Fish tank gravel near me

If you are a fish owner, the question of how much gravel or substrate should be put in a fish tank must have come to your mind at least once.

Gravel or substrate is extremely important for your aquarium. So, whether you’re a new aquarium owner or an experienced one – here’s a complete guide on how to calculate the amount of substrate for your aquarium and how often you should change the gravel.

For those who aren’t aware of what substrate is – it is a layer at the bottom of a tank. It can be sand, aquarium soil, and rocks, but it’s mostly gravel.

Putting together an aquarium is not a very difficult task, but you need to be aware of a few things.

Why Is Substrate Used in a Fish Tank?

The most common substrate used in a fish tank is gravel.

But why is a substrate required at all? A substrate is not just used for aesthetic purposes; in fact, it sits at the bottom of the tank and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy aquarium.

Another reason a substrate is used is to establish the depth of the fish tank. The type of gravel you choose is majorly determined by the type of fish you have in your aquarium. While some fish prefer finer gravel, others may flourish with a more coarse type of gravel.

Many fish like to forage or dig into the bottom of the tank; to prevent this, you can use a heavier type of gravel. Lastly, you need to consider what will be added to the aquarium.

This includes plants, rocks, decorations, etc. Certain plants require a specific type of substrate.

What is Gravel?

There are different kinds of substrate available that are used as a base in aquariums or fish tanks. The most popular substrate used as a base layer is gravel.

Gravel is made up of rock fragments that range from granules to boulder-sized pieces. Gravel has larger pieces as compared to other substrate materials, making it very porous. Since its heavy, it remains intact for longer and is also very flexible.

Gravel is available in different grades, ranging from coarse to very fine, depending on the type that you want. Especially aquarium gravel is safe to use as it doesn’t spread anything into the water – making it neutral.

However, gravel is a very porous material that makes it easier for fish food and excretion to sink to the bottom and rot easily. So, it needs to be maintained and flushed out or vacuumed at the very least.

It doesn’t matter what type of base you use, the depth of the gravel is usually between 1 and 3 inches. When trying to figure out the quantity of gravel required for fish tanks, try to take into account the needs of the fish, hygiene maintenance and minimum depth. We will discuss these factors in greater detail later on.

Using Gravel for a Fish-Only Aquarium

Gravel is used in a fish-only tank and its main purpose is to provide a beneficial bacteria bottom for the aquarium. The fundamental purpose of a substrate or gravel was to allow bacteria to grow and build colonies within it.

Establishing and maintaining a balance of healthy bacteria in the aquarium will help your fish thrive in the water. Another basic reason for using gravel is that it provides orientation to the fish.

If there is no base layer— such as substrate— present at the bottom of the tank, the glass and reflections will disorientate the fish causing extreme amounts of stress and even death.

If you’re using gravel only for these basic purposes in a fish-only aquarium, then a depth of 1-2 inches of gravel will be adequate. In case you have bottom feeders with the tank, you should add more depth to the gravel while making sure that the substrate is fine rather than coarse. Even for basic use, the coarseness of the gravel is a huge factor.

What Factors to Consider When Using Gravel in Aquarium

When you’re deciding the type and the quantity of gravel that is required for an aquarium, there are certain factors you most definitely should consider.

Here are the factors you should consider:

Type of Fish in the Aquarium

The fish you intend to put in your aquarium will highly determine the type of gravel you’ll need and the quantity required.

While some fish prefer coarse gravel as they can mess around in it, others prefer finer gravel in which they can dig and forage in.

In order to determine the quality and quantity of gravel, figure out the kind of fish you’ll be keeping in the aquarium and research to find out their preferences.

Plants in the Aquarium

Another major factor that will help determine the quality and quantity of gravel are the plants you’d prefer to have in your aquarium.

Plants without a root system are least bothered by the type of gravel in the aquarium as they draw their nutrients from the water. However, rooted plants are most definitely affected by the kind of gravel being embedded at the base of the fish tank.

Big rooted plants require a very deep layer of finer gravel. This is because large plants will be heavier on the top, and they require a significant amount of nutrients, which means they need a reasonably thick layer of gravel.

Small plants, however, tend to have smaller root systems and therefore, can easily survive with a shallow layer of coarse gravel.

Size and Decoration of the Aquarium

The size of the aquarium, its dimensions and the total number of gallons it can accommodate will determine the requirement of gravel at the bottom of the tank. The bigger the aquarium, the more gravel will be necessary.

Many people choose to decorate their aquariums to beautify them.

