Quantity of gravel

[fishshy]

Going to buy gravel for setting up a 4x2x2 tank, not too sure how many kg to buy if want to have abt 4" thickness. Any advice? Thks.

[taz]

Try this :

http://www.brainyday.com/jared/aquarium/flourite.htm

[fleekk]

At least 3 pack of 25Kg of gravel(2-3mm size), that will give you abt 3inches height.

Not to foeget you need fertiliser as well....(abt 1 inches)...... having more at the background & less in the foreground.

[vinz]

The last time I did the calculations, I was short on gravel. I find the best way is to go to the store, look at the packets of gravel and visualise how many packets you'll need. Its not that hard, just bring your measuring tape or borrow from the LFS.

E.g. if a packet of gravel is roughly 12" x 18" x 3", you'll need about 4 packets to get 3' of gravel in a 48" x 18"tank. You can't be too far off with that method. A calculator will help.

Don't forgt to average out your substrate thickness. If you want 1" of gravel in front and 3" of gravel behind, the average thickness will 2".

[mordrake]

hi vinz...
may i know how many bags of base fert and gravel you used for you 6ft?
thanks

[vinz]

Wah... forgot liao. I think it was 2 packets of Aquatic Compost (I think 25 litres each). Gravel I can't remember, but I recently set up a 3'x2'x2' tank for someone else and we used 2 packets of Monterey Bay Lapis Sand to get 1++ inch of gravel.

Anyway, this reminds me, sometimes base fert and gravel packaging have the volume of the contents listed. If so, use that, it'll be more accurate then guesstimating from weight.

[mordrake]

thanks vinz..

looks like i will need around 4 packs of jbl base fert and around 5-6 packs of lapis for a 6x2x2 tank. (kiasu right?! :P )

anyway, that project is still in planning stage.
cheers