While this is not necessarily a bad idea, if you take the extra steps to keep it clean, you do have to be careful of the type of gravel.
But, my solution works really well also. I Velcro the dishes to the bottom of the tub. Get yourself some of that 3" wide industrial velcro and put a small square on the bottom of the dish and then the tub. Put the hooks on the dish, and the loops on the tub. Dish stays firmly in place, is easy to remove and clean.
Gale