how much substrate for a 55g?

[Lady G]

I will be getting my 55g SOON...YIPPY :bday: !!!!!!!!! Anyway I'm not sure how many pounds of substrate to get? I will be planting this tank with some easy to care for plants. I was going to go heavy on the plants but am now thinking less (more medium) and will be using Florite for sure still not completly sure if I want sand or rock with it, but if I decide on rock I am thinking just florite. I have no clue as to how much I should buy though...any suggestions? I want to get it ordered by Monday so it will get here before my tank (I have to order online) since the nearest place I could buy it would be about 60 miles from here and between work and kids it's just easier to do online .

Thanks all,

Gin

 

[mvigor]

I went with straight gravel for my new 55 gallon tank. I won't be having much in the way of live plants. I put in 55 pounds of rock and with the small footprint of the tank it gave me a nice 1.5 - 2 inch layer.

 

[Lady G]

So do you think that about 55lbs of whatever I go with would work than? Is that the basic (close to a lb/gallon) or does the size of the gravel/sand whatever come in to play? I made MANY mistakes with my 30g I have now when I first got it and I just want to make sure I start out right with this one.

Thanks for the info!!

Gin

 

[mvigor]

I'm sure the size of the grain would come into play somewhat. The gravel I bought is very small, smooth and fairly compact. It's definitely 2 inches deep all over, now that I have another look.

You probably can't use the pounds == gallons rule with every tank. A 20 long, for example, would probably need far more than 20 pounds of gravel.

I think the bags that the gravel came in suggested 1.5 pounds per gallon, but I don't prefer gravel 3 or 4 inches deep. Then again, I use mostly fake plants.

 

[rbell219]

i used 60 lbs of sand in my 55--click the link for pics

 

[Rebgen]

Try this site for some help:

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html


Good luck!

 

[Lady G]

Try this site for some help:

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html


Good luck!

Thanks for that, it will help VERY much!!1

 

[hurricanejedi]

Great thread. I had the same question as most places around me don't have the sand I want. I'm hoping for a 55gal for Christmas and currently have 20lb of sand so it looks like I need 2 more bags.

 

[Lady G]

well, I am going to use florite and sand (I think) I may still use gravel, guess I better decide soon though I just talked to the guy tonight I am suppose to get the tank from and I may be able to get it tomorrow!!!!! YIPPY, WOO-WHOOO!!!!!!!! Lowes has play sand for 5 something I think it was 20 lbs, I'll have to check again.
The only thing that is going to stink is I'll have the tank but not the substrate, or plants yet so I still can't set it up, but having it here and knowing it will only be 5-7 days at the most I'll have it all is going to be GREAT!!!!!!!!

 

[Lady G]

Oh it was 50lbs of play sand not 20 at lowes for 5.57.