Elaine T wrote:
Guido wrote:

George Pontis wrote:

There is no one right answer to how much. If you are not going to
grow plants then you have many options for gravel and I think 25lb
will give you adequate coverage, maybe more like 1". The bags
sometimes have coverage information.

If you intend to grow plants then you need to do some research on
exactly what you want to use for substrate, but it probably won't be
the large, epoxy coated pebbles. Possibly sand, flourite, or other
non-conventional materials. You would also be aiming for that 2"
depth or a bit more.


I was planning on sticking with artificial plants this time around,
since I'm re-learning how to take care of an aquarium since it was so
long ago. So, that's good news, thanks for the info!


As a person incapable of even jarring a betta without some java moss, I
have to ask you to reconsider running a plantless tank. Plants
dramatically increase the water quality and there are plenty that will
grow under lower lighting conditions. I'd suggest setting up your tank
with 2" of fine natural gravel. It's not much harder to vacuum and that
way if you want to put a plant here and there, you can add a fertilizer
tablet at the roots and you will have enough gravel for the plant to grow.


Hmm... now I've got to consider this. When you're using plants, do you
usually put a layer of substrate below some pebbly gravel? Do you
happen to have any good websites for plant information? I'm thinking of
getting started with some tetras, so I'd have to aim for a plant that
likes that same kind of pH, right?