They add plants, colorful rocks, sand, and seashells. They usually opt for natural-looking gravel. From an aesthetic point of view, the more decorated the fish tank, the better the gravel will look.

Additionally, for heavy decorations that need to be anchored down, you will require a significant quantity of gravel.

How Much Gravel Do You Need For Your Aquarium?

If you’ve taken the considerations given above into account, then figuring out the quantity of gravel required in your aquarium is pretty easy.

For starters, 2 inches of gravel is great as a base for a freshwater aquarium. 2 inches is the minimum amount of gravel required as a substrate.

Like we mentioned, another important factor to consider is the dimension and size of the fish tank. The size of the aquarium must be exact. It is a no-brainer that the bigger the size of the tank, the more gravel will be required to form the base.

To calculate the exact amount of gravel required, you will multiply the depth of the aquarium in inches by the amount of gravel you have calculated per inch. You can also use an Aquarium Gravel Calculator to help you solve this easily.

Generally speaking, you should add about 1 pound of substrate per gallon of water. This means that for a 5-gallon fish tank, a safe bet would be 5 pounds of gravel. Similarly, for a 20-gallon fish tank, roughly 20 pounds of gravel would suffice.

How Often Should You Change Gravel in a Fish Tank?

A very important part of adding gravel to a fish tank is the maintenance. You don’t need to replace the gravel in your aquarium very often. Vacuuming your high-quality gravel particles should suffice.

Cheaper options tend to give up sooner, so make sure you purchase high-quality gravel.

It’s always better to add the gravel at the bottom of the tank before you set in the other decorations, add water and put the fish in. Gravel can become floaty and won’t stay in place if you add it after filling the tank with water.

You should also make sure that the food particles don’t sink to the bottom of the aquarium. The food accumulates within the gravel and starts rotting, causing it to produce hydrogen sulfite, which is a highly toxic substance for fish.

Remember that gravel is important for your aquarium or fish tank, so take all the above-mentioned factors into consideration before determining the quantity of the gravel for your aquarium.

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Can pump water at low water. Strong suction, clean up the feces. Efficiently separates debris from gravel. Can be used as a water siphon for water changes, or to empty your aquarium when you connect a hose to outlet. Easy to install and use, plug in and work. Made of premium material, it is strong and durable. High safety performance, suitable for both shallow and deep aquarium. Warm Reminder: If the pump cannot pump properly, remove the core vent . Do not raise the take port out of the water after plugging in. Sepecification: Rated voltage: 220-240V Plug: US plug (we will send EU/AU/UK adapter according to your address) Power: 10W/16W Flow: 700L/H(10W), 1080L/H(16W) Lift: 0.9m(10W), 1.4m(16W) Material: plastic Size: 43cm Color: blue & black Hose inner diameter : 14mm Hose length: 2m/6m (optional) Cotton blanket size: 40 x 50cm Package: 1 x Aquarium Water Changer Cleaner 10W/16W(optional) or 1 x Aquarium Water Changer Cleaner 10W/16W(optional) and 1 x 2m /6m hose (optional) and 1 x 40 * 50cm cotton blanket 1.Due to the difference between different monitors,the picture may not reflect the actual color of the item. We guarantee the style is the same as shown in the pictures. 2.Due to the manual measurement and different measurement methods, please allow 1-3cm deviation.Thanks!

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Dirty substrates are a momentous cause of poor water quality in many fish tanks. Gravel harbor food residue, rotting plants and fish waste trapped between pebbles which increasingly make the water toxic; sometimes even creating a pungent stench.

Though regular water changes will expel the toxic waste, dirty gravel will toxify the new water quite fast. Therefore, it’s imperative to clean your gravel regularly, together with your glass surfaces and decoration.

The idea is to vacuum as much as you can while performing your routine weekly or biweekly water changes using a vacuum siphon vac kit ([Recommended]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V6Y3LY/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aquariawise-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B001V6Y3LY&linkId=a33ca5f7315d7fdd96ee1c926410e24d).

Today, we will look at how to properly clean aquarium gravel both with or without a vacuum cleaner. Plus take a look at how often you should change your fish tank gravel.

But first.

Do You Really Have to Wash Aquarium Gravel

With a fully cycled tank, you should have a stable amount of beneficial bacteria to breakdown fish waste ammonia and nitrites at an efficient rate.

Which means it virtually possible to maintain a fish tank without too much gravel cleaning.

The least you should do is vacuum solid food and plant grime from your substrate.

Nonetheless, complete failure to clean your gravel will gradually culminate to your water getting dirty more quickly meaning frequent water changes.

