UNS Controsoil is the top planted tank substrate: it buffers pH, lowers carbonate hardness, releases little ammonium and needs no rinsing, at about 5 mm grain and €4.99 per litre. Fluval Stratum is #6: a gentler volcanic soil that slowly lowers pH and does not discolor water. ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2 is #2.
Effect on pH: Buffers the pH and lowers carbonate hardness (Aquasabi)Grain size: Normal grain, approximately 5 mmSet-up: No rinsing required before use; low ammonium releaseBag sizes: 1 litre, 3 litres and 10 litresPrice: €49.90 for 10 litres, €4.99 per litre (Aquasabi); €19.90 for 3 litres
Aquasabi describes UNS Controsoil as a soil and volcanic ash substrate that buffers the pH, lowers carbonate hardness, releases only small amounts of ammonium and needs no rinsing. The Normal grain is approximately 5 mm and bags come in 1, 3 and 10 litres; the 10 litre bag is €49.90, or €4.99 per litre.
Go ifLarger planted tanks and plants with strong root systems
Skip ifYou keep a tiny nano tank, where the Extra Fine grain suits better
Why #1 over #2: It documents a pH and carbonate hardness effect, a roughly 5 mm grain and low ammonium release, while Fluval Stratum only slowly lowers pH.
2
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2
Answrs VerdictThe benchmark aquascaping soil.
Effect on pH: Reduces the pH to 5.5 - 6.5 and helps lower water hardness (Aquasabi)Raw material: 100% natural black soil with high humic and nutrient contentSet-up: Includes an Amazonia Supplement packet: 50 ml with the 9 litre bag, 16 ml with the 3 litre bagBag sizes: 3 litres and 9 litresPrice: From €39.90 for 9 litres, €4.43 per litre (Aquasabi); €18.90 for 3 litres
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2 is made from 100% natural black soil with a high humic and nutrient content. Aquasabi says it reduces the pH to 5.5 - 6.5, and the 9 litre bag ships with a 50 ml Amazonia Supplement. It starts at €39.90 for 9 litres, €4.43 per litre.
Go ifDemanding plants such as Tonina or Syngonanthus
Skip ifYou want a soil that is cheaper per litre than Jun or Tropica
Why #2 over #3: It states a pH range of 5.5 - 6.5 and a nutrient supplement, while Dennerle states approx. 6.0-6.5 with no supplement.
3
Dennerle Scaper's Soil
Answrs VerdictThe soil with published pH and hardness targets.
Effect on pH: Stabilises pH at approx. 6.0-6.5 and CH at 0-2 °d (Aquasabi)Grain size: Irregular grains of 1 to 4 mmComposition: Contains natural Andosol (volcanic ash soil), twice bakedBag sizes: 4 litres and 8 litresPrice: From €36.90 for 8 litres, €4.61 per litre (Aquasabi); €19.90 for 4 litres
Dennerle Scaper's Soil uses natural Andosol volcanic soil, twice baked, in irregular 1 to 4 mm grains. Aquasabi lists it as stabilising pH at approx. 6.0-6.5 and CH at 0-2 °d. The 8 litre bag starts at €36.90, or €4.61 per litre.
Go ifCO2 planted tanks and shrimp tanks that need soft, slightly acidic water
Skip ifYou run hard-water fish that need a high pH
Why #3 over #4: It publishes both a pH and a CH target, while Tropica says only that it slightly lowers pH.
4
Tropica Aquarium Soil
Answrs VerdictThe gentle, one-layer soil.
Effect on pH: Slightly lowers the pH, with a weak influence on water chemistry (Aquasabi)Grain size: 2 - 3 mmSet-up: Complete substrate usable without any other bottom layer; at least two water changes per week for the first three weeksBag sizes: 3 litres and 9 litresPrice: €29.90 for 9 litres, €3.32 per litre (Aquasabi, list price €39.90); €14.50 for 3 litres
Tropica Aquarium Soil is a complete substrate with 2 - 3 mm grain that can be used without any other bottom layer. It slightly lowers the pH and has a weak influence on water chemistry. The 9 litre bag is €29.90, or €3.32 per litre, against a list price of €39.90.
