Fluval Plant Stratum Substrate

[Fishyworld]

Hi,
 
I have a few questions I would like to ask, my tank details will be listed bellow so feel free to skim down to the questions

 
My tank is 33gallons, dimensions 77cm long, 36cm wide and 46cm deep.
 
I'm aiming for a neutral Ph to slightly alkaline 7 - 7.7
6-12 dh
21-24 Celsius
 
Plant species will be
 
Aponogeton ulvaceus, Aponogeton crispus, Blyxa japonica, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Rotala indica, Rotala magenta, Eleocharis parvula
 
 
Questions
 
1: I have read that Fluval can break down and become muddy. I really don't want to worry about that has anyone had it happen?
 
2: I would like to add a thin layer of some kind of plant substrate then cover it with a thick layer of sand. Will this work?
 
3: Will the sand break down the Fluval? (Question 1)
 
4: I have also read that Fluval can increase acidity which I don't want
 
Thanks if anyone has any experience or suggestions for another plant substrate that would be great

 

[Chad]

I have been using the Stratum for about a year and so far it has maintained structure without any problem. The instructions on the Stratum specifically state not to cover it. The stratum should be the top layer. Perhaps those complaining of it breaking down have not followed this rule?
 
I have had no issues using the stratum and changes in my water parameters. Of course I do have a pretty large piece of drift wood which might be controlling that to a point where I wouldn't' notice.
 
I have it in a 10 gallon tank that is moderately planted, not light, not heavy running the Fluval Co2 system.
 
So far I've really happy with the Stratum but I can see how if you want sand it's not the right substrate. It makes a great shrimp and small fish substrate though.
 
My tank has chili rasbora, scarlet badis, pygmy cory, cherry shrimp, and 3 assassin snails.

 

[Fishyworld]

I have been using the Stratum for about a year and so far it has maintained structure without any problem. The instructions on the Stratum specifically state not to cover it. The stratum should be the top layer. Perhaps those complaining of it breaking down have not followed this rule?
 
I have had no issues using the stratum and changes in my water parameters. Of course I do have a pretty large piece of drift wood which might be controlling that to a point where I wouldn't' notice.
 
I have it in a 10 gallon tank that is moderately planted, not light, not heavy running the Fluval Co2 system.
 
So far I've really happy with the Stratum but I can see how if you want sand it's not the right substrate. It makes a great shrimp and small fish substrate though.
 
My tank has chili rasbora, scarlet badis, pygmy cory, cherry shrimp, and 3 assassin snails.

 
Thanks for your reply it is good to hear that you haven't had any problems. I actually wanted sand becuase I wanted to add some corys and I thought they would like sand better. Does your cory seem to like the substrate?
 
Also does anyone have any experiance with fluval stratum for a larger tank? becuase I have heard it is the larger tanks that it breaks down something to do with a greater water pressure, I'm not sure if this is true or not.

 

[Chad]

If for no other reason than cost I wouldn't recommend it for a larger tank. It's not bad for a small tank as one bag does the trick but I can't see paying for enough to put in a 30 or 45 gallon tank.

 

[DrRob]

I've also had no trouble with stratum breaking down. It's been in for about 2 years.
 
If you're burying a substrate in sand then you have a lot more choice, peat based composts without additives can work as capped systems for a fraction of the price.
 
I'm trying to remember the name of what we tend to use for the bigger tanks, on a cost basis, but for some reason I can't. It'll come back to me (not running any at the moment so no packets, plus I'm at work at the moment). 
 
Beyond that, for large tanks, there's always the pond aquasoil if you're going capped.