As well, algae will thrive in dirty gravel accompanied by a rotten egg odor from excess anaerobic bacteria bloom in tiny oxygen-free pockets between compact pebble.

So, vacuum your gravel not only to remove dirt but also, to break these pockets forming within compact gravel. Alternatively, use airstones to improve water movement within the substrate.

How Often Should You Clean Fish Tank Gravel

How often you’ll clean your gravel will depend a lot on the dynamics of your fish tank.

Generally, dirt accumulates faster in smaller, plant less and overstocked aquariums. In which case, you should do thorough gravel cleaning every two weeks.

Moreover, try to change 10 to 20 percent of the water weekly.

If you have a densely planted tank, you may forego the biweekly gravel vacuuming, and instead, do it once every month. However, ensure dead plant leaves that decompose on gravel are not part of the problem.

Gravel in overstocked aquariums will accumulate dirty quickly meted out by food waste from feeding more fish. This especially if you have wasteful fish or species that produce a lot of waste like goldfish and Oscars.

Put simply, a light biweekly gravel vacuuming is necessary, unless you have a fairly clean tank, then you can wash your substrate once every month.

How to Clean Aquarium Gravel — Step by Step Guides

Given your situation, there are a couple of ways you can wash your aquarium gravel. The path you take will mostly depend on the situation, type, and extent of dirt on your substrate.

Below are several ways you can clean dirty gravel.

How to Clean Fish Tank Gravel with a Vacuum Kit

A siphon vacuum gravel cleaner is used to vacuum aquarium gravel. It works by using gravity and hydrostatic pressure to suck dirt from substrates and help dispose of outside the tank.

To use a siphon vac kit effectively, ensure

• The siphon tube is always higher than the aquarium being cleaned to allow water and dirt to flow out on gravity.
• Get a bucket to empty the dirty solution you remove from the tank.
• No air bubbles should form in the vacuum tube otherwise the kit won’t work properly.
• Let the tube get filled with the dirt before you remove it from the tank.

Vacuuming Your Gravel in 10 Quick Step

Let’s start.

Step #1 — Unplug

Unplug your heater, filter, and air pump but leave your tank decorations, plants, and fish in the aquarium. Generally, the process should be fairly quick and should not stress your fish too much.

Step #2 — Submerge

Get your aquarium gravel vacuum cleaning kit and the old water bucket. Place the bucket below the aquarium level then start the vacuum process by submerging the kit in your tank. Make sure the siphon vac tube is wholly inside the tank.

Step #3 — Up-Down Motion

Start moving the tube inside the water in small up-down motions about 2 to 4 inches above the gravel until water starts flowing through the tube into the bucket below.

Step #4 — Vacuuming

Once you’ve established a flow, move the tube over the whole gravel surface making sure you get all the grime.

For a more complete clean on your tank, simply move the gravel vac further into the substrate itself. The tube might suck in a few pebbles, but they should fall back once you raise the tube.

Step #5 — Turn the Tube

Once the water level has dropped to around 25 to 30 percent of the water removed, meaning your tank is about 75 percent full, simply turn your gravel vac tube up while still inside the water, Take it from the tank and let it drain out through the tubing.

The tube might fill up before you get to the desired water level, just empty the gravel vac and continue the vacuuming till you reach the desired level.

Step #6 — Plug Back

When you are confident the gravel is reasonably clean, clear the cleaning area then put your heater, filter and air pump back in the tank.

How to Clean Fish Tank Gravel without a Vacuum Kit

Cleaning fish tank gravel without a vacuum is not easy but it’s not entirely impossible either. In fact, it’s not hard just that it takes more time and effort.

Plus there are a few cons associated with this method. For one thing, you’ll need a lot of time albeit a little cheaper and more effective.

You also need to move your fish to another tank and pour out the gravel. Which is quite stressful and will disrupt useful bacteria that have established in your tank.

The process will, however, help you break compact gravel pockets that conceal tough organic dirt.

To clean your tank without a vacuum, follow these steps.

Step #1 — Prepare New Tank

Prepare a clean tank where you’ll move your fish while you clean the gravel. Then use a siphon or a cup to move about 50 percent of your tank water to the holding tank.

This should ensure your fish are held in the same conditions they are used to.

Step #2 — Transfer Your Fish

Transfer your fish into the new tank using a net. However, if you keep fish that have flowy fins like bettas, you may need to use your hand to move them. Flowy fins and tails easily get tangled up in the net threading and could hurt the fish.

