FishTankCalculators

Aquarium Substrate Calculator | Sand & Aqua Soil Bag Estimator

Determine exactly how much sand, gravel, or active soil you need for your aquarium layout, including sloped aquascapes.

Unit System:
L H W

Calculation Results

Total Volume 0 L
Total Weight 0 lbs
Bags Needed 0 20lb bags
ℹ️

Substrate Permanence Note: Substrate is the one foundation choice you cannot change without a complete tank teardown. Adding this substrate will introduce approximately 0 lbs (0 kg) of dead load to your stand before adding water or rockwork.

Commercial Bag Guide

Substrate Needed for Common Tank Sizes (at 2" Depth)

Tank Size Sand/Gravel Weight Aqua Soil Volume
10 Gallon15 lbs (1 bag)8.5 L (1 bag)
20 Gallon Long27 lbs (2 bags)15.5 L (2 bags)
40 Gallon Breeder49 lbs (3 bags)27.5 L (3 bags)
55 Gallon47 lbs (3 bags)26.5 L (3 bags)
75 Gallon65 lbs (4 bags)37.0 L (4 bags)

Substrate Slope Guide for Aquascaping

Creating a slope from front to back adds significant depth perception to your aquarium. A common ratio is a 1:2 or 1:3 front-to-back depth (e.g., 2 inches in the front, 4 to 6 inches in the back).