Can I use both sand and gravel in my aquarium?

You can use both sand and gravel in your aquarium, but many experts recommend against mixing them together. If you choose to use both, try putting them in different areas of the tank. Sand can sometimes cause problems in aquariums, particularly those with live plants. It can become compacted and strangle plant roots, and packed sand can make it hard for burrowing fish to hide. Sand may also not work well with under gravel filters, and too-fine sand may clog regular filters, as well.

How do you clean aquarium rocks and gravel?

You can clean aquarium rocks and gravel in two different ways, either with or without a gravel vacuum. If you have a gravel vacuum, the process is fairly easy, and your vacuum should include good instructions for proper use. If you do not have a gravel vacuum, remove your fish with half their water and store them in a clean, fish-safe bucket or extra tank. Then, dump the gravel into a bucket and use a showerhead or hose to rinse it thoroughly, draining repeatedly until the water runs clean. You can also use this method to clean large aquarium rocks, and new aquarium gravel should be cleaned this way before use, too. You can now reassemble and refill your tank with your fish, their old water and new dechlorinated water to maintain a healthy bioactive balance.

How deep should the gravel and sand be in a fish tank?

The gravel and sand in a fish tank should be just deep enough for aesthetics and proper function. A gravel depth of 2 to 3 inches is ideal for most aquariums, as this depth is enough to anchor plants and/or cover an under gravel filter. For sand, a depth of 1 inch is recommended for most tanks. Larger aquariums may need a slightly deeper substrate, with 3 to 4 inches of gravel or a 2-inch depth of sand recommended.

How often should I change aquarium sand?

You should not change aquarium sand too often, as it can last for a long time with proper maintenance. Changing substrate too often can also throw off the delicate balance of your aquarium and unnecessarily stress your fish. Many aquarists recommend changing the sand once a year or even less. However, very old sand may eventually start to alter the nutrient levels in your tank, so it's a good idea to replace your sand at least every 4 to 5 years.

Aquarium & Fish Tank Substrate - Page 3 (Free Shipping)

Slide 1 of 2

Exotic Pebbles Wood Bean Pebbles, 20-lb bag slide 2 of 2

Slide 1 of 2

Exotic Pebbles Wood Bean Pebbles, 20-lb bag

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

7

$22.99 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Freshwater Sand, White, 10-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

2

$15.99 Chewy Price

($1.60/lb) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Slide 1 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 2 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 3 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 4 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 5 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 6 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb slide 7 of 7

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

11

$7.85 Chewy Price

$9.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Betta World Diamond Black Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

Rated 2.3 out of 5 stars

3

$4.49 Chewy Price

$7.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Nile Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

3

$15.73 Chewy Price

($2.05/lb) Price per Unit

$22.48 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Ocean Direct Original Caribbean Marine Live Sand, 40-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

38

$33.79 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Super Naturals Sunset Gold Aquarium Substrate, 40-lb bag

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

43

$72.72 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural African Cichild Aragonite Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

2

$14.39 Chewy Price

$20.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Aquarium Alpine Rock, 15-lb bag

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

8

$32.19 Chewy Price

$39.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Ocean Direct Live Oolite Aquarium Sand, 40-lb bag

Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars

19

$35.99 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders
Free 365-day returns

Spectrastone Nutmeg Premium Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

3

$7.99 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Prairie Sand Aquarium Gravel, 10-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

5

$20.02 Chewy Price

($2.01/lb) Price per Unit

$20.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River Freshwater Sand, Brown, 10-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$15.99 Chewy Price

($1.60/lb) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Arag-Alive! Fiji Pink Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag, 10-lb bag

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

12

$16.82 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Betta World Grey Mini Lava Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

2

$5.59 Chewy Price

$7.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Gunsmoke Grey Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

$15.73 Chewy Price

($2.05/lb) Price per Unit

$22.48 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Betta Aquarium Jewels, Emerald, 17-oz bag

Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars

33

$7.99 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea African Cichlid Mix Original Aquarium Gravel, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars

7

$15.71 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Dennerle Scraper's Soil Active Aquarium Substrate, 4-L bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$35.00 Chewy Price

($8.75/l) Price per Unit

Free delivery on first-time orders
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Sugar White Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Rated 3.6 out of 5 stars

9

$10.99 Chewy Price

($2.20/lb) Price per Unit

$12.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Colorado Silver Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$14.61 Chewy Price

