Pounds of gravel/gallon or inches of surface rule?

[Tekhna]

Is there a rule about how much gravel to have per gallon, or per square inch of bottom surface? With my 29 gallon I just guestimated until I had about the right amount, but I dont know how much to put in my 10 gallon.
Would 1 5lb bag do?

 

[dwayne]

I have 15lbs in my 29 gallon tank... I'd say that 5lbs in a 10 gallon would be plenty. I think less is better when it comes to substrate, unless you're planning on planting the tank heavily and need to use special substrate.

~Tara

 

[phanmc]

It depends on whether you're going for a planted tank or not. Planted tanks require a minimum of 2&1/2-3 inches for easy planting and the roots to take. That's roughly 2 lbs per gallon for a regular tank.

For a non-planted tank, gravel is optional so whatever floats your boat. 5lbs will barely cover the bottom of a 10 gallon tank, you may have difficulty arranging decor that needs to be partially buried like fake plants.

 

[Tekhna]

It depends on whether you're going for a planted tank or not. Planted tanks require a minimum of 2&1/2-3 inches for easy planting and the roots to take. That's roughly 2 lbs per gallon for a regular tank.

For a non-planted tank, gravel is optional so whatever floats your boat. 5lbs will barely cover the bottom of a 10 gallon tank, you may have difficulty arranging decor that needs to be partially buried like fake plants.

Well, gravel isnt really optional. I had a total newb friend who had a gravelless tank, and he put fish in, and they panicked because of the lack of gravel. It was too bright.

 

[JeremyD]

Well, gravel isnt really optional. I had a total newb friend who had a gravelless tank, and he put fish in, and they panicked because of the lack of gravel. It was too bright.

Bare bottomed tanks are quite common and theres nothing wrong with them.



There are however a handful of species that do not like light reflecting from the bottom. Some will adjust to this, others will totally freak out. Your friend likely had a fish that fits this description.



I keep almost every tank in my fishroom bare bottomed. The only tanks that get substrate are my rift lake tanks and display tanks. My fish are as healthy and beautiful as any others out there. Bare bottomed all the way

 

[125gJoe]

One thing you might want to consider when using gravel is to put more in the back of the tank, and less up in the very front. It's my opinion not to see any gravel above the tanks "liner".. There's no reason to see any layering of gravel at the front. It just looks better.....