How much gravel for a 55 gallon tank?
For a 2 inch bed in a standard 55 gallon tank (48 x 13 in floor) you need about 72 lb of gravel or 69 lb of sand.
Gravel, sand and soil by depth
| Depth | Gravel | 20 lb bags | 5 lb bags | Sand | 9 L soil bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 36 lb | 2 x 20 lb | 8 x 5 lb | 34 lb | 2 x 9 L |
| 2 in | 72 lb | 4 x 20 lb | 15 x 5 lb | 69 lb | 3 x 9 L |
| 3 in | 108 lb | 6 x 20 lb | 22 x 5 lb | 103 lb | 4 x 9 L |
Bag counts are rounded up. Bulk densities vary by product, so check the bag's own coverage chart too.
Work it out for your 55 gallon tank
Different floor size or depth? Adjust the numbers below.
Which substrate depth should you choose?
- 1–2 inches suits most community tanks with gravel and keeps cleaning easy.
- 2–3 inches gives rooted plants space to grow. Slope it deeper at the back for a sense of depth.
- 1–2 inches of sand suits corydoras and other bottom sifters; deeper sand needs stirring.
Rinse gravel and sand before adding them, and pour water slowly onto a plate to avoid clouding.
See the full 55 gallon tank dimensions, or use the substrate calculator for any tank.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds of gravel for a 55 gallon tank?
About 72 lb for a 2 inch bed, or 36 lb for 1 inch.
How many bags of gravel for a 55 gallon tank?
For 2 inches of gravel, about 4 bags of 20 lb.
How much sand for a 55 gallon tank?
About 34 lb for 1 inch of sand, or 69 lb for 2 inches.
Last updated .