FANTIAN 1/4 Inch Natural Pea Gravel

FANTIAN 1/4 Inch Pea Gravel is a natural, mixed-color river rock with a smooth, polished look. It comes in 20 pounds and 5 pounds bags. Besides fish and turtle tanks, it is sold for succulent pots, vases and garden beds, so it is a general-purpose rock rather than an aquarium-specific product.

Size

The average piece is 1/43, about pea size. FANTIAN notes that machine screening means some pieces may be oversized. The photos show the stones damp; they arrive dry, which makes the colors look duller until they are in water.

Washing is essential

FANTIAN asks that you wash the gravel 2-3 times with water before putting it into the aquarium, until the surface is clean and smooth. Rinse in a bucket, stirring, until the water runs clear.

Checking weight

The 5 lb listing points out a common confusion: many US kitchen scales show pounds and ounces, so a reading of “4.15” means 4 lb 15 oz, not 4.15 lb. Switch the scale to decimal pounds if you are checking the bag.

In a fish tank

Pea gravel at this size is good for goldfish, cichlids and turtles that would scatter finer substrate. It lets water flow between stones, so it is easy to vacuum. It is not ideal for delicate bottom fish like corydoras, which prefer sand.

Plants

The gaps are large for fine roots, and the rock holds no nutrients. Hardy rooted plants work with root tabs; epiphytes on wood are easier.

Water chemistry

Natural mixed river rock can occasionally contain pieces that add hardness. If you keep soft water fish, test pH before and a week after adding it. A vinegar drop test on a few stones (fizzing means carbonate) is a quick check.

Maintenance

Vacuum regularly with a siphon such as the Python Pro-Clean. For a finer, aquarium-specific option, see Aqua Natural Diamond Black.