{"product_id":"caribsea-super-naturals-shadow-creek-20-lb","title":"CaribSea Super Naturals Shadow Creek 20 lb Aquarium Substrate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Shadow Creek\u003c\/strong\u003e is a natural-looking aquarium substrate featuring a blend of light and dark grains for a realistic riverbed appearance. Its balanced color tones help create a natural backdrop that makes tropical fish, shrimp, snails, live plants, rocks, and driftwood stand out beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis smooth, fine aquarium sand is gentle on bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates, making it a great choice for corydoras, loaches, shrimp, snails, community aquariums, planted tanks, and aquascaped freshwater setups. As part of the CaribSea Super Naturals line, Shadow Creek is inert and aquarium-safe, meaning it will not alter pH or hardness when used as directed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Riverbed Look:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light and dark grain blend creates a realistic freshwater aquascape appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth Fine Texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle on corydoras, loaches, shrimp, snails, and other bottom-dwelling species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInert Substrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Will not alter aquarium pH or hardness when used as directed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for Planted Tanks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides a natural-looking base for live plants and aquascaping layouts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium-Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed for freshwater aquariums and safe for fish and invertebrates when used properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20 lb Bag:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for medium freshwater aquariums, aquascapes, or accent sections in larger tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e CaribSea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Super Naturals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shadow Creek Aquarium Substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 lb bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural blend of light and dark grains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine aquarium sand substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Chemistry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inert; will not alter pH or hardness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater aquariums, planted tanks, aquascapes, shrimp tanks, and community setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater community aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanted aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShrimp tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnail tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoach aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural riverbed aquascapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDriftwood and rock layouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCoverage Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a general guide, plan on approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1 pound of sand per gallon\u003c\/strong\u003e for a shallow 1-inch substrate bed. For deeper beds, larger aquarium footprints, or heavily aquascaped layouts, multiple bags may be needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActual coverage can vary depending on tank dimensions, desired substrate depth, hardscape placement, and aquascaping style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSetup Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse Shadow Creek substrate thoroughly before adding it to your aquarium to help reduce cloudiness. Add water slowly over a plate, bowl, or plastic bag to avoid disturbing the sand bed. Allow filtration to clear any remaining fine particles before adding livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor planted tanks, pair this substrate with root tabs or a nutrient-rich base layer when growing heavy root-feeding plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose CaribSea Shadow Creek?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Shadow Creek is a great choice for aquarists who want a natural-looking substrate that blends well with live plants, driftwood, stones, and freshwater fish. The mixed light and dark tones create a realistic riverbed effect without overpowering the aquarium layout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts smooth texture also makes it a strong option for fish and invertebrates that spend time near the bottom of the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs CaribSea Shadow Creek safe for shrimp and snails?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The smooth sand grains are gentle and aquarium-safe for shrimp, snails, and many bottom-dwelling fish when used properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill Shadow Creek change my water chemistry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. CaribSea Super Naturals Shadow Creek is inert and will not alter aquarium pH or hardness when used as directed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan Shadow Creek be used in planted aquariums?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It can be used in planted aquariums and provides a natural-looking base for aquascaping. For heavy root-feeding plants, use root tabs or a nutrient-rich base layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this substrate safe for corydoras and loaches?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The smooth, fine texture is gentle on sensitive barbels, fins, and bottom-dwelling species like corydoras and loaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow much substrate do I need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA general rule is about 1 pound of substrate per gallon for a shallow 1-inch bed. Deeper aquascapes or larger tank footprints may require more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShould I rinse Shadow Creek before use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Rinse before adding it to the aquarium to help reduce initial cloudiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAvailable at Tropical Treasures Wyo\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShop \u003cstrong\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Shadow Creek 20 lb Aquarium Substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e online or in-store at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This natural riverbed-style aquarium sand is a great choice for planted tanks, shrimp tanks, corydoras aquariums, loach setups, community tanks, and freshwater aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52054821077205,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/4545\/8133\/files\/ShadowCreekSand_1.jpg?v=1758233153","url":"https:\/\/tropicaltreasureswyo.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-shadow-creek-20-lb","provider":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}