WTM Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a minimum depth of gravel that should be used in a fish tank (note I'm not using any UGF but a power filter instead). I've had some problems with Corys recently and I'm wondering if my gravel is too thin?? My turtle tank is bare bottom (due to fear of impaction), but am using gravel in both the frog and fish tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polgara Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Hmmmm from what I know it should be no less than an inch.... but i guess it all depends on what type of fish you are keeping. Other people might have different views Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Gravel is used for three choices any or all can be used for the whole three. One is decoration, it just takes away that sterile look and the fish seem a lot quieter with at least a thin layer of gravel, also used at various depths for landscaping. Deep enough for plants to root securely, for instance, Indian Fern will float if the roots don't have a deep enough bed. Another is to act as a filtration bed, it was the fad to have 75mm at the back to 50mm at the front, deitrius would move to the front for easy removal. For spawning fish over, the egg scatterers drop their eggs between the gravel, cuts down on pollution. Before Caryl says it, to catch uneaten food and to feed the planarians and to feed the Malaysian cone snails. Don't have it too deep without the filtration or plants as you will have no water movement and will will create an anaerobic condition and really pollute the tank. No doubt there are more reasons. But that's enufh phor now Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debs01 Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Cool thanks for that as I have often wondered myself, I guess mine is a bit to thin?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 My African tank only has a bare minimum layer of sand to cover the fact that the base was painted bright blue :roll: Alan has covered it very well. If you have an ugf then a minimum of 4cm is suggested otherwise the choice is yours depending on your fish and plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTM Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Thanks guys... We have live plants in the tank, so where they are it's at least 3-4cm deep, but at the front it's less than 1cm deep. So should I add more, or is okay as is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 If the plants look good, are growing well, and you are happy with how the gravel looks, then leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTM Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 If the plants look good, are growing well, and you are happy with how the gravel looks, then leave it. Oh the plants are growing well, in fact in one case so well I'm having to prune almost weekly.. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 In that case, you obviously have enough gravel 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTM Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Indeed :lol: Actually it was at the front that I was worrying was too thin... but from the replies I've read it sounds okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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