![]() ![]() ![]() If you read our post about PH then you’ll have an idea about what I am referring to. There are, on the other hand, multiple substrates that will affect PH. It is always best to check at the shop if you are unsure, however. Most gravel and sand is inert (excluding coral sand and peat etc), meaning that it won’t affect the PH of your aquarium water. Will putting gravel/sand in my aquarium affect the water? Realistically, there’s no definitive reason to exclude either sand or gravel from your choice.ĥ. We actually get this question quite often, but really it isn’t so simple. This is ultimately dependent on multiple factors the type of fish you are intending to keep, your personal preference and the impact of the substrate on plant life and bacteria growth. In the past before power filters became more present, and when under-gravel filters were used in nearly every scenario, a deep gravel bed was necessary but nowadays the only factors are species-based. How much gravel/sand do I need for my aquarium?įor sand, most people opt for a depth of around 2.5cm/1 inch and with gravel the norm is usually a deeper 5cm/2 inch but these can be opposed by aesthetic preference and the presence or absence of live plants and burrowing fish. Please absolutely refrain from using any sort of cleaning chemical or soap on the gravel/sand, this will lead to massive complications when introduced into the aquarium.ģ. When washing, however, tap water is fine providing that you do not put any of it in the tank (if you do, make sure to add some dechlorinator). If this is not done, in addition to clouding your water for a day or so, the dust can harbour potentially harmful elements that you’d rather avoid. This ensures that there is no excess dust particulates introduced to the aquarium. Drain the water away and repeat until the water in the bucket is clear. The easiest way to do this is empty the bag into a bucket or sieve and fill with water from the tap and swill the substrate around the bucket, making sure to disturb every part. We always recommend giving the gravel or sand a good rinse through before putting into the tank. Do I need to do anything to it before I put it in? For further information on how to clean gravel, see the answer to Question 7.Ģ. ![]() It may be also necessary to give the gravel a clean every so often if it is filthy. It is important, however, to remove dead fish, plants and uneaten food as only very small elements of Nitrite are processed by plants. The plants will take these nitrites out and use them to grow. As well as providing important cover for the vulnerable roots to spread, it collects particulates of nitrite that has been broken down from the ammonia in the aquarium (residing from fish waste, dead plants and left over food). The presence of a layer of gravel or sand also encourages plant growth. Useful bacteria will reside in your gravel too, this is the same kind that lives in your filter and breaks down ammonia (from fish) into nitrites that plants can use. If there isn’t anything on the bottom of the tank some fish may feel exposed, most notably bottom feeders and burrowing fish. Certain fish, for example (such as common goldfish), will sift through the bottom to find detritus and algae lurking there. ![]() 1.Why should I use gravel/sand in my aquarium?Īpplying gravel or sand to an aquarium creates a more natural environment for your fish. ![]()
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