Gravel for a 5 gallon tank by depth
| Depth | Gravel | Volume | Lb per gallon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 8 lb | 2 qt | 1.56 |
| 1.5 in | 12 lb | 3 qt | 2.33 |
| 2 in | 16 lb | 4 qt | 3.11 |
| 3 in | 23 lb | 7 qt | 4.67 |
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 1.56 to 3.11 lb per gallon.
Working it out
Pounds = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 1,728 × 105
The 16 × 8 inch footprint is 128 square inches. At 2 inches deep that is 256 cubic inches, or 0.15 cubic feet, which weighs about 16 lb. Sand and fine gravel weigh more per cubic foot; plant soils weigh less.
Common questions
How many pounds of gravel for a 5 gallon tank?
About 8 lb for 1 inch or 16 lb for 2 inches.
What are the dimensions of a 5 gallon tank?
16 × 8 × 10 inches for the standard size; brands vary slightly.
Sources
- https://aquifarm.com/fish-tank-dimensions-chart/
- https://www.aquariumnexus.com/?p=2960
- https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html