Guide to choosing a standard aquarium by size, capacity and weight (2023)

There are several ways to choose the ideal aquarium, but before choosing a specific aquarium, there are some basic calculations that you should review. The advantage of using standard aquarium sizes over a custom design is that it's easier to determine the dimensions and weight of the aquarium, so let's take a deeper look at these tanks!

Standard Aquarium Size Guide

If you've shopped for aquariums in the past few years, you may have noticed that there are a lot of options when it comes to modern tank styles and designs. This is a big change from the past when we only had the choice between standard size aquariums or spending a lot of money on a custom tank.

Today, the main advantage of choosing a standard size aquarium over a unique design is that you can easily research and compare its dimensions, capacities, and most importantly,calculate how much the full tank will weigh. This saves you from having to use aaquarium calculatoror do the calculations by hand.

What are standard aquariums?

Standard aquariums areclassic rectangular glasstanks that are sealed with silicone and have aplastic base and edgefor additional support. These tanks are made of glass that is typically 0.375 to 0.5 inches thick, and larger standards over 40 gallons have additional support rails in the center of the aquarium.

Standard tanks are measured externally through the plastic base. Measurements may vary slightly between brands without changing their basic specifications. For example,all standard 10 gallon tanks have approximately the same dimensions(20 x 10 x 12 inches) andweighs about 111 pounds when fullwith gravel and water.

It is very easy to compare standard tanks by looking at a table like the ones provided below. It's harder to compare aquariums when looking at a rimless arch front or other non-standard sizes like hexagonal fish tanks, and you'll probably need to play around with those pesky calculators and make your own.aquarium size charts.

US Standard Tank Sizes

Let's compare the specifications across a wide range of standard tank sizes, from smallnanoacuariosto the great giants that weigh more than a ton when full. Unlike the rest of the world, aquariums in the US are rated by their capacity ingallons of waterinstead of liters.

small aquariums

Small aquariums range in capacity from 2.5 to 15 gallons of water and many canFits easily in a desk or sturdy desk., so you may not need to invest in an aquarium stand. While these sizes are popular with beginners, it's actually veryharder to care for a small tank. Things can go wrong quickly in these small environments.

medium aquariums

Oideal capacity for a beginning hobbyistIt is a medium size aquarium from 20 to 40 gallons. They are not too expensive to set up, and with a robust filtration system and good aquarium maintenance, it is easy to avoid problems. However, if you look at the completed weights, you can see thatinvesting in a good stand is probably the way to go.

large aquariums

The largest standard aquariums have capacities from 50 to almost 200 gallons, and these large aquariums require a lot of thought and planning. You'll definitely want to invest in a quality mount, perhaps with a matching hood, and you'll probably need to measure the room to make sure there's room for equipment like filters, sumps, orrefrigerators.

Extra Large Aquariums

Once you start considering tanks larger than 180 gallons, you really don't have standard options to choose from. Each manufacturer has their own unique oversized models, often made from lighter materials like acrylic and with features like rounded corners and pre-drilled holes for sump coolers and filters. You want to compare specific makes and models to find the best fit for your home.

How to choose the right aquarium size

There are several factors to consider before choosing the size and style of your tank. That iseasier to maintain larger aquariumsand they are onethe best choice for novice aquarists. If something goes wrong with a small capacity tank, you may not get things in time to avoid an accident.

Tank size and weight

Obviously, you'll want to choose a tank that physically fits the location you've chosen for your aquarium. The dimensions of your tank directly affect its weight, and you should not assume that tanks of the same capacity will have the same complete weight, especially when comparing standard designs with non-standard designs.

For example, you'll notice that the two standard 40-gallon tanksthey differ in their empty and full weight by a few kilogramseven with similar capabilities. It is better to overestimate the total weight of your tank rather than risk collapsing. Most of the weight of your aquarium comes from the substrate/decoration and the water it contains.

Substratum

Typically you will add about 1 pound of growing medium per gallon of water, but this varies slightly. For compact options like sand and fine gravel, you'll often have to use half or double to get the coverage you need, especially foraquascaped and planted tanks. A standard 10 gallon plant can easily weigh over 120 pounds.

How much does a gallon of water weigh?

The weight of a gallon of water varies slightly around the world, as it depends on the density of the water and how it is measured. In the US, a gallon of water contains 3.785 litres, while the UK imperial gallon equals 4.546 litres. So double check your units of measure to avoid mistakes.

fresh water islighter than salt water, and the exact weight of a gallon of water depends on temperature, mineral content, and salinity.Fresh water weighs about 8,345 pounds per gallon., it's agallon of salt water is approximately 8,554 pounds.

freshwater fish vs saltwater fish

You should also consider what type of fish you would like to keep and whether you prefer a fresh or saltwater setup. The size and capacity of your aquarium will influence the types of animals you can keep and how many aquatic pets will fit harmoniously into your community.

Freshwater Fish Size Guide

Freshwater aquariums are the best type for novices and beginners as they are easier to set up and maintain. Although the general rule is to allowat least 1 gallon of water per inch of fishin a freshwater aquarium, it just depends on the needs of each species:

• Neon tetras are only 1.5 inches long, but they need at least a 10-gallon tank because they prefer to be kept in groups of 10 or more.
• A group of three guppies, on the other hand, do well in a 5-gallon tank.

Saltwater Fish Size Guide

Saltwater tanks require a higher investment in equipment such as chillers,wave makersmiLuces ledand they are more complicated to establish and maintain. It's usually best to get some fishing experience before diving into a saltwater environment.

• Saltwater fish requiremore general care, since even filling the water tank requires you to pay attention to the salinity levels of the water.
• Depending on their size and activity levels, some saltwater fish need very spacious environments to stay healthy.
• Saltwater fish are also more expensive to purchase, so stocking a tank can be an expensive undertaking.

Aquatic setup type

The best size and shape for your aquarium also depends on how you plan to use it. Non-standard designs like the tall portrait style and cube-shaped tanks are attractive, but are often a poor choice for really active swimmers like goldfish.

• If you only need small tanks for hospitals or quarantine facilities, some standard 5 or 10 gallon tanks may be ideal. They are compact but wide enough for fish to swim around and you can switch gear between tanks when needed.
• Breeding tanks are a popular choice for medium-sized community aquariums because their deep, shallow design allows for more surface area and better gas exchange.
• Tall style tanks are a great way to display a mixed community, and the extra height can help middle dwellers and surface fish stand out.

Conclusion

Standard aquariums make it easy to design and set up your aquarium because you can easily look up its dimensions and estimate its total weight without having to rack your brains with equations. What size aquarium did you choose and did you choose a standard tank or a unique design? Share your comments below!

You may be interested in our complete guide on how to successfully set up an aquarium. Learn more about ithere.