Aqueon Plant & Shrimp Aquarium Substrate, 5-lb bag

Skip image gallery
Slide 1 of 9

$12.99 First Time Autoship Price
this order
Save 35% (up to $20) today when you set up Autoship. 
$18.99 Autoship Price
(-5%) future orders
  • Keep saving 5% on every order
  • Get deliveries on your schedule
  • Skip, change, or cancel anytime
$19.99 Chewy Price
($4.00 /lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card + Free Shipping with code: WELCOME
In Stock
FREE 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

No interest if paid in full in 6 months on PayPal purchases of $149+. .

About This Item

Details

  • Substrate that promotes the growth of freshwater plants in your aquarium.
  • Made from a clay-based material with a unique spherical shape.
  • Shape maintains its form over time and doesn’t breakdown into compressed soil.
  • Creates healthy root systems to allow newly budding and mature plants to grow and flourish.
  • Ideal for use with freshwater shrimp, snails and tropical fish.
Learn More About Aqueon From Our Team of Experts

Essential Water Care for Healthy Fish

Whether you’re treating tap water, neutralizing ammonia or clearing up cloudy water, Aqueon’s line of water care products makes it easy to maintain the healthiest environment for your aquatic pets.

All About the Fish

Aqueon strives to do what’s best for the health and well-being of fish and aquatic life. They focus on the little things that make your life easier when keeping an aquarium, so it’s easier to keep your fish happy and healthy.

Prevent Aquarium Water Problems

Aqueon Water Conditioner, Ammonia Neutralizer and Water Clarifier all help to prevent common water quality issues and promote a healthy aquarium. Just 30 mins to 1 hr. of water care a week can help you ensure your tank remains a thriving habitat.

Care for Your Plants

Encourage live plant growth and support your aquarium’s biological balance with products like Aqueon Plant Food and Plant and Shrimp Aquarium Substrate. Healthy aquarium plants help naturally reduce harmful compounds like nitrates and ammonia.

About Aqueon

Developed by Aquatic hobbyists, Aqueon provides a broad array of aquarium solutions to help maintain healthy aquatic environments.

Shop Aqueon

Frequently bought together

Questions & Answers

15 Customer Questions

Does this contain fertilizer that is harmful to African dwarf frogs?

Does this substrate contain nutrients like fluval stratum? Or is it inert?

How many bags of substrate are needed for a 10 gallon aquarium ?

Answer by Chewy • Aug 18, 2019
3 bags of this substrate would fit a 10 gallon tank. In general you can use 1.5 pounds of gravel substrate for each gallon of water in the tank.

Does this substrate lower pH?

Answer by Chewy • Oct 16, 2019
This substrate is not formulated to lower pH. However, it does allow for newly budding and mature plants’ root systems to grow and flourish; and an excellent option for aquascaping freshwater aquariums.
Reviews
Write a Review
4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
66 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

33 Customer Reviews

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Isabella on Oct 10, 2025

Hard as a Rock (Not Suitable for Planting)

I was really disappointed with this substrate. The entire bag was solid and rock hard straight out of the package, and even after breaking it apart, it stayed clumpy

I was really disappointed with this substrate. The entire bag was solid and rock hard straight out of the package, and even after breaking it apart, it stayed clumpy and compacted like cement. It made planting roots almost impossible and didn’t soften over time. For something meant for planted tanks, it was completely unusable. I expected a soft, nutrient rich substrate, but this felt more like dried clay or gravel. Definitely not worth the price, I couldn’t even get my plants started($200 worth of plants to the trash) .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Vince on Jan 17, 2026

Good product

My plants are doing better with this product

My plants are doing better with this product

Rated 3 out of 5 stars
By Hannah on Dec 13, 2025

Idk...

It doesn't really seem to be helping anything

It doesn't really seem to be helping anything

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Vashaun on Jul 30, 2025

Cleanliness

This product is by far my favorite for planted aquariums. It doesn’t leech into the tank and is very easy to vacuum and keep clean.

This product is by far my favorite for planted aquariums. It doesn’t leech into the tank and is very easy to vacuum and keep clean.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By p9xm8twqbw on May 29, 2025

My first Chewy order came busted

I brought the package in yesterday and had my floor covered in substrate before I even opened the box ! My bag is missing a couple pounds, the packaging is very

I brought the package in yesterday and had my floor covered in substrate before I even opened the box ! My bag is missing a couple pounds, the packaging is very thin . disappointed

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Brandon on Jul 11, 2025

Plants are thriving

I have a variety of plants in the aquarium, and this is some of the substrate I used specifically for my planted aquarium

I have a variety of plants in the aquarium, and this is some of the substrate I used specifically for my planted aquarium

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Stephanie on Jan 6, 2025

Good

It works well I mix with soil for plants. Some of them were cracked but the ones that weren’t are still holding up after a year with plants,snails,shrimp and fish

It works well I mix with soil for plants. Some of them were cracked but the ones that weren’t are still holding up after a year with plants,snails,shrimp and fish in 2 different tanks.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Editha on Jul 16, 2025

Doesn't work

My plants were melting and dying

My plants were melting and dying

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By Kameron on Aug 14, 2025

Bags plot open in shipping

Good product otherwise

Good product otherwise

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Kaidean on Nov 9, 2024

Great!

It was exactly as advertised

It was exactly as advertised