When choosing substrate for an aquarium, many aquarists face a classic choice: natural pebbles, specialized nutrient substrate, or simple quartz. But there is also an unusual option that comes from a completely different field—propane.
Simply put, propant is an artificial granule that was originally created for the oil and gas industry. Its main purpose there is to keep cracks in rock formations open. Relatively recently, resourceful aquarists took notice of this material and began to try it in their home aquariums.
It turns out that these small, durable balls have several interesting properties for aquariums. They are chemically neutral, meaning they do not affect water parameters. Their smooth surface does not injure bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates. And the porous structure of the granules eventually becomes an excellent home for beneficial bacteria that purify the water.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at what aquarium propant is, what its advantages and disadvantages are, and how to use it correctly instead of regular substrate. It can be a practical and budget-friendly solution for many types of aquariums.
Varieties
When purchasing propant, it is important to remember that there are two types available: aluminosilicate and magnesium silicate. As a rule, only the former is used as aquarium substrate. Magnesium silicate releases magnesium into the water, which is harmful to shrimp and snails, and therefore its use in underwater ecosystems is undesirable.
When buying propant for a shrimp tank “by weight,” be sure to specify the type. Shrimp will not be able to live normally in an aquarium with magnesium silicate propant substrate and will most likely die.
There are also differences in the color of the granules: they can be black or brown. Sand with black granules adds contrast to the underwater world and retains its color unchanged. Brown propant takes on a dark shade in water, but overall creates a lighter exposure.
Floraton
The question of what the difference is between Floraton and propant has been a hot topic on aquarist forums for several years. Floraton is a neutral substrate for aquarium plants produced by Aquabalance. Some users of thematic forums claim that Floraton and propant are practically identical in appearance and properties: this is correct, they are one and the same.
Floraton is a specific type of propant. I have come across three different types of propant, and currently have two types in my aquariums. Propant is usually sold at a lower price than Floraton or Dutch soil. This is the main difference.
— I. Kireenko, Aquarium magazine
Other aquarists claim that Floraton still has differences compared to other options. From the various opinions, we can conclude that these products are, at the very least, very similar. If the aquarium owner is willing to pay a little extra for higher quality substrate, then Floraton will be the best choice for them. Floraton is also a good option for shrimp owners, as shrimp can only live on aluminosilicate propant.
Pros and cons
Aluminosilicate proppant has the following advantages:
- it has virtually no effect on water parameters.
- can be reused;
- the smooth granules are safe for bottom-dwelling fish.
- allows water to pass through well, but retains large particles (organic matter, fertilizer residues).
- it reliably holds plant roots in place.
- it remains chemically neutral for a long time.
- it is affordable.
- As for the disadvantages, some aquarists may find the high density of the material to be a drawback: 1 liter of propant weighs about 1.8 kg. When choosing it as a substrate for a large aquarium, it is worth making sure that the stand can withstand a significant increase in weight.
Use in herbariums
Aluminosilicate propant has a high density, but is loose and does not clump together. This means that plant roots can freely penetrate between its particles and anchor themselves among them. The granules are small enough that even plants with short root systems can take root well in this substrate.
As mentioned above, propant does not release any chemical elements into the water, so micro and macro elements must be added to the planted tank by other means. You can use a nutrient substrate, liquid or solid fertilizers. One of the important advantages of an aquarium with neutral substrate is better control over water parameters.
Use in shrimp tanks
Only aluminosilicate propant, such as Floraton, can be placed in an aquarium with shrimp. It is not advisable to buy soil “by weight” for this type of aquarium: you may accidentally purchase magnesium silicate, and then the shrimp will die. If there is no choice, you can distinguish aluminosilicate propellant from magnesium silicate by weight.
A liter of aluminosilicate propellant should weigh between 1.6 and 1.8 kg, and a liter of magnesium silicate propellant should weigh between 1.4 and 1.5 kg.
But even this method cannot reliably determine the type, and there is still a risk of destroying the shrimp farm. Only a laboratory can provide accurate information on the composition of the propellant. Using neutral Floraton guarantees that the soil will not affect the water quality and nothing will happen to the shrimp.
Propellant and soils
Nutritious soils (aquasoils) perform two functions at once: they are a substrate and saturate the water with nutrients. Propan is a neutral substrate that does not provide any nutrients to the inhabitants of the aquarium. At first glance, it may seem that nutrient-rich substrates are preferable to neutral ones.
