How much gravel is good

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
P

professorjimjam

Dovii
MFK Member
May 26, 2021
946
715
105
I have 3cm fine gravel in my tank, but when I use the siphons it easy get to the bottom. A friend of mine said that if the level of gravel is high meaning there are more gravel in the tank, then the frequency of water change can be reduced and more gravel will be beneficial and will increase the number of bacteria and it is good for the fishes. I don’t know if this is true , so I wanted to check with you. How much gravel is ideal?
Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Your friend may be confusing this with a deep sand bed. A deep sand bed can break down waste without it affecting the water quality, but gravel is too large for this.

Deep sand beds aren't always a good idea either because if a fish or the aquarist disturbs the deep sand, it can let out a large pocket of toxic gases into the water and kill the fish. This is especially true during moves where it can be hard to remove all fish without removing rocks, wood, etc that would disturb the deep sand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pesche and tlindsey
Your friend is right in saying that the more gravel you have then the more surface area for bacteria. But then lets themselves down by stating you can go easy on the water changes. That is incorrect. The bacteria they alluded to in their first statement don't eliminate the end product of the nitrogen cycle, ie, nitrate. Only water changes can do this.

If your parameters are good, and you are happy syphoning your gravel at 3cm depth, then that is good. Just keep those water changes going and you'll be fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: professorjimjam, jjohnwm and tlindsey
esoxlucius said:
Your friend is right in saying that the more gravel you have then the more surface area for bacteria. But then lets themselves down by stating you can go easy on the water changes. That is incorrect. The bacteria they alluded to in their first statement don't eliminate the end product of the nitrogen cycle, ie, nitrate. Only water changes can do this.

If your parameters are good, and you are happy syphoning your gravel at 3cm depth, then that is good. Just keep those water changes going and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much dear
 
Flaring Afro said:
Your friend may be confusing this with a deep sand bed. A deep sand bed can break down waste without it affecting the water quality, but gravel is too large for this.

Deep sand beds aren't always a good idea either because if a fish or the aquarist disturbs the deep sand, it can let out a large pocket of toxic gases into the water and kill the fish. This is especially true during moves where it can be hard to remove all fish without removing rocks, wood, etc that would disturb the deep sand.
Click to expand...
Many thanks dear
 
Flaring Afro said:
Your friend may be confusing this with a deep sand bed. A deep sand bed can break down waste without it affecting the water quality, but gravel is too large for this.

Deep sand beds aren't always a good idea either because if a fish or the aquarist disturbs the deep sand, it can let out a large pocket of toxic gases into the water and kill the fish. This is especially true during moves where it can be hard to remove all fish without removing rocks, wood, etc that would disturb the deep sand.
Click to expand...
Your the first person to point out this reality for some time. Everyone wants put 3" of sand in their tanks and just go silent when you mention gas pockets. I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong when I was using sand and found those pockets to be a real problem. I found your statement refreshingly accurate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom