lot of plant growth yet (I placed this substrate below every plants' roots as if i was planting a flower bed). It is a new tank with new everything, so perhaps I just need to give it more time. IDK, I'm hoping for the best and I will update on plant health soon! Read more