tank
Substrate calculator
How much sand, gravel or soil a given tank footprint and depth needs, by volume and by mass.
13.5 kg (9 L)
Working — every step, so you can check it
- Volume
- 60 × 30 × 5 ÷ 1000 = 9 L
- Mass
- 9 × 1.5 kg/L = 13.5 kg
Formula
- Substrate volume (L) = length (cm) × width (cm) × depth (cm) ÷ 1000
- Mass (kg) = volume (L) × bulk density (kg/L)
- Typical bulk densities: aquarium sand ≈ 1.5 kg/L, gravel ≈ 1.6 kg/L, aquasoil ≈ 0.8 kg/L
Assumptions
An estimate whose assumptions are invisible is indistinguishable from a guess.
- The bed is level at the stated depth across the whole footprint.
- Bulk densities are typical values for the material class. Individual products vary by 10–20 %.
Limitations
Where this calculation stops being reliable. Read these before acting on a result.
- A sloped or terraced layout needs more than a level bed of the same nominal depth.
- About 5 cm is a working depth for rooted plants; 3 cm is enough for open areas and for epiphyte-only tanks.
- Deep fine sand beds can develop anaerobic pockets if never disturbed and never inhabited by burrowing animals.