How to Rinse Colored Gravel

Colored gravel, like natural colored gravel, must be thoroughly rinsed prior to its addition into the aquarium. Rinsing removes contaminants added during manufacturing and packaging of the gravel, allowing you to sift out dust, wood and even small traces of Styrofoam. These contaminants must be removed from the gravel to help prevent health problems with the fish as well as clouding of the fish tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean, five-gallon bucket
  • Water
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the five-gallon bucket to halfway with clean tap water, and then open the packaging for the colored gravel.

    • 2

      Dump the gravel into the bucket. You will begin to see clouds of dust or debris floating at the top of the water.

    • 3

      Put your hand in the water and churn up the gravel at the bottom of the bucket to loosen additional debris.

    • 4

      Pour off the contaminated water, being careful to avoid allowing the colored gravel to escape the bucket, and then refill the bucket again to halfway with clean tap water. Put your hands in the water again and churn up the gravel in the bottom of the bucket to remove any remaining contaminants, and then pour off the water. If you feel it's necessary, rinse the colored gravel a third time prior to its addition to the aquarium.