Seachem Flourite Black Sand
Seachem Flourite Black Sand earns its place in size-specific gravel mixes by offering fine, uniformly sized black grains that create a stable, low-compaction bed with strong visual contrast for planted or shrimp-focused aquaria. Compared to nutrient-dense soils like ADA Amazonia or broad-range mixes such as CaribSea Eco-Complete, Flourite provides a technically durable, iron-bearing clay substrate that delivers long-term plant support at a more moderate price point without the need for frequent replacement.
Iron-rich clay
Deep black contrast
Iron-rich clay
Deep black contrast
Review Summary
"Users praise its dark, natural look and nutrient-retaining, porous composition that supports rooted plants for long-term growth; some report initial dust and occasional compaction/anaerobic pockets over extended use."
Night-sky floor
Porous black sand that supports beneficial bacteria and root contact.
Night-sky floor
Porous black sand that supports beneficial bacteria and root contact.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Seachem Flourite Black Sand earns its place in size-specific gravel mixes by offering fine, uniformly sized black grains that create a stable, low-compaction bed with strong visual contrast for planted or shrimp-focused aquaria. Compared to nutrient-dense soils like ADA Amazonia or broad-range mixes such as CaribSea Eco-Complete, Flourite provides a technically durable, iron-bearing clay substrate that delivers long-term plant support at a more moderate price point without the need for frequent replacement.
Iron-rich clay
Deep black contrast
Night-sky floor
Porous black sand that supports beneficial bacteria and root contact.
Fine, sand-sized grains ideal for shallow beds and planted aquascapes.
Iron-rich clay
Deep black contrast
Night-sky floor
Porous black sand that supports beneficial bacteria and root contact.
Fine, sand-sized grains ideal for shallow beds and planted aquascapes.
$20-60 CAD
CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate
CaribSea Eco-Complete is a market-leading choice for size-specific gravel mixes because it combines a varied particle-size distribution with pre-loaded micronutrients and beneficial surface porosity, making it ready-to-use and cost-effective for most planted setups. Versus finer decorative sands like Flourite Black Sand or inert options such as Moonlight Sand, Eco-Complete’s financial and technical advantage is its nutrient reserve and forgiving grain mix that reduces immediate fertilization needs and simplifies tank startup.
Preloaded nutrients
Encourages roots
Preloaded nutrients
Encourages roots
Review Summary
"Long-term users love that it's ready-to-use, nutrient-rich, and reliably promotes vigorous plant growth, though it can cloud water initially and is slightly dusty out of the bag."
No rinsing needed
Volcanic glass-based mix pre-charged with micronutrients for plants.
No rinsing needed
Volcanic glass-based mix pre-charged with micronutrients for plants.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
CaribSea Eco-Complete is a market-leading choice for size-specific gravel mixes because it combines a varied particle-size distribution with pre-loaded micronutrients and beneficial surface porosity, making it ready-to-use and cost-effective for most planted setups. Versus finer decorative sands like Flourite Black Sand or inert options such as Moonlight Sand, Eco-Complete’s financial and technical advantage is its nutrient reserve and forgiving grain mix that reduces immediate fertilization needs and simplifies tank startup.
Preloaded nutrients
Encourages roots
No rinsing needed
Volcanic glass-based mix pre-charged with micronutrients for plants.
Varied grain sizes encourage root penetration and bacterial colonization.
Preloaded nutrients
Encourages roots
No rinsing needed
Volcanic glass-based mix pre-charged with micronutrients for plants.
Varied grain sizes encourage root penetration and bacterial colonization.
$30-140 CAD
Fluval Stratum Plant and Shrimp Substrate
Fluval Stratum stands out for its ultra-porous, lightweight granules engineered to promote rapid root growth and healthy shrimp environments, making it a top pick when precise grain sizing is required to balance flow and biological activity. Unlike heavier, denser soils such as ADA Amazonia or bulkier mixes like Eco-Complete, Stratum’s volcanic composition offers a technical advantage in root aeration and a gentler pH influence while typically sitting in a mid-range price tier.
Light porous granules
Promotes plant growth
Light porous granules
Promotes plant growth
Review Summary
"Reviewers report excellent plant and shrimp growth thanks to its light, porous volcanic composition and gentle pH softening; minor complaints include initial floating/dust and higher cost per volume."
Shrimp-approved texture
Light, highly porous granules that promote fast root growth and water flow.
