GloFish fluorescent gravel is a unique and eye-catching substrate designed specifically for GloFish tanks. As the name suggests, this gravel contains fluorescent pigments that glow under blue LED lighting, providing a brightly-colored riverbed for your luminous fish. In this article we talk about GloFish Aquarium Gravel Pros, Cons & reviews.
If you’re considering GloFish gravel for your next aquascape, read on to learn the pros, cons, costs, and what actual users have to say about it.
What is GloFish Gravel?
GloFish gravel contains special luminescent pigments that absorb and reflect blue light, causing the pieces to glow in a range of bright colors. It comes in three varieties:
– Fluorescent Multi-Color: Mix of green, blue, purple/pink pieces
– Fluorescent Blue: All blue pieces
– Fluorescent Pink: All pink pieces
The gravel was co-developed by Spectrum Brands (who owns GloFish) and EcoTech Marine. It’s designed to complement and enhance the glow of fluorescent GloFish while providing a safe, non-toxic substrate bed.
Each piece is roughly pebble-sized and smooth-edged for comfort and the health of bottom dwellers like catfish and loaches. The included conditioner helps remove harmful metals and chemicals from tap water during initial rinses.
Pros of GloFish Aquarium Gravel
Vibrant Colors
The most obvious benefit is the sheer vibrancy provided by the glowing substrate. The pops of fluorescent color make ordinary tanks extraordinary and provide the ideal landscape for GloFish to shine.
Whether you prefer the mixture of the multi-color, all-blue, or all-pink gravel, each creates a beautiful shimmering riverbed under blue light. The color reflections even make the tank water itself glow.
Non-Toxic & Safe
GloFish gravel contains no harmful paints, dyes, or chemicals. The luminous pigments are embedded directly into the glass/ceramic pieces during manufacturing using a patented process. This ensures both long-lasting color and completely inert materials that won’t affect water quality or fish health.
The included water conditioner removes heavy metals, chlorine, and chloramines during the wash process as an extra safety measure before adding the gravel to your tank.
Good for Plants
The smooth, rounded gravel pieces provide plenty of crevices for healthy root development while still allowing water to easily flow through the substrate bed. This makes it a good option for planted aquariums.
The glass-based gravel is also heavier than some substrates, so it tends to stay put rather than getting uprooted by digging fish. Just be sure to use plant-specific fertilizers since the gravel itself provides no nutrients.
Easy to Clean
Clean-up is straightforward thanks to the 1/8″-1/4″ gravel pieces which don’t compact and trap large amounts of debris or mulm. Just hover a gravel vacuum over the bed monthly during water changes to remove any buildup.
For a deeper clean, you can stir up and swish the gravel around to dislodge gunk then siphon it out. The durable glass won’t fracture or degrade over time like some coated gravels can.
Cons of GloFish Aquarium Gravel
On the Downside…
No Nutrient Value
While the smooth texture encourages healthy root growth, the gravel itself provides no nutritional value for plants. You’ll need to regularly dose the water column with liquid fertilizers. Root tabs can also be added near especially hungry species.
Some users also note that while aesthetically pleasing, the uniform small size and rounded shape of the pieces don’t perfectly mimic a natural environment. This may matter more to some aquarists than others.
Blue Light Required
To unleash the full glowing effects, you MUST use a blue LED aquarium light. While the gravel appears colorful in ordinary white light, it won’t truly fluoresce without a blue spectral range to activate the pigments.
So you’ll need a suitable lighting system if you want the maximum scintillating appearance. This adds both expense and a slight limitation on lighting options.
Higher Cost
GloFish gravel runs $1 or more per pound, making it one of the more costly substrate options out there. You may pay upwards of $30-40 for enough to bed a 10-20 gallon tank. For larger tanks, expenses add up further.
While vibrant and unique, it does come at a premium price point. However, many users report that the visual impact is well worth the higher upfront investment to them.
What Real Users Are Saying
Most aquarists who take the plunge are delighted by the luminous results of GloFish gravel. Here are some actual verified purchaser reviews:
“This stuff is no joke…it GLOWS! I got the multicolor for my 20 gal GloFish tank. It looks so awesome under the blue light I can’t stop looking at it! Definitely took the tank to a whole new level.”
“Bought the pink gravel for my daughter’s 10 gallon GloFish tank. She is thrilled by how pink it is! We expected it to be bright but it is practically neon. Her 3 black skirt tetras and 2 danios really pop against it now. Great buy!”
“I’ve had this blue gravel for about 9 months now. Color has stayed very vibrant. No issues with quality or effects on parameters/fish. It does scratch kind of easily if you move stuff around in the tank a lot but doesn’t affect appearance. Overall still looks great and glow is still going strong.”
Where to Buy GloFish Gravel
You can find GloFish aquarium gravel at most major online retailers like Amazon and Petco. It’s also stocked at some pet stores and local fish shops.
On Amazon, prices break down as:
– Multi-Color: $28 for 5 lbs
– Blue: $30 for 5 lbs
– Pink: $33 for 5 lbs
For the best deals, check listing prices across multiple sites and take advantage of any sales or promotions you can find. With its uniqueness, GloFish gravel isn’t typically eligible for coupon codes or discounts.
The Verdict: Worth the Splurge for Most
At the end of the day, most GloFish keepers feel the higher cost is fully justified by the extreme glow and visual uniqueness offered by this fluorescent gravel. It’s an easy way to take your tank to the next level.
Just be prepared to run blue lighting and dose fertilizers for optimal plant growth and health. As long as those needs are met, the pros seem to far outweigh any downsides for the majority of aquarists.
Your GloFish will shine brighter than ever over a dazzling bed of fluorescent gravel. It’s a simple step that makes tanks pop and creates a beautiful underwater vista to enjoy for years to come. I sincerely hope you find this “GloFish Aquarium Gravel Pros, Cons & reviews” article helpful.