Gallon Tank
Gallon Tank
Your Fish Tank - How Big Should It Be?
It's tempting, when you're just starting out in the aquarium-keeping hobby, to keep things small. It seems logical that a goldfish bowl or a small tank will be easier to maintain than one of those wall-sized monsters, but in fact it's just the opposite.
The bigger the tank, the easier it is to care for. A larger volume of water helps minimize the effect of temperature changes, pH swings, and the biological toxins that come from decaying plant and fish wastes. With toxins more widely dispersed in the water, your filters have more time to do their job, while your fish stay healthier. All of this means that beginning aquarium hobbyists don't have so much to fear from common early mistakes.
Also remember that small fish are generally more active than bigger fish, and are much happier with more room to swim around in, so don't get a small tank just because you like small fish!
In my opinion, the best size to get you started is a standard 40 or 55 gallon rectangular tank. These are easy to find, have lots of standard accessories, are relatively inexpensive, and they're easy to take care of. It doesn't take too long to change the water or do other standard maintenance, all parts of the tank are easy to reach, and you're less likely to have problems with algae growth than in a smaller, narrower tank.
Do yourself a few favors when looking at tanks to buy. Start with glass, because acrylic has its own tricky issues to master. Check the glass or packaging for a safety symbol, certifying the strength of the silicone caulking used to hold the panes of glass together. Also be sure to get a snug-fitting cover that's easy to clean – you'll need that to keep both feisty fish and evaporating water in the tank, and it's inevitably going to get filmed or crusty over time.
Buy a stand that's sufficient to support your tank's weight – remember that a 40 gallon tank can weigh up to five hundred pounds when it's full of water and gravel! Choose the location of your tank carefully, to make sure the floor is level and strong and, that direct sunlight doesn't fall on the tank during certain parts of day (this will throw your temperature maintenance off).
Set up the stand, and do anything you need to in order to make sure it's absolutely level – anything out of kilter will put pressure on your tank's glass or joints, and they WILL give eventually. Not a pretty picture!
Speaking of which, most modern fish tanks are never going to leak, break, or fall, but accidents do happen, and it wouldn't hurt to add a rider on your homeowner's or renter's insurance to cover potential water damage to your carpet or floorboards.
About the Author
Together with Iszuddin Ismail, Mic Hudson is sharing his wealth of knowledge on saltwater and
freshwater tropical fish
tanks. You Can start with a free ebook on decorating your fish tanks. Download Fish Tank Aquascape at http://www.PetFishGuide.info
 |
Walthers 932 7218 UTLX 16000 Gallon Funnel Flow Tank |  |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 16m |
 |
NEW ATLAS HO 23500 GALLON TANK CAR MENDOTAMGMX 198296 | |
 |
US $20.00 | 29m |
 |
Athearn Single Dome Tank Car Custom Lettered GATX with McHenry Couplers | |
4 Bids | US $10.51 | 1h 29m |
 |
Atlas N Scale 17360 Gallon Tank Car GATX 35691 | |
2 Bids | US $9.00 | 1h 30m |
 |
Roco mini tanks Z 149 150 Mess and water trailer 1 87 | |
1 Bid | US $8.00 | 2h 12m |
 |
Atlas N Scale Trinity 25500 Gallon Tank Car GATX Rexene 50000246 | |
1 Bid | US $12.95 | 3h 54m |
 |
Atlas 17360 Gallon Tank Car PPG 1526 | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 4h 27m |
 |
2 Atlas N Scale GATX 20700 Gallon Tank cars | |
1 Bid | US $30.00 | 6h 33m |
 |
Walthers HO Item 932 7300 Undecorated 33000 Gallon LPG Tank Car | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 7h 22m |
 |
New – Athearn “N” – “UTLX” 30K Gallon Ethanol Tank Car | |
6 Bids | US $15.51 | 7h 28m |
 |
Proto 2000 HO Item 30639 AESX Staley Mfg 187 8000 Gallon Type 21 Tank Car | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 7h 42m |
 |
Atlas Shell Chemical 11000 Gallon Tank Car N | |
0 Bid | US $13.49 | 8h 24m |
 |
Atlas Gulf Oil 11000 Gallon Tank Car N | |
0 Bid | US $13.49 | 8h 25m |
 |
Atlas Occidental 17360 Gallon Tank Car N | |
0 Bid | US $13.49 | 8h 26m |
 |
Athearn HO UTLX 30 Gallon Ethanol Tank Car 3 pack NIB | |
1 Bid | US $60.00 | 16h 33m |
 |
Athearn HO UTLX 30K Gallon Ethanol Tank Car NIB | |
1 Bid | US $21.00 | 16h 35m |
 |
Two N Scale Tank Cars | |
2 Bids | US $18.00 | 18h 15m |
 |
American Model Builders HO 154 50000 Gallon Railroad Water Tank Kit | |
1 Bid | US $18.00 | 19h 48m |
 |
LIONEL BASF 8000 GALLON TANK CAR | |
2 Bids | US $9.10 | 20h 4m |
 |
MTH GEIGY CHEMICAL CORPORATION 8000 GALLON TANK CAR ITEM 20 96015 | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 21h 27m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33002 69 10000 Gal Tank SHPX 22399 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33046 09 10000 Gal Tank Phillips 20002 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33001 60 10000 Gal Tank UTLX 39040 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33002 67 10000 Gal Tank SHPX 22357 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33005 11 10000 Gal Tank Conoco 6163 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
