What is aquarium gravel made of

You may need to adjust the intake on your hanging or canister filter to prevent them from getting clogged with sand.

It may also take a few days and a few rounds of water changes before your tank is clear after you add sand to it. Gravel is the most common type of aquarium substrate and is an ideal product for most freshwater aquariums. Gravel is typically made from rocks such as quartz or sandstone that have been crushed, smoothed and rounded into shape.

Gravel can be nearly as fine as sand or appear as a collection of pebbles on the bottom of your tank. Artificial aquarium gravel may be coated in a brightly-colored dye or paint and sealed to prevent the color from chipping away. Other types of gravel are porous and allow bacteria and microorganisms to flourish in your substrate.

The presence of this bacteria helps boost the nitrogen cycle and converts toxic waste products into a safer form. While you can buy gravel in bulk from construction supply companies, these types are not usually safe to use in aquariums. They may be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals and can poison your tank. Stick to products made especially for aquariums for the best results. A few of the burrowing species prefer sand, but most do fine on gravel if they have rocks and things to hide under.

Gravel is also the ideal choice for growing aquatic plants since it allows roots to take in nutrients from the water flowing through the substrate.

Graveled aquariums encourage colonies of bacteria and other ammonia-eating microorganisms to flourish throughout your substrate. This is desirable since they break down waste products and help maintain a healthy ecosystem in your tank.

A final reason gravel substrates tend to be more popular in aquariums than sand is because they hide the debris better. A useful tool when placing substrate is utilizing a common wall paintbrush to give the substrate a smooth look. If you use layers, generally the largest gravel goes on top and the substrate should be at least 2 inches or about 5 cm thick for healthy plant roots and sufficient growth.

Also, the same rule of thumb should be used as when planting water weeds, which is placing the substrate lower in the front and higher in the back of the fish tank for optimal visual view. Larger objects, like rocks or driftwood, usually are set in the back to prevent blocking of the view. When it is time to add the water, use a plate, deep dish, or other item to prevent stirring your substrate, so it can keep the shape you gave it. If you want to be sure your water plants will have enough nutrients from the aquarium substrate, research new commercial products out on the market.

There are companies that produce, pack, and sell good quality aquarium substrates in various-sized bags. The good quality brands contain nutrients, minerals, and organic compounds the water plants require. Sand is probably the next most-used type of substrate. Fish that enjoy burrowing are particularly fond of sand substrate.

Another common substrate is crushed coral, which has the effect of raising the pH and increasing the buffering capacity of the water. African cichlids, for example, need gravel that is high in calcium known as argonate to help regulate the pH of their tank.

Large river rock is sometimes used by itself or with gravel beneath it. The rock is attractive and makes for a natural setting. Marbles, on the other hand, are far from natural. However, they are often used when breeding egg-scattering species of fish. The eggs will fall between the marbles and out of reach of the adult fish, who would otherwise enjoy eating the tasty freshly laid eggs. Marbles are also used in Betta fish bowls, allowing for ease of maintenance. If live plants are kept in the aquarium, it is common to use laterite or vermiculite as substrate.

These materials can store and release important nutrients for the live plants. They are usually used as a lower layer of the substrate and covered with a layer of gravel. The substrate is generally filled to a depth of approximately 2 inches. More than that can cause anaerobic zones in the gravel that are problematic. This is also true of gravel substrate that is filled too deeply. Color is a topic that often gives rise to heated discussions.

Some feel strongly that substrate color should mimic natural habitats, while others choose a substrate color based on personal preference, including bright pink, neon blue, fire engine red, and a host of other colors. However, because of the size of gravel, there exists spaces between the stones where debris can fall into. Fish waste and uneaten food tend to get trapped in gravel, so it is important to vacuum this type of substrate during routine water changes.

Sand is a much finer and softer version of gravel. It is made up of tiny particles of rocks, shells, and other earthly materials. Since the granules are so tiny, sand makes the ideal substrate for bottom-feeding fish or fish with soft bellies. The extra fine particles feel much softer compared to other substrates. Common colors include white, black, and light brown. Natural sand from Buce Plant. Since sand is very fine, it compacts together so tightly that the debris from the aquarium stays on top of the sand.

However, sand is light enough to get sucked up into the siphon along with the detritus, so use extra caution when siphoning to avoid removing too much sand from the tank. You may have to add in more sand after every water change to fill in some bald spots.

Furthermore, sand can occasionally get kicked up into the water and proceed to get sucked into filters and pumps, potentially damaging the equipment. Make sure to fill the tank carefully during water changes. Too strong of an impact from water being poured into the aquarium can make a mess of the tank and leave sand flying everywhere in the water.

The density of sand can create a problem for those that want to keep live plants. Sand is usually so compact that plant roots have difficulty growing and spreading out. Like gravel, sand also does not provide nutrients for the plants. Even with the addition of root tabs , it is not the best option for a planted aquarium. Its compactness is also said to lead to anaerobic areas being formed underwater because there is little to no flow going through the particles, and therefore no oxygen exchange.

These areas can be a home for bacteria that reverse the nitrogen cycle, converting nitrates back into ammonia. Fish-keepers want to avoid this because ammonia is toxic to fish. It is the best substrate for aquarium plants and a must-have for a high-tech planted tank. Plants that feed predominantly through their roots will thrive when they are planted in aquarium soil.

Unlike other substrates, soil does not have much variation and usually comes in only a few sizes and colors. The sizes of the granules are generally large enough for water to be able to flow through, so it adds a lot more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow on. Aquarium soil is an active substrate.