How do I know how many gallons of water my aquarium fits, what power filter do I need?

Question

Aquarium Dimensions:

20"L x 10"W x 12"H

Answer 1

I would agree with a 10 gallon. Here's an aquarium volume calculator you can bookmark to find the sixe of many shapes and sizes of tanks: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/converter/volume-calculator.php

To know the size of filter you need, look at the GPH (gallon per hour) rating of a filter - it should be between 5-10 times the volume of your tank, so with a 10 gallon, you'll want one that is rated 50-100 gallons per hour. If you have fish with long fins, or that are slow swimmers, you might want to get closer to the low end of the range. If you have "messy" fish. or the tank is a little overstocked, or you have fish that prefer a strong current, you should get closer to the higher number, or go up one filter in size.

You should measure the inside of the tank if you ever need to know the exact amont of water held - this will make a difference in larger tanks, plus remember that some of the volumes will be in gravel and decorations.

Answer 2

A gallon of water will reside in 231 cubic inches of water. Therefore 20 x 10 x 12 = 2400 cubic inches. Divide this by 231 and you get 10.39 gallons (I'm assuming you measured the outside dimensions, not the inside dimensions, which would reduce the size of the tank due to the thickness of the glass).

More fish require a faster flow of gallons per hour than a tank with few fish. As long as you are not crowding a tank, a standard filter made for a 10 gallon tank should be fine.

Just remember to let the water work in the tank for up to 60 days before you put fish in it. This will give time for the bad bacteria to die and the good bacteria to start growing.

After that, when you change the water, never take more than about 80% of the water out. Leave some at the bottom to help the good bacteria continue to thrive.

Answer 3

That's a 10 gallon tank.

I'd agree with copperhead, you'd need a filter that turns over your tank volume 5-10 times, so you'd need a filter with a GPH of 50-100 times per hour. Whisper, Penguin, and Aquaclears are good power filters for a new aquarium.

~ZTM

Answer 4

I believe you have a ten gallon tank. When you go to purchase a back filter for it read the back of the box for suggested tank size, most have the tank size on the front of the box.

Answer 5

that is a ten gallon tank.

you will nee a HOB filter something like an aquaclear for more advanced fishkeepers or simple filters like a penguin or whisper.