How to Buy Aquarium Gravel

Aquarium gravel is important for many reasons. It not only highlights your fish in your own unique style, but the gravel also harbors bacteria that are beneficial to your aquarium. The type of gravel you choose depends largely on the type of fish and the type of aquarium you have.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick common aquarium gravel for fish-only aquariums. Use fine gravel if you have bottom feeders in the tank. Sand is also appropriate to use in these tanks.

2. Provide an environment for marine and reef wildlife in your aquarium with aragonite and crushed coral. In this kind of aquarium, it's important to have gravel with calcium and magnesium to help balance the pH level.

3. Grow plants in your aquarium with two layers of gravel. The bottom layer should consist of vermiculite and laterite. These types of gravel actually store water and nutrients for your plants. A top layer of regular gravel or sand will prevent your plants' nutrients from washing out.

4. Consider your personal style. Within the accepted guidelines of appropriate gravel, there are numerous options to pick and choose colors to match your style. Pick something that you can stick with because it takes a lot of effort to change your gravel once you have an established aquarium.

Tips & Warnings

• Some popular types of gravel may be aesthetically pleasing, but their impurities make them inappropriate for use in your aquarium. Sea sand, painted gravel and glass pebbles can all have a detrimental impact on your aquarium.
• Deep layers of gravel can pose a significant danger to your fish. Food particles can sink into a less oxygenated area. Over time, this can produce a rotten egg smell that can kill your fish.