Gravel Calculator

TCZeli · 04-01-2008, 8:55 AM

To figure out the correct amount of gravel to use. Seen these posted a couple times. Anyone have a link?

Bud8Fan · 04-01-2008, 12:10 PM

I think I remember that you take the width and length in inches, multiply them together then divide by 10. This will give you an approximate pounds for 2" of gravel.

Example. 55 Gallon 12" x 48" = 576 / 10 = 57 pounds.

stingray94 · 04-01-2008, 3:37 PM

Usually it works out to be about 1 pound of gravel for every 1 gallon.

akubot24 · 04-01-2008, 3:42 PM

I would agree with stingray. From what I know, it is best to go with 1 pound per gallon. You don't want to overflow your tank with gravel. Too little might not look good either so. It's up to you.

Bud8Fan · 04-01-2008, 4:06 PM

1 lb per gallon does not always work as tanks of the same gallons have different footprints.

A 75 long has the same footprint as a 100 long for example.
A 135 and a 180 tall both have the same footprint.
There are many.

johnptc · 04-01-2008, 6:59 PM

a cubic yard of gravel weighs about 3500 pounds.....go from there ....figure you cubic inches of gravel wanted and what fraction that is of 36x36x36 times 3500 pounds = pounds you need

Bud8Fan · 04-02-2008, 7:59 AM

The 3/4" gravel we use in our plant runs around 3000 lbs per cubic yard.

Every type of gravel is going to be different based on size of stone and specific gravity of the material.

TCZeli · 04-02-2008, 10:10 AM

I always went by the lbs. of gravel per gallon of water, for standard size tanks. I don't want that much, im looking for more around 1" to 1.5" of gravel. Not that big of a deal, I'll just by what I will know is enough and have some left over.

Bud8Fan · 04-02-2008, 10:32 AM

The width by length divide by 10 formula will give you 2" pretty darned close. If you want 1" then take that number and divide again by 2. If you want 1.5" then divide by 1.34.

I used it for my 300. 96" x 30" = 2880/10 = 288 lbs. I bought 300 lbs of gravel and have just a hair over 2" in my tank.

T1KARMANN · 04-02-2008, 10:32 AM

all depends how deep you want the gravel

i never have mine deeper than 1/2-1inch but if its a planted tank you would need much more

just buy what you think is enought you can always add more at a later date im always topping up my gravel it saves you washing it all in one go

they say washed gravel but that means nothing you stilll need to wash it

its easy to add gravel as you can spread it better to a filled tank IMO