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This is where gravel comes in handy- aquarium tank gravel acts as a house for beneficial bacteria that scorches through harmful debris. The tank is going to eventually be filled with leftover food particles, waste from the fish, and possibly other elements of debris from plants inside of the tank.Ī build-up of these materials has a negative effect on the way the tank looks as well as on the fish themselves. They can’t leave the tank to go to the restroom or eat their food- it all happens in the same location. Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider adding gravel to your aquarium: It works as a natural filtration for the tank.Ī fish, or multiple fish, live in the same tank day in and day out. And while gravel- no matter the size or color- is visually appealing in an aquarium, it serves several beneficial purposes. Why You Need Gravel in an AquariumĪ lot of people think that gravel in an aquarium is just for aesthetics.
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We will also be sharing some useful information to have in your arsenal, such as why you need gravel and why you need to clean it regularly, too. Knowing that there are options when it comes to cleaning your fish tank gravel instantly takes loads of stress off your shoulders, right? We are going to discuss the two best ways to clean a fish tank without removing water. These vacuums provide a thorough cleaning in a matter of minutes and you don’t need to stress about emptying anything. You also have the option of making one yourself with just a few materials. How do you clean fish tank gravel without removing water? The best way to clean fish tank gravel without removing water is to invest in a vacuum kit. Is there a way to do this without dumping all the water? We all know that this isn’t great for our fish’s environment, but cleaning the gravel can be such a pain. And every aquarium needs the right lighting, filtration system, and tools to test and maintain the water quality in your tank.If you look into an aquarium that hasn’t been recently cleaned, it’s destined to look grimy with dirt, debris, food particles, and waste built up- especially in the bottom where the gravel is located. You’ll want to choose your fish carefully, as some have more compatible tank mates than others. For beginners, an aquarium kit is a great idea. When setting up your tank, you should always rinse substrate before adding it to your aquarium.
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Make sure you check the substrate requirements for the fish you wish to keep. Sand, gravel, river rocks-even gravel in fluorescent colors for a more eye-catching tank. When regularly cleaning your aquarium, you will want to fully clean the visible waste from gravel substrate, or if it’s a hard-to-clean material like sand, you’ll want to replace it fully instead.Īt Petco we offer substrate fit for all freshwater and saltwater aquarium fish. But debris and algae can grow on substrate too. And some creatures in your aquarium might like to hide or dig in the substrate itself. Bacteria that’s beneficial to the ecosystem of your aquarium readily grows on the surface of substrate material. Substrate can help keep live plants, plastic plants, and other tank decor in place. This layer is typically 1-2” deep depending on the size of your tank, and has many purposes. Aquarium substrate is required as a base level of an aquarium.