The substrate of your aquarium

The basis for your plants and the habitat

Breeders of ornamental fish mostly run their breeding tanks without a substrate to make the cleaning faster and easier. But an aquarium with substrate not only looks more attractive, it also functions much better because the substrate supports the filter with its own significant filtration effect. It is furthermore important for the plant roots, and quite a few fish species use it as a hiding place (flounder, loaches, catfish, rays).

These substrates are available

The different grain sizes of the substrate have different advantages and disadvantages.

Fine sand

Ideal for all bottom-dwelling fish which like scavenging or burying themselves. Plants also root perfectly in the sand but only have a good hold with well-developed roots. With the help of plant pegs ( JBL PROSCAPE PLANTIS PINS ) fixing of plants in the ground is much easier! Disadvantage of fine sand: You can’t create “mountains and valleys” because the sand levels off after a while. Fine sand is not suited for undergravel heating cables. The heat dissipation doesn’t really work in it.

JBL Sansibar SNOW

Snow-white substrate for freshwater and marine aquariums and aqua-terrariums

  • Very fine sandy soil for all aquarium types: substrate for fresh and saltwater aquariums as well as aqua-terrariums and terrariums
  • Ideal for both freshwater and saltwater: its fine granulation and density prevents sludge and other waste materials from seeping in
  • Prevents injuries of the mucous membrane: fine, round-shaped natural sand is gentle on sensitive barbels. Ideal for grubbing fish, such as armoured catfish and loaches
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water.
  • Package contents: 1 bag Sansibar Snow. Grain size: 0.1-0.6 mm. Not suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 24,23 €

JBL Sansibar WHITE

White, fine substrate for freshwater and saltwater aquariums

  • Perfect hold for plant roots: substrate with 0.2 - 0.6 mm grain size for freshwater and marine aquariums and terrariums
  • Ideal for aquarium care: its fine granulation and density prevents sludge and other waste material from seeping in
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water. Fine, round-shaped granite sand is gentle on sensitive barbels of bottom-dwellers.
  • Use: spread substrate on top of the nutrient substrate (approx. 6-8 cm for vigorous plant growth)
  • Contents: 1 bag Sansibar White. Not really suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 13,83 €

JBL Sansibar RED

Fine, red substrate for fresh- and saltwater aquariums

  • Fine, uncoloured sandy soil: substrate for fresh and saltwater aquariums and aqua-terrariums
  • Ideal for aquarium care: its fine granulation and density prevents mulm and other waste material from seeping in
  • Prevents injuries of the mucous membrane: fine, round-shaped natural sand is gentle on sensitive barbels. Ideal for grubbing fish, such as armoured catfish and loaches
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water.
  • Package contents: 1 bag Sansibar Red. Grain size: 0.2 - 0.6 mm. Not fully suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 19,64 €

JBL Sansibar ORANGE

Orange, fine substrate for freshwater and saltwater aquariums

  • Fine, uncoloured sandy soil for freshwater and saltwater aquariums and aqua-terrariums
  • Ideal for aquarium care: its fine granulation and density prevents mulm and other waste material from seeping in
  • Prevents injuries of the mucous membrane: fine, round-shaped natural sand is gentle on sensitive barbels. Ideal for grubbing fish, such as armoured catfish and loaches
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no release of unwanted pollutants into the water.
  • Package contents: 1 bag Sansibar Orange. Grain size: 0.2 - 0.6 mm. Not fully suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 19,30 €
Fine gravel

Also perfect for bottom-dwelling fish species because it has no sharp edges. Plants quickly grow healthy and strong roots. For modelling the ground we recommend stones or wood to build terraces. Not ideal for undergravel heating cables, but okay.

