Substrate For A Corner Tank

[MissT]

Hi

My aquarium is 150litres and I was wondering how much gravel I would need? As it's a corner tank, I can't use the guides I am finding online for multiplying LxW so I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with one?
I would like to work up to eventually growing live plants so I know I will need it to be deep enough for this and I think I would like gravel with perhaps some bigger, smoother rocks too. I am a complete beginner so I need it to be as easy as possible to begin with and I presume that sand could be awkward?
Can I use rocks? Do they need to be specifically aquarium safe?

Thanks

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Go sand you will regreat gravel after a while. pop to argos 2 bags of playsand wash very very well job done

 

[TropicalLad21]

+1 with sand... i have gravel atm & wish i started with sand... from peoples experience sand is alot easier & looks much better (you just gotta look at some members tanks to see how great sand looks) you won't regret it.

 

[junosama]

If i ever get a bigger tank I want to switch to mostly sand, i think alot of fish prefer it, especially bottom dwellers. Play sand is ok for fish tanks? How many days should you wait for sand to settle before putting fish in?

 

[Louiseness]

If i ever get a bigger tank I want to switch to mostly sand, i think alot of fish prefer it, especially bottom dwellers. Play sand is ok for fish tanks? How many days should you wait for sand to settle before putting fish in?

If you wash it first it should be fine pretty soon if not straight away. I'm lazy and didn't wash mine (although I actually used B&Q kiln-dried sand) and it settled in under a day. Lots of people say that play sand is pretty dusty, though.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

If i ever get a bigger tank I want to switch to mostly sand, i think alot of fish prefer it, especially bottom dwellers. Play sand is ok for fish tanks? How many days should you wait for sand to settle before putting fish in?

Washing it really well fish can go right in

 

[colleen0309]

I have to jump on the sand bandwagon too. I have both types of setups and the fish much prefer the sand over the gravel. Playsand works great and is very cheap. 2 identicle tanks... gravel cost me $30 to set up... playsand, less than $6. Fish like it better and my plants root better.

 

[cynic]

I have sand, although in my daughters tank i mixed pea gravel and sand together at about 20/80 and it looks really nice, natural if you like.

See what you think..

Ps the non aquatic plants at the back have gone since this was taken

 

[MissT]

Thanks for your replies. I really like the pic cynic, does look natural.
I was told that the muck/dirt sits on top of the sand and creates a layer that you can see? Anyone experienced this? I prefer the look of the sand and I would like the bottom dwellers to be as happy as the other fish! So will any rocks do or do I need specific ones?

 

[StandbySetting]

Here's some maths, using the equation:
πr[sup]2[/sup]
--------------
4

you can easily calculate how much sand you will need, π is obviously pi, so 3.142, r is the radius as pictured below:

fit the values into the equation (use cm) to find the area in cm[sup]2[/sup], then multiply this value by the average desired height. Then divide the answer by 1000 to get an answer in litres. Times this answer by 1.6 to calculate the mass of sand required.

A little confusing, if you don't manage it just post the value for r, and the desired substrate height and I'll work it out for you, it saves guessing and having some remaining.

 

[AlexG]

Here's some maths, using the equation:
πr[sup]2[/sup]
--------------
4

you can easily calculate how much sand you will need, π is obviously pi, so 3.142, r is the radius as pictured below:

fit the values into the equation (use cm) to find the area in cm[sup]2[/sup], then multiply this value by the average desired height. Then divide the answer by 1000 to get an answer in litres. Times this answer by 1.6 to calculate the mass of sand required.

A little confusing, if you don't manage it just post the value for r, and the desired substrate height and I'll work it out for you, it saves guessing and having some remaining.

or work out diameter then:
Clicky

and /4?

that is assuming the tank is 1/4 circle?

 

[MissT]

It's not a quarter circle. It's a quarter of an octogon?!?!?!? It's the Delta 100.

http/www.discount-pond-supplies.co.uk/Delta_sizes.htm

I have tried working out the area for the tank and then finding the equivalent in a rectangular or square tank, but I keep getting that the tank is actually 190L which it isn't!

 

[StandbySetting]

Apologies, can you supply the following dimensions in that case?

 

[MissT]

I have tried adding a picture but I don't know what I am doing, so please bear with me!!!

It is:
70cm along the straight edge
70cm along the diagonal (front) edge
50cm deep/tall
64cm from back corner to front of tank
19cm along the small straight edge

I really hope that makes sense to someone................

 

[StandbySetting]

Got you, with an average substrate depth of 5cm you'll need 30Kg of sand.