Substrate by tank size
How much substrate for a planted 90 x 45 cm tank?
A starting estimate for a planted 90 x 45 cm tank at 8 cm substrate depth.
Estimated result
Pre-calculated from the example inputs below. Adjust them in the calculator for your own numbers.
- Substrate volume
- 32.4 litres
- Estimated weight
- 49.9 kg (110 lb)
- Bag count
- 6 x 9 kg bags
A planted 90 x 45 cm tank with 8 cm of substrate needs the volume, weight, and bag count shown below. Planted tanks use a deeper bed for root growth, often sloped higher at the back.
Example inputs used
- Tank length: 90
- Tank width: 45
- Desired substrate depth: 8
- Substrate density: 1.4
- Bag size: 9
These are starting values for this example. Measure or confirm your own figures, then open them in the aquarium substrate calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- Uses a typical substrate density of 1.4 kg/L.
- Includes a 10% setup allowance and rounds bags up.
- Depth is an average; sloped aquascapes use more at the back.
Substrate depth depends on livestock, plants, and tank design. Check species-specific requirements.