You want to start your first home aquarium. Or, maybe you just want to try out some new tanks. No matter how or why you’re looking for an aquarium, the biggest consideration you’ll want to make is the size of your tank. Deciding the right size of fish tank is the best way to get your home aquarium started on the right foot. Getting a tank that’s too big or too small can lead to some major issues for your fish and live plants, if set it up the wrong way. So, let’s take a look at some factors that will help you decide what size fish tank you’ll need for your home aquarium.
Going Tiny: Considerations for Small Fish Tanks
Small fish tanks are a great way for newbies and families to get started with a home aquarium. Families in particular tend to choose small fish tanks to start out. And, there are many Benefits to Having an At-Home Aquarium for your Children. So having a small fish tank at home is a no-brainer. If you get a small fish tank, they can fit easily into small or compact spaces. Plus, they work well for taking care of smaller groups of fish. Less space, less fish, and less plants generally means less maintenance for you. But, smaller doesn’t necessarily mean better if you get a tank that’s small but overload it with too many fish or plants. Here are some things to think about when going small:
- How Many Fish Will You be Adding to the Tank?: Fish need room to swim. So if you’re getting a smaller fish tank, don’t get too many fish. Overcrowding can cause some major environmental and social issues in your tank.
- How Quickly Can Harmful Substances Build Up?: Smaller spaces mean a higher chance of ammonia buildup. This is because the filtration systems in smaller tanks aren’t always as good as larger tanks. So, if you have a small fish tank, you’ll want to make sure you keep an eye on these levels.
- Should You Monitor Unstable Temperatures, Water pH, and Oxygen Levels?: Unstable temperatures, water pH, and oxygen levels are the number one reason why many fish die in a small fish tank, and it’s a big reason why many aquarium veterans actually discourage new fishkeepers from getting smaller tanks. Fish tanks that are smaller have less water. This means that unstable temperatures and fluctuating pH can happen quickly and be hard to regulate. For this reason alone, considering a larger sized tank can actually help prevent some of these issues.
- How Easy or Hard is it to Clean?: It might seem like less fish and plants means less cleaning. But, it can actually be really hard to clean a small tank, especially if you have too many fish or plants in your tank and things constantly build up. So, if you do have a small tank, having only have a few fish and plants will help with dirt and debris issues.
- How Much Space Do Your Fish Need to Swim?: When you go with a smaller fish tank, make sure you have enough space for the fish you keep to swim. This means adding less fish and picking types of fish that can thrive in a smaller environment.
With these considerations in mind, if you are looking at a smaller tank, don’t go any smaller than a tank under 5 gallons in size. This means avoiding fish bowls and mini-aquariums. A 20 to 30 gallon size fish tank is a great smaller size that can accommodate most fish and plants.
Living Large: Considerations for Large Fish Tanks
They say bigger is always better, but in some cases having a tank that’s too big might not actually be a great fit for your, your fish, and your fishkeeping goals. When it comes to choosing a large fish tank, consider how much you want to spend and how much space you have for the tank. These two factors are the most important considerations before you even buy a large tank. Here are some other things you’ll want to think about before buying a larger size aquarium.
- How Many Fish Will You be Adding to the Tank?: Like adding fish to small tanks, you’ll want to consider how many fish you want to add. It’s completely possible to overcrowd a large tank. So, you want to make sure you have a good balance between too many and too few fish.
- How Big are the Fish You’re Adding to the Tank?: Generally, with a big fish tank, you can add fish that are larger in size or can grow over time. Believe it or not, fish can actually outgrow a tank, so definitely think about how large your fish could grow before you add them.
- What is the Water Temperature?: Do you want to add cold-water or tropical fish? If so, having a larger tank may be a better bet for certain types of fish.
- How Much Surface Area Do You Need?: There’s a lot of formulas out there to help you calculate the surface area for your tank. Surface area is simply the amount of space per inch per fish that you will need. Most newbies to fishkeeping might not need to think about this, but if you’re getting a larger tank, you’ll want to keep it in mind.
Bigger tank sizes can vary, and you’ll want to choose one that fits in your house and can be easily maintained. A good starter large tank size is 55 to 75 gallons, but of course, can go higher as the tanks get larger. If you’re not sure a large tank is for you, chances are you’ll want to scale back to a smaller, easier to maintain tank.
Choosing the Size of Fish Tank You Need
Choosing the perfect size fish tank depends on a lot of different factors. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned fishkeeping pro, you’ll want to think about the type of fish and plants along with some of the tips we’ve mentioned here to decide the size of fish tank you need. Still not sure where to start? Check out this article from the San Antonio Express News on Finding Your First Aquarium. Business Insider also shares their tips on How to Create the Perfect Home Aquarium. These are both great resources to continue learning more about fish tank size and home aquarium basics.