Imagitarium Gravel

Adding Color, Texture and Personality to Your Freshwater or Saltwater Tank

Gravel is an essential part of any aquarium setup, providing beneficial filtration and surface area for healthy bacterial growth. With so many options on the market, finding the right gravel that is safe, attractive and affordable can be a challenge for the aquatic enthusiast. One popular brand that combines quality and value is Imagitarium Gravel, available in a wide range of vibrant colors and sizes perfect for freshwater community tanks, planted aquariums, African cichlid habitats and more.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different types of Imagitarium Gravel and their applications for your under-the-sea environment, plus provide helpful tips on choosing the right product, calculating how much you need, proper installation and maintenance. Read on to learn everything you need to know to decorate your aquarium floor with beautiful, functional Imagitarium Gravel!

An Overview of Imagitarium Gravel Products

Petco’s Imagitarium brand offers gravel and substrates specifically designed for aquarium use. There are a few main product lines to choose from:

• Imagitarium Aquarium Gravel – This is their basic gravel, coming in 7 vibrant colors and three sizes – small, medium and large grain. It’s formulated to be non-toxic and aquarium safe.
• Imagitarium Freshwater Plant Gravel – A medium sized gravel intended for planted freshwater aquariums. It allows proper water circulation to plant roots.
• Imagitarium Pro-Line Ethiopian Opaline Gravel – This eye-catching opaline gravel has larger grain sizes and shimmering metallic flecks. It lends a sparkling, mineral-rich look reminiscent of the African Rift Valley.
• Imagitarium Cichlid Sand – A specially sized sand substrate for African cichlid tanks that allows these fish to engage in their natural sifting behaviors.

Imagitarium also makes gravel and sand combinations, blended substrates with peat or laterite, and crushed coral for saltwater reef setups. This diversity allows you to find the perfect material to bring your aquarium vision to life!

Using Imagitarium Gravel Safely in Freshwater Aquariums

When choosing a gravel for your freshwater tank, safety for your fish is the number one priority. Imagitarium Aquarium Gravel is specially formulated to be non-toxic for freshwater aquarium use. It’s lead-free, phthalate-free and zinc-free. The color dyes used are fish safe.

Many reviewers report using Imagitarium Gravel successfully in tanks with sensitive fish like bettas, tetras, livebearers, corydoras catfish and discus without any issues. It won’t alter pH or water chemistry. The smooth pebbles won’t scrape or irritate fish with delicate ventral fins. Larger gravel sizes provide plenty of crevices for bottom dwellers to explore and hide in.

Of course, you’ll want to properly clean and rinse Imagitarium Gravel before adding it to your tank to remove dust and debris. Overall, it provides a safe, inert substrate for any freshwater setup.

Using Imagitarium Products in Saltwater Aquariums

While the standard Imagitarium Aquarium Gravel is suitable only for freshwater, they do make specialty substrates for saltwater and reef setups. Their crushed coral gravel helps buffer pH and alkalinity in a marine environment. For FOWLR and reef tanks, combining the coral gravel with Imagitarium’s Aragonite sand creates the ideal foundation for live rock.

You can also find pre-mixed reef substrates like Imagitarium Fiji Pink Live Sand, which contains live sand from the ocean. This jumpstarts the nitrogen cycle to quickly establish a healthy saltwater biome. While options like freshwater plant gravel wouldn’t work in marine environments, Imagitarium has saltwater enthusiasts covered!

The Vibrant Color Palette of Imagitarium Gravel

One of the best aspects of Imagitarium Aquarium Gravel is the striking color selection! While plain natural gravel has its charm, sometimes you want to design a truly eye-catching underwater landscape.

Imagitarium Gravel comes in 7 different colors:

• Green – Vibrant green with light mottling that mimics the look of natural algae-covered gravel.
• Blue – A tropical ocean blue perfect for invoking an undersea feel.
• Red – Rich ruby red gravel that makes aquatic plants pop.
• White – Smooth, natural white pebbles that brightly illuminate tank water and fish.
• Black – Inky super-black gravel provides contrast and draws the eye.
• Natural – A grayscale blend of stones with natural texture.
• Pink – Vivid fuchsia pink gravel for a feminine touch.

You can mix and match to create unique color themes that suit your tastes. Contrasting colors in different sections of the tank is visually striking. The color options are nearly endless!

Calculating How Much Gravel You Need

Figuring out how many bags of Imagitarium Gravel to purchase for your tank is an important part of gravel installation. You want a sufficient amount to create an even 2-3 inch substrate bed without needing tons of extra.