Shrimp-approved texture
Light, highly porous granules that promote fast root growth and water flow.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Fluval Stratum stands out for its ultra-porous, lightweight granules engineered to promote rapid root growth and healthy shrimp environments, making it a top pick when precise grain sizing is required to balance flow and biological activity. Unlike heavier, denser soils such as ADA Amazonia or bulkier mixes like Eco-Complete, Stratum’s volcanic composition offers a technical advantage in root aeration and a gentler pH influence while typically sitting in a mid-range price tier.
Light porous granules
Promotes plant growth
Shrimp-approved texture
Light, highly porous granules that promote fast root growth and water flow.
Fine-to-medium particle size well suited for carpet plants and shrimp tanks.
Light porous granules
Promotes plant growth
Shrimp-approved texture
Light, highly porous granules that promote fast root growth and water flow.
Fine-to-medium particle size well suited for carpet plants and shrimp tanks.
$35-95 CAD
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia retains best-in-class status for high-performance aquascaping and size-specific gravel mixes thanks to its consistently fine, nutrient-rich granules that actively foster aggressive plant growth and stabilize soft-water conditions. Although it is more expensive and can cause initial cloudiness compared with options like Fluval Stratum or CaribSea substrates, its unmatched technical performance and predictable results make it the premium choice for serious planted tanks.
Ultra-fertile soil
Dark rich color
Ultra-fertile soil
Dark rich color
Review Summary
"Enthusiasts call it the gold standard for planted tanks—very fertile and drives rapid, lush growth and dramatic aquascapes—while noting its premium price, initial cloudiness, and strong nutrient leaching that requires careful cycling."
Pro aquascaper favorite
Highly fertile, fine-grain soil engineered for vigorous plant growth.
Pro aquascaper favorite
Highly fertile, fine-grain soil engineered for vigorous plant growth.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia retains best-in-class status for high-performance aquascaping and size-specific gravel mixes thanks to its consistently fine, nutrient-rich granules that actively foster aggressive plant growth and stabilize soft-water conditions. Although it is more expensive and can cause initial cloudiness compared with options like Fluval Stratum or CaribSea substrates, its unmatched technical performance and predictable results make it the premium choice for serious planted tanks.
Ultra-fertile soil
Dark rich color
Pro aquascaper favorite
Highly fertile, fine-grain soil engineered for vigorous plant growth.
Dark texture provides stable planting beds and excellent aesthetic contrast.
Ultra-fertile soil
Dark rich color
Pro aquascaper favorite
Highly fertile, fine-grain soil engineered for vigorous plant growth.
Dark texture provides stable planting beds and excellent aesthetic contrast.
$60-200 CAD
CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand
CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand is the specialist decorative sand in size-specific mixes, prized for its uniform, pale grains that enhance contrast and provide a gentle substrate for bottom-dwellers and shrimp. In comparison to nutrient-packed products like Eco-Complete or ADA Amazonia, Moonlight Sand’s main advantages are its typically lower cost and inert chemistry—qualities that make it an attractive finishing layer or stand-alone aesthetic choice when supplemental fertilization is planned.
Soft pale glow
Smooth grain texture
Soft pale glow
Smooth grain texture
Review Summary
"Buyers like the bright, fine-grained aesthetic and ease of surface cleaning, but many warn it can compact and form anaerobic pockets and lacks inherent nutrients for heavy root feeders."
Highlights fish colors
Bright, fine-grain moonlight sand for high-contrast aquascapes.
Highlights fish colors
Bright, fine-grain moonlight sand for high-contrast aquascapes.
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand is the specialist decorative sand in size-specific mixes, prized for its uniform, pale grains that enhance contrast and provide a gentle substrate for bottom-dwellers and shrimp. In comparison to nutrient-packed products like Eco-Complete or ADA Amazonia, Moonlight Sand’s main advantages are its typically lower cost and inert chemistry—qualities that make it an attractive finishing layer or stand-alone aesthetic choice when supplemental fertilization is planned.
Soft pale glow
Smooth grain texture
Highlights fish colors
Bright, fine-grain moonlight sand for high-contrast aquascapes.
Uniform particle size that’s gentle for bottom-dwelling fauna and shrimp.
Soft pale glow
Smooth grain texture
Highlights fish colors
Bright, fine-grain moonlight sand for high-contrast aquascapes.
Uniform particle size that’s gentle for bottom-dwelling fauna and shrimp.
$25-80 CAD