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Collection: Freshwater & Planted Gravel

Substrate for freshwater and planted tanks, covering nutrient-rich aquasoils, clay-based plant substrates, and inert gravels and sands. Soils and clay products feed roots; gravels and sands stay chemically neutral and are picked for grain size and appearance. Calculate the liters or pounds your tank footprint needs first, since coming up a bag short partway through a build means paying to ship a second order.

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27 products

Caribsea Peace River Aquarium Gravel - 20lb

Aquarium Gravel

Caribsea Peace River Aquarium Gravel - 20lb

Regular price $39.80
Sale price $39.80 Regular price
Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 20lb

Aquarium Gravel

Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 20lb

Regular price $39.80
Sale price $39.80 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 9 Litre

Aquarium Gravel

Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 9 Litre

Regular price $69.95
Sale price $69.95 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 3 Litre

Aquarium Gravel

Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 3 Litre

Regular price $34.95
Sale price $34.95 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Plants Freshwater & Planted Gravel

Aquarium Gravel

Tropica Aquarium Substrate - 5 Litre

Regular price $44.95
Sale price $44.95 Regular price
Seachem Onyx Sand Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Aquarium Gravel

Seachem Onyx Sand Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $27.85
Sale price $27.85 Regular price
Buy SeaChem Flourite Dark Freshwater Substrate - 15lb in Canada

Aquarium Gravel

Seachem Flourite Dark Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $27.85
Sale price $27.85 Regular price

One Shelf, Three Very Different Products

Aquarium substrate covers products that behave nothing alike. Aquasoils are granular, hold nutrients where roots can reach them, and many of them actively pull pH and hardness down as they work. Clay-based plant substrates keep the nutrient-holding behavior without steering water chemistry the same way. Inert gravels and sands do nothing chemically at all; their job is grain size, color, and anchoring plants. Pick based on the water you intend to run, not only on how the tank will look.

Product Types Listed Here

  • Aquasoils sold by volume in liter bags, including fine powder grades suited to foreground planting.
  • Plant and shrimp stratum, a granular substrate offered across several bag weights.
  • Clay-based plant substrates in a range of shades, some in a sand-grade particle size.
  • Inert river gravels and natural sands, available in small and large bags.

Depth, Rinsing and Quantities

  • Plan on about 2 to 3 inches wherever rooted plants are going, or root systems have no room to develop.
  • Rinse inert gravel and sand first. Aquasoil usually goes in dry, so read the bag before rinsing anything.
  • A soil-based setup will cloud for a day or two after filling. Schedule the first water change with that in mind.
  • Measure before ordering. Substrate ships by weight or by liter, and underestimating mid-build is the common error.

Questions about quantities for your tank footprint? Email info@jlaquatics.com.

J&L Aquatics was formed in December 1997

Our business was started from our love of the aquarium hobby. We at J&L Aquatics felt that the Canadian aquarist should have the option to purchase top quality supplies, equipment and livestock other than the generally over priced local retail stores.