Substrate Calculator
Calculate how many kilograms or litres of substrate you need.
How it works
Substrate volume (L) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × desired depth (cm) ÷ 1000. Sand/gravel ≈ 1.5-1.6 kg per litre; aqua-soil ≈ 0.8-1.0 kg per litre. Use 3-5 cm depth for most tanks, deeper for rooted plants.
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Formula & Method
Substrate volume (L) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × desired depth (cm) ÷ 1000. Sand/gravel ≈ 1.5-1.6 kg per litre; aqua-soil ≈ 0.8-1.0 kg per litre. Use 3-5 cm depth for most tanks, deeper for rooted plants.
Example Calculation
A 60 × 30 cm base at 5 cm depth = 60 × 30 × 5 ÷ 1000 = 9 L of substrate ≈ 14 kg of gravel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should aquarium substrate be?
3-5 cm for general tanks; 6-8 cm at the back for heavily rooted plants. Avoid very deep sand without maintenance.
How much does substrate weigh?
Gravel and sand are about 1.5 kg per litre; planted aqua-soils are lighter at roughly 0.8-1.0 kg per litre.