Brightwell Aquatics · Active aquasoil
Brightwell FlorinVolcanit
United States · Dark brown to charcoal · grain 1 to 4 mm
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TL;DR, Brightwell FlorinVolcanit
FlorinVolcanit is Brightwell's planted-tank substrate, a baked volcanic clay product engineered to release a balanced mix of macro and micronutrients. It pairs naturally with Brightwell's broader FlorinMulti dosing line.
Full specs
- Brand
- Brightwell Aquatics
- Country of origin
- United States
- Category
- Active aquasoil
- Colour
- Dark brown to charcoal
- Grain size
- 1 to 4 mm
- pH target
- 6.4 to 7.0
- pH effect
- Lowers (gentle)
- KH effect
- Lowers (gentle)
- Ammonia release
- Light
- Nutrient content
- Medium to high
- Buffering longevity
- 12 to 18 months
- Recommended water
- Tap water tolerable
- Difficulty
- 3 / 5
- Shrimp-safe
- Yes
- Best for
- Brightwell dosing systems, North American tap water, low-tech planted tanks
How it works
FlorinVolcanit is a baked volcanic clay product engineered to release a slow, balanced mix of macro and micronutrients. The substrate has high cation exchange capacity, which means it stores fertiliser dosed into the water column and releases it back to plant roots as needed. The buffering profile is mild.
Best use cases
Tanks dosed with Brightwell's FlorinMulti, FlorinPotassium, and FlorinAxis line. Also a strong choice in North American hard-water regions where moderate buffering is enough to bring the tank into the planted-tank range without RO. Pairs well with low-tech to mid-tech planted setups.
Common mistakes
Mixing FlorinVolcanit with another aquasoil. The chemistry is engineered for the Brightwell dosing system, blending it dilutes both substrates.
Pro tips
Brightwell publishes detailed dosing calculators that account for tank size, plant load, and substrate volume. Use them rather than guessing at fertiliser amounts.
Plants that thrive in this substrate
Hand-curated pairings based on the substrate category, not a relational query.
- Cryptocoryne WendtiiCryptocoryne wendtiiHeavy root feeder, thrives on the strong ammonia and nutrients leaching from new aquasoil.
- Amazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachiiBackground rosette with extensive root system, builds tall on the rich substrate.
- Rotala RotundifoliaRotala rotundifoliaStem plant that colours strongest under low pH + high nutrient soil conditions.
- Monte CarloMicranthemum tweedieiCarpeting plant that pearls quickly when rooted directly into aquasoil with CO2.
- Ludwigia 'Super Red'Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'Reds deepen on active aquasoil thanks to the consistent micro-nutrient release.
Sources & further reading
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