If you are buying a new fish tank, you should know about their sizes and weight. Here are 31 examples of aquariums with their weight.
How Much Does a Fish Tank Weigh? An aquarium’s weight depends on its size and dimension. Usually, a smaller fish tank weighs around 25 to 200 pounds, while large and extra-large tanks have too much weight that ranges between 500 to 5000 pounds. Also, the weight depends upon the equipment and materials inside it.
Contents
- 1 How Much Does a Fish Tank Weigh?
- 1.1 Smaller fish tank weight
- 1.2 Medium-sized fish tank weight
- 1.3 Large fish tank weight
- 1.4 Extra-large aquarium weight
- 1.5 How to calculate the weight of a custom build or established tank?
- 1.6 Factors that affect the weight of the aquarium
- 1.7 Weight of substrate and rocks
- 1.8 How does the material of the aquarium affect its weight?
- 1.9 How do the size and dimension of the aquarium affect its weight?
- 1.10 Weight of canopies
- 1.11 How the plants and fish affect the overall weight of the aquarium?
- 1.12 Weight of water
- 1.13 How water temperature affects its weight?
- 1.14 The ideal weight of a fish tank
How Much Does a Fish Tank Weigh?
Before buying or establishing an aquarium, it is necessary to determine the weight to make an ideal setup and placement.
Fish-keeping is becoming more and more popular with time, and everybody wants to add an aquarium into their home. A fish tank is the small aqua-space in which aquatic life lives and grows, which means you have to provide them all their needs and requirements.
Hence setting up the whole scenario and adding all necessities will increase the overall weight of the tank.
Keeping a home aquarium needs the determination of its weight and size before its setup and placement. You should consider how much their aquarium will weigh after adding all the water, equipment, plants, and fish.
Even a small decoration and ornament add up to the weight. Fish tanks are usually heavy, and their weight increase with their size and water capacity.
An aquarium’s weight depends upon several factors, and keeping in mind all of them is necessary for successful establishment.
Also, you have to maintain and give the tank a complete cleanup session at least once a month, for which you have to move it to the disposal area. This shifting is only possible when you correctly determine the weight to make an optimal setup.
31 Examples of Aquariums (empty and filled) With their Weights & Dimensions
| Fish Tank size | Dimensions | Empty weight | Filled weight |
| 1 gallon | 10x4x6 | 1 to 2 lbs | 10 to 20 lbs |
| 2 gallons | 12x6x8 | 2 to 3 lbs | 25 to 28 lbs |
| 5 gallons | 16x8x10 | 6 to 8 lbs | 60 to 65 lbs |
| 10 gallons | 20x10x12 | 10 to 12 lbs | 110 to 120 lbs |
| 15 gallons | 22x12x14 | 20 to 22 lbs | 160 to 170 lbs |
| 20 gallons | 24x12x16 | 24 to 26 lbs | 220 to 230 lbs |
| 25 gallons | 26x14x16 | 30 to 35 lbs | 270 to 280 lbs |
| 29 gallons | 30x16x18 | 40 to 45 lbs | 330 to 340 lbs |
| 30 gallons | 34x18x14 | 45 to 50 lbs | 350 to 355 lbs |
| 35 gallons | 34x18x16 | 50 to 55 lbs | 380 to 390 lbs |
| 40 gallons | 36x18x16 | 55 to 60 lbs | 450 to 460 lbs |
| 45 gallons | 36x18x19 | 70 to 85 lbs | 500 to 520 lbs |
| 50 gallons | 36x18x19 | 90 to 100 lbs | 580 to 600 lbs |
| 55 gallons | 36x13x21 | 100 to 110 lbs | 620 to 630 lbs |
| 60 gallons | 48x14x24 | 120 to 125 lbs | 680 to 700 lbs |
| 65 gallons | 48x16x21 | 125 to 130 lbs | 750 to 760 lbs |
| 75 gallons | 48x18x24 | 140 to 145 lbs | 850 to 880 lbs |
| 80 gallons | 48x20x22 | 150 to 160 lbs | 890 to 900 lbs |
| 85 gallons | 48x20x19 | 160 to 170 lbs | 950 to 980 lbs |
| 90 gallons | 48x20x24 | 170 to 180 lbs | 1000 to 1020 lbs |
| 100 gallons | 56x20x21 | 190 to 195 lbs | 150 to 1100 lbs |
| 110 gallons | 56x18x22 | 200 to 210 lbs | 1150 to 1180 lbs |
| 125 gallons | 72x18x21 | 230 to 240 lbs | 1200 to 1210 lbs |
