Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite 3L Planted Aquarium Substrate

Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite 3L is a mineral-rich planted aquarium substrate designed to provide a strong foundation for aquatic plants and freshwater aquascapes.

Containing a natural clay component, Volcanic Laterite can be used either as a fertile base layer beneath another aquarium substrate or as a complete planted aquarium substrate on its own. This makes it a versatile choice for new planted tanks, aquascapes and freshwater displays where root-feeding plants need more than an ordinary decorative gravel.

Browse our full range of planted aquarium substrates and aquasoils if you're comparing options for a new planted aquarium.

Volcanic Laterite 3L at a Glance

• Brand: Aqua Natural
• Product: Volcanic Laterite
• Pack Size: 3 litres
• Type: Mineral-rich planted aquarium substrate
• Contains: Natural clay and mineral components
• Suitable For: Freshwater planted aquariums, aquascapes, paludariums and tropical terrariums
• Use: Can be used alone or as a fertile base layer
• Rinse Before Use: Yes – rinse lightly without over-washing
• Maintenance: Avoid deep gravel vacuuming
• Not Recommended For: Strongly burrowing fish

Why Use Laterite in a Planted Aquarium?

Laterite is commonly used in planted aquariums because its mineral and clay content creates a more plant-focused substrate than ordinary decorative gravel.

Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite provides a rooting medium for aquatic plants and can form the nutrient-rich lower layer of a planted aquarium substrate system.

It can be combined with substrates such as AquaEarth, Scoria or Iron Sand, or used by itself when you want one substrate to provide both the visible aquarium floor and the planted base.

Combine it with our range of live aquarium plants to create a complete planted freshwater setup.

Can Volcanic Laterite Be Used on Its Own?

Yes. Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite can be used as a stand-alone planted aquarium substrate.

It does not have to be covered with another substrate, although many aquascapers choose to use laterite as a base layer and add another substrate above it depending on the appearance and planting style they want.

If you're looking for decorative sands, gravels or alternative substrates to combine with it, browse our aquarium substrate, gravel and sand range.

How to Use Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite

1. Place the laterite in a bucket or sieve and rinse lightly to remove the finest loose particles.
2. Do not over-wash the substrate. Some red clay may continue to appear during rinsing, which is normal.
3. Add the laterite to the empty aquarium and create your desired depth or slope.
4. If using it as a base layer, add your chosen upper substrate carefully.
5. Slowly add water until it sits around 3–4cm above the substrate.
6. Plant the aquarium while the water level is low.
7. Once planting is complete, slowly fill the aquarium to its normal level.
8. Start the filter and allow any remaining fine clay particles to settle or be removed by filtration.

Adding water slowly is particularly important with laterite because disturbing the clay-rich substrate can temporarily cloud the aquarium.

How Much Volcanic Laterite Do I Need?

The amount required depends on whether you are using Volcanic Laterite as the entire substrate bed or as a thinner fertile base underneath another substrate.

A 3 litre bag contains approximately 3,000cm³ of substrate. If used alone, it provides approximately:

• 30 × 20cm aquarium footprint: around 5cm depth
• 30 × 30cm footprint: around 3.3cm depth
• 45 × 30cm footprint: around 2.2cm depth

If it is being used only as a lower fertilising layer, the same bag will cover a considerably larger aquarium.

Maintaining a Laterite Substrate

Avoid pushing an aquarium gravel vacuum deeply through Volcanic Laterite. Its clay-rich structure can be disturbed by aggressive vacuuming and may release fine particles into the water.

Instead, gently siphon loose debris from immediately above the substrate surface during normal water changes.

The manufacturer's water-quality-control properties will naturally reduce as the substrate ages. This is normal and does not mean the substrate suddenly becomes unusable.

Volcanic Laterite FAQs

What is laterite aquarium substrate?

Laterite is a mineral and clay-rich substrate used in planted aquariums to create a suitable rooting environment for aquatic plants. It can be used as a lower substrate layer or, depending on the product, as the complete aquarium substrate.

Can Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite be used by itself?

Yes. Aqua Natural Volcanic Laterite can be used as a stand-alone planted aquarium substrate or as a fertile base underneath another suitable substrate.

Do I need to rinse Volcanic Laterite?

Yes. Lightly rinse Volcanic Laterite before use to remove the finest loose particles, but do not over-wash it. The substrate contains clay, so some red colour in the rinse water is normal.

Does laterite need to be capped with gravel or aquasoil?

No. This product can be used alone. However, it can also be used as a base layer underneath AquaEarth, Scoria, Iron Sand or another suitable aquarium substrate.

Is Volcanic Laterite good for aquarium plants?

Yes. Volcanic Laterite is specifically intended for planted aquariums and provides a mineral-rich, clay-based rooting medium for aquatic plants.

Can I gravel vacuum Volcanic Laterite?

Deep gravel vacuuming is not recommended. Instead, gently siphon loose waste from above the substrate surface to avoid disturbing the clay-rich material.

Is Volcanic Laterite suitable for burrowing fish?

It is not recommended for strong burrowing fish because repeated digging can disturb the substrate and release fine clay particles into the aquarium.

Explore more aquascaping supplies, planted aquarium substrates and live aquarium plants at Aquaholics.