DIY: Aquarium Gravel Ideas

When you set up an aquarium in your home or office, you can choose from many different types of gravel. From the finest sand to the coarsest gravel and stones, you can choose gravel that meets your needs and the needs of your fish. Your goal should be to recreate the fish's natural habitat as closely as possible, and the gravel you choose can help you do just that.

  1. Sand

    • Try sand as a substrate even if you have a freshwater aquarium. Fine sand makes an excellent base for an aquarium, and it can provide a more natural look and feel than other types of gravel. Sand can be particularly attractive when combined with fake coral and other seaside decorations. If you use an undergravel filter, however, sand may not be the best choice. The fine sand can clog the filter's holes and make it less efficient. If you do use sand, buy it at a pet store and use sand designed specifically for aquariums.

    Fine Gravel

    • Fine gravel is a good choice for a planted tank, since many freshwater plants grow best in gravel that's not too large and heavy. Choose fine gravel in natural shades such as beiges or browns, or brighter shades like pink and orange. It all depends on how you want your tank to look. If you want to faithfully recreate the fish's natural habitat, a natural colored gravel is best. If you want a more whimsical look, try a brighter shade.

    Natural Rocks

    • No matter what type of gravel you choose for your tank, you can make it more interesting by gathering a number of rocks from local streams and other bodies of water. Just be sure to sterilize those rocks in boiling water to remove any contaminants. You can also buy pre-sterilized rocks at your local aquarium shop and use them to accent the gravel in your tank.

    Large Gravel

    • Large gravel can be a good choice if you have fish that love to dig and rearrange their habitats. Cichlids in particular tend to be diggers, and large gravel allows them to create the caves and indentations in the tank that they like, without disturbing the rest of the aquarium and your decorations. Large gravel is also better at anchoring plants and decorations, especially in a tank populated by diggers.