| 140 gallons | 72x18x24 | 250 to 380 lbs | 1400 to 1450 lbs |
| 150 gallons | 72x18x28 | 330 to 340 lbs | 1830 to 1840 lbs |
| 160 gallons | 72x20x28 | 380 to 400 lbs | 1850 to 1860 lbs |
| 180 gallons | 72x24x25 | 430 to 440 lbs | 1870 to 1880 lbs |
| 200 gallons | 72x24x26 | 450 to 460 ls | 1890 to 2200 lbs |
| 225 gallons | 72x27x27 | 470 to 480 lbs | 2100 to 2300 lbs |
| 250 gallons | 72×27.5×27.5 | 480 to 490 lbs | 2500 to 2800 lbs |
Weight of different size aquariums:
The weight of an aquarium varies with the size and dimension. It means a large tank can weigh 50% more than a small tank, but it is not compulsory. A smaller tank can weigh less than medium size tank when the material of the tank is lightweight. However, the general perspective regarding aquariums is that smaller tanks are lighter than larger ones.
Smaller fish tank weight
It is accurate to say that a small aquarium will weigh less because of less tank space and low water volume.
A small size will contain fewer plants and fish in it that are also necessary factors in increasing weight. Moreover, you require less gravel for small tanks, so its overall weight will indeed be less.
It is preferable to keep a small size tank, usually of 5 to 10 gallons, when you have less space and furniture that can not hold more weight.
These sized aquariums are preferable for beginners. They are easy to care for and maintain, and you do not have to worry about shifting and moving them to several places in your home. The weight of a small tank does not exceed 200 lbs.
The concern is that sometimes your small aquarium becomes too heavy, and the reason behind, is the wrong choice of living organisms and equipment.
Also, an aquarium having heavy glass sheets will be heavier, and when you add too many plants to it, it will become much heavier.
Medium-sized fish tank weight
They will have an increased size and dimensions and weigh more than the smaller ones.
Medium-sized is the most ideal aquarium for a home space as they have an appropriate weight, not too heavy, and not too light. They can carry most of your favorite fish and plants due to having more space.
They have the ideal weight that is tolerable by any stand, furniture, and floor. The average weight of these tanks ranges between 220 lbs to 450 lbs.
It will only weigh too much when you overstock it with numerous fish, plants, and decorations. Make or buy a stand that is strong enough to hold the weight of the aquarium.
These tanks also act as an ideal breeding tank as you can remove the whole setup after achieving the goal.
They are easy to take up to the cleaning area. Being lightweight, you can rearrange the aquarium setup. They are the tank with a water capacity of 20 to 40 gallons which is ideal for home and office setup.
Large fish tank weight
Large tanks are the dream of most hobbyists as they look more beautiful and organized. You can add many fish and plants to it, but they weigh too much.
As the size and dimensions are way more increased, so are their weight. They are not preferable for small rooms or apartments because of their heavy body.
A tank stand or custom furniture is necessary to keep the tank as it will put more pressure on the surface on which you keep them.
The average weight of larger tanks ranges between 600 to 2000 lbs, which is too much. Large aquariums need too much care and maintenance because of more space, algae overgrowth, and more water volume.
It is too hard to give them a detailed clean-up as you can not shift them to the cleaning area, and you require tubing or pipes to dispose of the water.
Also, they cost you much more than the smaller and medium ones.
Due to the large space a water volume, you have to add sometimes more equipment such as two heaters or two filters to keep the water chemistry and parameters at accurate levels.
