Why is healthy plant growth so important for the aquarium?

Aquarium plants are not only decorative, offering aquarium inhabitants natural hiding places and shelter but they also influence the biochemical processes positively, thus ensuring an optimum biological balance in the aquarium.

Plants:

• Create the vital oxygen for fish and microorganisms during the daytime.
• Help to biologically clean the water, breaking down pollutants.
• Inhibit the growth of algae, out competing it for nutrients.

For these reasons, it is vitally important that you give your plants a good substrate to grow in.

Dennerle Scaper’s Soil:

• Nutrient substrate for strong plant growth.
• With all essential minerals and trace elements.
• With fertile volcanic soil.
• With bio-filtering function for healthy, clear water.
• Actively creates soft, slightly acidic water (approx. pH 6-6.5, KH 0-2 °d).
• Twice-baked – lasting water stability.
• Ideal in combination with CO² fertilisation.
• With valuable humic and fulvic acids.
• Ideal for plants, fish and shrimps that require soft, slightly acidic water.
• Suitable for bottom filters (shrimp breeding).
• Special nutrient formula – does not promote algae.

Scaper’s Soil consists of up to 100% natural raw materials. Made from various carefully chosen, natural soils, it supplies all the essential minerals and trace elements that aquarium plants require each day. The irregularly shaped grains with a diameter of 1 to 4 mm give the substrate a particularly natural effect. Its loose structure permits optimum flow through the substrate and plant roots can grow into it well. Scaper’s Soil provides the perfect basis for healthy, strong plant growth and vibrant colours. Mosses also benefit from this and show this in the form of compact growth and rich green leaves. The deep black colour gives a more intense, vivid contrast with the bright green of the plants.

Scaper’s Soil effectively prevents algae growth for three reasons:

1. The special nutrient formula means that the nutrients primarily benefit the plants rather than the algae.
2. The nutrient buffer function: as in a battery, surplus nutrients are taken from the water and only released to the plants when necessary.
3. The strong promotion of plant growth – because well-growing aquatic plants are the strongest opponents of algae.

Scaper’s Soil has active ion exchange properties. As a result, it reduces the pH value and stabilises it at a slightly acidic level (approx. 6.0-6.5). At the same time, it reduces the carbonate hardness – down to close to 0°d KH depending on the water source – and thus makes the water considerably softer. It also serves as a natural source of humic and fulvic acids, without discolouring the water. This means Scaper’s Soil creates water values that many tropical aquarium plants and fish are familiar with from their natural environment. Soft, slightly acidic water is, for example, ideal for most South American ornamental fish such as Neon Tetra, Angel fish and Discus.

Despite the soft water, Scaper’s Soil is also safe to use in combination with CO² fertilisation, as the pH value is stabilised by the soil. Scaper’s Soil ensures crystal clear water and healthy living conditions. The porous surface provides the ideal substrate for the settlement of important cleansing bacteria. This means the entire substrate becomes a huge biofilter. It therefore creates the optimum conditions for effective biological self-cleaning and consequently for the best possible water quality. At the same time the soil absorbs numerous harmful substances directly from the water. The granulate is twice baked and therefore also has lasting water stability.

For Shrimp:

Its pH and KH reducing properties and its excellent filter capacity make Scaper’s Soil the optimum substrate for the husbandry and breeding of shrimp species that require slightly acidic water, such as Crystal Red and Red Bee.

Thanks to the lasting stability of the grains, it is especially well suited to use together with bottom filters, a good combination for shrimp breeding. This means the water is adjusted to ideal values even more quickly, and the filter capacity is increased. Thanks to the loose yet stable structure, the substrate is provided with the optimum supply of oxygen so that no decomposing matter can build up.  Its highly porous surface forms an excellent settlement substrate for important microorganisms that baby shrimp in particular need for their development. The colours and appearance of shrimp really come into their own on Scaper’s Soil. White, red, and yellow shrimp stand out vividly against the dark black background.

Usage:

• Do not wash before use.
• Place a 3-5cm layer on the bottom, to provide a base structure for plant roots.
• Arrange any decorative rocks, stones, and wood.
• Add plants (keep moist while planting by spraying regularly).
• Finally, carefully fill with water without disturbing the soil.
• Any clouding will clear within a few hours.

Planting tips:

• Use in combination with a Dennerle CO₂ Set for a carbon source. This makes a world of difference in nearly all planted aquariums.

Suitability:

• Aquascapes.
• Tropical and coldwater planted aquariums.

Not suitable for the following:

• Fish, invertebrates, or plants that require neutral or alkaline water.
• Burrowing fish such as Khuli Loach and eels.
• Use with gravel cleaners.
• Mixing with other substrates.
• With other pH reducers.

Amount required:

This 8L bag is sufficient for aquariums up to 63L in capacity.

(Popular sized aquariums)