01
Representative imageBlack pebble
1 lb and 5 lb bags
Stone, sand, and wood for tanks, ponds, and enclosures.
Washed stone. Honest materials.
Bagged at our yard, by the pound.
Yard direct. Banning, California.Representative scene
Explore below the surfaceVolcanic stoneRiver-worn pebbleNatural driftwoodSand and substrate
Small stone.
A whole world of detail.
Get close to the pores, edges, and grain. Choose the material for the job, then choose the weight. Black and burgundy lava rock come in two screened sizes.
Four lava rock grades1 lb and 5 lb bags
Start at the bottom.
Explore all materialsRepresentative imageFrom $4.99
02
Representative imageReef sand
1 lb and 5 lb bags
03
Representative imageRiver rock and rainbow pebble
1 lb and 5 lb bags
04
Representative imageWhite pebble
1 lb and 5 lb bags
The other side
of the waterline.
Ground that holds a burrow. A ledge under a lamp. Layers that work together. Start with your animal’s needs and build from the floor up.
Surface coverAbout 1 inch
Soil layer3–4 inches
Mesh barrierNot sold here
Drainage layerAbout 2 inches
What do you keep?
Seven habitats. Different rules for every one.
Find the ground your setup needs.
Measure the floor.
We’ll count the bags.
Tank gallons do not tell you how much substrate you need. Footprint, depth, and material density do. Our calculator estimates the weight, bag mix, and box plan together.
More in the box.
Same shipping.
Flat-rate boxes charge by the box. Your cart shows the packing plan and the space left for another bag.
An actual box plan appears when you add materials.
How box shipping works
Yard footage coming soon
We move stone
by the ton.
Now we bag it by the pound. Swift Aquatics starts at a working stone yard, with materials selected, packed, and prepared for keepers to compare up close.
A real yard. A direct line. No invented tank photos or stories.
Get to know the yardKeep a field guide close.
All field guides015 min read025 min read035 min read045 min read055 min read065 min read
3/8 or 3/4 lava rock: which size for substrate, filters, and hardscape
Choose the grade for the compartment, animal contact, and maintenance access rather than a universal size rule.
Arid substrate mix: topsoil and sand ratios for bearded dragons and leopard geckos
Treat blend ratios as species-specific recipes measured by volume, not universal safety claims.
Bioactive substrate layers in the right order
For a designed humid build, separate drainage, barrier, soil, and surface cover while preserving maintenance access.
Black lava rock and red lava rock: is there a difference in the tank?
Color can reflect oxidation, but color alone cannot confirm composition, chemistry, or suitability.
Bog filter gravel: why stone size decides whether it works
Match grading to the actual filter design; a nominal 3/8 inch label is not a universal wetland specification.
Building hardscape that stays put: stacking stone and wood safely
Support the actual pieces, account for digging, and preserve access for animals and maintenance.