Plant roots need a nutrient-rich substrate layer to draw from, not just water-column dosing, especially for heavier root-feeders like swords and crypts. Dymax Base Soil is an aquasoil designed to sit under your visible substrate and feed roots directly from below.
Why a Base Layer Matters
Water-column fertilizers reach leaves, but many plants — particularly heavy root-feeders — rely on nutrients absorbed through their root systems just as much. Plain gravel or sand offers no nutritional value on its own, which is where a base soil layer comes in: it slowly releases nutrients into the root zone over months.
What Base Soil Offers
- Nutrient-rich composition that feeds root systems from below rather than relying solely on water-column dosing.
- Works under a capping layer of gravel or sand, or as a standalone substrate depending on your aquascape design.
- Supports shrimp and plants alike, since a healthy planted substrate also benefits shrimp colonies that graze and burrow in it.
How to Use It
- Rinse gently or not at all depending on the product — aquasoils often produce some initial cloudiness that clears within days as biological filtration catches up.
- Layer 1–2 inches deep in planting areas, more in root-heavy zones if you're not capping with a second substrate.
- Expect an initial nutrient release in the first weeks, which is normal for aquasoil products and settles as the tank matures.
Choosing a Size
Base Soil comes in a 1L bag for smaller tanks or accent areas, and a 9L bag for full substrate coverage in larger planted tanks or full aquascape builds.
Dymax Base Soil is available at Marine Concept Supply — order online or pick up at our shop in Wheeling, IL. Shop the 1L size or 9L size, and browse more aquascaping supplies.
