Fluval stratum that bad?

Option · 11-08-2012, 06:33 PM

Was at my LFS today asking about their substrates for sale. The old man showed me two kinds he had (one of which was Fluval stratum). The Fluval stratum was actually more expensive than the other one....I think the other substrate was similar to a black fluorite.

Despite the stratum being more expensive he old man actually advised against it saying that stratum was clay-like and eventually with time w/ decentigrate into dust-like sized particles rendering it useless. And then the substrate will have to be completely replaced.

Can anyone comment on this? What other substrates will degenerate over time like this and which substrates keep it's integrity (as far as size of the particles)??

sugarbyte · 11-08-2012, 06:44 PM

I have been using fluval stratum for some time now and I'll give you my two cents..

It won't break down as quickly as you think. It will take some time, probably 2 years or more (I noticed after 1.5 years parts of the stratum were disintegrating but 90% of it was still intact). It is also relatively inert so you will have to add some substrate tablets to fertilize your plants. It is also not recommended to mix with sand or other substrates because they won't mix well since the stratum is relatively light. It will not float but its dust will settle quickly which is nice if you have to disturb the substrate. I wouldn't recommend this substrate for bottom sifting fish like corys. My shrimp certainly enjoy sifting through it!

Let me know if you have any other questions

ddrfreak_tung · 11-08-2012, 06:48 PM

doesnt aqua soil do the same thing? i've kept stratum and yes some of it will break down over time but i've had it in a tank for over a year and i havent had a problem with it. eco complete and flourite doesnt break down, and they have a high cec so they'll absorb nutrients from the water.

sugarbyte · 11-08-2012, 06:52 PM

The substrate sticky lists stratum as:

Fluval Stratum-
Pros: contains some nutrients, doesn't leach ammonia, good particle sizes
Cons: Cost, Must Be Rinsed (This is debatable as some suggest not rinsing to keep water clear.)

(In my experience, i have both rinsed and not rinsed the stratum and i definitely recommend not rinsing to avoid super cloudyness)

Option · 11-08-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarbyte

The substrate sticky lists stratum as:

Fluval Stratum-
Pros: contains some nutrients, doesn't leach ammonia, good particle sizes
Cons: Cost, Must Be Rinsed (This is debatable as some suggest not rinsing to keep water clear.)

(In my experience, i have both rinsed and not rinsed the stratum and i definitely recommend not rinsing to avoid super cloudyness)

So this raises another question I've always had, why does rinsing the substrate before adding it cause it to be increasingly coudy??

somewhatshocked · 11-08-2012, 09:18 PM

Because it's dirt. Vigorous water flowing over it will cause it to break down more quickly. That's why you don't rinse it.

Andrew H · 11-08-2012, 09:58 PM

I have this in my 5 gallon and I've grown to hate it.

Pretty much small balls of dirt that will break down. You can pinch one ball of it and it turns to goop. Rearranging things in the tank is a pain because of how cloudy it gets.

DannyDapper · 11-17-2012, 04:56 AM

I have fluval stratum and I've actually haven't had problems with clouding my tank at all. How are you guys cleaning your Stratum BTW?

**sayurasem** · 11-17-2012, 06:01 AM

its not "bad", just depends on what you use it on. IMO its perfect substrate for Neocaridina shrimps.

ropate · 01-20-2013, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyDapper

I have fluval stratum and I've actually haven't had problems with clouding my tank at all. How are you guys cleaning your Stratum BTW?

How are you cleaning it?

lochaber · 01-20-2013, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Option

So this raises another question I've always had, why does rinsing the substrate before adding it cause it to be increasingly coudy??

I haven't used it, but maybe it contains something, or the finer particles act as a sort of flocculant, and help to clear up the water quicker?

**Jeffww** · 01-20-2013, 06:13 AM

I do not rinse stratum. It is a low nutrient, clay based susbtrate. I bought it on release day (1-2 yrs) and only got rid of it a month ago. Did not turn to powder at all.

