Do i need to cap this?

absolutely not......you would never cap "sand". it has no nutrient retention whatsoever. When you layer substrates, IF you layer substrates, you would use something like sand to do the capping. Like, you can do sand over dirt (regular non-fertilized garden soil)......that is excellent. First of all, never spend 35 dollars on a bag of sand.....u can get a 50 lb bag of "play sand" at home depot for 3 bucks.....same damn thing. Sand is Sand. Ive learned over the years that most substrates are common soil aggragates that are repackaged and marked up up 700%. A great great soil is MVP turface. 50 bucks for a 50 pound bag. But in my honest opinion, the best substrate for a planted tank is dirt, withn a 1-2 inch layer of either sand or gravel over it. Never met a plant that wont thrive in old fashioned dirt. Of course the big name companies dont want u to know that though.

How much do I need for a 100 gallon tank?

I suppose it depends on the layout of the tank (tall vs wide), but I used the 8.8lb bag for a 10g plant tank and it was perfect. About 2.5" or so deep. Hope this helps...

Is this a good idea if you going to be siphoning in you aquarium?

As for syphoning - I wouldn't recommend deep syphoning the plant substrate. Just lightly vacuum as needed. In plant tanks I put fine black sand (aquarium safe) on one side of the tank (mainly one front corner) and feed the fish over that corner. That will concentrate food, waste, etc. onto the sand which can be properly vacuumed for cleaning.

would the 4.4 be enough for a 7 gal?

Will 4.4 be good for 5 Gallon Fluval Chi? How often do I have to change this?

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Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs.

Product ID: 15284700

Details

Brand
Fluval
Item Form
Granules
Item Weight
4.4 pounds
Liquid Volume
4.4 liters
Number of Packs
1

🌿Optimized for neutral to slightly acidic pH ideal for plants & shrimp

🦐Safe shelter substrate for newborn shrimp protection

🪨Porous granules for rapid nitrifying bacteria colonization

301.38 DT

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Description

🌿 Elevate your planted aquarium game with Fluval Stratum – where plants thrive and shrimp feel at home!

SHRIMPS SAFE HAVEN - Provides newborn shrimp with natural protection from predators until they mature.
CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER ALWAYS - Prevents water discoloration and manages organic staining, even with driftwood décor.
LIGHTWEIGHT NON COMPACTING - Easy to handle substrate that promotes rapid beneficial bacteria colonization for a thriving tank.
MAINTAINS PERFECT P H BALANCE - Engineered to sustain neutral to slightly acidic water conditions, ideal for diverse freshwater ecosystems.
BOOSTS AQUATIC PLANT VITALITY - Porous structure enables deep root penetration and nutrient absorption for lush growth.

Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum is a 4.4 lb premium freshwater aquarium substrate designed to foster rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria, maintain a neutral to slightly acidic pH ideal for plants, fish, and shrimp, and provide a safe environment for newborn shrimp. Its porous, lightweight granules support robust plant root growth and nutrient uptake while preserving water clarity by preventing discoloration, making it the go-to choice for professional and hobbyist planted aquariums.

Specifications

ASIN	B00JGQIY48
ASIN	B00JGQIY48
Allergen Information	Nut Free
Best Sellers Rank	#1,719 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) #7 in Aquarium Gravel
Brand Name	Fluval
Customer Reviews	4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (18,391)
Date First Available	July 18, 2014
Department	Unisex-Adult
Global Trade Identification Number	00015561126939
Included Components	All Items listed in Description
Item Form	Granules
Item Highlight	Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH
Item Type Name	HAGEN PLANT&SHRIMP STRATUM 2KG
Item Weight	4.4 pounds
Item model number	12693
Liquid Volume	4.4 liters
Manufacturer	Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
Manufacturer	Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
Manufacturer Part Number	12693
Model Number	12693
Number of Items	1
Number of Packs	1
Pet Type	Fish
Product Dimensions	3 x 6 x 11 inches; 4.4 pounds
Target Species	Fish, Shrimp, Plant
UPC	015561126939
Unit Count	70.4 Ounce
Warranty Description	Warranty

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