How Many lbs of gravel needed for a125/150 gal tank
- Thread starter NEMO24
- Start date
depends on what kind of gravel and how deep you want your bottom to be.
I would get no more than 50 lbs if you want smaller gravel with a thin layer.
I would get no more than 50 lbs if you want smaller gravel with a thin layer.
For a quick estimate you can multiply your length in inches by your depth in inches. Take that answer and drop the last number. This is appx how many pounds will give you appx 2" of gravel.
Example. 55 gal ( 48" x 12" )
48 x 12 = 576
Drop the 6 gives you 57 lbs.
Example. 55 gal ( 48" x 12" )
48 x 12 = 576
Drop the 6 gives you 57 lbs.
Standard calculation for sand/very fine gravel is 15 lbs per square foot (this provides a 1" depth) , for coarse gravel 10lbs, fine gravel midway between the two.
So, for a 48" long x 12" wide tank = 4 square feet footprint.
for medium gravel = 4 x 12.5lbs = 50lbs
Depth of your substrate shall depend on your fish, whether you are using undergravel filtration or not, whether you are using plants within your aquascaping etc. Usually 1" is not desirable and people would opt for 1.5" or
2" substrate depth.
So multiply your 50lbs by 1.5 or 2, therefore 75-100 lbs required.
Register at practicalfishkeeping.co.uk, they have a huge calculators section within the site that's really useful.
So, for a 48" long x 12" wide tank = 4 square feet footprint.
for medium gravel = 4 x 12.5lbs = 50lbs
Depth of your substrate shall depend on your fish, whether you are using undergravel filtration or not, whether you are using plants within your aquascaping etc. Usually 1" is not desirable and people would opt for 1.5" or
2" substrate depth.
So multiply your 50lbs by 1.5 or 2, therefore 75-100 lbs required.
Register at practicalfishkeeping.co.uk, they have a huge calculators section within the site that's really useful.
I put 70 pounds of sand in my 220 and it is enough for me.but thats only a thin layer 1/2" a bit less.
I've seen that some monster fish keepers do not put any substrate at all in thier tanks. Is that ok. I know that most of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter. Is there a down side to not having any substrate at all.
the down side is probably the look if your into having a bed of gravel or sand, but the upside is no need to gravel vac. waste will usually collect in one spot and is very easy to get out.
my 150G has a little over a 100lbs of gravel - results in a nice thick bed (about 1/2" over the bottom plastic brace).
my 150G has a little over a 100lbs of gravel - results in a nice thick bed (about 1/2" over the bottom plastic brace).