Aquarium Size and dimension by use and type of fish

Ever wondered which is the best aquarium size and weight? Let’s learn more –  An aquarium is a vivarium used for the maintenance of aquatic organisms either marine or freshwater. Small aquariums are found in people’s homes while the public aquariums keep the aquatic animals in large tanks.

There consists different types of aquariums for example; freshwater aquariums, cold water aquariums, saltwater aquariums, breeder tanks, kids tanks, and large tanks

The various materials being used to construct fish aquariums are;

Glass aquarium – glass tanks rely on plastic frames and a strong sealant to support the fish tank.

Acrylic aquarium – acrylic fish tanks used to discolor with exposure to sunlight but with recent developments that is no longer the case.

In addition, the fish tanks come in different aquarium sizes and shapes depending on the gallons of water being used the most common one is the rectangle aquarium.

Discover aquarium size charts and weights

Acrylic aquariums or custom glass have a wide range of size specifications. Fish tank sizes and fish tank dimensions largely depend on the size of fish being reared since an acrylic tank is much lighter and stronger compared to a glass tank which is heavier.

The choice of tank one chooses will determine the gallons of tank water to be used.

Glass or Acrylic Aquarium Dimensions and Weights

Find below the most standard Aquarium size or fish tank dimensions

SMALL AQUARIUM
Tank Size in gallons and litersL * W * H in inches and centimetersFilled weight in pounds and kilograms
2 ½ gallon 9.5 liters 12 * 6 * 8 inches 30.5 * 15.2 * 20.3 centimeters27 pounds 12.2 kilograms
5 gallon 18.9 liters16 * 8 * 10 inches 40.6 * 20.3 * 25.4 centimeters62 pounds 28.1 kilograms
10 gallon leader 37.9 liters20 * 10 * 12 inches 50.8 * 25.4 * 30.5 centimeters111 pounds 50.3 kilograms
15 gallon 56.7 liters24 * 12 * 12 inches 60.9 * 30.5 * 30.5 centimeters170 pounds 77.1 kilograms
15 gallon high 56.7 liters20 * 10 *18 inches 50.8 * 25.4 * 45.7 centimeters170 pounds 77.1 kilograms
   
MEDIUM AQUARIUMS
Tank Size in gallons and litersL * W * H in inches and centimetersFilled weight in pounds and kilograms
20 gallon high 75.7 liters24 * 12 * 16 inches 60.9 * 30.5 * 40.6 centimeters225 pounds 102.1 kilograms
20 gallon long 75.7 liters30 * 12 * 12 inches 76.2 * 30.5 * 30.5 centimeters225 pounds 102.1 kilograms
25 gallon 94.6 liters24 * 12 * 20 inches 60.9 * 30.5 * 50.8 centimeters282 pounds 127.9 kilograms
29 gallon 109.7 liters30 * 12 * 18 inches 76.2 * 30.5 * 45.7 centimeters330 pounds 149.6 kilograms
30 gallon breeder 113.5 liters36 * 18 * 12 inches 91.4 * 45.7 * 30.5 centimeters348 pounds 157.8 kilograms 
40 gallon breeder 151.4 liters36 * 18 * 16 inches 91.4 * 45.7 * 40.6 centimeters458 pounds 207.7 kilograms
40 gallon long 151.4 liters48 * 12 * 16 inches 121.9 * 30.5 * 40.6 centimeters455 pounds 206.3 kilograms
   
LARGE AQUARIUM
Tank Size in gallons and litersL * W * H in inches and centimetersFilled weight in pounds and kilograms
50 gallon 189.2 liters36 * 18 * 19 inches 91.4 * 45.7 * 48.2 centimeters600 pounds 272.1 kilograms
55 gallon 208.1 liters48 * 13 * 21 inches 121.9 * 33.02 * 53.3 centimeters625 pounds 282.4 kilograms
65 gallon 246 liters36 * 18 *24 inches 91.4 * 45.7 * 60.9 centimeters772 pounds 350.1 kilograms
75 gallon 283.9 liters48 * 18 * 21 inches 121.9 * 45.7 * 53.3 centimeters850 pounds 385.5 kilograms
90 gallon 340.6 liters48 * 18 * 24 inches 121.9 * 45.7 * 60.9 centimeters1050 pounds 476.2 kilograms
125 gallon 473.3 liters72 * 18 * 21 inches 182.8 * 45.7 * 53.3 centimeters1400 pounds 635.02 kilograms
150 gallon 567.8 liters72 * 18 * 28 inches 182.8 * 45.7 * 71.12 centimeters1800 pounds 816.4 kilograms
180 gallon 681.3 liters72 * 24 * 25 inches 182.8 * 60.9 * 63.5 centimeters2100 pounds 952.5 kilograms
Standard Aquarium Size and Volumes
Standard Aquarium Size and Volumes

Standard aquarium size of rectangle aquarium with square corners.