Here is a quick formula for estimating required gravel:

• Measure the length, width and height of the inside bottom glass in inches.
• Multiply to find total cubic inches of space.
• Divide by 231 to convert to gallons (the volume of 1 cubic inch is 0.004329 gallons).
• Multiply gallons by 0.5 to get gallons of gravel needed for a 2″ depth.

For example, a 20 gallon long tank has bottom dimensions of 30″ x 12″ x 12″:

30 x 12 x 12 = 4,320 cubic inches
4,320 / 231 = 18.7 gallons
18.7 x 0.5 = 9.4 gallons of gravel needed.

This will get you in the ballpark so you can pick up enough bags without grossly overestimating. The actual amount needed may vary slightly based on your aquascape.

The Best Types of Imagitarium Gravel for Live Plants

The lush, natural beauty of live aquarium plants is undeniable. But healthy plant growth starts from the substrate up. When choosing gravel for a planted tank, Imagitarium Freshwater Plant Gravel has clear advantages.

The granules are a mid-range size – too large to compact yet not so big that roots can’t penetrate. This allows water circulation to reach plant crowns while still giving roots purchase to anchor and feed.

Freshwater Plant Gravel is mid-range in density, avoiding issues with particularly light or heavy substrates. This stability prevents potentially dangerous gas pockets. The gravel’s neutral pH doesn’t leach anything into the water.

Aesthetically, the natural tan color highlights greens while not clashing with other tank decor. Planted aquariums need nutrient-rich substrate fertilization, but for structural base layer purposes, Imagitarium designed their plant gravel perfectly.

Step-By-Step Guide to Installing Imagitarium Gravel

Once you’ve chosen the perfect Imagitarium Gravel for your freshwater or saltwater tank, it’s time to install it for a flawless foundation. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Clean the new gravel before placing it in your tank. Place it in a bucket and thoroughly rinse with dechlorinated water until the water runs clear. This removes dust and debris.
2. If you’re changing out old gravel, drain, remove and clean the tank completely. Disinfect and rinse thoroughly before refilling.
3. Add a 1″ layer of gravel safe foam pad or mesh to cover the bottom pane. This protects the glass from scratching.
4. Place a separator plate, egg crate or filter guard to mark the border between your gravel and any larger decorative stones if using both.
5. Carefully pour in your thoroughly rinsed Imagitarium Gravel, spreading it evenly across the tank bottom in a 2-3 inch layer. Use a gravel spoon to distribute.
6. Shape the gravel to create contours – raised back to front and sloped sides works well. Make any trenches or ridges for your design.
7. Wash the tank decor like rocks, driftwood and plants before adding them to establish your complete aquascape.
8. Hold a plate or plastic bag over disturbed areas and slowly add water to the tank, avoiding displacing the gravel.
9. Once filled, use a gravel vacuum to remove any fine particulates before adding your filtered and heated water.
10. When everything is cycled and parameters are normal, gently add your fish!

Taking it slow and steady ensures your Imagitarium Gravel base layer is picture perfect. Your fish will love exploring their new gravelly playground!

Mixing Imagitarium Gravel with Sand

A sand-gravel mixture combines the sleek, natural look of soft sand with the sturdier foundation and beneficial bacterial growth of gravel. With two substrate types, you get the best of both worlds!

Here are some tips for seamlessly integrating Imagitarium Gravel and Imagitarium Aquarium Sand:

• Choose gravel and sand in complimentary neutral tones. Avoid matching bright colors for a natural look.
• Rinse the sand repeatedly until the water runs clear before adding it. This prevents clouding issues.
• Add the gravel base layer first, then slope the sand over it, leaving some gravel exposed.

-Aim for a 70% gravel, 30% sand ratio. too much sand compacts while too much gravel appears unnatural.

• Use large grain gravel at least double the size of the sand grains so the sand doesn’t simply fill the pores between gravel pieces.
• After adding the sand, don’t disturb it. Adding water slowly over a plate prevents mixing.
• To clean, use a gravel vacuum only on the exposed gravel area, avoiding stirring up the sand layer.

With some careful prep and planning, Imagitarium Gravel and Sand mixtures create the coveted beach-like look.

How Gravel Type Impacts pH and Water Chemistry

For sensitive fish, shrimp and live plants, water pH and chemistry stability are imperative. Sudden shifts in alkalinity or hardness from the substrate can be disastrous. The good news is Imagitarium Gravel won’t alter your tank’s pH or water chemistry.

Gravel like crushed coral or aragonite sand can buffer pH and hardness. But inert substrates like standard Imagitarium Gravel have a neutral impact.

During initial rinses, factory dust on the gravel may cause brief pH fluctuations. Once thoroughly cleaned and in use though, tests show the pH remains stable according to the source water parameters.

