{"product_id":"jbl-manado-natural-substrate","title":"JBL Manado Natural Substrate","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreate the perfect foundation for a healthy, thriving planted aquarium with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJBL Manado Natural Aquarium Substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This premium freshwater aquarium substrate features a lightweight, porous structure designed to encourage strong plant root growth, support beneficial bacteria and help maintain a healthy aquarium environment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike ordinary aquarium gravel, JBL Manado can absorb and store nutrients from the water before gradually releasing them back to plant roots when needed. Its attractive natural reddish-brown colour creates a warm, natural appearance that complements aquatic plants, driftwood and aquarium rocks, making it an excellent choice for planted aquariums and natural aquascapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePromotes Healthy Plant Growth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Porous granules encourage strong root development, helping aquatic plants establish themselves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStores \u0026amp; Releases Nutrients\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Acts as a nutrient reservoir, absorbing excess nutrients and making them available to plants over time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupports Beneficial Bacteria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – The porous structure provides additional surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Appearance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Attractive reddish-brown colour creates a natural-looking aquarium environment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGentle on Bottom-Dwelling Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Rounded granules are suitable for fish with sensitive barbels, including Corydoras and loaches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightweight \u0026amp; Porous\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Allows roots to spread throughout the substrate without becoming heavily compacted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Neutral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Designed not to alter aquarium water chemistry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLong-Lasting Substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Can be used as a permanent aquarium substrate without regular replacement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e JBL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Manado Natural Substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Natural reddish-brown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrain Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 0.5–2 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater aquariums\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest Use:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Planted aquariums, aquascaping and community fish tanks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Substrate Depth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 5–8 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs JBL Manado Good for Aquarium Plants?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbsolutely! JBL Manado is an excellent option for aquarium hobbyists looking to create a natural planted aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts porous structure makes it easy for aquatic plants to develop extensive root systems. Unlike traditional inert gravel, Manado can retain nutrients supplied through aquarium fertilisers, making them available to plant roots over time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e JBL Manado is not a nutrient-rich aquasoil. For heavily planted aquariums or demanding root-feeding plants, we recommend combining it with a nutrient-rich base layer or supplementing with aquarium root fertiliser tablets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to Use JBL Manado\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col data-spread=\"false\" start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRinse the substrate thoroughly with lukewarm tap water before adding it to your aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpread an even layer across the aquarium bottom, ideally around 5–8 cm deep for planted setups.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd any aquarium rocks, driftwood or decorations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant your aquatic plants, ensuring their roots are properly secured in the substrate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlowly fill the aquarium with water, using a plate or similar surface to avoid disturbing the substrate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimply Fish Tip:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e JBL Manado is relatively lightweight, so some granules may initially float, and newly planted aquarium plants can occasionally become dislodged. Rinsing the substrate and filling your aquarium slowly will help minimise this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Choose JBL Manado?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're looking for an aquarium substrate that combines natural aesthetics with excellent plant-growing properties, JBL Manado is a fantastic choice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts ability to support beneficial bacteria, encourage healthy roots and retain nutrients makes it a versatile option for both beginner fishkeepers and experienced aquascapers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShop JBL Manado Natural Aquarium Substrate online at Simply Fish NZ – your specialist freshwater aquarium and aquascaping store.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simply Fish","offers":[{"title":"3L","offer_id":67689835659341,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5L","offer_id":67689835692109,"sku":null,"price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0571\/2180\/0269\/files\/767023_2bee6d6b-a2c6-459d-bed9-9d9baaa3d079.jpg?v=1716454477","url":"https:\/\/simplyfish.co.nz\/products\/jbl-manado-natural-substrate","provider":"Simply Fish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}