Manado Dark 3l – plant substrate

This substrate suits freshwater aquarists who keep live plants and want a ready-to-use base layer. It is supplied ready to use and needs only a single rinse before it goes into the tank.

Why it matters

• Iron-rich base for roots: The high iron content can be absorbed by plant roots, and the porous structure supports root growth.
• Nutrient storage: The substrate absorbs excess nutrients and releases them later, working like a reserve that can be recharged by additional fertilisation.
• Biological activity: Beneficial bacteria colonise the substrate quickly, which the manufacturer links to reduced algae growth and a lighter load on the filter.
• Dark brown colour: The dark tone sets off fish colours and the green and red tones of plants.

Specifications

• Brand: JBL
• Model: Manado Dark 3 l
• Symbol: MANADO DARK 3L
• EAN: 4014162670359
• Volume: 3 l
• Weight: 2.4 kg
• Grain size: 1.5–2.5 mm
• Colour: dark brown
• Coverage: 30 l aquarium
• Calculation basis: length × width (cm) × 5 cm layer depth

What it works with

The substrate is intended for freshwater planted aquaria and is described as neutral for water. It is suitable for burrowing fish such as loaches and catfish. For demanding plants, the manufacturer recommends combining it with JBL ProFlora AquaBasis plus as a long-term nutrient base, with Manado Dark as the top layer.