CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River Aquarium Substrate, 5-lb bag

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$5.80 (-52%) Chewy Price
$12.04 List Price
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About This Item

Details

  • Natural-looking crystal river gravel helps your finned friend feel right at home.
  • Pre-washed, pH neutral and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria colonies.
  • Creating a natural environment for your fish helps reduce aggravation caused by reflections in the bottom of your tank.
  • Great for use in marine and brackish aquariums (sold separately) with proper buffering.
  • Each grain measures approximately 0.25–1.0 millimeters in size.

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Questions & Answers

11 Customer Questions

Is this safe for beta fish?

Answer by Lali • Jan 01, 2024
Yes, I have a Betta fish and I use this substrate. Been over 2 years and Betta fish still looking happy.

Is this sand soft ???

Answer by Chewy • May 16, 2022
This substrate is soft-belly safe and features smooth grains.

would this be a good substrate to grow aquarium plants in?

Answer by Chewy • Apr 15, 2022
This substrate would be fine for plants. It would provide a good substrate to root in. This does not provide any nutrients though. If you were to use it as a Planted substrate, you would have to add fertilizers for plant growth.

Is this safe for guppies?

Answer by Chewy • Mar 10, 2022
This substrate is safe for guppies since they are tropical fish.
Reviews
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4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
41 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

21 Customer Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Sara on Jul 19, 2025

Great substrate

I had been using the CaribSea Super Naturals tan sand prior and while it looked nice at first, it was hard to keep clean and was pretty stained in areas after just

I had been using the CaribSea Super Naturals tan sand prior and while it looked nice at first, it was hard to keep clean and was pretty stained in areas after just a few months while also smelling bad. I decided to try this type of substrate instead since it wasn't as finely packed. I put it straight into my 5 gallon betta tank without rinsing first and it didn't cloud the water at all. It still looks just as nice as the finer sand but doesn't seem to get dirty as easily and is easy to clean when siphoning the tank. I ended up buying a second bag to have as extra when needed.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By James on Aug 11, 2025

Busted

47 lb bag of food on top of fragile items and box was broken and tapped. Cherry was always good. This order I lost 75.00 of items. Even the food bag was broken

47 lb bag of food on top of fragile items and box was broken and tapped. Cherry was always good. This order I lost 75.00 of items. Even the food bag was broken and spilling out

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Jessica on Apr 20, 2025

I love it

First time using Sand and I love it look so beautiful in my tank. I just rinse out a few times and start to put into my tank. Even was little cloudy in the beginning

First time using Sand and I love it look so beautiful in my tank. I just rinse out a few times and start to put into my tank. Even was little cloudy in the beginning next day was clear..I just love it I can't wait to buy another bag.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Bryan on Dec 28, 2025

Color

Color is very nice

Color is very nice

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Ramon on Dec 29, 2024

Not a Happy Camper

GOT 1 BAG OF THE FOUR THAT I ORDERED, BOX IS ALL TORE UP, BAG OF SAND WAS OPEN AND LEAKING, WAITING ONBTHE OTHER THREE BAGS.

GOT 1 BAG OF THE FOUR THAT I ORDERED, BOX IS ALL TORE UP, BAG OF SAND WAS OPEN AND LEAKING, WAITING ONBTHE OTHER THREE BAGS.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Jim on Sep 26, 2024

The best

Best sand substrate out there. My go to, corys love it and it’s safe for all bottom dwellers. Easy to rinse when new, easy to vacuum when cleaning. Looks great with

Best sand substrate out there. My go to, corys love it and it’s safe for all bottom dwellers. Easy to rinse when new, easy to vacuum when cleaning. Looks great with any design.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Charles on Oct 31, 2024

Very clean sand like gravel.

Did not get a separate bio magnet, maybe it is on the stone, Very clean sand like gravel.

Did not get a separate bio magnet, maybe it is on the stone, Very clean sand like gravel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Jozette on Apr 20, 2025

Great

Beautiful color

Beautiful color

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Olga on Apr 21, 2024
Top 500 Contributor

Very good sand.

This is not the first time I purchased this sand, and it remains my favorite. It is virtually clean, just requires a few rinses. Best of all, it retains its natural

This is not the first time I purchased this sand, and it remains my favorite. It is virtually clean, just requires a few rinses. Best of all, it retains its natural color for years and it is easy to clean. The fish waste doesn’t get inside and most of it gets filtered out. My plants grow well, and my bottom feeders are happily picking up their food.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By samantha on Mar 3, 2024

Nice Substrage

I really like this substrate. It’s unlike other sands I have seen and gives the tank a nice atmosphere. I made the mistake of ordering the 5lb bag, but the 40lb

I really like this substrate. It’s unlike other sands I have seen and gives the tank a nice atmosphere. I made the mistake of ordering the 5lb bag, but the 40lb bag would be too much. I wish they offered a 10 or 15-lb bag, but all in all, it is a super beautiful substrate!