Exo Terra
Exo Terra Sub Stratum – Bioactive Volcanic Substrate – 4 kg (8.8 lb)
From $31.95 was
8 in stock, ready to ship
Buy more, pay less
Each, for the whole order. Change the quantity below and the total follows.
Natural volcanic soil with live beneficial bacteria, for bioactive planted terrariums. It drains and breathes well for strong roots, and its bacteria break down waste, so the terrarium stays cleaner and odours stay down.
Volcanic soil from the foothills of Mount Aso, Japan
Live Bacillus bacteria and active carbon
Use alone, as a sub layer, or mixed in
4 kg (8.8 lb) bag
Part number PT3184
Description
On this page
- 4 kg (8.8 lb)
- Volcanic soil
- Live bacteria
- Bioactive
Sub Stratum is collected from the mineral-rich foothills of the Aso volcano and formed from andesitic and rhyolitic tephra. It is rich in nutrients for plant growth, and its porous, friable, low-density structure gives nitrifying bacteria room to grow. The bacteria activate when the soil meets water or waste and decompose biological waste over time, while the volcanic ash absorbs and traps odours.
At a glance
- Material
- Natural volcanic soil (andisol), active carbon, and live beneficial bacteria (Bacillus)
- Format
- Loose, in a bag
- Size
- 4 kg (8.8 lb)
- Best for
- Bioactive planted terrariums
Three ways to use it
Use | How |
|---|---|
On its own | Add a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) layer |
As a sub layer | Put a planting substrate such as Plantation Soil on top. Plants anchor in the top layer and their roots grow into the Sub Stratum. |
Mixed in | Blend it into other organic substrates to add minerals such as calcium, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, and to improve water retention and air to the roots |
Setting it up
For the best drainage in a layered build, start from the bottom:
Lay BioDrain as an inorganic drainage layer, so excess water flows through and the soil above does not stay saturated.
Cover it with BioDrain mesh to keep organic matter out of the drainage layer.
Add the Sub Stratum.
Add a planting layer such as Plantation Soil if you are using one.
Top it with leaf litter, which gives dry areas and shelter and slows evaporation from the layers below.
Rinse the Sub Stratum and replace part of it every 12 months.
Questions
How deep should it be on its own?
1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm).
How often does it need replacing?
Rinse it and replace part of it every 12 months.
Why add a drainage layer under it?
In soil that stays saturated, anaerobic bacteria can outcompete the beneficial ones in the Sub Stratum. A BioDrain layer lets excess water drain away.
| Part number | PT3184 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Exo Terra |
| Shipping weight | 10 lb |
| Shipping box | 15 x 10 x 5 in |
Box size and weight are the packed carton, for shipping only, not the size of the item itself.
Shipping
Parcels across Canada and the US are priced at checkout from the packed boxes. Pallets and freight we price by hand, usually within one business day, and you pay nothing until you have seen the total. Pickup in Calgary is free.
Returns
14 day returns on eligible unused stock items, return shipping paid by the customer. Built-to-order goods are covered by the construction warranty rather than by returns. Restocking Fees Apply for returns
Warranty
One year warranty on the construction of anything we build.
Questions
Ask about it
Anything this page does not answer. We will get back to you as soon as we can, and good answers go up here for the next person.