What to do if you want to add aquarium gravel to your tank

 When shopping for your aquarium supplies, many people get confused when it comes to aquarium gravel.  It is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials and finding the one that is best for your tank can be challenging.  Aquarium gravel is used most often for aesthetic purposes only as it is not a required element like aquarium lighting or heaters are.

Most common materials used for aquarium gravel include tumbled glass, epoxy coated gravel and natural gravel.  You will see quartz or granite gravel is most freshwater aquariums.  It is important to make sure that your gravel is inert.  If it isn’t, it will likely affect your pH balance.  To test your gravel, simple drip some vinegar on it.  If you see foam or bubbles rising from it, it is not inert and will leach carbonates into the water.

Before introducing any types of aquarium gravel, you need to make sure it is clean.  You can boil natural gravel for best results.  Epoxy coated gravel need to be rinsed or soaked thoroughly but not boiled.  For best results when choose a color, remember that the darker the gravel, the more it will showcase your fish’s color.