Gravel is the WORSE Substrate #deepsubstratetank #naturalaquarium #plantedaquarium

Gravel is possibly the worse substrate for a fish tank. It is like having an open sewer that causes water to go bad and fish to die. What's the alternative? S A N D ! !

[kylesawyer]

Gravel is terrible! The solution? Smaller gravel! Lol.

[davidbrabham]

The more I watch your videos the more I realize that you really do know what you’re talking about as an avid fisherman you were pointing out fish tank to River similarities and you are spot on, although I have about 20 pounds of gravel to pull out of my fish tank now👍

[donaldritchie]

I have used gravel for 40 some years. But I use UGF so I don't get waste sitting on top forever. The waste gets sucked down when it breaks down and is rich nutrients for my plants.
I always thought dirt sand and whatever is too much work. Also if plants get moved it gets everything mixed up.

[KushyCouch]

I’m a big believer in a mix of soil, small gravel and sand. I have that mix in a 15 gallon with some tannins and it’s grown plants like crazy with no co2.

[jdamoormartinirossi]

This was the push I needed. I'm tearing down and redesigning my tank asap

[lmack]

I am not at all an expert on aquaria. However, I have a degree in agriculture and did my thesis on soiless cultivation of plants. It is categorically FALSE that plants need an anaerobic environment for their roots to absorb nutrients. For evidence of this, look up any video of hydroponic or aquaponic growing. All use highly aerated nutrient liquid and generally prefer coarse substrate for mechanical support to provide a high degree of aeration at the roots.

[dmendoza]

I have an under gravel filter and has been working wonders.

[bubblerings]

You got me on to Sand!
It's all better now. 🏁🎯
And, the bottom feeders actually can reach the leftovers now.
And, you can See uneaten food.
And, algae problems went wayyyy down.. to no problem. 🏆

[garrethmaher]

I took this advice months ago and my fish have not been sick and plants are growing out of water thanks

[Birdofthetacklebox]

I have river gravel in my 20 gallon. Never knew on how bad it is! I’m 100% going to get some! (I will mix the gravel with the sand to not destroy the cycle)

[JagaimoNoTensai]

Very intriguing theory, Id absolutely love to see a longer talk on these topics. My understanding is the benefical nitrifying bacteria grows better in the oxygen pockets of gravel, and that sand compacting itself wouldn't work as well for this process.
I dont know enough about aquarium plants to know if they enjoy less oxygen of sand more than gravel, however would love to understand where your coming from and enlighten my understanding

[tn]

And I have my gravel tank with a thriving live plant population

[scottschlemmer]

When I restarted the hobby I went to a local lake and got sand with gravel (more like small stones). Washed it thoroughly. The sand sank underneath the gravel and the gunk collects there to seemingly be absorbed by the plants. When I move or plant something there is not much waste kicking up. Between the 3 cories and snails the surface is always clean. Plants have been doing well for years with a light supplement of flourish once a week.

My regular store bought gravel in another tank holds gunk horribly and I need to swap it out. Is play sand safe? How about beach sand? (All thoroughly washed of course).

[woozledog]

What a genius discovery. Who would have guessed that mimicking nature would work..

[adler]

I must be a super duper fish keeper. Used gravel for years. Never had these issues……..

[vonmajor]

This methodology parallels the anaerobic conditions the are utilized in Korean Natural Farming v where anaerobic is King and it breaks down nutrients to the base levels that the ecosystem can utilize. In Botha worlds they work brilliantly!

[carolinesalpeck]

Wish I knew this when I was starting my first tank 7 years ago, now it’s the only gravel tank I have and the only one that has a ton of issues with muck buildup

[lz]

Father fish, could I do soil, sand, then gravel on top, 3 layers? I just liked the color of my small river gravel.

[mellewedin]

I have sand capped with larger gravel on top, it has mixed over the years and has done this. My tanks all have this. But the substrate levels are hight i keep no less than 2inches of anything except in one tank.

[AndrewMaKrayKyer]

In my 55 gallon fresh water tank I have almost a 3 inch thick layer of sand at the bottom of the tank with about half an inch of small gravel pebbles on top. Haven’t done a water change in 3 years!