Is it okay not to have gravel or marbles in the bottom of a fish tank?
December 2nd, 2009 | by admin |I recently moved home from college. I brought my fish back but had to dispose of the heavy gravel. Is it okay if my fish tank does not have the gravel or marbles in the bottom for like a week? I will get some soon but I can’t right now.
Sorry if this seems like is a stupid question
Many aquarists do not have gravel, sand or anything on the bottom of their tanks. It does make it much easier to clean, but the fish seem to be freaked out by a glass bottom. Put a piece of black poster paper or board under the tank so they cannot see down below. Many fish are afraid of being high in the water column due to predators.
I use pool filter sand in most of my tanks. It is coarse enough for them to move around and makes a nice looking cover for the bottom of the tank. $5-6 for a 40-50# bag at a pool maintenance store.
10 Responses to “Is it okay not to have gravel or marbles in the bottom of a fish tank?”
By Mishy on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
yes yes yes yes yes yes you NEED gravel at the bottom
just wash some rocks from ur back yard and put them in but othis will only work with a fish that is NOT a beta fish
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By Kaiman on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Make sure to boil rocks and stones that you have picked from the ground.
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By copperhead on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
It’s fine to do without any (some spawning tanks are set up this way). It will increase your need to do water changes, though. The gravel is where the majority of your beneficial bacteria reside (some will live on the filter media), so without as many bacteria, the ammonia and nitrite will build up faster in the tank.
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By Kelley on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
If you are only doing it for like a week, it might be fine, but normally you do need gravel or sand in the bottom. It helps with the eco-system in the tank by providing places for the good bacteria to grow. But on the that note it also can cause harm if not cleaned on a monthly basis.
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By 8 in the corner on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Many aquarists do not have gravel, sand or anything on the bottom of their tanks. It does make it much easier to clean, but the fish seem to be freaked out by a glass bottom. Put a piece of black poster paper or board under the tank so they cannot see down below. Many fish are afraid of being high in the water column due to predators.
I use pool filter sand in most of my tanks. It is coarse enough for them to move around and makes a nice looking cover for the bottom of the tank. $5-6 for a 40-50# bag at a pool maintenance store.
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26 years of keeping and spawning many different species of tropical fish and cichlids. 25 tanks up and running at present (partial water changes done every week to 10 days). Mostly cichlids and scavengers right now with 5 tanks devoted to various freshwater crustaceans. I have worked in both the retail and wholesale tropical fish business.
The Greatest Enemy of Truth is not the deliberate lie; Rather it is all those things we know to be true…that are not
By Wendy M on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Yes. If you keep a hospital tank or a breeding tank, it is recommended not to have gravel on the bottom, so your fish will be fine for a short while.
That said, a lot of nitrifying bacteria hang out in the gravel. Hopefully you still have enough bacteria in your filter media or in the water to keep the tank from cycling again. If not, keep an eye on things and do water changes. Good luck.
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By fishbarn on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Yes, it is okay not to put gravel in the bottom of the tank. A simple sheet of dark colored paper under the tank works well. Many fish breeders don’t use gravel in their tanks at all.
The only stupid question, is the question that never gets asked.
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By shadowkiller X on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
yes the fish actually pick off food on the rocks so u dont have to feed them so much unless u got goldfish those things are bastards
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By Mosh on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
It is fine to leave the bottom from from gravel for a while it won’t hurt the fish some fish even prefer it. It helps to have gravel to hold animal poop and left over food between cleanings.
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By zootycoonmaster2006 on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
You could, but that would be like putting a human in a plain white room with nothing in it.
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