VOLUME SIZE – L * W * HTHICKNESS
GallonLiter Inches Millimeter Body Top 
125 gallons473.1 liters72*18*20 inches1829*457*508 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters
135 gallons511 liters72*18*24 inches1829*457*610 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters
150 gallons567.8 liters60*24*24 inches1524*610*610 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters
165 gallons624.5 liters72*18*30 inches1829*457*762 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters
180 gallons681.3 liters60*24*30 inches1524*610*762 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
180 gallons681.3 liters72*24*24 inches1829*610*610 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
215 gallons813.8 liters72*24*30 inches1829*610*762 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
240 gallons908.4 liters96*24*24 inches2438*610*610 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters⅜ inches10 millimeters
260 gallons984.2 liters72*24*36 inches1829*610*914 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
290 gallons1097.7 liters120*24*24 inches3048*610*610 millimeters¾ inches 19 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
300 gallons1135.6 liters96*24*30 inches2438*610*762 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
300 gallons1135.6 liters 96*24*30 inches2438*610*762 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
350 gallons1324.8 liters96*24*36 inches2438*610*914 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
360 gallons1362.7 liters120*24*30 inches3048*610*762 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
435 gallons1648.8 liters120*24*36 inches3048*610*914 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters½ inches13 millimeters
525 gallons1987.3 liters96*36*36 inches2438*914*914 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
590 gallons2195.5 liters120*36*48 inches3048*610*1219 millimeters1 inches25 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
650 gallons2460.5 liters120*36*36 inches3048*914*914 millimeters1 inches25 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
870 gallons3293.3 liters120*36*48 inches3048*914*1219 millimeters1 inches25 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters
950 gallons3598.1 liters96*48*48 inches2438*1219*1219 millimeters1 inches25 millimeters¾ inches19 millimeters

Aquarium size chart of common species of fish reared

Common name Size of fish in inches and centimeters
Brown-point shield skin longirostris1.5 inches 3.8 centimeters
Loach catfish1.6 inches 4 centimeters
Britski’s catfish3.5 inches 8.9 centimeters
Black phantom tetra1.4 inches 3.6 centimeters
Black neon tetra1.3 inches 3.2 centimeters
Common hatchetfish1.6 inches 4 centimeters
Marbled hatchetfish2 inches 5 centimeters
Golden pencilfish2.4 inches 6 centimeters
Hockeystick pencilfish1.4 inches 3.5 centimeters
Silver dollar5.9 inches 15 centimeters

How to choose the right aquarium size and weight

Before the purchase of a fish and its aquarium, it’s important to study on how to take care of the fish in terms of food and its sole habitat the aquarium. Looking for more Fish related size charts?

When choosing a fish tank size it majorly depends on the number of fishes you want to keep and the space you have available. Fish tank capacity ranges from 0.5 gallons to over 200 gallons of water. It’s important to check the manual size guard chart to know what capacity tank you need and also the aquarium weight when full and when it’s empty.

5-gallon tanks are the minimum size aquariums for a single fish but unfortunately, it’s susceptible to a lot of factors. Moreover, the 11-20 gallons tank is beginner-friendly and very affordable that won’t take too much space.

The medium-sized tanks hold 20-40 gallons and can hold half a dozen to a full dozen varieties of fish. Unfortunately, it’s a bit costly. Larger tanks hold over 100 gallons and more, therefore, accommodating bigger fish variety. They are usually beautiful in appearance and create healthy environments for the fish. Unfortunately, they are too heavy and are a hassle when cleaning.

Importance of a correct size Aquarium Fish tank explained

Fish tank size matters by KGTropicals

Conclusion on Aquarium size

We have concluded that the most important thing to consider when purchasing an aquarium is the weight capacity it has when it is filled with water and the substrate and its weight when it’s empty.

This is because glass aquariums are slightly heavier compared to acrylic aquariums even when they have the same aquarium dimensions.

Therefore it’s advisable to buy an aquarium tank designed with its own stand to carry the aquarium and the written manual guide.

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Picture in this post by Ahmed Zayan on Unsplash

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