Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

I think the rule of thumb is 1.5 pounds per gallon, but I do not use this. It depends on what dementions your tank is as a long or tall tank will require a different amount of gravel than the standard tank. I would go by the depth of the gravel that you want. When it some to a show tank I think that up to 2 inches is a good measure. For functionality, I would make the gravel layer thinner to make cleaning easier

Thanks, NS. I think I'll shop around for the slate "flakes" used in landscaping and use that as a thin layer over the black gravel that I already have. I think that combination of the two would give me a decent layer to work with.

The closest thing to "slate flakes" for a substrate would be the mixed red and black Seachem Fluorite. It is great stuff for planted tanks and I have it in one of my shrimp tanks. It is not cheap, but it looks great and may be just what you are looking.

One warning. Rinse the heck out of it because it comes with a LOT of fine dust.