Standard Fish Tank Sizes & Dimensions Chart
Explore dimensions, gallon capacities, filled weights, and floor footprints for 26 standard aquarium sizes with instant 1-click calculator sync.
| Tank Model & Type | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Volume | Empty Wt | Filled Wt | Surface Area | Min Glass | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.5 Gallon Pico | 12″ × 6″ × 8″ | 2.5 Gal | 3 lbs | 27 lbs | 72 sq in | 3 mm | |
5 Gallon Standard | 16″ × 8″ × 10″ | 5 Gal | 7 lbs | 55 lbs | 128 sq in | 4 mm | |
10 Gallon Standard | 20″ × 10″ × 12″ | 10 Gal | 11 lbs | 111 lbs | 200 sq in | 4 mm | |
15 Gallon Standard | 24″ × 12″ × 12″ | 15 Gal | 21 lbs | 170 lbs | 288 sq in | 5 mm | |
20 Gallon High | 24″ × 12″ × 16″ | 20 Gal | 25 lbs | 225 lbs | 288 sq in | 5 mm | |
20 Gallon Long | 30″ × 12″ × 12″ | 20 Gal | 25 lbs | 225 lbs | 360 sq in | 5 mm | |
29 Gallon Standard | 30″ × 12″ × 18″ | 29 Gal | 40 lbs | 330 lbs | 360 sq in | 6 mm | |
30 Gallon Breeder Breeder | 36″ × 18″ × 12″ | 30 Gal | 48 lbs | 348 lbs | 648 sq in | 6 mm | |
37 Gallon Column Cube | 30″ × 12″ × 22″ | 37 Gal | 45 lbs | 415 lbs | 360 sq in | 6 mm | |
40 Gallon Breeder Breeder | 36″ × 18″ × 16″ | 40 Gal | 58 lbs | 458 lbs | 648 sq in | 6 mm | |
40 Gallon Long | 48″ × 13″ × 16″ | 40 Gal | 55 lbs | 455 lbs | 624 sq in | 6 mm | |
50 Gallon Standard | 36″ × 18″ × 19″ | 50 Gal | 80 lbs | 580 lbs | 648 sq in | 8 mm | |
55 Gallon Standard | 48″ × 13″ × 21″ | 55 Gal | 78 lbs | 625 lbs | 624 sq in | 8 mm | |
65 Gallon High Breeder | 36″ × 18″ × 24″ | 65 Gal | 112 lbs | 762 lbs | 648 sq in | 10 mm | |
75 Gallon Standard | 48″ × 18″ × 21″ | 75 Gal | 140 lbs | 850 lbs | 864 sq in | 10 mm | |
90 Gallon Standard | 48″ × 18″ × 24″ | 90 Gal | 160 lbs | 1050 lbs | 864 sq in | 10 mm | |
110 Gallon High | 48″ × 18″ × 30″ | 110 Gal | 215 lbs | 1320 lbs | 864 sq in | 12 mm | |
120 Gallon Wide Breeder | 48″ × 24″ × 24″ | 120 Gal | 215 lbs | 1400 lbs | 1152 sq in | 12 mm | |
125 Gallon Long | 72″ × 18″ × 21″ | 125 Gal | 206 lbs | 1400 lbs | 1296 sq in | 12 mm | |
150 Gallon Standard | 72″ × 18″ × 28″ | 150 Gal | 290 lbs | 1750 lbs | 1296 sq in | 12 mm | |
180 Gallon Monster | 72″ × 24″ × 24″ | 180 Gal | 338 lbs | 2100 lbs | 1728 sq in | 15 mm | |
14 Gallon Cube Cube | 15″ × 15″ × 15″ | 14.6 Gal | 22 lbs | 160 lbs | 225 sq in | 5 mm | |
UNS 45U / ADA 45P Rimless | 17.7″ × 11″ × 11″ | 9.3 Gal | 16 lbs | 105 lbs | 194.7 sq in | 5 mm | |
UNS 60U / ADA 60P Rimless | 23.6″ × 14.2″ × 14.2″ | 20.6 Gal | 32 lbs | 225 lbs | 335.12 sq in | 6 mm | |
UNS 90U / ADA 90P Rimless | 35.4″ × 17.7″ × 17.7″ | 48 Gal | 85 lbs | 525 lbs | 626.5799999999999 sq in | 10 mm | |
36 Gallon Bowfront | 30″ × 15″ × 21″ | 36 Gal | 54 lbs | 414 lbs | 450 sq in | 6 mm |
Aquarium Dimensions Guide: Footprint vs. Height Analysis.
