RBA

does it matter how much gravel we use.* I have a 10 gallon tank and i had gravel pack for 10 gallon and then i used another pack for 10 gallon so now i have gravel for 20 gallon in a 10 gallon tank.* Pleaase let me know if it is ok to do that.* Thank You

Tom

It all depends on whether you have live plants, burrowing fish, etc. For live plants, you usually want an inch or two in the bottom so there is enough gravel to root the plants in. But if none of those apply to you, it is all a personal preference.
Tom

mistycheri

I have a ten gallon that probably 3-4" of gravel in it. I had one color in there then decided to add some white gravel to that so it just kinda build up. But it's the cleanest tank as far as waste, when I suction the gravel during water changes.

tan.b

it'll be fine. just rake it up and make sure air pockets of toxic ammonia gas dont build up and all the debris gets removed. gravel vac'ing is the thing!

COBettaCouple

i think as long as you keep it clean, it's really just personal preference as to what kind of substrata and how much.. whatever makes you and your fish happy is perfect for your tank.

RBA

If i get rid of half of the gravel will it add space for one more fish in the tank?

sgould

Sadly, no. Maximum stock level is roughly determined by 1" of fish per gallon capacity of the tank. A 20 gallon tank may only have 17 gallons of water in it because of displacement from gravel and decs, but it is still a 20 gallon capacity tank allowing a maximum of 20" of fish. Removing enough gravel to add an extra gallon of water would give you 18 gallons of water, but still a 20 gallon capacity allowing a maximum of 20" of fish.

armadillo

The deeper your gravel layer, the deeper the fish' waste will do in it and the higher risk of festering waste. I have about 3 inches of gravel in one of my tanks and I really regret it, as I find it more maintenance.

griffin

it's kinda personal preference (what you think looks good) if you don't have sifters or live plants. however, i don't think that a super thick layer is a great idea. you'll increase your chances of getting an anaerobic pocket (bad) and have more gravel to clean when you vac. but then, my personal preference is to have the thinnest layer possible for what you want to do.

COBettaCouple

when we first started, i liked good thick layers of gravel.. now we're at shallower levels of flat marbles and soon changing that so shallow levels of smooth river rocks.. like mentioned above, the poop & food just are more trouble to clean with more substrata.

fishchick

I dont know my parameters , anyway I was just wondering how many bags it would take to refill bottom of tank of 75 gall ! I plan to use the brownish big rocks !

sp33drhno

this might be helpful

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