Red Caboose RR 33005 10 10000 Gal Tank Conoco 6158 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 22h 10m |
 |
DMK REFINERY MODELS 25000 GALLON STORAGE TANK HO | |
0 Bid | US $7.95 | 1d 45m |
 |
HO 1 87 sc WALTHERS UNDECORATED UTLX 23000 Gal Funnel Flow Tank Car | |
0 Bid | US $17.99 | 1d 1h 15m |
 |
Atlas HO ACF 33000 Gallon Tank Car ACFX 17444 | |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 1d 1h 16m |
 |
N Scale Atlas Standard Cupola Caboose | |
0 Bid | US $10.99 | 1d 1h 37m |
 |
UTLX 16000 GAL FUNNEL FLOW TANKS ECC 2 PACK WALTHERS IMPROVED HO GAUGE | |
0 Bid | US $39.00 | 1d 1h 38m |
 |
UTLX 16000 GAL FFLOW TANKS 2 PK CAUSTIC SODA LIQ WALTHERS IMPROVED HO | |
1 Bid | US $39.00 | 1d 1h 49m |
 |
N Scale Atlas Hooker Chemicals Tank Car | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 1d 1h 50m |
 |
46775 MARKLIN HO District Inspectors KLV 04 Gang Car | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 1d 1h 57m |
 |
Atlas 11000 Gal Tank Car 3 Car Set Bottled Gas Corp of Virginia | |
|
US $57.75 | 1d 2h 8m |
 |
Atlas 11000 Gal Tank Car 3 Car Set Columbia Southern | |
|
US $57.75 | 1d 2h 8m |
 |
Atlas 11000 Gal Tank Car 3 Car Set Solvay Process Division | |
|
US $57.75 | 1d 2h 9m |
 |
ATLAS HOPPER TANK CAR SID RICHARSDSON | |
0 Bid | US $4.00 | 1d 2h 49m |
 |
Walthers Procor Tank Car | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 1d 3h 42m |
 |
NEW Walthers UTLX 33000 Gallon Anhydrous Ammonia Propane LPG Tank Car RTR | |
1 Bid | US $19.50 | 1d 4h 2m |
 |
SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5662 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
|
US $151.99 | 1d 5h 36m |
 |
SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5634 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
|
US $151.99 | 1d 5h 39m |
 |
ATLAS O 17600 GALLON CORN SYRUP TANK CAR TRUSWEET 2 RAIL | |
0 Bid | US $60.00 | 1d 5h 40m |
 |
S Scale DELAWARE VALLEY KITS CAMPBELL SCALE MODELS 50K GALLON WATER TANK | |
5 Bids | US $19.38 | 1d 5h 45m |
 |
ATLAS O ACF 33000 GALLON TANK CAR ROYSTER SHPX 2 RAIL | |
0 Bid | US $60.00 | 1d 5h 58m |
 |
ATLAS O ACF 33000 GALLON TANK CAR CNTX 2 RAIL | |
0 Bid | US $50.00 | 1d 6h 8m |
 |
PROTO 2000 HO 10K GALLON TANK 23531 BEPX 111 | |
0 Bid | US $19.00 | 1d 6h 23m |
 |
Proto 2000 Series Tank Car Plastic Model Kit In Original Box | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 6h 27m |
 |
HO old silver streak TEXACO single dome tank car | |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 1d 6h 28m |
 |
HO old silver streak GATX single dome tank car | |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 1d 6h 29m |
 |
Diamond Shamrock 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 85545 metal wheel Atlas 1554 3 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Diamond Shamrock 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 85566 metal wheel Atlas 1554 4 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Hooker Chemical 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 132261 metal wheel Atlas 1555 3 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Hooker Chemical 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 132270 metal wheel Atlas 1555 4 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Simpon Lee Paper 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 86202 metal wheel Atlas 1559 1 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Simpon Lee Paper 17360 gallon Railroad tank car 86230 metal wheel Atlas 1559 2 | |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 1d 6h 56m |
 |
Atlas HO RTR 17360 Gallon Tank Car Stauffer ACFX 85275 Kadee couplers MW | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 7h 9m |
 |
MTH 8000 Gallon Tank Car Vulcan 20 96002 | |
1 Bid | US $15.99 | 1d 7h 12m |
 |
MIKES TRAIN HOUSE NORFOLK SOUTHERN TANK CAR | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1d 7h 20m |
 |
USA Trains R15119 10000 GALLON TANK CAR GULF | |
|
US $99.00 | 1d 8h 15m |
 |
Trout Creek Special Ltd Kit Sassen Vinegar Co 3000 gal Vinegar Tank Car HOn3 | |
3 Bids | US $9.50 | 1d 8h 48m |
 |
N scale Atlas Tank Gas Corporation tank car train 11000 gallon | |
2 Bids | US $1.29 | 1d 9h 55m |
 |
N scale Atlas Sunray Gas Corporation tank car train 11000 gallon | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 9h 56m |
 |
Red Caboose O Scale Train Model 10000 Gallon Tank Car Sinclair RC 315 4 NOB | |
2 Bids | US $13.95 | 1d 18h 15m |
 |
Red Caboose O Scale Train Model 10000 Gallon Tank Car Flying A RC 318 3 NOB | |
0 Bid | US $12.95 | 1d 18h 16m |
 |
Red Caboose O Scale Train Model 10000 Gallon Tank Car Richfield RC 319 5 NOB | |
1 Bid | US $12.95 | 1d 18h 16m |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Tags: aquarium, fish, gallon, gallon tank calculator, gallon tank dimensions, gallon tanks, tank, tanks