How much does a 5 gallon fish tank weigh? For your information, an aquarium of this size weighs about 7 pounds when empty and 62 pounds when filled with water. However, depending on the shape or materials used, not all nano tanks weigh the same.
The tank dimensions of an average 5 gallon tank are 16″ x 8″ x 10″. Common shapes for aquariums are rectangular and cylindrical. Those made with glass panels weigh heavier than acrylic ones.
A cheap 5 gallon fish tank made of flimsy plastic weighs a lot less, but comes with risks. It can easily break and will probably not last for long.
Table of Contents
How Many Pounds of Gravel Can a 5 Gallon Tank Hold?
For proper filtration and a healthy habitat, a five-gallon fish tank requires a minimal amount of gravel.
5 pounds of gravel will suffice for a tank of this size. It should be enough to vacuum your finest gravel pieces as frequent gravel replacement isn’t necessary.
Make sure you get high-quality gravel since cheaper ones can break a lot quicker. Prior to adding water, decorations, and fish, it’s always recommended to place the gravel at the bottom of your tank. Gravel may float when added to a tank already filled with water.
5 Gallon Fish Tank Stand
The best stand for a 5 gallon aquarium is also the best one for most tanks. A sturdy fish tank stand made with wood and metal can bear heavy weight and provide complete support.
If you can’t find the right stand for your tank, you can make one. Just make sure to use good-quality materials. Wood that’s too soft, for instance, can be unsafe. Add a sealant or wax if you’re using wood and put something underneath your tank (like a pad) for protection.
How Heavy is a 5 Gallon Fish Tank Compared to Others?
Any fish tank will weigh more when full of water. A size 10 fish tank (10 gallons of water) weighs about 111 pounds when filled and 11 lbs when empty just as a full 55 gallon tank is way heavier than an empty one.
Here are the detailed weights for common aquarium sizes:
| Small Aquariums | |||
| Tank Size | L x W x H (inches) | Empty Weight
(lbs) |
Full Water Weight (lbs) |
| 2.5 Gallon | 12 x 6 x 8 | 3 | 27 |
| 5 Gallon | 16 x 8 x 10″ | 7 | 62 |
| 10 Gallon (Leader) | 20 x 10 x 12 | 11 | 111 |
| Medium Aquariums | |||
| Tank Size | L x W x H (inches) | Empty Weight
(lbs) |
Full Water Weight (lbs) |
| 20 Gallon High | 24 x 12 x 16 | 25 | 225 |
| 20 Gallon Long | 30 x 12 x 12 | 25 | 225 |
| 25 Gallon | 24 x 12 x 20 | 32 | 282 |
| 29 Gallon | 30 x 12 x 18 | 40 | 330 |
| 30 Gallon (Breeder) | 36 x 18 x 12 | 48 | 348 |
| 40 Gallon (Breeder) | 36 x 18 x 16 | 58 | 458 |
| 40 Gallon Long | 48 x 12 x 16 | 55 | 455 |
| Large Aquariums | |||
| Tank Size | L x W x H (inches) | Empty Weight
(lbs) |
Full Water Weight (lbs) |
| 50 Gallon | 36 x 18 x 19 | 100 | 600 |
| 55 Gallon | 48 x 13 x 21 | 78 | 625 |
| 65 Gallon | 36 x 18 x 24 | 126 | 772 |
| 75 Gallon | 48 x 18 x 21 | 140 | 850 |
| 90 Gallon | 48 x 18 x 24 | 160 | 1050 |
| 125 Gallon | 72 x 18 x 21 | 206 | 1206 |
| 150 Gallon | 72 x 18 x 28 | 338 | 1838 |
| 180 Gallon | 72 x 24 x 25 | 430 | 1870 |
| 225 Gallon | 72 x 27.5 x 27.5 | 358 | 2158 |
How to Calculate Weight of Custom-shaped Aquariums
Different from standard fish tank sizes, customized aquariums can adhere to your specifications. A custom-shaped tank’s weight will depend on factors like size, measurements and material. You can calculate yours by using an aquarium weight calculator online.
Aside from the usual rectangle, tanks can come in various shapes, such as cylinders, hexagons, and pentagons. Their volume in gallons is often indicated.
Calculating the cubic inches of the volume first will allow you to get the gallon capacity and weight of the tank, even if you don’t know the gallon size.
- 1 gallon of water is equal to 231 cubic inches.
It’s simple enough to convert a tank’s cubic inch volume into a gallon capacity if you know how big the tank is in inches.
By first calculating the base shape’s area in square inches, multiplied by the height, and then subtracting that result, you can calculate a tank’s volume.
- The simplest method is to first draw out the base’s shape, then divide it into shapes whose areas can be readily estimated.
- To determine the size of the tank’s base shape, multiply the area of each shape in inches by their combined measurement.
- To determine the total volume in cubic inches, multiply this figure by the height of the tank.
- Then, to get the tank’s gallon capacity, divide the total cubic inch volume by 231. To get the exact weight of your tank, find a similar gallon capacity in the charts above.
Ideal Aquascape for A 5-Gallon Fish Tank
Once you figure out the segments for your main decorations, you can start designing the remaining parts. “Carpeting” and “floating” plants like java fern, hornwort, and anubias fit nano tanks well.
Add depth by planting smaller leafed plants toward the back and larger leafed ones toward the front. Also, create a tapering sand pathway that runs from front to back to give an illusion of a larger area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fish can be in a 5 gallon fish tank?
You can determine the number of fish you can house in a fish tank by considering fish breed and size, ornaments, filtration, swimming space, and surface area. You can keep around 2-6 of fish if none of them are larger than 1 inch.
Wide-bodied fish shouldn’t occupy more than 20 inches of the tank’s surface area because they can get much bigger. Mollies, chili rasboras, guppies, nerite snails, and white cloud mountain minnows are some ideal fish for a 5-gallon tank.
Is a 5 gallon tank suitable for you?
Nano fish tanks are best for newbie fishkeepers and those who live in a small space. It’s also a great option if you want to take care of only a few small fish in a low-maintenance aquarium.
Why Do I Have To Know A Fish Tank’s Weight?
By learning how much your tank weighs, you can get the right stand or furniture to support it. The dimensions of an aquarium are related to weight distribution, so make sure to measure well.
Conclusion
The weight of an empty 5-gallon fish tank is around 7 pounds, while its water weight is about 62 pounds. All nano tanks, though, don’t really weigh the same due to factors like shape or material.
A custom-shaped fish tank’s weight is determined by its size, measurements, and material. It can be calculated by using an online aquarium weight calculator.
Nano tanks like a 5-gallon fish tank can look great with proper aquascaping. “Carpeting” and “floating” plants are ideal. You can add depth by placing smaller leafed plants toward the back and large leafed ones toward the front.