Choosing the right aquarium size involves far more than gross gallons. Tank footprint determines surface area for oxygenation and bottom-dweller territory, while height dictates required glass thickness and light penetration.
40 Gallon Breeder vs. 55 Gallon
Although the 55G holds 15 more gallons, it is notoriously narrow (only 13 inches wide). The 40 Gallon Breeder (36″ × 18″ × 16″) provides 648 sq. inches of floor footprint compared to the 55G's 624 sq. inches. Its 18-inch front-to-back depth gives superior aquascaping perspective, better water-to-air gas exchange, and easier maintenance since you don't need to reach 21 inches deep.
20 Gallon Long vs. 20 Gallon High
A 20 Gallon Long (30″ × 12″ × 12″) provides 360 sq. inches of footprint and a 30-inch horizontal swimming runway — perfect for schooling tetras, danios, and rasboras. A 20 Gallon High (24″ × 12″ × 16″) has only 288 sq. inches of surface area but offers vertical room for tall plants (Amazon Swords) and deep-bodied fish like Angelfish pairs.
Rimless ADA & UNS Standards
Modern aquascaping follows standard metric dimensions pioneered by Takashi Amano (ADA). The 60P (60 × 30 × 36 cm / 17.1 gal) and 90P (90 × 45 × 45 cm / 48 gal) are engineered with golden ratio proportions and require 6 mm to 10 mm low-iron float glass with high-tensile clear silicone to eliminate distortion without plastic braces.
How to Calculate Filled Weight & Floor Support
Pure water weighs 8.34 lbs per US gallon (1 kg per litre). When including the glass tank, gravel/sand bed (1.5 lbs/gal), and rock hardscape, a filled aquarium weighs approximately 10 to 12 pounds per gallon (1.2 to 1.4 kg/L). For aquariums exceeding 55 gallons (>600 lbs), always place the stand perpendicular across multiple floor joists against an exterior load-bearing wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers to detailed planning questions for this calculator module.
Aquarium Sizes & Dimensions
What are the dimensions of a standard 55-gallon fish tank?
A standard 55-gallon aquarium measures 48 inches long by 13 inches wide by 21 inches tall (122 × 33 × 53 cm). Because it is narrow (13 inches deep), it is best suited for fast-swimming schooling fish, but offers limited floor depth for intricate aquascaping compared to a 40-gallon breeder or 75-gallon tank.
Why is a 40-gallon breeder considered better than a 55-gallon tank?
The 40-gallon breeder measures 36″ L × 18″ W × 16″ H. Its 18-inch front-to-back depth provides 50% more floor footprint area than a 55-gallon tank (13 inches wide). This wide footprint allows for dramatic aquascaping depth, superior water-to-air oxygenation, and much more territory for bottom-dwelling fish like cichlids, corydoras, and plecos.
What is the difference between a 20-gallon long and a 20-gallon high aquarium?
A 20-gallon long measures 30″ L × 12″ W × 12″ H, while a 20-gallon high measures 24″ L × 12″ W × 16″ H. The 20-gallon long is preferred by most experienced aquarists because its 30-inch length provides 25% more swimming runway and greater surface area for gas exchange, making it ideal for active schooling tetras and rasboras.
How much does a 75-gallon fish tank weigh when filled?
A 75-gallon aquarium weighs approximately 140 lbs (64 kg) empty. When filled with 75 gallons of water (625 lbs), 80 lbs of substrate, and decorations, the total operational weight reaches 850 to 900 lbs (385 to 410 kg). Verify that your stand and floor joists can handle this concentrated load.
What are standard rimless aquarium sizes (ADA sizing)?
Standard rimless sizes follow the Japanese/European dimensions: 45P (45×27×30 cm, 9.6 gal), 60P (60×30×36 cm, 17.1 gal), 90P (90×45×45 cm, 48 gal), and 120P (120×45×45 cm, 64 gal). They feature ultra-clear low-iron glass, clear silicone, and slightly thicker panels (6–12 mm) to withstand water pressure without plastic framing.
