Aqua One natural gravel gold mix

Price range: $7.95 through $35.00

SKU: N/A

Description
Additional information

Aqua One Natural Gravel Aquarium Substrate

Simple, natural and safe, the Aqua One Natural Gravel is exactly what it says on the bag. With no added dyes or artificial coatings, this gravel is completely fish-safe and allows you to recreate a natural, authentic underwater environment in your aquarium. Whether you’re setting up a community tank, a planted aquarium or a shrimp tank, natural gravel is a versatile and reliable substrate choice that suits a wide range of setups.

Key Benefits

No Added Colours or Coatings	Completely natural: no dyes, no artificial coatings, no risk of colour leaching into your water. Safe for fish, shrimp, snails and all aquatic life.
Planted & Shrimp Tank Compatible	Can be used as a layered substrate in planted aquariums and shrimp tanks. Pair with a nutrient-rich base layer or root tabs for best plant growth results.
Natural Aesthetic	Replicates a natural riverbed or lakebed environment, providing a calm, natural backdrop that lets your fish and plants take centre stage.
Versatile Use	Suitable for aquariums, fish bowls and vases. A great all-purpose substrate option for any aquatic display.
Beneficial Bacteria	Gravel provides excellent surface area for beneficial nitrifying bacteria to colonise, supporting a healthy and stable nitrogen cycle in your aquarium.

Sand or Gravel? Which Should I Choose?

Both are great substrate options. The right choice depends on your fish and your setup:

Choose gravel if you keep most community fish, cichlids or goldfish, prefer easier long-term maintenance, or want a substrate that allows better water flow through the base of the tank.
Choose sand if you keep bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras, loaches or gudgeons that naturally sift through substrate; coarse gravel can damage their delicate barbels over time.

Planted Tank Tip: Natural gravel is an inert substrate and does not contain nutrients for aquatic plants. For best results in a planted aquarium, layer a nutrient-rich substrate or aquarium soil beneath the gravel, or use API Root Tabs pushed into the gravel bed beneath your plant roots. This gives root-feeding plants like Amazon Swords and Cryptocorynes the nutrition they need to thrive.

Setup Tips

Rinse before use. Always rinse gravel thoroughly in a bucket under running water before adding it to your aquarium to remove dust and fine particles that would otherwise cloud your water.
Aim for 5-7cm depth. This provides enough substrate for beneficial bacteria to colonise and for plant roots to anchor into, without creating unnecessarily deep anaerobic zones.
Vacuum regularly. Unlike sand, debris can fall between gravel particles and accumulate over time. A regular gravel vacuum during water changes keeps the substrate clean and prevents ammonia build-up.

Not sure whether natural gravel is the right substrate for your setup? We’re happy to help you choose.
Get in touch for free expert advice anytime.

⚠️ Heads-up: Natural gravel does not contain plant nutrients. If you plan to grow rooted aquatic plants, pair this substrate with a fish-safe plant fertiliser, which you can find on our website.