It’s always wise to test pH after setup and monitor during initial cycling. But once established, Imagitarium Gravel simply provides structural support with no chemical influence on the water. Your pH will remain dependent only on the surrounding decor and climate you intentionally create.

Keeping Imagitarium Gravel Debris-Free

Like any aquarium gravel, over time uneaten food, plant matter, fish waste and other organic debris will accumulate in Imagitarium substrate. If left to rot, this debris can degrade water quality and become a nuisance.

Here are some tips for keeping Imagitarium Gravel debris and detritus-free long-term:

• Use a gravel vacuum during water changes to suck away sediment and prevent buildup. Target decor corners and under plants.
• Stir the gravel surface monthly with a chopstick to prevent porous compaction and release trapped waste.
• Introduce cleanup crew critters like snails, shrimp and bottom feeders to constantly sift the gravel. This mimics nature.
• Replace or remove particularly soiled gravel during monthly maintenance rather than allowing a total accumulation.
• Use your aquarium’s underground filter intake to pull water down through clean gravel, trapping debris.
• Adjust feeding amounts to prevent excess uneaten food from settling into the substrate.

With good aquarium husbandry, Imagitarium Gravel stays free of gunk and continues functionally filtering your tank water.

Where to Buy Imagitarium Gravel for Best Value

The best source for Imagitarium Gravel is Petco, both online and at brick-and-mortar store locations. As the gravel was created under Petco’s Imagitarium brand, they offer the largest selection at the most affordable pricing.

The small bags are quite reasonable at under $10. Larger 20 pound bags offer even better value at around $20-25, saving money in bulk. Some LFS fish stores may carry Imagitarium products, but generally at a markup. Check for sales to get the lowest prices.

Among online options, shopping directly through Petco’s website allows price matching policies and free shipping over a certain order amount. Third party sellers on Amazon also carry the gravel at similar per-bag cost but may have overinflated shipping fees. For both budget and convenience, Petco is the prime source for Imagitarium Gravel.

Imagitarium Gravel Review Roundup

Checking out firsthand user reviews is always wise before purchasing any aquarium product. According to aquarists who have used the gravel long-term, here are the key benefits they highlight:

• Vibrant colors that don’t fade over time. Gravel appearance holds up beautifully.
• Larger grain sizes and heavy density that prevents plants uprooting.
• Perfect size range and shape for bottom dwelling fish – not too sharp.
• No issues with pH fluctuations or water clouding. Parameters remain stable.
• Easy to clean and rinse before adding, with minimal impact on water clarity.
• Allows beneficial bacteria growth without becoming filthy like sand sometimes can.
• Extremely affordable, especially for large tanks. Much cheaper than specialty substrates.
• Creates a fun, decorative background environment for fish compared to plain gravel.

Negative reviews are rare but occasionally cite more lightweight gravel that required additional cleaning. For the price, most agree Imagitarium Gravel performs fabulously.

Beyond Aquariums: Using Imagitarium Gravel in Terrariums

While Imagitarium Gravel is formulated specifically for underwater aquarium use, some creative herp and reptile owners have used the smooth, safe pebbles successfully in upland terrestrial terrariums as well.

Small, non-abrasive gravel like Imagitarium’s works well in humid terrarium setups for:

• Drainage layers beneath the soil to prevent water-logging.
• Natural looking substrate topping that won’t splinter.
• Decorative accents and backgrounds in natural build displays.

Of course, always choose gravel colors and materials appropriate for a species’ natural environment. But with some adaptation, certain Imagitarium gravel types translate well from aquariums to attractive herptile housing.

Choosing the Right Imagitarium Gravel Size

Imagitarium Gravel comes in three main grain sizes – small, medium and large. Choosing the right size comes down to:

• Fish Type – Smaller gravels work well for small species and bottom dwellers. Larger gravel better suits large burrowing fish.
• Aquascaping – Fine gravel conforms around decor. Larger pebble backgrounds stand out.
• Plants – Medium gravel allows circulation to roots without compacting.
• Maintenance – Larger gravel is easier to keep debris-free. Fine gravel requires more siphoning.

There is no universally “correct” gravel size. The options let you tailor the substrate to your tank inhabitants and decor. Mixing different grain sizes can give depth and dimension to substrate beds. Consider species, plants and aesthetics when choosing.

In Summary

When it comes to decorating your freshwater or saltwater tank, Imagitarium Gravel offers an affordable, safe and gorgeously colorful substrate option. With such diversity in grain sizes, hues and materials specially formulated for aquarium use, it simplifies designing your ideal underwater environment. Combine Imagitarium Gravel with quality filters, heaters and lighting to create a home your fish will thrive in. Just add water!