YISZM 1/4 Inch Natural River Rock Aquarium Gravel, 5lbs

YISZM Aquarium Gravel is a 5lbs bag of 1/43 natural river rocks in mixed colors. YISZM says the stones are natural and non-toxic, with no added fillers, dyes or oils, and that they are selected and polished. The listing also covers outdoor, vase and potted plant drainage uses.

Undyed stone

Because there is no dye or coating, the color will not fade or flake over time. The mixed natural tones give a riverbed look, which suits goldfish, native fish and turtle tanks.

Is 5 lbs enough?

One bag covers a small footprint. As a rough guide, a 1 inch layer needs about 1 pound per gallon, so a 5 gallon tank can use one bag, while a 10 gallon will need two. Turtle docks or a gravel beach area can use less.

Turtle tanks

Turtles sometimes swallow gravel. Stones this size can be risky for small turtles; many keepers either use rocks too large to swallow or bare floors. Consider your turtle’s size before using it as a full substrate.

Prep and safety

• Rinse several times in a bucket until the water is clear.
• Check for sharp pieces before adding bottom-dwelling fish.
• Test pH after a week if you keep soft water fish, since natural stone can vary.

Plants

The rock is inert. Grow epiphytes like anubias on wood, or push root tabs near rooted plants.

Cleaning

Larger stones let waste sink between them. Vacuum during water changes to keep nitrates down.

YISZM also suggests the stones for drainage in potted plants to help prevent root rot, and for vases, candle holders and garden paths, so leftover rock is useful.

Compared with others

The FANTIAN 1/4 inch pea gravel is a close match in size and comes in a larger bag. For aquarium-specific quartz, see Aqua Natural Diamond Black.