How much substrate?

[kjr928]

I currently have a 46g bowfront with about 2" of planted aquarium substrate.

I am going to set up a 90g next week and I'm not really sure how much more I need to buy. Any ideas?

[noodles62]

Off the top of my head, I do not know the measurements of each tank but it sounds like you are doubling your tank size so you would need twice the substrate that you have now. (for example, if you originally purchased 40 pounds, get another 40 pounds....) JMO
the dimensions would help tho....

[BioHazard]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/calculators/substrateCalculator/
This thing is really nice. It was shown to me when I asked a similar question.

[kjr928]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/calculators/substrateCalculator/
This thing is really nice. It was shown to me when I asked a similar question.

Excellent, thank you.

[SuBXeRo]

i put 100lbs of eco in my 72, i would have put another 20 in tbh, i would say atleast 160 for you, if you want to have a nice bed, you could even do 180lbs if you wanted. Its nice when you can push your plant stems down into the substrate and actually have the substrate keep your plants down. There isn't anything wrong with a thicker substrate, its when you don have enough thats a problem.

Im guessing your tank is 48 long, and 18 or 24" deep.

[Sploke]

Depends on how much you want really. I only have 60lbs of gravel in my 150, because I have a bunch of messy fish and I found that when I had more, it because a real pain to vacuum. It works out to between .5-.75" layer of gravel - enough to cover the bottom completely but still easy to clean and it doesn't trap a lot of detritus.

For average tanks with plants I usually shoot for about 10lbs per square foot, its usually a good starting place.