How many pds of gravel?

[PooCooper]

Setting up a 125 for central american cichlids, how much gravel do I need for a the tank?

[Dean]

As little as possible. More gravel just makes it easier for waste to build up and make the gravel sour. People with 2+ inches of gravel are crazy. Id say no more than an inch, better just put 1/2 inch. If you have live plants, post this question in the plant section.

[PooCooper]

Thanks dean, can you giv me an appox. number of pounds of gravel for a 125 that will end up an 1/2 to 1 inch deep?

[PooCooper]

no plants.

[Dean]

Id have to take a guess at 60-80 pounds. You may want to ask some one with a simllar size aquarium.

I just found a formula and 64.5 pounds should give a 125g aquarium a 1" layer of gravel.

ps. do you have an ugf?

[PooCooper]

no ugf, i went with your advice and bought 70 pounds. I ordereded my tank and should get it tommorrow. thanks for your time dean.

[Dean]

no problem, hopefully you can post some pics once its all setup.

[ScottoMacD]

I always follow the one pound per gallon rule.

Gives you a nice thick bed which works well for plants or digging cichlids.

[Dean]

that rule is rather meaning less since a 29g and 20g long have the same foot print.

[DarthV]

I put in 22lbs into my 50gal (36x16x20") and I find it is way too much... I'll be taking some out to put into a new 40gal breeder. I put 40lbs of pool filter sand into my 55gal and I found that way too much... I've since taken out at least 10lbs worth.

[ScottoMacD]

Originally posted by Dean
that rule is rather meaning less since a 29g and 20g long have the same foot print.

First off. There really is no meaning less rule. Just because you dis-agree doesn't make it meaning less.

Second if it is your thing to have a thinner base cool, no problem. I however prefer a thicker base in my 11 tanks. Especially with the way my cichlids love to dig when breeding.

Now Yes they may have the same foot print..
But.....
A 29 is obviously higher. So because of that the gravel rule by adding the extra 9 pounds of gravel into the 29 it gives it a fuller look.

Instead of having a tank that looks rather empty (IMO) because the gravel will just reach over the bottom brace that looks like it is missing something.

I never said that it was a hard fast rule. But it does however give you a starting point to judge just how thick your gravel will be.

By your own post earlier
[quote] I just found a formula and 64.5 pounds should give a 125g aquarium a 1" layer of gravel. [quote]

Mine gives him a 2 inch gravel base.

So where's the difference?

Have a good one. :)

[Dean]

Sorry, but I just find the 1# of gravel per gallon or the 1" of fish per gallon pointless, every situation is different and isn't as simple as a 1 per whatever rule. Id think of it more of a loose guide line than a rule, it's a good starting point.

By the way the formula is

- simply multiple the aquarium's length (in inches) by it's width (in inches), then divide by ten (whacking off the last digit will suffice). The resulting number is the number of pounds of gravel that will cover the aquarium bottom to an average depth of two inches.

ps. I dont use gravel I always use sand.

[SayersWeb]

Interesting discussion.... At first I was thinking more gravel is appropriate, especially for American cichlids.... Then I was thinking that the finer the gravel, the less you need.

It does offer a nice biological bed, but it can go bad. American cichlids do dig in it often, especially to breed. But, do they like digging all that gravel out or do they feel they have to? Would they feel deprived if they only had half as much to dig through?

Gravel does hold down plants (real and artificial) and helps keep larger rocks firmly footed (until the cichlids dig them out). I have between 2-3 inches of fine gravel in the 180.

I've been seriously considering going to fine gravel or sand in all of my tanks but he not found a good inexpensive source. Any ideas? DarthV suggests pool filter sand.... is this a good economical solution?

[Dean]

cheap sand is easy to find. Play sand like the stuff they put in kids sandboxes works great, it dosn't affect the ph at all. But you have to be careful with sand, stiring it everytime you do water changes or the sand with lack of airation will become toxic.

[SayersWeb]

So, you stir it all the way to the bottom of the tank? Do you lose much when you use the syphon vacuum? My 180 has a fine gravel that is probably 3 or 4 times the grain size of sand (but still very small). It does not pack quite as densely as sand, but is fine enough to not let fry, food bits, or fish waste fall into it.

It's just big enough to allow careful vacuuming, pushing it all the way to the tank bottom and then pulling up before the sand escapes down the hose. I wish I could find more of this stuff. It came with my 180 and I don't know what it is or where to get it. I've had the tank for about 10 years now!

[PooCooper]

i'll post a picture when I get the gravel in the aquarium.

[travelinman1969]

I agree with whoever said the 1 pound per gallon rule not being correct. It depends on the floor demensions. I have a 150 that is 48WX24DX30H. If I would have put 150 pounds of gravel in there I would have a 3-4 inch bed. I put 80 and have about an inch and half to two inches in there (semi-planted). It's a good rule for most tanks but then you get odd floor dimensions and the theory goes right out the door. What are your floor dimensions?