The way to use stratum is like this:

1. pour the dry soil into your tank.
2. spray it with water with a spray bottle and mix it at the same time
3. contour it however you want
4. Do planting.
5. Put a paper plate down and then fill VERY slowly like only a trickle of water until you get like 3-4" on top of the substrate then you can start filling faster.

To be honest I had better success with stratum then eco comp.

11-08-2012, 06:33 PM	#1
Option Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 774	Fluval stratum that bad? Was at my LFS today asking about their substrates for sale. The old man showed me two kinds he had (one of which was Fluval stratum). The Fluval stratum was actually more expensive than the other one....I think the other substrate was similar to a black fluorite. Despite the stratum being more expensive he old man actually advised against it saying that stratum was clay-like and eventually with time w/ decentigrate into dust-like sized particles rendering it useless. And then the substrate will have to be completely replaced. Can anyone comment on this? What other substrates will degenerate over time like this and which substrates keep it's integrity (as far as size of the particles)??

11-08-2012, 09:18 PM	#6
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (262/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,646	Because it's dirt. Vigorous water flowing over it will cause it to break down more quickly. That's why you don't rinse it. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal Tigers \| 20cm Cubes

11-08-2012, 09:58 PM	#7
Andrew H Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tucson Posts: 148	I have this in my 5 gallon and I've grown to hate it. Pretty much small balls of dirt that will break down. You can pinch one ball of it and it turns to goop. Rearranging things in the tank is a pain because of how cloudy it gets. __________________ 55gal Firehouse Tank 5gal Betta/Vampire Tank

11-17-2012, 06:01 AM	#9
sayurasem SCAPEr (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Loma Linda, CA Posts: 2,405	its not "bad", just depends on what you use it on. IMO its perfect substrate for Neocaridina shrimps. __________________ #364 \| Eheim Pimp Club #500 \| 12G Rimless Club \| 12 Gallon Loooooooooong Journal

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11-08-2012, 06:44 PM	#2
sugarbyte Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 164	I have been using fluval stratum for some time now and I'll give you my two cents.. It won't break down as quickly as you think. It will take some time, probably 2 years or more (I noticed after 1.5 years parts of the stratum were disintegrating but 90% of it was still intact). It is also relatively inert so you will have to add some substrate tablets to fertilize your plants. It is also not recommended to mix with sand or other substrates because they won't mix well since the stratum is relatively light. It will not float but its dust will settle quickly which is nice if you have to disturb the substrate. I wouldn't recommend this substrate for bottom sifting fish like corys. My shrimp certainly enjoy sifting through it! Let me know if you have any other questions

11-08-2012, 06:48 PM	#3
ddrfreak_tung Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: las vegas Posts: 352	doesnt aqua soil do the same thing? i've kept stratum and yes some of it will break down over time but i've had it in a tank for over a year and i havent had a problem with it. eco complete and flourite doesnt break down, and they have a high cec so they'll absorb nutrients from the water.

11-08-2012, 06:52 PM	#4
sugarbyte Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 164	The substrate sticky lists stratum as: Fluval Stratum- Pros: contains some nutrients, doesn't leach ammonia, good particle sizes Cons: Cost, Must Be Rinsed (This is debatable as some suggest not rinsing to keep water clear.) (In my experience, i have both rinsed and not rinsed the stratum and i definitely recommend not rinsing to avoid super cloudyness)

11-17-2012, 04:56 AM	#8
DannyDapper Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 85	I have fluval stratum and I've actually haven't had problems with clouding my tank at all. How are you guys cleaning your Stratum BTW?

01-20-2013, 06:13 AM	#12
Jeffww Microsynodontis Lover (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 2,081	I do not rinse stratum. It is a low nutrient, clay based susbtrate. I bought it on release day (1-2 yrs) and only got rid of it a month ago. Did not turn to powder at all. The way to use stratum is like this: 1. pour the dry soil into your tank. 2. spray it with water with a spray bottle and mix it at the same time 3. contour it however you want 4. Do planting. 5. Put a paper plate down and then fill VERY slowly like only a trickle of water until you get like 3-4" on top of the substrate then you can start filling faster. To be honest I had better success with stratum then eco comp.