How much Subtrate/Gravel?

F

flipsta

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Mar 27, 2010
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Hi Y'all

Checking in again about how much substrate/gravel I need for my 29gal tank.

I have seen some tanks with nothing and others recommend 2lbs per gallon of H2O.

Any input would be great. Thanks.

:)
 
all depends if you are going to have live plants, as they would want a little bit deeper gravel to establish roots in.

an inch or two is more than enough if you are not planning on planting.

what livestock is going in/is in the tank? if you have cories or loaches i would go with sand over gravel, as they enjoy digging and playing in sand.
 
I only keep an inch or less in a non-planted tank... and in my goldfish tank. I do have lots of live plants in with the goldfish but I have them planted in six 2" and 3" clay pots. If you are going with a heavily planted tank, then 2" or so is usually enough. If you aren't going with live plants or lots of live plants, then go with as little as you can. The thinner the gravel, the easier it is to vacuum and keep clean so it's not polluting your water as much.
 
I plan for about a pound per gallon in non-planted tanks then a little extra for planted tanks.
 
:iagree:

Usually what I go by...there are substrate calculators online as well but they aren't going to be 100% accurate...should at least give you a ball park.

On my recently set up 20 long (same footprint as a 29) I ended up washing about 50 lbs. of sand but only using around 40. I've got it at about 2" deep and it is planted.
 
The calculator I use is first decide how deep you want your substrate. Then measure your tank's inside footprint. Let's use a 48" x 12" for simplicity. That is 576 square inches. If you want an inch deep, then you want 576 cubic inches of substrate. 2" of substrate = 576 x 2 = 1152 cubic inches.

If you are going with pea gravel, bring a 12" x 12" x 12" box and 4" deep will give you 1" of substrate in the tank. 8" deep will give you 2" of substrate in the tank. If you don't have a 12" x 12" x 12" box, take a similar sized box and measure the foot print. Say it's 10" x 10" = 100 square inch footprint. If you want a 1" substrate, go with 6" of substrate in the box (or actually 5.76" but who's counting). If you want a 2" substrate in the tank, go with 11.5" in the box (OK.. I was counting closer that time.. lol).
 
Personally, I think you are over-thinking it. Since it is a tall tank go with about 30 lbs of whatever substrate you want. Now since sand compacts you may want to do more if you choose to go that way.
 
The problem with using "weight" as a factor is it doesn't work. Volume is the correct measurement to use. A cup of sand is going to weigh a different amount than a cup of small pea gravel which is going to weigh a different amount than a cup of larger pea gravel. BUT... a cup of each is going to take up the same amount of space in the bottom of a tank although there would be more settling with the smaller grain substrates than the larger sizes. They should sell aquarium substrate by volume such as cubic inches or a metric equivalent... but most of the bags of aquarium substrate are sold by the pound. The box method works best for every tank I've ever added gravel to... especially if I don't want to buy too little or too much to start with.
 
Either way the OP is going to either be buying just enough or more than they need since most bags for sand/substrate for aquarium specific products come in 20 lbs. (in which you would likely need two unless it will be unplanted) and almost all bags of both PFS and play sand are found in 50 lbs. so you'll have extra. Just wash it all and add as much as you see fit...If you have extra then you're set for another tank or find another use for it...it shouldn't have to be complicated. ;)
 
Pea gravel can be purchased in bulk at most garden centers... and it's a LOT cheaper that way. That's why you need that box! ;-)
 
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