• Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 5L - Aqua Essentials
  • Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 5L - Aqua Essentials
  • Colombo Mano Base Black
  • Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 10L - Aqua Essentials
1 2

Colombo Mano Base Black

The ideal substrate for growing on and anchoring plants

The ideal substrate for growing on and anchoring plants

£14.99
£14.99
Size
  • Hurry, only 1 item left in stock!
Description

Colombo Mano Base Black is a porous, natural clay substrate for planted aquariums. Its rounded 1-2mm grains provide a surface for beneficial bacteria and allow plant roots to spread through the substrate.

Choose your bag size

  • 5L: one 5-litre bag, approximately 4kg of substrate.
  • 10L: one 10-litre bag, with a minimum substrate weight of 8kg.

This listing is for the black substrate. Natural bag weights can vary; choose by the stated volume. The larger bag provides twice the substrate volume.

Setting up your aquarium

  1. Rinse the substrate three times before use to remove dust.
  2. For long-term plant nutrition, Colombo NutriBase can be placed underneath Mano Base. NutriBase is sold separately.
  3. Spread Mano Base to a depth of at least 5cm, sloping it higher towards the back if desired.
  4. Add enough water to cover the substrate, arrange your hardscape and plant the aquarium. Keep plants moist while working.
  5. Fill slowly, using a plate or sieve to reduce disturbance.

The porous clay can store nutrients from the water and release them for plant use. Continue an appropriate plant-feeding routine after setup.
Our Delivery Promise To You

We pack every order carefully at our UK facility and dispatch quickly, so your plants and aquarium products reach you in the best possible condition.

Order before 4pm Monday to Friday and we’ll dispatch the same day where possible. Most orders arrive within 1-2 working days.

If something goes wrong in transit, get in touch and we’ll help put it right.

Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 5L - Aqua Essentials
Colombo Mano Base Black
Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 10L - Aqua Essentials
  • 5 stars: 5 (83%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (17%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
K
Krzysztof P. (London, GB)
in tests

in tests

Krzysztof P. review photo
O
Oto M. (Cardiff, GB)
Colombo Mano Base Black

Rinsed 3 times as per instructions and poured gently into half full tank. Only slight clouding, water crystal clear 12 hours later.
Planting easy, no problems with plants floating out.
Reasons for 4 stars - granules slightly larger than expected, ranges up to 3 or 4 mm and in the aquarium, under the light, the substrate is not Black, but grey with light brownish bits, I'd have preferred fewer of the light brownish bits. But it is a natural clay and looks quite natural.

Oto M. review photo
M
M.B.

Really good stuff. Makes the fish tank look great easy to clean

T
Ted

Amazing product and unbelievable delivery speed! Came the next day despite being a heavy product

B
Ben M. (London, GB)
Great Service

Really happy with service. Order arrived really well packaged and promptly. I've only setup a small aquarium recently with the substrate, so early days. Really happy so far. Rinsed easily. Holds new plants well. Capped off dirted layer with no algae issues from free floating nutrients. The colour is really natural once underwater. For the short time used so far would recommend - all positive.

K
Karin K. (Southampton, GB)
Easy base

I have not had the base long enough to give a statement about plant growth. Additionally I been missing parts for the new tank setup due RM strike. But as time pressured I filled the tank last night with the mano base and planted a few plants.I was very surprised how clean the base is. A very few particles got released when inserting the pants into the soil- but not enough to cloud the water.It stayed clear.I am very impressed with it and will definitely use the base in future tanks and add it to my daphnia tank at some point.

  • Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 5L - Aqua Essentials
  • Colombo Mano Base Black
  • Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 10L - Aqua Essentials
1 2

Colombo Mano Base Black

The ideal substrate for growing on and anchoring plants

Ask a question
£14.99
£14.99
  • In stock — 1 available
Size

In-stock orders normally dispatch before 4pm, Monday–Friday. Delivery details

Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 5L - Aqua Essentials
Colombo Mano Base Black
Colombo Flora Mano Base Black - 10L - Aqua Essentials

Complete your setup

Useful additions for this product

Useful additions for this product

Colombo Nutri Base 5L - Aquarium Plant Substrate
£14.99
Mixed Box of Aquarium Plants, Expert-Picked for Your Tank Recommended size
£41.99
Superfish Aquarium Plant Tweezers Recommended size
£5.99
Useful additions for this product Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
Bundle offers

Description

Colombo Mano Base Black is a porous, natural clay substrate for planted aquariums. Its rounded 1-2mm grains provide a surface for beneficial bacteria and allow plant roots to spread through the substrate.

