Gravel for a 40 gallon breeder tank by depth
| Depth | Gravel | Volume | Lb per gallon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 39 lb | 11 qt | 0.98 |
| 1.5 in | 59 lb | 17 qt | 1.48 |
| 2 in | 79 lb | 22 qt | 1.97 |
| 3 in | 118 lb | 34 qt | 2.95 |
Footprint × depth, at 105 lb per cubic foot of dry gravel (Engineering ToolBox).
Aquarium Nexus recommends 1 to 2 inches of gravel, which it puts at about 1 to 2 pounds per gallon. For this tank, 1 to 2 inches works out to 0.98 to 1.97 lb per gallon.
Working it out
Pounds = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 1,728 × 105
The 36 × 18 inch footprint is 648 square inches. At 2 inches deep that is 1296 cubic inches, or 0.75 cubic feet, which weighs about 79 lb. Sand and fine gravel weigh more per cubic foot; plant soils weigh less.
Common questions
How many pounds of gravel for a 40 gallon breeder tank?
About 39 lb for 1 inch or 79 lb for 2 inches.
What are the dimensions of a 40 gallon breeder tank?
36 × 18 × 16 inches for the standard size; brands vary slightly.
Sources
- https://topshelfaquatics.com/pages/aquarium-size-chart
- https://www.aquariumnexus.com/?p=2960
- https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html