General Fish Tips

Gravel
Gravel and other material that is used to cover the floor of an aquarium tank is called substrate. In addition to enhancing the appearance of a tank, substrates serve many other useful functions. They can act as a bed for biological filtration systems, anchor aquatic plants and provide a burrowing place for some bottom-dwelling fish species. Here are some guidelines for using substrates:

     - Do not use alkaline substances such as shell grit or coral sand as a substrate in tanks with a        neutral pH
     - Do not use coral sand, coral shells or colite in freshwater tanks.
     - Do not use gravel in marine tanks.
     - Do not press down too hard on gravel or other substrate material when removing debris, since        this can harm plant roots

To clean gravel, rinse it in tap water until the water runs clear. Gravel that is not fully rinsed can cloud tank water once the aquarium is set up. Never use soap or a household cleaning product to clean a tank or gravel.

Note on Adding Gravel To Your Aquarium:

As a general rule, gravel should slope from the back to the front of an aquarium, with its low point being in the front center. Rocks can be used to hold sloping gravel in place, and keep it from leveling out.