Go ifA one-layer planted tank where you do not want a strong pH drop
Skip ifYou want a soil that heavily softens hard tap water
Why #4 over #5: At €3.32 per litre it is cheaper than the AQUARIO Neo Soil at €4.99 per litre and also needs no extra layer.
5
AQUARIO Neo Soil Compact Plant
Answrs VerdictThe bacteria-enriched starter soil.
Effect on pH: Slightly reduces the pH-value (Aquasabi)Grain size: 3 mmComposition: Nutrient-rich soils of volcanic origin, enriched with beneficial bacteriaCoverage: 8 litres are sufficient for a 50 litre aquariumPrice: From €39.90 for 8 litres, €4.99 per litre (Aquasabi); €18.90 for 3 litres
AQUARIO Neo Soil Compact Plant has a 3 mm grain, nutrient-rich volcanic soils enriched with beneficial bacteria, and slightly reduces the pH. Aquasabi says 8 litres are sufficient for a 50 litre aquarium. The 8 litre bag starts at €39.90, or €4.99 per litre.
Go ifBeginners and demanding carpeting plants
Skip ifYou use an under-gravel filter, which the maker says it cannot be combined with
Why #5 over #6: It adds beneficial bacteria and nutrients, while JBL Mount Aso Soil is natural and without additional nutrient enrichment.
6
Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum
Answrs VerdictThe easy-to-find volcanic soil.
Effect on pH: Slowly lowers the pH; helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH (Aquasabi, PetSmart)Origin: Mineral-rich volcanic soil from the foothills of Mont Aso Volcano in JapanBag sizes: 4.4 lb, 8.8 lb and 17.6 lb (PetSmart); 2 kg, 4 kg and 8 kg (Aquasabi)Water colour: Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration from driftwoodPrice: €37.90 for 8 kg, €4.74 per kg (Aquasabi); €19.90 for 4 kg
Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum is mineral-rich volcanic soil from the foothills of Mont Aso Volcano in Japan. It slowly lowers pH, will not discolor water and is sold in 4.4 lb, 8.8 lb and 17.6 lb bags at PetSmart, or 2, 4 and 8 kg at Aquasabi, where 8 kg is €37.90.
Go ifPlanted tanks and shrimp tanks that need only a slight pH nudge
Skip ifYou want a soil with a published pH target like ADA or Dennerle
Why #6 over #7: It has a stated effect that supports neutral to slightly acidic pH, while JBL Mount Aso Soil has no added nutrients.
7
JBL ProScape Mount Aso Soil
Answrs VerdictThe natural, non-enriched soil.
Effect on pH: Promotes tropical-like, slightly acidic water conditions (Aquasabi)Nutrients: Natural and without additional nutrient enrichmentSet-up: Briefly rinse with tap water before useBag sizes: 3 litres and 9 litresPrice: €35.90 for 9 litres, €3.99 per litre (Aquasabi); €19.90 for 3 litres
JBL ProScape Mount Aso Soil is natural volcanic soil from Mount Aso, Japan, with no additional nutrient enrichment. It promotes slightly acidic water, has a grain without sharp edges for shrimp and burrowing fish, and should be briefly rinsed. The 9 litre bag is €35.90, or €3.99 per litre.
Go ifBurrowing fish and shrimp, since the grain has no sharp edges
Skip ifYou want a soil with added nutrients for heavy root feeders
Why #7 over #8: Its grain suits burrowing fish and tap water, while Jun Platinum Soil works only with RO water.
8
Jun Platinum Soil
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest soil per litre, but RO water only.
Effect on pH: Measured pH of approximately 5.14 in distilled water of pH 6.0; creates soft, slightly acidic water (Aquasabi)Grain size: 3,0 - 4,0 mmWater type: Not suitable for aquariums using hard tap water; use reverse osmosis waterBag sizes: 1 litre, 3 litres and 8 litresPrice: €19.90 for 8 litres, €2.49 per litre (Aquasabi, list price €29.90)
Jun Platinum Soil has a 3,0 - 4,0 mm grain and a measured pH of approximately 5.14 in distilled water of pH 6.0. Jun says it is not suitable for hard tap water and recommends RO water. The 8 litre bag is €19.90, or €2.49 per litre, against a list price of €29.90.
