Idea Dimension Of A 5 Gallon Fish Tank: Global Standards

Buying a 5 gallon fish tank may seem like the perfect idea for a beginner aquarist. It obviously looks portable and won’t occupy a large area in your living space. However, bear in mind that the biofiltration of a 5 gallon fish tank is not very efficient due to its size.

The filter is usually small but if you are still interested in getting a tank this size, you need to know what the dimension is. This helps you to specifically determine the size of the aquarium. 

This post will do well to provide specific figures concerning the 5 gallon tank dimensions. You will also learn about the weight and how many fish it can safely hold. 

Dimension of a 5 gallon fish tank

The dimension of a 5 gallon fish tank is 16″ x 8″ x 10″. It is probably the smallest aquarium you can find on the market these days. Due to the size, you may think that the tank wouldn’t require much effort when it comes to maintenance.

Surprisingly, a small tank such as this needs your attention and observation at all times. The area of the fish tank is quite small compared to other aquariums. As a result, a little change on the surface would have a significant impact on the entire tank. 

Moreover, if you choose to settle for a 5-gallon fish tank, one of the best things you can do is get a solid filtration system that can clean the water and make your fish comfortable. 

Weight of a 5 gallon fish tank

A 5-gallon fish tank weighs 7 lbs. When it’s filled with water, it weighs up to 62 lbs. When it comes to determining the weight of a 5-gallon aquarium, the shape is not much of a factor. The fish tank would weigh the same thing whether it’s rectangular, hexagonal, or cylindrical.

More importantly, a 5-gallon fish tank is not heavy. In case you’re wondering where to place it in your apartment, the weight is not a concern. Also, you don’t necessarily have to get a stand. You can place this tank on a table or beside a cabinet if you want. 

5 Gallon vs 10 Gallon vs 20 Gallon Fish Tank

Although a 5-gallon tank may be your preferred choice, it’s still reasonable to learn about other tank sizes you could settle for in the future. Taking into account sizes, weight, and the number of fish a tank can contain, here is a table that states the difference between a 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 20-gallon tank.

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

How many fish can a 5 gallon tank accommodate?

There’s a simple rule that can help you determine the number of fish to have in a tank; every inch of fish requires a gallon of water. This rule is mostly applicable to small fish.

If you do the math correctly, you’d realize that a 5-gallon tank can contain only 2 – 4 tiny fish that don’t grow more than one inch. Ideally, the kind of fish you should have in this tank are Tetras, Betta, Shrimps, and Rasbora. Any fish that grows more than one inch is not recommended for a 5-gallon aquarium. 

Is a 5-gallon fish tank good for me?

For someone who is a complete beginner in keeping fish, a 5-gallon aquarium is just fine. Since you are inexperienced, owning a large fish tank would only overwhelm you. You basically need to start small. 

With a 5-gallon tank, you can easily see what’s going on. You have only a few fish to look after, which means you would spend less money on fish food and maintenance of the overall tank.

Notwithstanding, one of the few things you must learn as a beginner whether your tank is big or small, is the water parameter. You need to know how to adjust the water condition according to the liking of the fish. For instance, fish can only thrive in a tank when the temperature of the water is right.

What to look for in a 5-gallon fish tank

Buying a 5-gallon fish tank may be a very bad investment if certain features are missing from the aquarium kit. Hence, here are the key things to look for when getting a tank: 

• Lighting and hood

It’s recommended to buy a hooded aquarium. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, bear in mind that some fish are fond of jumping frequently. Goldfish or Betta fish are natural jumpers. If there’s no covering the top of the tank, you could lose your fish. As for the lighting, that’s also very important.

LED lights are good for fish and plants. To make the tank feel more natural for the fish, the hood should have an LED light set into it. 

• Design

Some people don’t just buy aquariums because they love fish. They also need an aquarium to beautify their living space. If this is one of your objectives for wanting to get a fish tank, then you must be concerned about the design of the tank.

The design should match the interior of your apartment. Although a 5-gallon aquarium is small, it may look a little bit awkward if the design doesn’t complement the aesthetics of your living space. 

• Hidden filtration 

Since a 5-gallon tank is small, having a visible filter inside can make it look even smaller. To avoid this, it’s best to go for an aquarium that is built with a hidden filtration system. Mind you, this doesn’t mean you won’t literally see the filter. For example, the filter can be transparent which makes it look sleek and compatible with the tank.

On the other hand, some filters are creatively placed in a tank allowing enough room for the fish to swim comfortably. Notwithstanding, while looking for hidden filtration, don’t make the mistake of buying a filter that wouldn’t work efficiently.

FAQs

Final thoughts on 5 gallon tank dimensions

To determine the kind of fish you are supposed to have in your 5-gallon aquarium, you need to keep the dimension of the tank in mind. Also, 5-gallon tanks are small, but you can turn yours into a fabulous aquatic setup when you apply some creativity. After using this size of fish tank for a while, you can upgrade to something bigger. Maybe a 10-gallon aquarium or 20-gallon aquarium.