Tropica Substrate 2.5 Litre

• A concentrate, used under gravel when planning the aquarium
• Ensures healthy and long-term growth
• Is neutral and does not affect the KH or pH value of the water
• The substrate absorbs nutrients and makes them available for plant roots

How to use the product

Plant Growth Substrate is laid in a 1 cm thick layer on the bottom of the aquarium, when the aquarium is built. The table below provides recommended Plant Growth Substrate amounts for a number of standard aquarium sizes.

Specifications

What it is: a concentrated nutrient substrate, laid under the gravel when the aquarium is first built. It is not a gravel and not a soil: it is a thin base layer that the gravel sits on top of.

Layer depth: Tropica specify a 1 cm layer across the bottom of the tank, with the gravel on top of it.

Water chemistry: neutral. Tropica state it does not affect the KH or the pH of the water, which is what separates it from an active aquasoil, and the reason it can go under any gravel in any tank without changing the parameters your fish are already living in.

How it works: the substrate absorbs nutrients from the water and holds them where the plant roots can reach them, releasing them as the plants take them up.

Tropica’s quantity table: how much you need:

What this 2.5 litre pack covers. Read the table by footprint, not by volume: the quantity depends on the area of the base, which is why Tropica list the depth and width alongside the litres. One 2.5 L pack covers a 30 × 60 cm base comfortably and a 35 × 70 cm base with almost nothing spare. Anything larger needs two packs.

This is a one-time, build-day product. It goes in before the gravel and before the water, and it cannot be added to a tank that is already set up without tearing the substrate out. Work out the quantity from the table before you order: being one pack short on build day is the worst time to discover it.

Freshness & Storage

Every batch we dispatch carries a minimum of 6 months’ remaining shelf life. Store this product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with the cap or inner foil closed tightly after each use.

Filter media and substrates carry no manufacturing or expiry date: their working life begins on first contact with water, not on the shelf.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number, or email us if you would rather, and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 48 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.