| Aquarium gravel and other substrate form the bed at | | | | them being able to manipulate and move the |
| the bottom of freshwater aquariums. In addition, it | | | | substrate. |
| supports decorations and furnishings that act as | | | | Ideally, the aquarium gravel bed should be at least |
| habitat that you will be putting inside the aquarium. It | | | | five centimeters in height for plant placement and for |
| also supports aquatic plant life providing an anchor for | | | | maintaining the beauty of the aquarium. The bed can |
| their roots. The aesthetic quality is not the only | | | | be heavy for an aquarium to support, therefore, an |
| consideration though when choosing aquarium | | | | appropriate amount would be 3 kilograms for every |
| substrate for the bottom of your tank. There are | | | | 10 liters of water. Adding the weight of the bed to |
| certain things that should be kept in mind to make | | | | the weight of the water can make the total weight |
| the appropriate choice of aquarium gravel or other | | | | rise significantly. Natural beds work best for |
| substrate. | | | | freshwater aquariums. There are different aquarium |
| It is important to understand that the substrate bed | | | | substrate types that you can use for this purpose |
| plays a major role in the nitrogen cycle inside your | | | | each with certain characteristics that affect the |
| aquarium as well as other chemical cycles. The | | | | whole aquarium. Gravel and coarse sand (e.g quartz |
| nitrogen cycle is very important for the survival of | | | | sand) are the best because they allow for better |
| your fish. Bacteria that that grow in the aquarium | | | | water circulation and filtration. Loire sand is finer than |
| gravel or sand eradicate unwanted ammonia and | | | | coarse sand that contains nutrients that may be |
| nitrates from the aquarium. An understanding of the | | | | utilized by aquatic plants and are usually taken from |
| requirements for a good aquarium gravel bed must | | | | rivers. Original Loire sand was gathered from the |
| therefore be understood, at least at the basic level, | | | | Loire River of France. Finally, fine sand is appealing, |
| for both the aesthetic and biological functions. | | | | but it does not do well in circulating water. Lastly, it is |
| A good aquarium gravel bed must be natural and | | | | best and easiest to purchase aquarium gravel sold |
| beautiful, with its granules being 3 to 4 mm in size, | | | | specifically for aquariums rather than trying to collect |
| other sizes are also adequate. Sometimes it is good | | | | and clean it yourself. It is best to consult with a |
| to keep in mind the type of fish you plan to raise. | | | | knowledgeable aquarium hobbyist before deciding on |
| Some fish like to build nests or burrow which requires | | | | a freshwater aquarium substrate. |