Extra-large aquarium weight
These tanks are commercial tanks and are not preferable for home and office setup. You can find them in malls, amusement parks, schools, colleges, and public places.
They are too large in size and weight and may contain a tremendous amount of fish, plants, and other invertebrates.
The water holding capacity of these tanks usually ranges between 200 to 400 gallons.
It increases the weight to a great extend, along with the size and dimensions. The average weight varies between 2500 lbs to 5000 lbs, which are too heavy.
The need for equipment, gravel or substrate, rocks also increases in these aquariums that further increase the weight.
They are community tanks, so the owner needs to add several decorations, ornaments, and aquatic species to make them more attractive and mesmerizing.
The care level for them is too high, and it is too hard to clean and maintain them.
How to calculate the weight of a custom build or established tank?
If you have an established fish tank, and you want to know about its weight, you need the formula to calculate it.
Sometimes, you build a custom aquarium to match your requirements. In this case, you do not know about the weight of your tank. Also,
First, you have to know the dimensions and capacity of the tank to calculate the overall weight. Here are the formula and an example that can help you measure the weight of your aquarium.
Length * width* height = water in cubic inches
Example: 48” * 18” * 21” = 18144 cubic meters
Now,
Water in cubic inches * 0.004 = gallons of water.
Example: 18144 * 0.004 = 73 gallons
Multiply the gallons with 8.56
Example: 73 * 8.54 = 625 lbs
8.54 is the weight of water per gallon in the saltwater aquarium
It is the easiest way to calculate the weight of a custom and establishes a tank at home.
It does not contain the weight of accessories, equipment, plants, and fish, and you have to add their weight to get the exact value. It will help you to make an appropriate setup for your aquarium.
Factors that affect the weight of the aquarium
Several factors necessary in changing the weight of a fish tank, and one must consider all these factors while measuring the exact aquarium’s weight. The factors responsible are:
Weight of equipment and decorations
Every addition in the aquarium needs consideration when calculating the weight of an established fish tank.
Although these pieces of equipment weigh too little, they are part of the whole setup. Also, the tank decorations add a significant amount of weightage, especially in the large tanks.
The necessary pieces of equipment for an aquarium are the heater, filter, thermometer, and air stones.
Some others are also necessary, but their places are not inside the tank, so their weight does not matter. The decorations can be heavy or lightweight, depending upon the material.
The submersible heater can weigh between 5 to 15 ounces, which is too little but needs consideration. The average weight of an aquarium filter ranges between 3 to 5lbs.
The air stone and thermometers are lightweight and do not weigh more than 5 ounces. The decorations like a mini house, playing obstacles, and others weigh up to 50 lbs.
Some examples are:
- Aqueon submersible heater – 7 to 8 ounces
- Aqua-tech filter – 2 to 3 lbs
- Pawfly cylindrical air stones – 2 to 2.5 ounces
- Rolf submersible thermometer – 0.7 to 1 ounce
Weight of substrate and rocks
The substrate and rocks are the integral parts of an aquarium, and their weight also counts when calculating the whole weight. The rock’s weight varies between 20 to 40 lbs depending upon the size and material.
Usually, calcium carbonate rocks are suitable for the tank to maintain the water pH, and they are not too heavy. Large size rock is heavy than small size.
The weight and amount of gravel depend upon the size of the tank. It is preferable to add 1 to 2 pounds of gravel substrate for every gallon, which means a 15-gallon aquarium has 15 to 30 lbs of gravel substrate in it. It also varies on the height and thickness of the gravel bed.
Other substrates such as soil and sand are lighter in weight, but one needs these substrates more in amount. So the overall weight of all three substrates makes up to the same level despite their different amount.
How does the material of the aquarium affect its weight?
The material of the tank is crucial in determining its weight and heaviness.
It is not always possible that a large tank will weigh more than a small tank. Sometimes, even larger tanks are not very heavy to hold because of their lightweight material.
The simple explanation of this fact is that acrylic is way too lighter than glass.
It can make a large aquarium lightweight. Also, more thick glass is the preferable choice for most fish-keepers to protect it from damage or breaking, makes it more heavyweight. On the other hand, a thin acrylics sheet is much more resistant to hits.