Choose your bag size

  • 5L: one 5-litre bag, approximately 4kg of substrate.
  • 10L: one 10-litre bag, with a minimum substrate weight of 8kg.

This listing is for the black substrate. Natural bag weights can vary; choose by the stated volume. The larger bag provides twice the substrate volume.

Setting up your aquarium

  1. Rinse the substrate three times before use to remove dust.
  2. For long-term plant nutrition, Colombo NutriBase can be placed underneath Mano Base. NutriBase is sold separately.
  3. Spread Mano Base to a depth of at least 5cm, sloping it higher towards the back if desired.
  4. Add enough water to cover the substrate, arrange your hardscape and plant the aquarium. Keep plants moist while working.
  5. Fill slowly, using a plate or sieve to reduce disturbance.

The porous clay can store nutrients from the water and release them for plant use. Continue an appropriate plant-feeding routine after setup.

Common Questions

What is Colombo Mano Base Black used for?

Colombo Mano Base Black is used as a natural top layer substrate in planted aquariums. It gives the aquarium a dark, natural look while supporting plant rooting and water movement through the substrate.

Is Colombo Mano Base Black suitable for aquarium plants?

Yes, Colombo Mano Base Black is suitable for aquarium plants. Its open, porous structure helps plant roots spread more easily and allows water to move through the substrate, reducing the risk of compacted areas.

Does Colombo Mano Base Black help biological filtration?

Yes, the porous structure of Colombo Mano Base Black provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise. This can help support stable water conditions in the aquarium.

Is Colombo Mano Base Black safe for bottom-dwelling fish?

Yes, Colombo Mano Base Black has soft, rounded particles, making it suitable for many bottom-dwelling fish. This helps reduce the risk of damage to delicate barbels compared with sharper substrates.

Should I rinse Colombo Mano Base Black before use?

Yes, Colombo Mano Base Black should be rinsed before adding it to the aquarium. Rinsing helps remove fine dust and reduces cloudiness when the substrate is first added.

  • 5 stars: 5 (83%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (17%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
K
Krzysztof P. (London, GB)
in tests

in tests

Krzysztof P. review photo
O
Oto M. (Cardiff, GB)
Colombo Mano Base Black

Rinsed 3 times as per instructions and poured gently into half full tank. Only slight clouding, water crystal clear 12 hours later.
Planting easy, no problems with plants floating out.
Reasons for 4 stars - granules slightly larger than expected, ranges up to 3 or 4 mm and in the aquarium, under the light, the substrate is not Black, but grey with light brownish bits, I'd have preferred fewer of the light brownish bits. But it is a natural clay and looks quite natural.

Oto M. review photo
M
M.B.

Really good stuff. Makes the fish tank look great easy to clean

T
Ted

Amazing product and unbelievable delivery speed! Came the next day despite being a heavy product

B
Ben M. (London, GB)
Great Service

Really happy with service. Order arrived really well packaged and promptly. I've only setup a small aquarium recently with the substrate, so early days. Really happy so far. Rinsed easily. Holds new plants well. Capped off dirted layer with no algae issues from free floating nutrients. The colour is really natural once underwater. For the short time used so far would recommend - all positive.

K
Karin K. (Southampton, GB)
Easy base

I have not had the base long enough to give a statement about plant growth. Additionally I been missing parts for the new tank setup due RM strike. But as time pressured I filled the tank last night with the mano base and planted a few plants.I was very surprised how clean the base is. A very few particles got released when inserting the pants into the soil- but not enough to cloud the water.It stayed clear.I am very impressed with it and will definitely use the base in future tanks and add it to my daphnia tank at some point.