Go ifCaridina shrimp tanks run on reverse osmosis water
Skip ifYour tap water is hard and you do not use RO water
Why #8 over #9: It states a measured pH figure, while CaribSea Eco-Planted does not state any pH effect.
9
CaribSea Eco-Planted (formerly Eco-Complete)
Answrs VerdictThe ready-to-use basalt gravel.
Effect on pH: Not stated in the Bulk Reef Supply listingGrain size: Typical size 0.25 - 7.0 mmComposition: All-natural basaltic gravel with iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium; live heterotrophic bacteriaSet-up: No rinsing requiredPrice: $33.38 for the 20 lb black bag (Bulk Reef Supply)
CaribSea Eco-Planted, formerly Eco-Complete, is an all-natural basaltic gravel with iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium and live heterotrophic bacteria. Typical grain size is 0.25 - 7.0 mm and it needs no rinsing. Bulk Reef Supply lists the 20 lb black bag at $33.38.
Go ifPlanted tanks that want an iron-rich gravel without laterite
Skip ifYou want a soil that lowers pH and hardness
Why #9 over #10: It adds minerals and live bacteria, while Seachem Flourite is a clay gravel that will not alter pH.
10
Seachem Flourite
Answrs VerdictThe inert clay gravel.
Effect on pH: Will not alter the pH of the water (Seachem)Type: Stable porous clay gravel, not chemically coated or treatedLifespan: Good for the life of the aquarium and need not be replacedBag sizes: 7 kg and 3.5 kgPrice: Not published by Seachem (sold through dealers)
Seachem Flourite is a stable porous clay gravel that is not chemically coated or treated, will not alter the pH of the water and is good for the life of the aquarium. It comes in 7 kg and 3.5 kg bags, and Seachem does not publish a price.
Go ifPlanted tanks where you do not want any pH change
Skip ifYou want a soil that softens water or feeds plants
How we ranked these
We ranked each substrate on how fully its maker or seller documents what it does for a planted tank (pH and hardness effect, nutrients, grain size), then on price per litre where one is published. Euro prices are Aquasabi's listed prices, including VAT; US prices are the named retailer's listing. Seachem does not publish a Flourite price. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Fluval Stratum vs UNS Controsoil: which is better for a planted tank?
Both come from volcanic material and both lower pH. Aquasabi says Controsoil buffers the pH, lowers carbonate hardness and releases little ammonium, with a Normal grain of approximately 5 mm and no rinsing needed. Fluval Stratum slowly lowers pH, is sold in 4.4 lb, 8.8 lb and 17.6 lb bags, and does not discolor water. Pick Controsoil for a stronger, documented buffering effect; pick Stratum for an easy-to-find, gentler soil.
Does Fluval Stratum lower pH?
Slightly. Aquasabi says it slowly lowers the pH; PetSmart says it helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Does UNS Controsoil need rinsing?
No. Aquasabi says it can be added directly to the aquarium without rinsing; slight cloudiness clears with filtration and water changes.
Which planted tank substrate lowers pH the most?
Of the soils here, Jun Platinum Soil has the lowest stated figure, a measured pH of approximately 5.14 in distilled water of pH 6.0, but the maker says it is not suitable for hard tap water. ADA Amazonia Ver.2 reduces the pH to 5.5 - 6.5.
Price per litre, largest bag listed at a glance
Jun Platinum Soil2.49 EUR per litre
Tropica Aquarium Soil3.32 EUR per litre
JBL ProScape Mount Aso Soil3.99 EUR per litre
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.24.43 EUR per litre
Dennerle Scaper's Soil4.61 EUR per litre
UNS Controsoil4.99 EUR per litre
AQUARIO Neo Soil Compact Plant4.99 EUR per litre
Price per litre, largest bag listed, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
