Dimension Of A 10 Gallon Fish Tank: Aquarium Standards

If you are getting an aquarium kit for the first time, it’s important you spend your hard-earned money on something you can handle. That is, instead of trying to get a large fish tank, go for something smaller.

Ideally, new aquarists are supposed to own a 10-gallon fish tank or a 20-gallon at most. This post will shed light on the 10 gallon fish tank dimensions and why it could be the perfect aquarium for beginners. 

More importantly, in case you’d like to make comparisons between a 10-gallon fish tank and other aquarium sizes, you’d find the information you’re looking for. There’s a table below that precisely gives the dimensions of a 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 20-gallon tank. 

10 Gallon fish tank dimensions and size

A 10-gallon fish tank is obviously a small aquarium. However, that could be what you need if you are inexperienced. For a rectangular tank, a 10-gallon tank is built with the dimensions of  20” L x 10” W x 12” H.

Mind you, these dimensions don’t account for other aspects of the aquarium such as the canopy, light, and other vital equipment.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your apartment to house an aquarium, the 10-gallon fish could be the only option that works. It’s more or less a cabinet size. But your 10-gallon tank doesn’t have to be rectangular. You can choose other interesting shapes, especially if it’s a custom-made tank. 

5 Gallon vs 10 Gallon vs 20 Gallon Fish Tank

Considering factors like maintenance, available space in your apartment, and overall cost, it’s usually best to settle for a smaller tank as a beginner aquarist. Comparing a 5 gallon vs 10 gallon vs 20 gallon tank, here’s a table to help you decide which small tank is perfect for you: 

Features	5 Gallon Fish Tank	10 Gallon Fish Tank	20 Gallon Fish Tank
Size and weight	Smaller	Bigger	Biggest
Fish quantity	4 – 6	8 – 10	10 – 20
Maintenance difficultly	Easier	Harder	Difficult
Price	Cheap	Pricey	Most expensive

10 Gallon tank Aquarium kit for beginners

There are numerous 10-gallon aquarium kits you can find on the market. Irrespective of the 10-gallon aquarium kit you get, bear in mind that it is easy to set up. However, due to the small size, low water volume, and limited surface area, it can be sometimes difficult for new aquarists to manage.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for a 10-gallon tank anymore. It’s just one factor you should keep in mind. 

Besides, a 10-gallon kit has certain advantages for beginners. Firstly, a typical 10-gallon aquarium kit comes with almost everything you need to set up a fish tank. Another advantage is that 10-gallon fish can be found easily. You could find it “on-sale” at local chain stores or online. 

Moreover, if you happen to purchase your aquarium kit at a local pet shop, you can always speak with the shop owner if need any assistance to set up and manage your fish tank.   

How much does a 10-gallon fish tank weigh?

Everyone expects all 10-gallon fish tanks to have the same weight. But this is not the case sometimes. The weight slightly varies depending on the type of glass the aquarium has been built with. Most aquariums are acrylic instead of glass, and this makes them a little lighter in weight.

When empty, a 10-gallon fish tank weighs around 11 pounds. Once it is filled with water, the tank would weigh up to 100 pounds. Note that one gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds, and we are talking about 10 gallons plus the weight of the tank itself. 

On the other hand, remember you’d be adding sand, decorations, filter, light, and other equipment. This will make the tank even heavier. 

Also, your 10-gallon aquarium would need a stand. The stand should be able to support the edges of the tank and can hold more than 100 pounds in weight. 

How to calculate aquarium volume

You are to calculate aquarium volume using gallons and liters. To determine the quantity of water your tank can hold, you must know the dimensions. For example, a 10-gallon fish tank is built with dimensions of  20” x 10” x 12”.

To see figure out the volume of water contained in the aquarium, simply multiply the 3 numbers together and divide your answer by 231 – 20×12×10 = 2,400. Then divide by 231 = 10.38 gallons. This is the same you use to calculate the volume for other tank sizes.   

How many fish can you keep in a 10-gallon fish tank?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a beginner fish keeper is overstocking your aquarium. When using a small tank like a 10-gallon, you must understand that you can’t keep so many fish. A total of 5 or 6 fish around 1 inch in size can be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium. Fish like guppies are perfect for a small tank this size. You can’t keep anything larger than that. 

More importantly, bear in mind that some species of fish love enough space even though they are not big in size. Hence, make sure you do some research to know the kind of fish that would be comfortable in your tank. It’s not just the size. You have to also consider the nature of the fish.

Fish that aren’t comfortable in small areas may not thrive in your 10-gallon tank, except if you are keeping just one fish. Besides, some fish can be territorial. There needs to be enough space for them to claim ownership. 

FAQs

Quick summary: 10 gallon fish tank dimensions 

Having known the 10 gallon fish tank dimensions, you should have a clear idea of the tank you need as a beginner. Besides, it’s not compulsory you settle for a tank of this size. For example, if you definitely want to keep goldfish, then you would have to spend money on a larger tank. Maybe a 20-gallon aquarium. If goldfish is not what you’re interested in, then you could stick with your 10-gallon for now.