Sharkitty

I have your basic colored gravel from a bag that I poured in nearly two inches deep and now am thinking that might have been overkill (especially since my tank is tiny and the fishies need all the real estate they can get).

Is there a rule of thumb?

Llama

Depends, are you planning on keeping any plants?

Sharkitty

Nope. Not real ones, at least. :P

Llama

Unless you have an undergravel filter, then you won't need that much gravel - or any at all, however if you go without any the bottom might look very dirty, so reduce the gravel a bit.

ADDED: That said, some fish will like to filtre the gravel for food or hide it in or something, so check which fish you've got

Sharkitty

Cool. Thank you. I will just have one betta.

Shawnie

usually for just a regular tank, no plants or specific fish that need a certain subtrate, a lb of gravel for each gallon is good....approx 1 1/2 - 2 inches is fine

Llama

Hmm, bettas are very popular it seems. You can pretty much get away with using less gravel, give him some space to swim around in.

Sharkitty

Well, I got tetras, but everyone here convinced me I was torturing the little guys in my tiny tank, so betta is it.

agabr123

i personally like less gravel in my tanks, closer to 1 inch, maybe a little more but it really depends on what you like. having the gravel bed too deep can be a problem because it's hard to clean and pockets of gas can form, but as long as you stir it up a bit when you vacuum it should be fine

MeGustaUnaPez926

A rule of thumb for the amount of gravel is one pound per gallon.

mr. Clown Loach

1/4"-1 1/2" is probably good depending on fish once again