Step #3 — Unplug

Remove your heater, filter and air pump from the tank.

Unlike when using a gravel vac kit, here you’ll also need to remove your plants and decorations plus unplug electrical equipment like aquarium lights.

Step #4 — Clean Your Gravel

In this step, there are two ways you can go about it.

First you can use a cup or a fairly sized container to take the dirty gravel out and place it in a sieve for cleaning.

Or if your aquarium is not too heavy, take the remaining water level dow enough then slowly pour the gravel into a holding pan.

Rinse the dirty gravel in your sieve with running water or use a hose to do the washing.

If you have your gravel in a holding pan, fill it with water and use your hands to move the gravel around. Tip the pan slightly while shielding the gravel with your hand to pour out the dirty water then rinse the gravel.

Either way, make sure you don’t clean all the gravel. The portion that remains uncleaned will help keep nitrifying bacteria which will then recolonize your tank once it’s re-established.

Step #5 — Plug Back and Refill

Once the gravel is clean and dry mix it with the portion let unclean then put it back into your tank. Add your equipment and decoration then plug back electrical equipment.

Prepare clean water set in the perfect conditions for your fish tank and refill it making sure the water is at the correct temperature and ph.

Step #6 — Put the Fish Back

Add your fish back to the tank in the same way you moved them.

How to Clean Aquarium Gravel Algae

Sometimes you will have algae in your substrate that may or may not appear in other tank surfaces. This alga is called brown algae, Silica algae or Substrate Algae.

The algae start as brown patches on gravel then spread to other parts of your tank. Luckily removing brown algae ( learn more in this article) from your gravel is fairly easy.

Simply use a siphon vac kit to vacuum your gravel and you will most likely expel the brown film quickly and easily. Moreover, silica algae in new tanks will most likely clear out naturally.

Alternatively, stock algae eaters like suckermouth catfish and they’ll gladly sort your problem.

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You might be wondering whether your tank plants can be grown buried in a gravel substrate. In truth, this depends on what species of plant you have. Generally, gravel is a great material to grow plants in. But only certain flora will grow in this substrate well.

There are many aquarium plants that do well in gravel. The following plants will flourish in gravel, with the right care and maintenance:

1. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii)
2. Madagascar Lace (aponogeton madagascariensis)
3. Cryptocoryne Wendtii
4. Java fern
5. Red Tiger Lotus
6. Anubias
7. Vallisneria
8. Bucephalandra
9. Waterweeds (Anacharis elodea)
10. Dwarf Sagittaria

Lucky for you, I did some research on plants that grow in gravel. There are some important tips that I can give you for each plant to make growing them a success! I know what a bummer it can be if plants are not doing well, so I will try to help you the best I can.

1. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii)

The first gravel plant I will introduce is the Amazon Sword. This is a great starter plant that won’t give beginners a hard time. It requires moderate levels of light and can survive well in a range of temperatures.

This plant also looks great in your aquarium. It has long sword-like leaves that can be grown in the background of your tank, or it can be placed in the center of your tank alone as a centerpiece. With little maintenance, this flora will grow long and sturdy.

Just make sure to put enough gravel in your tank to root your plant. You want a little under three inches, around 2.5 inches to be exact, and the gravel should be loosely packed as well. In short, don’t plant the roots deep. Give them space to grow because they will get big! Also, make sure to provide enough nutrients by adding root tabs on a regular basis. Once every three months should suffice.

Before we move to the next plant, I must tell you a bit more on taking care of plants. If you don’t know how to add the right type of fertilizer for example, your plants will slowly die after adding them to your tank.

How to Feed Aquarium Plants in Gravel

The fact is that plain gravel contains no nutrients for your plants, at least not when it’s new and straight out of the bag. This is something you should take into account because I really recommend adding some form of plant fertilizer to your tank.

The easiest way, and the way that I do it in all my tanks, is adding liquid plant fertilizer. This is something that you add at least once a week (but more often is better) and it allows your plants to suck food straight out of the water. Although your fish do produce some plants food (poop), it’s not enough to provide for your plants.

The liquid fertilizer that I have been recommending for years is from the brand API which they call Leaf Zone. It’s an all-in-one plant fertilizer that will not let you down. Check it out here on Amazon.

Other options are changing to aquarium soil instead of gravel, which is expensive and, in my opinion, not worth it. You can also add root tabs, which are tablets that contain nutrients that you can push down in the gravel near the roots of your plant. I only add root tabs to heavy root feeding plants.

