Activ-Flora Planted Aquarium Substrate, 20-lb bag

I drained my entire tank and put this gravel into a 5 gallon bucket. I should have ordered a second bag to make planting easier but meh. I did not rinse it at all.I used my fish net to remove the gravel from the bucket and strain it. No problems or anything fascinating there. Once I had the gravel in the tank I did as another customer and laid the bag chewy sent the gravel in over it in the tank. I then placed my betas floating log on the bag. I added water directly into the log. Some what slowly and some what impatiently. Kept the bag in until about half full. Then I pulled the bag and continued to use the floating log. Over all I'm happy. I did not give it a 5 star because I have no idea on I drained my entire tank and put this gravel into a 5 gallon bucket. I should have ordered a second bag to make planting easier but meh. I did not rinse it at all.I used my fish net to remove the gravel from the bucket and strain it. No problems or anything fascinating there. Once I had the gravel in the tank I did as another customer and laid the bag chewy sent the gravel in over it in the tank. I then placed my betas floating log on the bag. I added water directly into the log. Some what slowly and some what impatiently. Kept the bag in until about half full. Then I pulled the bag and continued to use the floating log. Over all I'm happy. I did not give it a 5 star because I have no idea on how it will be for my plants' growth. … more

I ordered this for a rescape of my 10 gallon betta tank. I rinsed half of the substrate and half I did not rinse. I added my substrate to the tank and added the water one cup at a time using my hand as a buffer. My tank did not cloud refilling the tank this way. I have ran 3 water test and have not seen any change in any of the perimeters. So far so good. I also have a planted tank so I added some root tabs before I put my plants in the substrate I bought the flora gems and it looks absolutely beautiful. Definitely worth the purchase! Oh and for 10 gallon tank I only needed one bag.I added a pic of my tank right after filling it.

After ruling everything else out, we tested this substrate in little jars. As in our planted tank, it raises the ph from our well water of 7.0 to 8.5 within 24 hours. Since the packaging says it doesn't do that, it's been disheartening to struggle so much over the course of three months. We had two mini-suckerfish who like a ph of 6 - 7.5 and we did lose one, which made my children very sad. First, we tried PH regular tests, but then had to order the High PH tests to get an accurate measurement. Even though it's pretty, I can't recommend if you're aiming for a slightly acidic planted tank. We also found an old fish-hook in amongst the rock when first rinsing it. A rare thing, I hope.

I read another review titled "Works great if you follow the directions". Thank you to whoever wrote that! This gravel comes soaked in a slurry that looks like chocolate milk. If you rinse it, you're losing all the bacteria and nutrients that they added. Kinda negates the purpose. I drained all the water out of my tank (except the inch I couldn't get), dumped the gravel into a colander over a bucket, scooped it out with a cup and careful placed it in the tank. Then I put the flat empty bag over the gravel, set a cup on it, and that's what I put my filling tube into. I turned the water on at about half the rate I usually would. So, the water I was adding was pouring into the cup, which overflowed I read another review titled "Works great if you follow the directions". Thank you to whoever wrote that! This gravel comes soaked in a slurry that looks like chocolate milk. If you rinse it, you're losing all the bacteria and nutrients that they added. Kinda negates the purpose. I drained all the water out of my tank (except the inch I couldn't get), dumped the gravel into a colander over a bucket, scooped it out with a cup and careful placed it in the tank. Then I put the flat empty bag over the gravel, set a cup on it, and that's what I put my filling tube into. I turned the water on at about half the rate I usually would. So, the water I was adding was pouring into the cup, which overflowed onto the flat bag, which ran off into the gravel. Make sense? When the water level was above the cup, I slowly slipped the empty bag out. I still held the cup over the end of the water tube until it was 80% full. Then I planted my plants. Filled it the rest of the way without the cup, but keeping the water rate at half. Is it more work? Yes. But unless you want your tank to look like a mud puddle like some of these reviews, you have to add the water very slowly and careful so you don't disturb the gravel. I finished at 5 last night, this morning my tank is clear. This gravel is stunning and I can't wait to see how my plants grow. … more

I have a large fish tank and never seen any babies. It was suggested to create a grassy bottom. So lots of fake plants and this 'active flora.' Been seven days and no sign of growth at all.

