Turn that into cubic feet and multiply the result by 7.48. To convert the cubic inches into cubic feet you need to divide the volume by 1728. Multiply the gallon capacity of your tank, which we found in step 3 by how much water weighs per pound. You may have heard that round fish tanks are bad for fish. This typically refers to the traditional glass fish bowl that we associate with goldfish. A small glass fish bowl with no filter, heating or light is bad for any fish and should be avoided. All fish need plenty of space to swim freely and a small glass bowl does not allow this.

The priority when buying a fish tank should be the health and wellbeing of the fish. However, once this has been properly researched, you can enjoy looking at different styles and thinking about how the aquarium will look in your home. Corals and plants need light to survive, just like humans and other animals. If they don’t get enough, the result won’t be good for these aquatic species. Most 30 gallon fish tanks come with a built-in hood and special lighting that’s designed to support plant growth. I made specific recommendations on choosing the best LED lights for corals based on aquarium height and the species you want to keep. Visit the link to learn more. FilterThink about what areas of your home can support this significant amount of weight before setting up a fish tank. Before placing your fish tank, be sure to choose a place that will stay for a long time. Moving a fish tank requires removing the fish, plants, and water, which is a disruptive process. Can a fish tank be too large? The surface area and volume of a fish tank are directly influenced by its dimensions and shape. To determine the capacity of an aquarium, it is important to take into consideration the amount of water that is displaced by the gravel and sand that is in the tank. Determine the Water Surface Area of a Fish Tank

No, freshwater fish and saltwater fish have very different needs related to the type of water where they can live. Freshwater fish require fresh water. This type of fish usually includes several tropical fish varieties. On the other hand, saltwater, or marine, fish require water that is mixed with ocean salt. What fish can go in a five-gallon tank? While it was once the norm to have a solitary goldfish swimming around a glass bowl, the options for fish owners have, thankfully, moved on quite a bit. You can now buy fish tanks in several shapes and sizes. Although some of your decision will come down to how many fish you have and how much space you have in your home, you’ll also need to factor in lighting, heating, and cleaning when choosing the best fish tank for your needs. There are several types of aquarium heater you can buy according to the tank you are using. When looking for round fish tank heating, you’re more likely to choose an external heater, as these do not need to go in the tank, maximising space for the fish. Similarly, you can use an external fish tank heater for your rectangular tank if you don’t want a submersive heater to get in the way of any aquascaping . I’ve seen enough small aquariums with a spoiled interior because the owner got an over-sized heater. WavemakerA rectangular tank is the most common type of aquarium found in homes. This tank is a perfect home for reptiles, rodents, saltwater fish, or freshwater animals. The rectangular aquarium tank comes in many sizes. A round fish tank is bad for fish that are not suited to that environment, no matter how big it is. So, do your research thoroughly to make sure that the fish you intend to keep will be happy in your chosen tank. 3. Aesthetics

Last but not least, the gallon capacity of your reef tank, for example, plays a major role in your choice of aquarium wavemaker. The pentagon aquarium tank is a nice shape for those who desire or require a mid-size to a large aquarium. A pentagon aquarium tank gives a similar look to that of a hexagon tank but has a bow front whereas a hexagon tank does not. All tanks that you buy from the store will have a label clearly stating how much water they can hold. A mid-size tank can come in several different shapes and sizes and is perfect for fresh or saltwater fish. Many mid-size tanks also come in an aquarium kit with the proper lighting, filtration, and aquarium decorations ready to go. A 20-gallon tank is perfect for housing multiple small rodents, like mice, or can be used to house a snake or small lizard. Large AquariumsI provided all the formulas so that anyone with a non-standard tank can figure it out on their own. That’s because many brands recognize that small tanks are the biggest revenue drivers (which is not a good thing, since as I said earlier, beginners should ideally start with a mid-sized tank). Aquarium Kit As long as you make sure the tank is big enough, however, then some fish will get along fine in a round fish tank. Round fish tanks do have smaller water volumes and so naturally, smaller fish would be the best option. Choose species such as guppies or white cloud minnows, as these are able to adapt to their environment better than other fish. Smaller water volumes can also mean water quality and temperatures fluctuate. Even with a good quality tank filter , a round fish tank will need the water changing more often. Common goldfish actually produce a lot of waste and so maintaining water quality for these fish is a priority, meaning a rectangular tank would be better.

Corals are very sensitive to the intensity and spectrum of the incoming light they use for photosynthesis. Certain fish, such as long Zebrafish, will also prefer a rectangular fish tank, as they are better suited to wider tanks that give them plenty of space to swim. Other fish, for example Angelfish, prefer deeper tanks, and so a large round fish tank would work well if you’re choosing these types of taller fish. 2. The Best Environment for Your Fish

Siamese Fighting Fish

Yes! A fish tank can be too large, especially if the space or time is not available to dedicate to the hobby. Having too large of a fish tank can draw too much time and energy away from other activities and hobbies you may enjoy. In that link, I do specific product recommendations based on aquarium depth and the type of plants you may want to keep.