How Much Does a 10-Gallon Fish Tank Weigh? Aquarium Size & Weight Guide

While 10-gallon fish tanks might seem small, the truth is that even these small tanks can be pretty heavy once you fill them up. In fact, a 10-gallon fish tank weighs 111 pounds on average when full of water, so ensure you have an extremely sturdy stand that can handle that much weight.

But why do they weigh so much, and what kind of fish can you put in them? We’re glad you asked, and we answered both those questions and more for you here.

Standard Aquarium Dimensions

While you can find all sorts of aquariums with unique dimensions, we’ve highlighted the dimensions for a standard-sized aquarium for you below. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to double-check these dimensions with whatever tank you actually get since they can come in all different shapes and sizes.

How Much Do Fish Tanks Weigh?

While a fish tank might look small, a single gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. That means if you filled a 10-gallon tank with nothing but water, the water alone would weigh 83.4 pounds! But that’s not even the heaviest thing you’re putting in the tank.

You also need to add the gravel, which can weigh quite a bit, and you’ll have decorations, plants, and the fish to add as well! Overall, this pushes a 10-gallon tank to roughly 111 pounds, so ensure you’re putting it somewhere that can handle all that weight.

Of course, tanks come in all sorts of sizes, so we’ve highlighted some different-sized tanks and how much they weigh for you in the chart below.

What Kind of Fish Can You Put in a 10-Gallon Aquarium?

While 10-gallon aquariums are great starter tanks, you still need to be careful with the type of fish you put in there.

Betta Fish

A 10-gallon tank is an excellent starter option for a betta fish, giving them plenty of space to swim around and explore. Don’t add more than one betta fish in the tank, though, since they can be extremely territorial and don’t get along well with other fish.

Shrimp

Shrimps are a great idea for smaller tanks, just ensure you have a low-flow filter and pump on the tank; otherwise, it can stress out and even kill the shrimp. There are several shrimp options to pick from, and watching them swim all around the tank is pretty entertaining.

Snails

Snails might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you have an aquarium, but they thrive in smaller tanks and can really come out of their shell when they don’t have to contend with fish. They’re amazing little creatures that love to explore and play, and they come in all different types of varieties.

Guppy

Guppies are smaller fish that thrive in groups, so get three for a 10-gallon tank. They’ll often rapidly reproduce too, so don’t get more than three to start with. A 10-gallon tank is an excellent choice for them, but we don’t recommend getting anything smaller.

Quarantine Tank

While this isn’t a specific type of fish you can put in a 10-gallon aquarium, having a 10-gallon paired with a larger tank is a good idea for sick fish. This gives you somewhere you can move the fish without killing them, giving them a chance to recover without infecting the rest of the tank.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about how big and how heavy a 10-gallon tank can be, all that’s left is for you to find a spot and a stand that can support the size and weight and start picking out fish! A 10-gallon tank is a great starter tank and can open up a lot of options for you, just do your homework so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you start.

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Featured Image Credit: Lapis2380, Shutterstock