Ordered three bags for my 40 gal substrate arrive emptied and cleaned the aquarium. Installed the substrate and planted the the aquarium waiting for the tank to go through the cycle. Looks great and plants are doing great.

I read reviews about not washing & what a big mistake! Wash, wash & wash again!!!

I've asked people really into the hobby and they said this one helps their plants a lot as long as you use root tabs and fertilizer, which it does. I also like how nice and natural it looks.

If done correctly this substrate is amazing for your fishtank. However if you do it wrong, as in add it to your tank that already has water in it OR add water to an empty tank with this substrate to quickly the particles in the substrate will float and make the water murky. So drain your fish tank out, add the substrate, then slowly add water back in. Let settle for 2hrs before adding your fish in and your good to go! Love this stuff!!!

After reading the reviews and not being able to find the substrate I really wanted, I decided to give this a try for my smaller aquarium. I'm so glad I ignored the boneheads who didn't read the instructions and cried about the clouding being an issue. It's perfect for what I needed. It does cause clouding but as long as you follow the instructions on the bag(which also explain this) the clouding will resolve in 1-6 hours. DO NOT rinse this gravel!! It defeats the purpose of the bacteria and the plant nutrients!!... My mild clouding resolved in 2 hours. It would've been less if I didn't need to turn my filtration to the lowest setting to accommodate my fish. It's pretty, very natural looking and After reading the reviews and not being able to find the substrate I really wanted, I decided to give this a try for my smaller aquarium. I'm so glad I ignored the boneheads who didn't read the instructions and cried about the clouding being an issue. It's perfect for what I needed. It does cause clouding but as long as you follow the instructions on the bag(which also explain this) the clouding will resolve in 1-6 hours. DO NOT rinse this gravel!! It defeats the purpose of the bacteria and the plant nutrients!!... My mild clouding resolved in 2 hours. It would've been less if I didn't need to turn my filtration to the lowest setting to accommodate my fish. It's pretty, very natural looking and holds plants in place. I like heavily planted aquariums. A substrate that provides nutrients, allows for healthy rooting and looks natural is perfect! It instantly cycled my aquarium, but I never rely on that just in case the bacteria has died due to heat or time. Instead I buy pure amonium and add bacteria I trust to instantly cycle. You can buy Dr Tims Amonium on Chewy for 3$. A must have for any aquarist. If you don't have fish to add you have to keep feeding your bacteria or it dies. To add this gravel with minimum clouding and WITHOUT RINSING as directed, I laid a towel down next to the aquarium and the bag of gravel down flat on the towel, leaving it in the plastic bag chewy mailed it in as well. I cut a large flap in the middle, enlarging the flap as needed along the way. I took a mason jar and scooped out one section at a time. Using the flap to push the jar against and turn it upside down, draining the extra liquid between each scoop. I laid each scoop close to where it would eventually be flattened or shaped. Repeat process till the bag is empty. I only ended up with a few drops of the fluid on my floor. I took the bags of liquid to the sink(ig you don't you'll probably need more than one towel). Dumped it. Rinsed it a little. Shaped my gavel how I wanted it. Put the original bag over the top of the gavel and then added water(how the professional aqua-scapers add water). When I only needed about 10-20% water to fill it up I added my plants, wood & other items. Topped water off. Added my water treatments/nutrients for plants & animals. Waited for acceptable temperatures to be reached and then acclimated my fish, snails, shrimp etc. Added everyone and turned the lights off(reduces stress when moving aquatic life). In the morning it was gorgeous, everyone was happy and ready to eat! … more