Skip to content

Free Shipping In Canada +$119.00

Collection: Freshwater & Planted Gravel

Active aquasoils, clay-based planted substrates, and inert gravels and sands for freshwater tanks. Aquasoils and clay substrates feed roots; gravels and sands are inert and chosen for looks and grain size. Work out how many litres or pounds your footprint needs before you order, because running a bag short part-way through a build means a second order and a second shipping charge.

Compare (0/5)

27 products

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 4KG

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 4KG

Regular price $27.45
Sale price $27.45 Regular price
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 2KG

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 2KG

Regular price $15.95
Sale price $15.95 Regular price
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 8KG

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum - 8KG

Regular price $48.95
Sale price $48.95 Regular price
Seachem Flourite Black Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Seachem Flourite Black Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $33.65
Sale price $33.65 Regular price
Seachem Flourite Black Sand - 15lb

Seachem Flourite Black Sand - 15lb

Regular price $33.65
Sale price $33.65 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil 9 Litre for freshwater aquariums

Tropica Aquarium Soil - 9 Litre

Regular price $63.95
Sale price $63.95 Regular price
Buy SeaChem Flourite Dark Freshwater Substrate - 15lb in Canada

Seachem Flourite Dark Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $28.05
Sale price $28.05 Regular price
Seachem Flourite Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Seachem Flourite Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $29.35
Sale price $29.35 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil - 3 Litre

Tropica Aquarium Soil - 3 Litre

Regular price $29.95
Sale price $29.95 Regular price
Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Regular price $12.70
Sale price $12.70 Regular price
Caribsea Gemstone Creek Aquarium Gravel - 5lb

Caribsea Gemstone Creek Aquarium Gravel - 5lb

Regular price $9.85
Sale price $9.85 Regular price
Seachem Onyx Sand Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Seachem Onyx Sand Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $28.05
Sale price $28.05 Regular price
Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 20lb

Caribsea Crystal River Aquarium Sand - 20lb

Regular price $40.10
Sale price $40.10 Regular price
Caribsea Sunset Gold Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Caribsea Sunset Gold Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Regular price $13.65
Sale price $13.65 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 3 Litre

Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 3 Litre

Regular price $34.95
Sale price $34.95 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 9 Litre

Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder - 9 Litre

Regular price $69.95
Sale price $69.95 Regular price
Caribsea Peace River Aquarium Gravel - 5lb

Caribsea Peace River Aquarium Gravel - 5lb

Regular price $12.70
Sale price $12.70 Regular price
Tropica Aquarium Plants Freshwater & Planted Gravel

Tropica Aquarium Substrate - 2.5 Litre

Regular price $27.95
Sale price $27.95 Regular price
Seachem Flourite Red Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Seachem Flourite Red Freshwater Substrate - 15lb

Regular price $29.35
Sale price $29.35 Regular price
Caribsea Jungle River Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Caribsea Jungle River Aquarium Sand - 5lb

Regular price $12.70
Sale price $12.70 Regular price

Three Different Products Under One Heading

Substrate is not one category. Active aquasoils are granular, hold nutrients at the root, and many of them change pH and hardness as they work. Clay-based planted substrates hold nutrients without driving chemistry the same way. Inert gravels and sands do nothing to the water at all — they are there to look right and hold plants down. Choosing between them is a decision about the water you want, not just the look.

What's in This Collection

  • Active aquasoils — sold by volume in litre sizes, including finer powder grades for foreground planting.
  • Plant and shrimp stratum — granular substrate in a range of bag weights.
  • Clay-based planted substrates — in several colours, including sand-grade versions.
  • Inert gravels and sands — river gravels and natural sands in smaller and larger bags.

Getting the Depth and Prep Right

  • Allow roughly 2 to 3 inches where you want rooted plants; less than that and root systems have nowhere to go.
  • Rinse inert gravels and sands before they go in. Do not rinse active aquasoil — check the bag, as most are meant to go in dry.
  • Expect cloudiness for the first day or two after a soil-based setup fills, and plan the first water change around it.
  • Work out volume before ordering. Substrate is sold by weight or litres, and running a bag short mid-build is the usual mistake.

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.