($1.90/lb) Price per Unit

$22.48 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea LifeRock Frag Garden 5 Hole Saltwater Aquarium Rock, Natural

$27.84 Chewy Price

$30.62 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Flamingo Aquarium Gravel, 10-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

3

$17.22 Chewy Price

($1.73/lb) Price per Unit

$20.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Super Naturals Torpedo Beach Freshwater Sand, Beige, 10-lb bag

$14.99 Chewy Price

($1.50/lb) Price per Unit

$15.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Arag-Alive! Hawaiian Black Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

Rated 2.9 out of 5 stars

8

$15.88 Chewy Price

$29.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Betta World Violet Sparkle Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

2

$6.99 Chewy Price

$7.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

OASE Indoor Aquatics ScaperLine 3 Fish Soil, Brown

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

2

$32.99 Chewy Price

($32.99/ea) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Ecoscape Reef Mix D Aquarium Rock, 8 count

$329.99 Chewy Price

$379.49 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Aquarium Sand, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10

$26.30 Chewy Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Galaxy Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

14

$10.99 Chewy Price

($2.20/lb) Price per Unit

$12.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

AquaZen Nutrient Base Freshwater Aquarium Substrate, 2.2-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$20.00 Chewy Price

($9.10/lb) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Garnet Purple Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

5

$15.73 Chewy Price

($2.05/lb) Price per Unit

$22.48 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea LifeRock Frag Garden 3 Hole Saltwater Aquarium Rock, Natural

$19.24 Chewy Price

$21.16 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqua Natural Prairie Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

3

$10.36 Chewy Price

($2.08/lb) Price per Unit

$12.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea Super Naturals Carolina Creek Freshwater Sand, Brown, 10-lb bag

$15.99 Chewy Price

($1.60/lb) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Saltwater Aquarium Sand, Natural White #0, 10-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

7

$15.56 Chewy Price

$16.99 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aquarium & Fish Tank Substrate

Exotic Pebbles Wood Bean Pebbles, 20-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Freshwater Sand, White, 10-lb bag

GloFish Aquarium Fish Gravel, Black & White, 5-lb

Aqua Natural Betta World Diamond Black Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Nile Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

CaribSea Ocean Direct Original Caribbean Marine Live Sand, 40-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Sunset Gold Aquarium Substrate, 40-lb bag

Aqua Natural African Cichild Aragonite Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

Aqua Natural Aquarium Alpine Rock, 15-lb bag

CaribSea Ocean Direct Live Oolite Aquarium Sand, 40-lb bag

Spectrastone Nutmeg Premium Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Aqua Natural Prairie Sand Aquarium Gravel, 10-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River Freshwater Sand, Brown, 10-lb bag

CaribSea Arag-Alive! Fiji Pink Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag, 10-lb bag

Aqua Natural Betta World Grey Mini Lava Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Gunsmoke Grey Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

Aqua Natural Betta Aquarium Jewels, Emerald, 17-oz bag

CaribSea African Cichlid Mix Original Aquarium Gravel, 20-lb bag

Dennerle Scraper's Soil Active Aquarium Substrate, 4-L bag

Aqua Natural Sugar White Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Colorado Silver Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

CaribSea LifeRock Frag Garden 5 Hole Saltwater Aquarium Rock, Natural

Aqua Natural Flamingo Aquarium Gravel, 10-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Torpedo Beach Freshwater Sand, Beige, 10-lb bag

CaribSea Arag-Alive! Hawaiian Black Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

Aqua Natural Betta World Violet Sparkle Aquarium Gravel, 1-lb bag

OASE Indoor Aquatics ScaperLine 3 Fish Soil, Brown

Ecoscape Reef Mix D Aquarium Rock, 8 count

CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Aquarium Sand, 30-lb bag

Aqua Natural Galaxy Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

AquaZen Nutrient Base Freshwater Aquarium Substrate, 2.2-lb bag

Aqua Natural Iwagumi Garnet Purple Aquarium Gravel, 7.7-lb bag

CaribSea LifeRock Frag Garden 3 Hole Saltwater Aquarium Rock, Natural

Aqua Natural Prairie Bio-Substrate Aquarium Gravel, 5-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Carolina Creek Freshwater Sand, Brown, 10-lb bag

Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Saltwater Aquarium Sand, Natural White #0, 10-lb bag

Category

Aquarium & Fish Tank Gravel

Aquarium & Fish Tank Sand

Aquarium Type

Fish Type

Brand

Product Type

Deals & Savings

Price

Customer Rating