Best Aquarium Gravel of 2026

"The jelly bean gravel looks stunning in my 5-gallon betta tank. The colors are so vibrant and really make the tank pop. I appreciate the smooth, rounded edges, which are great for my betta who likes to explore and rest on the bottom. It took a few bags to get enough coverage, but the result is totally worth it."

"I use these colorful rocks to decorate my cacti and pots, and I’m happy with the color selection and price compared to other options. Pink and purple are my favorites! Even though I wish rocks were cheaper overall, I’d probably buy these again."

"I’m very pleased that these rocks have almost no dust and look great in my small 3-gallon tank. Two bags were just enough coverage for me, and the color really brings my tank to life."

"I was surprised at how much of a difference this gravel made in my tank. The pearlescent color really brightened everything up and made my fish stand out more under the lights. After adding it in, my fish seemed noticeably more active and comfortable. I also appreciated that the gravel is smooth, so I haven't had any issues with fin damage. It settled quickly and didn't make the water cloudy at all. My only small gripe is that, because it's lightweight, you have to be a bit careful during water changes or you might accidentally vacuum some up. Otherwise, it's great quality and makes my aquarium look fantastic."

"I love how this gravel gives my aquarium a vibrant, colorful boost with a beautiful pearly shine. It was just the right size for my fish and easy to spread evenly across the tank. No cloudiness after rinsing, and the 5-pound bag covered my tank perfectly. If you want to brighten up your aquarium, I'd definitely recommend this product!"

"I switched from white sand to this gravel and honestly, I'm much happier with the look and quality. There was absolutely no dust when rinsing, and the water stayed clear, even during mixing. After a deep clean, my tank looks so much better now!"

"I love how the sand sparkles under the light and really brightens up my ten-gallon aquarium. It cleared quickly after setup with a good filter. I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a decorative substrate."

"I wanted something different for my betta Tatsu and my aquatic plants, so I went with this substrate. After rinsing overnight, it was clean and much less cloudy. One bag was enough for a thin layer in my 10-gallon tank, but I'd need more if I used it alone. While it doesn't really sparkle underwater and my foam filter sometimes clogs with the fine grains, I'm still happy with the overall look and feel."

"Switching to this sand for my 40-gallon tank was a great decision. It complements my glo fish and glow-in-the-dark decorations, and the little sparkle under the lights is a nice touch. Next time, I'll just make sure to order an extra bag for thicker coverage."

"After adding this black gravel to my aquarium, I was amazed by how much it enhanced the look of my tank. The dark background really makes the fish and plants stand out, and the gravel itself was clean and easy to rinse. I love the polished, vibrant feel it gives, and my whole setup looks much more designed and put-together now."

"I bought the GloFish gravel and it adds a fantastic pop of color under my tank’s blue LED light. Not only does it glow beautifully, but it’s also easy to clean and works well for both aquariums and things like plant vases. The 5-pound bag is a great value, and I appreciate that it’s safe for different fish species. Highly recommend for anyone looking to make their tank stand out!"

"This aquarium gravel is exactly what I needed for my plants and aquarium. I found the size perfect—not too small—and there was no dust at all when rinsing. The price is excellent for how much you get, and I’m really happy with this purchase. I’ll definitely buy again!"

"I’m amazed at how this black gravel transformed my aquarium’s appearance—the dark background really makes my fish and plants stand out. The gravel was clean, easy to rinse, and settled quickly without making the water cloudy. My tank now looks much more vibrant and polished. I’m extremely happy with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple, striking upgrade for their tank."

"The 5-pound GloFish gravel bag is a game-changer for my aquariums—the colors truly glow under blue LED lighting, enhancing both the fish and decorations. I found the gravel easy to rinse, versatile for multiple uses (like plant drainage and vase fillers), and a great value with plenty left over. It’s been safe for my fish and fits perfectly in my aquascaping projects. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a unique, healthy, and visually appealing aquatic environment."

"I absolutely love the neon colors of this GloFish gravel—they look incredible under blue lights and instantly made my tank more lively. The gravel doesn’t trap waste, settles quickly with no cloudiness, and is easy to clean. Mixing different colors turned out amazing! If you want a fun, colorful vibe for your tank, this is definitely the way to go."

"I was really impressed by the beautiful color and perfect size of this substrate. It made my tank cycle faster than usual, so be prepared for that. Plus, it's a great deal for the price—I checked around and this was the best value."

"This stuff is honestly awesome. After using it, my tank water is so clear you could almost drink it—though I wouldn’t recommend that! I always use this substrate for all my tanks, and it’s my top choice for setting up my large 124-gallon tank. Highly recommended!"

"The gravel looks nice and gives my tank a dark vibe, which I wanted, but it wasn’t as clean as advertised. I had to rinse it many times before the dust went away, but once that was done, it looked great in my aquarium."

"I've made this substrate a staple in all my aquariums, mixing it with gravel or sand depending on my setup. My tanks are fully bioactive and the plant growth is so robust that some species have grown larger than expected. Water quality remains top-notch, almost as if I'm 'cheating,' and I credit this soil as a key factor. It's not exactly cheap, but the health of my aquatic plants and the stability of my tanks prove it's absolutely worth it."

"I was worried this would be messy, but the small, sturdy balls hold up great if you don't crush them. Plants thrive, fish love it, and it looks fantastic compared to regular gravel. It does cost more, but the difference in plant health and tank appearance is clear. My main tip: don't pre-rinse the soil despite what the directions say; if you pour water gently, the tank clears up quickly. For anyone seeking a natural planted tank, this is the soil to get."

"This substrate is perfect for creating a natural environment for both fish and plants. The color blends beautifully with live greenery and it has no odor. I appreciate that the grains are small—safe for fish and won't cause injuries. I've seen noticeable plant growth within days, and any initial water murkiness disappears quickly. I highly recommend this to other fish keepers looking for a harmonious, healthy aquarium."

"I love how vibrant and colorful this gravel looks in my aquarium—the fluorescent hues really pop, especially under blue lighting at night. After a few rinses, they made my tank look amazing. My fish love it too!"

"I was impressed by the excellent value and quality of this gravel. It was easy to clean, didn’t cloud the water, and the larger pebbles look much better than smaller ones. Six bags covered my 20-gallon tank perfectly."

"The gravel is a great size and doesn’t clog my filter. There was some black dust at first, but after rinsing, it was easy to spread and makes my tank look super neat. Affordable and does the job well."

"The sea green gravel instantly brightened my aquarium and was simple to clean. It settled quickly and kept the water clear, totally upgrading the look of my tank."

"I’ve used this in several tanks, and the color is the most striking I’ve found for my 55-gallon Koi setup. It just looks absolutely beautiful."

"This gravel is perfect for garden displays—I used it to create a water effect in a potted arrangement with porcelain geese and colorful floats. The scene now looks lively and playful."

"The rocks blend perfectly into my setup, just like I hoped! Absolutely love how natural they look."

"The product arrived super quickly and looks exactly like the photo. I’m really impressed overall."

"Unfortunately, this product harmed my daughter's fish, and she was heartbroken. I wish I’d checked the reviews first, as others had similar experiences."