The root tabs from API are very good at feeding root feeding plants. Check them out here if you don’t have root tabs yet.

To my tank, which you can see on the picture, I add liquid fertilizer on a weekly basis. For the plants that need root tabs, such as Amazon swords, I regularly add new root tabs. I try to push a new root tab in the gravel near the roots every 3 months.

Let’s move to the next plant on the list!

2. Madagascar Lace (aponogeton madagascariensis)

Madagascar Lace can grow well in gravel as well, but it isn’t a simple plant to care for. You will need to make sure your plant has the right conditions to accommodate its growth.

Water temperature can be on the colder side, around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, though they can handle higher temperatures when you want them to flower. Light requirements are medium to high for this plant. More light will let your plant grow faster, so I recommend using higher levels of light. Still, the light intensity is up to you.

This plant can get quite large and if you want it smaller lower light can be helpful.

In addition, the Lace should also be planted properly in the gravel. You don’t want to bury this in deep gravel. Only two inches of substrate is required for this plant. Fertilizer should also be added to your gravel to keep the Lace thriving in your water!

3. Cryptocoryne Wendtii

Cryptocoryne is popular in planted aquariums lined with gravel but also does great in sand. The nice thing about this plant is that it comes in a few different colors. So you won’t be limiting yourself to green plants, because there is also a red crypt. wendtii variation!

If you are curious about what plants grow well in sand, check out this article on my site!

Care is fairly simple with the Wendtii. It’s a strong plant that likes many water conditions. Low lighting is preferred by this plant, and it can live in a range of Ph levels as well.

While this is an undemanding plant, you will need to root it down as soon as you can. Wendtii plants form large root systems, so gravel is an ideal substrate choice for the species. Make sure the roots are firmly placed, and make sure you have plenty of gravel set into your tank. At least three inches!

This is one of the plants for which I would recommend adding root tabs. From my personal experience, I can tell you that crypts do way better after adding a root tab. If you don’t have any yet, check out these root tabs from API on Amazon.

4. Java fern

Java Fern is another great option for new plant owners. Ferns grow well in gravel and require low levels of fertilizer to thrive. You can grow many of these in your tank with a fairly low level of maintenance.

This is because Java fern adapts to almost any type of environment. They like very low concentrations of light and grow in a range of temperatures.

Your fish will also enjoy having these plants in their tank environment. The leaves of the Fern are big and provide plenty of coverage for all types of pets. Java doesn’t grow super-fast, but over time you can have a whole tank full of these full flora.

Again, there isn’t much to worry about in terms of care, just prune this plant and get rid of any plant waste. Also, consider the lighting, too much light can kill Java Fern. And in terms of gravel, don’t put the roots of the fern too deep into your substrate. Gravel is a great way to root these plants down, but if you put this plant in too deeply it will die. Smaller gravel with some fertilizer will create the best plant growth.

5. Red Tiger Lotus

Red Tiger Lotus is a popular flowering plant, but it can also grow in gravel. If you choose to grow it underwater and grounded, you won’t see flowers form. Still, you will get a good visual from this plant species.

Tiger Lotus are not difficult plants, but you need to plant them correctly for the best results. Make sure to get the roots buried in gravel, but do not cover the bulb of this plant. Otherwise, your Tiger will not grow right. Furthermore, make sure your gravel is infused with plenty of fertilizer. This species needs plenty of nutrients to live in the water.

Warmer climates are preferred by this plant, and medium levels of light should be used. More importantly, make sure to trim this plant, because it grows rapidly if left unattended!

6. Anubias

Anubias are large plants that provide shade for a range of aquariums. They don’t like to be buried too deep, but this plant will grow in gravel if you give it the right care. Overall though, the Anubias is a hardy tank fixture that has simple care requirements.

Medium-light works well for the Anubias, but higher levels of light can be used if you want the largest possible plant. Fertilizer is not a must with an Anbubias, as it grows pretty well on its own, but you should consider putting root tabs or other nutrients in the gravel so it retains good color and health.

On the whole, be gentle with this plant as you put it into its substrate. Again, the roots should not go in too deep and gravel should be soft and very fine. A thick layer of gravel is not necessary for this plant.

7. Vallisneria

Vallisneria is a fast-growing grass-type plant. It’s found in tropical conditions and prefers warmer water climates. Vallisneria doesn’t require much to grow either, which makes it a great choice for bare aquariums that need more coverage. You can plant this fauna around the edges of your aquarium, or have it blanket your tank.

