Aquaforest AF Natural Substrate

Aquaforest AF Natural Substrate

Aquaforest AF Natural Substrate is used as a nutrient-rich, peat and clay-based substrate designed for freshwater planted aquariums to support plant growth and maintain biological balance.

AF Natural Substrate is a nutrient-rich, peat & clay-based substrate for planted aquariums. It contains readily available micronutrients to support plant growth over long periods.

• Peat and clay-based natural substrate
• Designed for freshwater planted aquariums
• Rich in readily available micronutrients and trace elements
• High Cation Exchange Capacity to absorb and distribute excess nutrients 

Peat creates excellent conditions for root systems, supplying plants with all necessary minerals and trace elements. Clay improves the substrate texture to create an aquascape base with an ideal consistency. Both peat and clay naturally store excess nutrients to help maintain biological balance in the tank. The peat and clay's natural Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) will also absorb any excess nutrients from the water, and either make them available through the roots or release them back into the water once it become depleted. 

Micronutrient contents have been supplemented under laboratory supervision to make sure that aquatic plants have an abundance of trace elements, while the chemical balance of the tank stays in check. AF Natural Substrate is rich in micronutrients, so for the first three months, it is not recommended to use fertilizers containing micronutrients unless the plants show visible signs of deficiency. 

Use:

• Spread the substrate on the bottom of the tank and compact it to achieve approx. 2-2.5 cm thick layer.
• Cover with about 3cm of gravel or sand.
• Gently fill the aquarium with about 15 cm of water. 
• Fill the aquarium with water.

Additional Notes:

10 L of AF Natural Substrate should be sufficient for a 200 L aquarium with a 100 cm x 40 cm bottom. The substrate can lower and stabilize the pH of the water, therefore it is recommended to use a dedicated test or probe.

When can I expect delivery?

• Gauteng (Jhb/Pta) - 1-3 working days
• Nationwide (Cpt/Dbn+) - 2-5 working days
• Outlying Areas - 3-7 working days

All orders are sent via Economy Road, typically through Fastway or Internet Express Couriers*. Estimated timeframes are not guaranteed. Once the order is collected by the courier, we have no control over third-party logistics and cannot make any time promises.

If you prefer a faster 🚀 shipping option, we also offer The Courier Guy during checkout in the dropdown selection. Please note that this option is not free, and you must choose it to use it. Please pay careful attention to the cutoff times and delivery timeframe for these options during checkout.

Enjoy the convenience of collection points and lockers! 📦

No more waiting at home or at work for your delivery. Simply choose a collection locker or pickup point and collect your order when it suits you.

Delivery times to lockers and pickup locations typically range from 2–7 working days, depending on your location.*

Collection timeframes:

• Bob Box: Collect within 2 days of receiving your collection notification.
• PUDO Lockers: Collect within 36 hours of receiving your collection PIN or SMS notification.
• Pargo Pickup Points: Collect within 5 days of arrival at the pickup location.

If a PUDO parcel is not collected within 36 hours, it will automatically be transferred to the nearest PUDO Kiosk or Depot at no additional cost. The parcel will then be held there for approximately 14 days before being returned.

Please ensure you collect your parcel within the applicable collection period. Uncollected parcels will be returned to the sender, and additional shipping charges may apply should the order need to be resent.