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Sand and Gravel

Aquarium sand and gravel: quartz, basalt, dolomite and lava gravel and coloured sand in different grain sizes.

How to choose?
AquaEL Basalt Gravel 2-4mm
AquaEL Basalt Gravel 2-4mm

Grain size 2–4 mm

from€13.99

Unit price: €1.40 / kg

Aqua Nova Natural Gravel 5 kg
Aqua Nova Natural Gravel 5 kg

Grain size 0.8–10 mm

€6.99

Unit price: €1.40 / kg

AquaEL Dolomite Gravel 2-4mm
AquaEL Dolomite Gravel 2-4mm

Grain size 2–4 mm

from€2.99

Unit price: €1.50 / kg

Aqua Nova Resin-Coated Gravel 5 kg
Aqua Nova Resin-Coated Gravel 5 kg

€9.99

Unit price: €2.00 / kg

AquaEL Quartz Gravel 1.6-4mm
AquaEL Quartz Gravel 1.6-4mm

Grain size 1.6–4 mm

from€11.99

Unit price: €1.20 / kg

AquaEL Natural Multicolored Gravel 1.4-2mm
AquaEL Natural Multicolored Gravel 1.4-2mm

Grain size 1.4–2 mm

from€11.99

Unit price: €1.20 / kg

Not availableAquaEL Natural Multicolored Gravel 5-10mm
AquaEL Natural Multicolored Gravel 5-10mm

Grain size 5–10 mm

from€2.99

Unit price: €1.50 / kg

Not availableAquaEL NATURAL MULTICOLORED GRAVEL 3-5 10KG
AquaEL NATURAL MULTICOLORED GRAVEL 3-5 10KG

Grain size 3–5 mm

€12.99

Unit price: €1.30 / kg

Advice and care

How to choose aquarium sand and gravel

Grain size, colour and effect on hardness are the three things to weigh before buying.

  • Fine sand

    Fine sand suits fish that dig in the bottom looking for food.

    AquaEL Basalt Gravel 2-4mm
  • Hardness

    Dolomite raises water hardness; quartz and basalt leave it unchanged.

    AquaEL Dolomite Gravel 2-4mm
  • For plants

    In a planted tank, lay a nutrient base layer under the sand or gravel.

    Eco Plant Black River Aquarium Gravel 2-4 mm, 1 kg

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel do I need?

A litre of gravel weighs about 1.5 kg: multiply the tank's length, width and the layer depth. In a fish-only tank a couple of centimetres is enough.

Is coloured gravel safe for fish?

Gravel made for aquariums, resin-coated too, does not affect the water. Rinse it before use.

Read more

Sand and gravel form the visible bottom of the aquarium, and the bacteria that break down waste live on their grains. Unlike nutrient soil, most of them neither feed plants nor change the water, so they last for years and only need regular cleaning.

Dirt on the surface of fine sand is easy to remove with a siphon, but a layer that is too deep can compact and run short of oxygen. Coarser gravel lets water through, but food scraps sink between the grains. Dolomite gravel suits fish that prefer hard water; in a soft-water tank choose quartz or basalt.

A dark bottom brings out fish colours, while a light one reflects light and brightens the tank. Rinse gravel before use until the water runs clear. For plants, add a nutrient base layer underneath, because sand and gravel alone do not feed them.