Vallisneria grows tall and lush in a harder Ph level. Again, the temperature should be on the warmer side. And you will want to trim it to keep it from overtaking your tank. Vallisneria can grow in gravel, but you don’t need a ton of it. Just a small layer should suffice, enough so that the roots can go in. The crown of your plant should stay above your substrate though!

8. Bucephalandra

Unlike a lot of other plants on this list, Bucephalandra will need thicker gravel to grow. You don’t need massive rocks, but you do want something a little larger than normal gravel. You can put Bucephalandra on top of your substrate, or bury it a little. Just make sure that you don’t cover up the rhizome!

Porous gravel is preferred, this way the root system can grow strongly in its substrate and fully immerse itself. You can also use other items to firmly keep your plant in place. In terms of other care tips, Bucephalandra grows slow in low light levels. Water temperature should be at 71 to 82 degrees as well.

In addition, you can get these plants in a few different colors. And with the right maintenance, they will grow large and become a centerpiece for your tank.

9. Waterweeds (Anacharis elodea)

Waterweeds are a South American plant. They are great at keeping tank water well oxygenated and filtered. And like the other plants I mentioned, waterweed can withstand many water conditions and are not picky about water temperature.

Still, for the best plant growth, try using medium-light to illuminate your plant. If you want a larger plant, fertilizer can be used along with warmer water so that it reaches its full potential. But if you want to better control the size of your waterweed, colder water can slow its growth. Put this flora on gravel and make sure you put your roots in deep.

They should be placed at least 1-2 inches within your substrate. A thick layer of gravel is not bad for this plant! Also, if you have multiple Waterweeds, make sure they are at least an inch apart. This way they can grow fully!

10. Dwarf Sagittaria

The last plant on this list of gravel growers is the Dwarf Sagittaria. If you are looking for a hardy and adaptable plant, this is one of the best options for your aquarium. Dwarf Sagittaria are typically found in America and Columbia, so they prefer more mild water temperatures. They won’t have a difficult time in the water with a harder pH.

However, when you prepare to plant your Dwarf, make sure you put plenty of nutrients in the gravel. These plants need a lot of fertilizer to grow. And if they don’t have iron they will wilt and die. When you plant your dwarf, plant it gently, but cover the roots. A little bit of care is all this plant needs to thrive!

The Importance of Plant Gravel

Gravel is an adaptable medium that helps root plants and keeps them in place. It’s a great addition to aquariums and can enhance the look of your water and aquatic greenery. And with all the varying looks and options available for this product, you can easily find something that suits the style of your tank.

Gravel is important to keep a biological balance in the aquarium, as they host a colony of beneficial bacteria. For plants, the gravel is an anchor to keep them in place as well as a source for nutrients. Finally, there are many different gravel varieties, which will improve the look of your tank!

Many people use gravel to finish off the look of their aquarium. The addition of other decoration and plant material creates an overall natural and better-equipped environment for your pet. Making your tank match the natural environment of your fish is important. This not only allows your aquarium to look better but lets you construct a better home for your plants.

Gravel is especially important for rooting plants. Some flora can go without gravel or other substrates, but many will need something to hold them down. While there are several materials available, gravel substrate is the perfect surface for a number of plant roots. The smoothness of gravel will help plants root firmly and properly.

Certain plants rely heavily on their roots for nutrients. These plants are often referred to as “root feeders”, and it can be hard for a beginner to recognize which plants belong to this group. Therefore, I’ve written an article called “7 Aquarium Plants That Are Root Feeders and Need Root Tabs” which I recommend you check out. It’ll really help you growing plants in gravel.

For the most part, you don’t want greenery floating in the water without roots. This could cause wilting or plant death. Most plants need roots to absorb nutrients into their cells. Gravel allows rooting plants to grow properly and get the nutrition they need.

Gravel does not typically have nutrients in it. But you can add these in yourself with root tabs or fertilizer. Another option is to use a layer of aquarium soil underneath the gravel to provide nutrients.

My Favorite Fishtank Products to Make Life Easier

Over the years I’ve found a variety of products that make the fish keeping life so much easier. Whenever someone asks me what products I recommend buying, these are the first 5 items that come to mind. I’ll briefly list them below and state why I love them so much. I’m 100% sure you’ll love them!

1. A good gravel vacuum; Without a gravel vacuum, cleaning the substrate of your tanks is near impossible. Whenever I want to remove some of the sunken detritus from the bottom of my tank I’m happy I’ve got one of these. They’re available here on Amazon and I highly recommend them!

