How much gravel is enough

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

 

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

 

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.

 

it'll be fine. just rake it up and make sure air pockets of toxic ammonia gas don't build up and all the debris gets removed. gravel vac'ing is the thing!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

gravel

I don't 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 !

 

I don't 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 !

this might be helpful

 

hI everyone,
I was just wondering how much gravel should I have in my tank? it’s a 10 gallon tank. I would say I have 2-2.5 inches of gravel but I wonder if that’s too much! I read that it’s not good to have too much, ill attach a picture so you guys can get a better look.

 

That's perfect

 

Its not TOO much, but its a lot more than Id use or suggest. Id have probably stopped it at about the top of the black plastic frame. A good general rule of thumb is a pound of substrate per gallon on water.

 

I think it looks great. It's true that 1 lb to gallon is recommended. The only real problem I'm aware of is having too much sand or fine substrate, where it can get compacted, causing gas pockets to form in the substrate. Gravel is large enough and coarse enough that it's not really an issue.

 

I think it looks great. It's true that 1 lb to gallon is recommended. The only real problem I'm aware of is having too much sand or fine substrate, where it can get compacted, causing gas pockets to form in the substrate. Gravel is large enough and coarse enough that it's not really an issue.

yeah that’s what I was really worried about having gas pockets to form. so I shouldn’t be worried?

 

You won't have anaerobic gas in gravel, at least not in that shallow of gravel. There's too much area for it to escape. If you had sand that deep you might have a problem.

 

You won't have anaerobic gas in gravel, at least not in that shallow of gravel. There's too much area for it to escape. If you had sand that deep you might have a problem.

good to know thanks!

 

Looks good! You shouldn't have any issues.

 

Mines about 3inches and ive never had any problems but I'm using aquasoil not gravel

 

I think that’s a perfect amount for gravel. Looks good

 

thanks for the

I think that’s a perfect amount for gravel. Looks good

thanks for the feedback!

 

Good amount!