JBL Sansibar DARK

Dark substrate for freshwater and saltwater aquariums

  • Perfect hold for plant roots: substrate with 0.2 - 0.6 mm grain size for freshwater and marine aquariums and terrariums
  • Ideal for aquarium care: its fine granulation and density prevents mulm and other waste material from seeping in
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no release of unwanted pollutants into the water. Fine granite sand is gentle on the sensitive barbels of the bottom-dwellers
  • No light reflections – full colouring of plants and fish: easily scared animals feel more comfortable and show their full, natural colouring
  • Contents: 1 bag Sansibar Dark. Not really suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 14,18 €

JBL Sansibar RIVER

Light, fine substrate with black pebbles for freshwater and marine aquariums

  • Substrate with 0.8 mm grain size for freshwater and marine aquariums and terrariums
  • Prevents injuries of the mucous membrane: coarse-grained, round-shaped natural sand is gentle on sensitive barbels. Ideal for digging fish, such as rays, kuhli loarch, catfish, etc.
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water.
  • Use: Spread substrate on top of the nutrient substrate (approx. 6 - 8 cm for plants). Well suited for undergravel heating cables
  • Package contents: 1 bag Sansibar River
from 13,83 €

JBL Sansibar GREY

Grey, fine substrate for freshwater and saltwater aquariums

  • Fine, uncoloured sandy soil: substrate for fresh and saltwater aquariums and aqua-terrariums
  • Vigorous plant growth: prevents the seeping in of sludge and other waste material with its fine granulation and density
  • Prevents injuries of the mucous membrane: fine, round-shaped natural sand is gentle on sensitive barbels. Ideal for grubbing fish, such as armoured catfish and loaches
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water.
  • Package contents: 1 bag Sansibar Grey. Grain size: 0.2 - 0.6 mm. Not fully suitable for undergravel heating cables
from 14,70 €
Medium-sized gravel

Often an inexpensive substrate, but unsuitable for bottom-dwelling fish. Due to its a bit coarser structure the waste enters slightly deeper and needs to be regularly siphoned from deeper layers with a gravel cleaner. Well suited for aquatic plants.

Coarse gravel

Unsuitable for bottom-dwelling and digging fish. Is often used with large fish to prevent them rearranging the tank all the time. Difficult to clean. For plants only suitable to a limited extent. Better insert the plants into small pots.

Natural soil

Just about the best thing there is! This natural substrate has no sharp edges and is ideal for bottom-dwelling and bottom feeding fish species, such as armored catfish. Plants grow roots very quickly and can be easily removed at a later stage without removing half of the substrate from the tank. The only disadvantage: The JBL Manado substrate is so loose that plants easily loosen themselves from the ground again during their insertion. With JBL plant pegs ( JBL PROSCAPE PLANTIS PINS ) you can easily and reliably attach new plants to any ground.

JBL Manado DARK

Dark natural substrate for aquariums

  • Perfect for the plant care in freshwater aquariums. Its porous structure promotes the growth of roots. Suitable for digging fish
  • Nutrient buffer with high iron content. Is capable of storing excess nutrients, to release them again when needed. The high iron content is absorbed by plant roots
  • Activates the soil flora by motivating the quick and effective colonisation of beneficial ground bacteria. This inhibits the growth of unwanted algae, reducing the work-load on the filter and ensuring crystal-clear water
  • Accentuates the beauty of the fish: its dark-brown tone highlights their colours and combines with the green and red tones of the aquatic plants to create a harmonious appearance
  • Ready-to-use substrate which needs to be rinsed once in tap water before use. Available in various packaging sizes
from 13,95 €

JBL Manado

Natural substrate for freshwater aquariums

  • Optimal plant care through porous structure and nutrient storage function: substrate for freshwater aquariums
  • Vigorous plant growth, prevents algae: effective settlement of beneficial soil bacteria and ideal root growth thanks to natural pore structure. Support for the filter. Crystal-clear water
  • Ideal for fish, invertebrates and plants: no unwanted pollutants released into the water. Round-shaped granule grains are gentle on sensitive barbels of bottom-dwellers
  • High storage capacity: the natural substrate absorbs the surplus nutrients and releases them when required
  • Contents: substrate Manado. Available in various sizes
from 8,39 €
Lava substrate

Looks very natural but is totally unsuitable for bottom-feeders and digging fish! The animals hurt themselves on the sharp edges! Plants root very well inside and it is perfect for modelling the ground design. Lava substrate is often used for the design to form a solid foundation for wood and stones. Sand or gravel would sink or dug away by fish. The lava substrate becomes firmly interlocked and therefore aquascapers always use it as foundation.

JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO MINERAL

Volcanic natural substrate for aquascaping

  • Volcanic rock substrate as stable foundation for rock and root wood constructions: dedicated substrate for aquascaping aquariums
  • Basis substrate for natural aquariums: porous volcanic rock ensures water circulation at the bottom. Supplies plant roots with organic plant nutrients
  • Vigorous plant growth: ideal oxygen supply and circulation through open-pored structure. Long-term supply with nutrients and minerals
  • Safe foundation, no slipping: volcanic rock becomes firmly interlocked. Ideally suited for a firm foundation
  • Contents: 1 bag ProScape Volcano Mineral
from 14,70 €
Soil

Aquarists who like heavily planted aquariums and are fans of sensitive plants have special demands on the ideal substrate: It has to consist of burnt soil and contain lots of nutrients. JBL offers two options: JBL PlantSoil is loaded with a lot of nutrients and ideal for heavily planted aquariums (aquascaping). Whereas JBL ShrimpSoil has not been loaded with additional nutrients and is perfectly suited for aquariums with invertebrates (e.g. shrimps) and plants.

JBL PROSCAPE PLANT SOIL BROWN

Brown freshwater substrate for aquascaping

  • Complete nutrient substrate for aquatic plants: special substrate for aquascaping aquariums
  • Vital plant growth: optimal oxygen supply and circulation due to medium grain size
  • Immediate nutrient and mineral supply for plants
  • Tropical water values: slightly acidic pH values and low carbonate hardness. Reduses water hardness – water becomes soft
  • Contents: 1 bag ProScape PlantSoil Brown
from 22,87 €

JBL PROSCAPE SHRIMPS SOIL BROWN

Brown substrate for shrimp aquariums

  • Soil without additional nutrients for shrimp aquariums: special substrate for aquascaping aquariums
  • Softening effect makes it especially suitable for shrimps and other animals which prefer soft water
  • Thriving plant growth: ideal oxygen supply and circulation in the substrate thanks to medium grain size. Immediate supply of nutrients and minerals
  • Tropical water values: slightly acidic pH values and low carbonate hardness. Reduses water hardness – water becomes soft
  • Contents: 1 bag ProScape ShrimpsSoil Brown
from 26,10 €

The aquarium substrate: gravel, sand or nutrient substrate?

We show you all types of aquarium substrate from sand to coarse gravel with all their advantages and disadvantages. Why are some substrates unsuitable for undergravel heaters or for burrowing fish? What are nutrient substrates and soil?

How thick does the substrate need to be?

This question cannot be answered generally since there are very different types of aquariums. Generally the substrate layer shouldn’t be thinner than 3-5 cm. In a heavily planted tank, the layer thickness can certainly be 6-8 cm thick.

Try piling the substrate higher towards the back. This will make your aquarium seem more spacious and dirt is more likely to collect at the lowest point. However, it’s no use trying to form "mountains and valleys" with the substrate.

How does the substrate in the plant aquarium need to be layered?

For most aquariums with aquatic plants we advise following the framework: First a layer of long-term substrate fertiliser ( JBL PROFLORA AquaBasis plus ) and above a natural substrate ( JBL Manado ).

Only for extremly heavily planted aquariums (aquascaping) the structure is different: With the help of JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO MINERAL the landscape can be coarsely modelled. On this lava substrate you can directly place the stones or the wood. It prevents the sinking of the heavy decoration elements. Then everything can be covered with JBL PROSCAPE PLANT SOIL BROWN .

Does the substrate need to be completely renewed?

Sand, gravel and natural substrates, such as JBL Manado don’t need to be replaced. The regular siphoning of the substrate with a gravel cleaner ( JBL AquaEX Set 20-45 ) is a sufficient care measure.

In our experience soil substrates lose their positive characteristics after two years at the latest and need to be replaced. But since aquascapers are constantly recreating their “works of art” anyway, this is not really a disadvantage.

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