Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 60 x 30 cm tank?
A 60 x 30 cm tank with 5 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below, using a typical gravel density. Planted layouts and slopes can need more, so treat this as an average depth.
2 bags
- Substrate volume
- 9 litres
- Estimated weight
- 13.9 kg (30.6 lb)
- Bag count
- 2 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 60
- Tank width: 30
- Front or flat substrate depth: 5
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Planted or sloped layouts may need more substrate.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 90 x 45 cm tank?
A 90 x 45 cm tank with 5 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. Adjust the depth in the calculator for deeper planted beds or shallow decorative layouts.
4 bags
- Substrate volume
- 20.3 litres
- Estimated weight
- 31.2 kg (68.8 lb)
- Bag count
- 4 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 90
- Tank width: 45
- Front or flat substrate depth: 5
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Substrate density varies by product; check the brand's figure.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 120 x 50 cm tank?
A 120 x 50 cm tank with 6 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. Larger tanks use a lot of substrate, so confirm bag weight and density from the product you plan to buy.
7 bags
- Substrate volume
- 36 litres
- Estimated weight
- 55.4 kg (122.2 lb)
- Bag count
- 7 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 120
- Tank width: 50
- Front or flat substrate depth: 6
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Confirm bag size and density before ordering for a large tank.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 45 x 30 cm nano tank?
A 45 x 30 cm nano tank with 4 cm of substrate needs the small volume and bag count shown below. Nano tanks usually need only one bag, but planted nano layouts can use a deeper bed at the back.
1 bag
- Substrate volume
- 5.4 litres
- Estimated weight
- 8.3 kg (18.3 lb)
- Bag count
- 1 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 45
- Tank width: 30
- Front or flat substrate depth: 4
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Planted nano layouts may slope deeper toward the back.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a planted 90 x 45 cm tank?
A planted 90 x 45 cm tank with 8 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. Planted tanks use a deeper bed for root growth, often sloped higher at the back.
6 bags
- Substrate volume
- 32.4 litres
- Estimated weight
- 49.9 kg (110 lb)
- Bag count
- 6 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 90
- Tank width: 45
- Front or flat substrate depth: 8
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Depth is an average; sloped aquascapes use more at the back.
Substrate by product type
How much sand for a 60 x 30 cm aquarium?
A 60 x 30 cm aquarium with 4 cm of sand needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. This uses a sand-density assumption, so replace it with product data if the brand gives a better figure.
3 bags
- Substrate volume
- 7.2 litres
- Estimated weight
- 11.9 kg (26.2 lb)
- Bag count
- 3 x 5 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 60
- Tank width: 30
- Front or flat substrate depth: 4
- Substrate density: 1.5
- Bag size (number on label): 5
Assumptions and limits
- Uses 1.5 kg/L as a planning density for aquarium sand.
- Uses 5 kg bags.
Substrate by product type
How much aqua soil for a 90 x 45 cm planted tank?
A 90 x 45 cm planted tank with 6 cm average depth needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below when using an aqua-soil density assumption. Sloped layouts may use more at the back than a simple average suggests.
3 bags
- Substrate volume
- 24.3 litres
- Estimated weight
- 24.1 kg (53 lb)
- Bag count
- 3 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 90
- Tank width: 45
- Front or flat substrate depth: 6
- Substrate density: 0.9
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Uses 0.9 kg/L as a planning density for planted aqua soil.
- Uses 9 kg bags.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 75 x 35 cm tank?
A 75 x 35 cm aquarium with 5 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. This is a footprint-based estimate, so hardscape and slopes can change the final amount.
3 bags
- Substrate volume
- 13.1 litres
- Estimated weight
- 20.2 kg (44.6 lb)
- Bag count
- 3 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 75
- Tank width: 35
- Front or flat substrate depth: 5
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Hardscape can change the real substrate volume.
Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a 180 x 60 cm aquarium?
A 180 x 60 cm aquarium with 6 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. Large tanks magnify density and bag-size differences, so check exact product labels before ordering.
12 bags
- Substrate volume
- 64.8 litres
- Estimated weight
- 99.8 kg (220 lb)
- Bag count
- 12 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 180
- Tank width: 60
- Front or flat substrate depth: 6
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Large hardscape pieces can displace a meaningful amount of substrate.
Substrate by layout
Substrate estimate for a sloped 120 x 45 cm aquarium
A sloped 120 x 45 cm aquascape with about 7 cm average substrate depth needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. If the slope is steep, split the foreground and background into separate estimates.
6 bags
- Substrate volume
- 37.8 litres
- Estimated weight
- 49.9 kg (110 lb)
- Bag count
- 6 x 9 kg bags
Inputs used
- Tank length: 120
- Tank width: 45
- Front or flat substrate depth: 7
- Substrate density: 1.2
- Bag size (number on label): 9
Assumptions and limits
- Uses 7 cm as an average depth for a sloped layout.
- Uses 1.2 kg/L as a mixed planted-substrate planning density.