To understand this issue, you need to compare these types of soil according to several parameters:
Impact on plants, fish, shrimp, and other creatures
Soils saturate the water with micro and macroelements and reduce its hardness. With the right amount of nutrients, plant growth is accelerated and the well-being of fish and other underwater organisms is improved. Propant has no chemical effect on aquarium life, either positive or negative.
Compatibility with fertilizers
Nutritious soils can absorb certain substances (such as phosphorus) that are added to the water in fertilizers. Fertilizers should be added to aquariums with propant with caution. Propant is chemically neutral, so it does not react with or affect fertilizers.
Cleaning
Silt requires careful cleaning of the surface layers of the substrate with a siphon. Deep cleaning can lead to algae growth. Propant can be cleaned to the very bottom of the aquarium, but this is usually not necessary, as contaminants rarely penetrate beyond the surface.
Aging
Soils gradually lose their beneficial properties and need to be replaced. The “aging” of nutrient soils is accompanied by changes in water parameters. Proant does not change its properties over time and can be used repeatedly.
Based on this information, we can conclude that aquariums with soil require even more attention than aquariums with propant. On the other hand, with the right approach, nutritious soils allow you to quickly start a dense grassy area and achieve intensive plant growth.
Soils are more suitable for experienced aquarists, while neutral soil with substrate or fertilizers is suitable for beginners.
Proppant is an unusual substrate for aquariums, which was originally used in the oil industry. Later, aquarists noticed that it is light, does not float, allows water to pass through easily, and creates a comfortable environment for plant roots. It looks like small transparent or slightly colored balls, hardly stains the water, and does not clump over time. Although propant itself does not nourish plants, it is often used in combination with fertilizers or as a top layer on top of nutrient-rich soil. It is an inexpensive and durable option for those who want a simple, clean, and functional aquarium.
Conclusion
Aluminosilicate propant is a neutral substrate and is suitable for all types of aquariums. It can be used with or without a nutrient substrate. Propant is relatively inexpensive, practically non-polluting, and can be used repeatedly. Purified and prepared propant, called Floraton, is sold specifically for aquarists.
Questions and answers
What is propant made of?
Propant is obtained from fractionated alumina by processing it at high temperatures.
Which is better: quartz sand or propant?
Quartz sand is cheaper than proppant and does not affect the composition of the water, but it is not suitable for fish and animals that like to dig in the ground. When “digging,” sand creates turbidity, while proppant does not, and its smooth granules are safe even for delicate aquarium inhabitants.
How to siphon propant without picking up the soil itself with the debris?
To avoid sucking up propant granules when cleaning with a siphon, lift the tube upward or gently squeeze the siphon hose when drawing soil into it. The soil will immediately sink to the bottom.
How do you know how many kilograms of propant to take for an aquarium?
To find out the amount of soil in kilograms, you first need to calculate its volume in liters: multiply the width of the aquarium, its length, and the desired soil height in meters, and then multiply all this by 1000. Multiply the resulting value by 1.7 (average propant density in kg/l).
How much propant should be poured into the aquarium?
For herbaceous plants, it is recommended to pour soil 5-7 cm high so that nothing interferes with the development of the plant root system. For aquariums without plants, 3 cm may be sufficient.
So, what is proppant in aquarium keeping? Essentially, it is an unusual but quite practical substrate option. It comes from another field—oil production, where it is used to increase resource flow. But aquarium keepers have found a use for it, appreciating its strength, chemical neutrality, and interesting appearance.
The main advantage of propant is its durability. It does not break down in water for years and does not change its parameters, which is very important for stability in the aquarium. Its rounded shape and smooth surface are safe for bottom-dwelling fish and shrimp. And thanks to its porous structure, it can be a good home for beneficial bacteria that help maintain biological balance.
However, it is important to remember that propant is primarily inert, “empty” soil. It is almost impossible to plant living plants with roots in it — they simply have nothing to cling to and nowhere to get nutrients from. Therefore, it is ideal for aquariums with artificial decorations, for shrimp tanks, or as a top layer in combination with a nutrient substrate.
In the end, propant is an interesting alternative to traditional soils. It is not suitable for every purpose, but if you need a durable, neutral, and unusual-looking substrate that will last a very long time, then it is definitely worth considering. The main thing is to clearly understand for whom and for what you are creating your underwater world.