2. Liquid plant fertilizer; It’s no secret that I do not like nutritious aqua-soil. It makes a mess and only works a given amount of time. Instead, I always use a liquid aquarium plant fertilizer. Everyone who keeps live plants needs it, it’s not that expensive and makes your plants grow better. This is the one I use and recommend.

If your plants are rooted in gravel or sand, it’s best to add root tabs. These tablets create all nutrients your plants need and need to be replaced once per 3 months. I use the Flourish Tabs from Seachem, which are available here.

3. A set of aquascape tools; I love keeping plants, but planting and reorganizing my aquarium was difficult until I got a set of these tools. It’s much easier to plant any kind of plant compared to using my thick fingers. They’re also available here on Amazon.

4. A liquid-based water test kit; ever since I’m able to accurately test my water parameters, keeping fish became less stressful. Before I was always stressed that my water parameters were wrong, but using a kit such as the API Master kit, which is available here, I can measure this. It really is essential to successful fishkeeping.

5. A digital thermometer; the more you know about your aquarium, the better! Temperature is crucial for the health of your fish. A thermometer will also show you whether your heaters are still working correctly. It will give you more insight and more peace of mind. It’s available here on Amazon, you will not be disappointed!

Choosing the Right Gravel for Your Aquarium

While gravel is crucial, you want to make sure to pick out the right gravel for your tank. Do not buy any gravel you see. Often, commercial gravel from a local tool store is too large for your fish tank. You need a product that is made for fish and fish tanks to successfully root down plants!

The right gravel for an aquarium does not have any sharp ends, is bagged with as little dust as possible, and allows plant roots to grow a dense network. The size, shape, and texture should be consistent, which often is the case for dedicated aquarium gravel. The color is up to personal preference.

There are some features to keep in mind as you make a purchase. But something you should remember is size and shape. The gravel for fish tanks should never be chunky or sharp. Many fish like to rest at the bottom of their tanks. So, you need gravel that is small and smooth in order to keep your fish safe. Large sharp gravel is also a poor choice for plants and won’t give your plant’s roots enough space to spread out. Consider this as well.

Once you find good-sized gravel, there are plenty of buying options. These small rocks come in several shapes, sizes, and colors. The tone of your gravel isn’t important in terms of quality. But you should choose something that fits with the theme of your tank setup. A more earthy tone will look nice in a natural-looking tank.

But more colorful or neon colors can work if you are going for an eye-popping aquarium space. The shape is also something else to think about. Some gravels are more rounded while other gravels can be a little on the rough side. You can also find bigger gravels and fine gravels. I recommend going for fine gravel for the best planting results. Around 3-8 mm is an ideal size for plant growth.

Putting Your Plants in Gravel

The amount of gravel you need in your planted aquarium depends on a few considerations.  One thing to think about is tank size. With a larger aquarium, you will have to purchase more gravel. Gravel usually goes in before your plant. And the correct amount needs to be put in to make plants root.

Normal tanks without plants only need an inch (3 cm) of gravel. But if you plan on having plants in your tank you need a lot more. Three inches (10 cm) of gravel is a general rule of thumb. If you decide on the three-inch rule though, remember that the shape of a tank can impact your gravel setup too. A few inches of gravel in a vertical tank is different than a few inches of gravel in a more wide tank.

A little bit of research might be necessary though. Not all plants have the same substrate needs. Plants that need to root deeply will require more gravel. Other plants do not like to be buried in a ton of gravel. So keep this in mind!

In addition, make sure to keep your gravel clean. Aquarium gravel has a tendency to get dirty. And if you want to ensure that your plants stay healthy you need to maintain it.  Obviously, more gravel will make this cleaning process longer, but it is a necessary step.

To learn all about cleaning gravel in an aquarium, check out the page I’ve written a while ago called “How To Clean Fish Tank Gravel in 3 Easy Steps (Low Effort)“. This shows you easy and convenient ways to keep your substrate clean.

And make sure to do some light rinsing before you put gravel in your tank. Warm water should be used but don’t wash it with cleaning products! You can also use an aquarium vacuum to clean down substrate once it is established in your tank.

If you find this page useful, consider sharing it with a friend!

Replacing aquarium gravel in an established tank is debated because of the potential impact on the bacterial colonies that neutralize wastes in the tank. Some feel that most beneficial bacteria live in the substrate, and therefore the gravel should be disturbed as little as possible. Others believe the lion's share of beneficial bacteria lives in the filter medium rather than the substrate.

Where Does Bacteria Live?