A glass aquarium of small size can weigh up to 1.5 to 2 lbs per gallon. An acrylic aquarium weighs up to 1 lb per gallon of water.
This property of acrylic is too helpful for large tank owners. On a shorter note, we can say acrylic is 40 to 50 % lighter than glass.
Some examples:
- 20 gallons acrylic tank weighs between 5 to 10 lbs, and glass tank weigh between 20 to 25 lbs
- 50 gallons acrylic tank weighs between 20 to 30 lbs, and glass tank weigh between 40 to 50 lbs
- 75 gallons acrylic tank weighs between 60 to 70 lbs, and glass tank weighs between 130 to 140 lbs
How do the size and dimension of the aquarium affect its weight?
It does not require any description to explain how size and dimensions increase the overall weight.
As the size and dimensions increase, the amount of material used, the number of plants, fish, and substrate increase, which results in more weight.
Also, the volume of water and area space plays an integral role in making the aquarium heavier.
Concisely, the weight of the tank increase with its size and dimension. Therefore smaller tanks are usually heavier than larger ones if both have the same material.
Weight of canopies
Canopies are part of the aquarium, and you can not neglect their weight. However, they are usually lighter and do not increase the overall weight to a greater extent.
Considering every part, either smaller or bigger is necessary. An aquarium canopy will not weigh more than 20 to 30 lbs, including the light source.
How the plants and fish affect the overall weight of the aquarium?
These living organisms do not add up too much weight, but their weight plays a significant role.
They are the organisms for which a person sets up an aquarium, so considering them is essential. The number of plants and fish determines the amount of weight as well as their size.
Small size fish have a weight not more than 5 lbs, while large fish can weigh up to 20 lbs. Usually, home tanks have smaller fish with few numbers only, while commercial tanks have various fish.
Also, smaller plants do not weigh more than 10 lbs, while larger ones will weigh much more. Moreover, if you keep plants in pots, these pots are heavy.
Weight of water
The factor responsible for increasing aquarium weight is the water it contains. An empty aquarium weighs about 50% less than the filled water because of the water weight.
An aquarium carries water in several liters or gallons, so it is the most necessary factor to determine.
Usually, in a freshwater aquarium, one gallon of water weighs up to 8.33 lbs considering its specific gravity. It means an aquarium having 10 gallons of water will have 83.3 pounds of water in it.
In saltwater aquariums, one gallon of the water weighs up to 8.54 lbs depending upon specific gravity. It means 10 gallons aquarium will have 85.4 pounds of water.
These calculations are accurate at room temperature as temperature plays an integral role in changes in water weight.
It makes a huge difference, and one can not neglect it. Also, there are several weight calculators available that measure the water weight digitally.
Some examples:
- 1 gallon of water weighs 8.33 lbs
- 5 gallons of water weighs 41.54 lbs
- 8 gallons of water weighs 66.63 lbs
How water temperature affects its weight?
Temperature is also responsible for increasing and decreasing water weight, and the reason behind this is simple to understand.
As the water temperature increases, the molecules become active and excited. It means they are no longer in a linear manner. This excitation of water molecules results in the spreading of them, thus occupying more space.
The hot water decreases in density and increases in volume, which means it will occupy more space but less weight.
Therefore, it is accurate to say that a bucket of hot water will weigh less than a bucket of cold water. Hence, water temperature affects its weight.
The ideal weight of a fish tank
You can not determine and consider any weight as the ideal weight for the aquarium. It depends on the owner’s feasibility and requirement.
Some points can help you choose a tank with the right weight, especially for a home setup.
A tank should have a weight that a floor and stand can bear.
Lightweight tanks are easy to hold and shift to several places, such as for cleaning purposes.
Large aquariums look more beautiful; you can make a larger aquarium with less weight using acrylic.
Heavily planted tanks are not ideal for home setup as they can increase the weight significantly.
Make a rough sketch in your mind about the filled aquarium before buying.
An average tank size of 50 to 75 gallons is best in terms of weight and look.
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