How Big a Tank Should I Get?

An often question that beginners aquarists are asking is: “How big a tank should I get?” It is rather difficult to have a quick correct answer. In order to answer to this a person should exactly know a few details about the owner’s preferences and availabilities.

First of all, you should know exactly where the aquarium should be placed: bedroom, living room, office, conference hall, etc. so that you can measure the dimensions of the area at your disposal for this purpose. Add some space around the aquarium and think that some equipment is going with it.
At the end you must be able to move around the aquarium system. Another problem is the weight of the whole system. Not calculating the weight of the tank full with water, decorations and fish, plus equipment, might cause serious problems to the floor, especially if it is old.
Talking about exact dimensions can be rather difficult, especially if you have never been an ace at math. Therefore, calculate all the dimensions correctly so that you can avoid any unpleasant surprises. The following information have the purpose to help you get a good and correct orientation.

Tank Measurements (inch outside dimensions)

- Tank size 10 gallon; outside dimensions 20 1⁄4 x 10 1⁄2 x 12 9⁄16; weight full 111 pounds; weight empty 11 pounds;
- Tank size 10 gallon long; outside dimensions 24 1⁄4 x 8 1⁄2 x 12 5⁄8; weight full 116 pounds; weight empty 16 pounds;
- Tank size 15 gallon; outside dimensions 24 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 12 3⁄4; weight full 170 pounds; weight empty 21 pounds;
- Tank size 15 gallon high; outside dimensions 20 1⁄4 x 10 1⁄2 x 18 3⁄4; weight full 170 pounds; weight empty 22 pounds;
- Tank size 20 high; outside dimensions 24 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 16 3⁄4; weight full 225 pounds; weight empty 25 pounds;
- Tank size 20 long; outside dimensions 30 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 22 3⁄4; weight full 225 pounds; weight empty 25 pounds;
- Tank size 29 gallon; outside dimensions 30 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 18 3⁄4; weight full 330 pounds; weight empty 40 pounds;
- Tank size 30 gallon; outside dimensions 36 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 x 16 3⁄4; weight full 343 pounds; weight empty 43 pounds;
- Tank size 30 gallon high; outside dimensions 24 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 24 3⁄4; weight full 340 pounds; weight empty 41 pounds;
- Tank size 38 gallon; outside dimensions 36 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 x 19 3⁄4; weight full 427 pounds; weight empty 47 pounds;
- Tank size 40 gallon breeder; outside dimensions 36 3⁄16 x 18 1⁄4 x 16 15⁄16; weight full 458 pounds; weight empty 58 pounds;
- Tank size 40 gallon long; outside dimensions 48 1⁄4 x 12 3⁄4 x 16 7⁄8; weight full 455 pounds; weight empty 55 pounds;
- Tank size 45 gallon; outside dimensions 36 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 x 23 3⁄4; weight full 515 pounds; weight empty 66 pounds;
- Tank size 45 gallon long; outside dimensions 48 1⁄4 x 12 3⁄4 x 23 3⁄4; weight full 510 pounds; weight empty 60 pounds;
- Tank size 50 gallon; outside dimensions 36 7⁄8 x 19 x 19 5⁄8; weight full 600 pounds; weight empty 100 pound;
- Tank size 55 gallon; outside dimensions 48 1⁄4 x 12 3⁄4 x 21; weight full 625 pounds; weight empty 78 pounds;
- Tank size 60 gallon; outside dimensions 48 3⁄8 x 12 7⁄8 x 23 7⁄8; weight full 710 pounds; weight empty 111 pounds;
- Tank size 65 gallon; outside dimensions 36 7⁄8 x 19 x 24 5⁄8; weight full 775 pounds; weight empty 126 pounds;
- Tank size 75 gallon; outside dimensions 48 1⁄2 x 18 1⁄2 x 21 3⁄8; weight full 850 pounds; weight empty 140 pounds;
- Tank size 90 gallon; outside dimensions 48 1⁄2 x 18 1⁄2 x 25 3⁄8; weight full 1,050 pounds; weight empty 160 pounds;
- Tank size 110 gallon high; outside dimensions 48 7⁄8 x 19 x 30 3⁄4; weight full 1,320 pounds; weight empty 198 pounds;
- Tank size 120 gallon high; outside dimensions 48 1⁄2 x 24 1⁄4 x 2 1⁄2; weight full 1,400 pounds; weight empty 215 pounds
- Tank size 150 gallon; outside dimensions 72 1⁄2 x 18 1⁄2 x 28 1⁄2; weight full 1, 800 pounds; weight empty 338 pounds;
- Tank size 180 gallon; outside dimensions 72 1⁄2 x 24 1⁄2 x 25 5⁄8; weight full 2,100 pounds; weight empty 368 pounds.