Beneficial bacteria live on many surfaces within the aquarium. Therefore removing anything, be it rocks, gravel, plastic plants, or the filter media, will have some impact on the bacterial colonies. Does that mean nothing can ever be removed from your aquarium? Certainly not!

Armed with a water test kit and the knowledge of what to look out for, you can successfully change your gravel to something more appealing to you as well as to your fish (blue gravel isn't the norm in nature—your fish will probably enjoy the change to a more natural colored substrate).

Planning Ahead

To replace aquarium gravel, you should plan. A checklist of tasks and materials needed is a good idea to ensure all your bases are covered. See the checklists below.

Because changing gravel can be invasive, it's advisable to move the fish into a temporary holding tank. If you don't have a spare tank, purchase a 10-gallon tank. It only costs about $10 and can be used as a hospital or quarantine tank later. If you absolutely cannot afford a spare tank, the next option would be to use a clean 5-gallon bucket that has never had detergents or chemicals in it.

Timing

Time your gravel change day so that it is not immediately following a filter change or cleaning. This will allow the bacteria in the filter media to stabilize before you challenge them with changes. A few days before you plan to change the gravel, top off your tank completely. Test the water to ensure the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero. If they aren't zero, address that problem before attempting a gravel change.

On the day before the big change, do not feed your fish. This will cut down on the wastes produced in the holding tank (nothing in means little goes out). Also on the day before the gravel change, review your checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

Set up Holding Tank

Start the process by rinsing the new gravel until the rinse water runs clear. Then set up a holding tank as close to the main tank as possible. This will allow you to transfer the fish from one tank to the other readily. Next, temporarily turn off the filter in the main (29-gallon) tank. Perform the next few steps quickly, so the filter is only turned off a short period.

Siphon off enough water from the main tank to fill the 10-gallon holding tank about two-thirds of the way full. Then remove any live plants, rocks, and other decorations from the main tank and put them in the holding tank. This will preserve the bacteria growing on the rocks, etc. However, if you have large items, you may not have room to put them in the holding tank. Keep in mind that you'll need room for the fish, which you are now ready to move from the main tank.

Move Fish

Quickly net the fish and move them to the holding tank. Because the water in the holding tank is from the original tank, you do not need to acclimate them—they can be moved directly over. Once you have moved the fish, cover the holding tank so none of your finned friends can jump out. If you don't have a regular hood or cover for the holding tank, a newspaper or piece of cardboard will do. Add enough aged or treated water to the main tank to allow the filter to run, and then turn the filter back on.

Note: Don't fill the main tank, as you need space to move back the rocks, plants, and decorations. You are now ready to swap the gravel.

Replace Gravel

Scoop out the old gravel and place it into buckets. Once all the old gravel has been removed, vacuum any debris from the bottom of the tank then put the new gravel in. After the new gravel has been added, you can move your rocks, plants, and decorations from the holding tank back to the main tank. Lastly, move your fish from the holding tank back to the main tank.

Leave the lights off for the rest of the day, and add some stress coat to the water to help ease the stress on your fish. Feed the fish sparingly the first day, then normally after that. Although your gravel swap is done, it is important to monitor the water for ammonia and nitrite spikes. Odds are you'll have at least a small spike.

After the Change

Three days after the gravel change, test the water for ammonia. If it is zero, wait another three days and test again. If it is still zero, repeat the test after one week just to be on the safe side. If the test shows an ammonia spike, treat the tank as if it were a newly set up aquarium, which means frequent testing and water changes until the ammonia and nitrite levels fall to zero.

Materials Needed

• New gravel
• Holding tank (10-gallon leader is a good choice)
• Cover for holding the tank
• Siphon
• Nets
• Buckets for the gravel
• Clean cup to scoop gravel
• Stress coat/water treatment

Tasks to Do in Advance

• At least two weeks ahead: Clean filter
• Two days ahead: Top off the water in the tank
• One day ahead: Test water for ammonia and nitrite
• One day ahead: Stop feeding the fish
• Day of change: Set up the holding tank
• Day of change:Wash gravel

Changing the Gravel

1. Turn filter off on the main tank.
2. Fill holding tank 2/3 full of water from the main tank.
3. Remove rocks, plants, and decorations and place them in a holding tank.
4. Move fish from the main tank to the holding tank and cover the tank.
5. Add enough water to the main tank to allow the filter to run.
6. Turn the filter back on in the main tank.
7. Scoop old gravel out of the main tank.
8. Add new gravel to the main tank.
9. Move rocks, plants, and decorations to the main tank.
10. Move fish back to the main tank.