{"product_id":"brightwell-buffering-substrate-florin-volcanit-rio-cafe-f","title":"Brightwell Buffering Substrate Florin Volcanit Rio Cafe-F","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"overviewTech\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"edit-overview\" class=\"overviewCopy cms-editable\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFlorinVolcanīt Rio Café-F: Active Shrimp Substrate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural volcanic ash substrate for Caridina shrimp tanks and planted aquariums. We use it in every tank we keep.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhy it works for Caridina\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCrystal Reds, Taiwan Bees, Tigers and other Caridina need soft, slightly acidic water. Rio Café-F keeps those conditions stable:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLowers pH.\u003c\/strong\u003e Brings water below pH 7, and usually below 6.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLowers hardness.\u003c\/strong\u003e Binds the minerals that raise GH, so your water stays soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeeps parameters stable.\u003c\/strong\u003e It buffers continuously, so you get fewer swings between water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGives shrimp a good surface to graze.\u003c\/strong\u003e The porous beads hold biofilm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBenefits for plants\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eUsed as the main substrate, Rio Café-F supports rooted plants:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong roots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The light, loose beads are easy for roots to grow through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBetter nutrient uptake.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water moves freely between the beads, and the acidic environment helps roots absorb nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOxygenated roots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The open structure keeps roots from suffocating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural volcanic ash, formed into oblong beads\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrain size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~3 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEffect on water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLowers pH (to below 7) and GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1+ years (shorter in alkaline water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSetup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDon’t rinse it.\u003c\/strong\u003e It’s a natural material, so you may find a few small pieces of wood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart with a clean, empty tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding substrate to a filled tank will cloud the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdd substrate to the depth you want.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sloping it from back to front is optional. You can use mineral sand for decorative accents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrepare your water.\u003c\/strong\u003e For Caridina, we recommend RO water remineralized with a GH-only product (KH 0).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdd water slowly\u003c\/strong\u003e until it just covers the substrate, then plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFill the tank slowly\u003c\/strong\u003e so you don’t disturb the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed beneficial bacteria.\u003c\/strong\u003e FlorinBacter is the fastest option. Let the tank fully cycle before adding shrimp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because water moves well through the bed, liquid fertilizers and liquid bacteria products work better than granular ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCare and lifespan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIts buffering wears down over time.\u003c\/strong\u003e When pH starts creeping up, it’s time to replace the substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid alkaline buffers and pH-raising products.\u003c\/strong\u003e They wear out the substrate faster.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot compatible with undergravel filters.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhy soft, acidic water matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCaridina shrimp and most common aquarium plants come from forest streams. In those streams the water is soft and slightly acidic, and most nutrients sit in the riverbed sediment, not the water. Rio Café-F recreates both conditions. Your plants feed through their roots, and your shrimp live in water close to what they evolved in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"brightwell","offers":[{"title":"15 lbs","offer_id":67724342133050,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24 lbs","offer_id":67724342165818,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/1259\/8330\/files\/cafe2.webp?v=1792340087","url":"https:\/\/teacherspetnw.com\/products\/brightwell-buffering-substrate-florin-volcanit-rio-cafe-f","provider":"Teacher's Pet","version":"1.0","type":"link"}