20 Gallon High tank dimensions
24×12×16inches
Length × width × height. In metric, 61 × 30.5 × 40.6 cm.
A standard 20 gallon high aquarium is 24 inches long, 12 inches front to back and 16 inches tall. Its measurements work out to almost exactly the volume on the label. Once you add gravel and leave a gap at the top, expect a little less water than that.
How much a 20 gallon high tank weighs
Empty, the glass tank weighs about 24 pounds. Filled with water and two inches of gravel it comes to roughly 222 pounds, before rocks, wood or equipment.
A weight like this is fine on any sound floor, but it needs a stand built for aquariums: ordinary furniture is not made for a load that never moves.
| Empty tank | about 24 lb |
|---|---|
| Water (20 gallons) | 167 lb |
| Gravel, 2 inches deep | about 31 lb |
| Filled, with gravel | about 222 lb |
| Load on the floor | about 111 lb per sq ft |
Stand, lid, heater and filter sizes
The stand and the lid both follow the footprint, 24 by 12 inches. A stand has to support the whole bottom frame, so it can be bigger than the tank but never smaller.
The 20 gallon high has the same 24 x 12 inch footprint as the 15 gallon, so they share stands and lids.
For a heated tropical tank, a 100 W heater suits a normal room. Pick a filter rated to turn the water over four to six times an hour.
| Footprint | 24 x 12 in (2 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Volume | 20 gal (75.7 L) |
| Heater | 100 W |
| Filter flow | 80 to 120 gal per hour |
| Typical glass | about 3/16 in thick |
What fish can live in a 20 gallon high tank
How many of each fish would fill this tank on its own. Mix species and the numbers come down, so plan a real community with the calculator.
- Betta1 only
- Neon tetraup to 22
- Ember tetraup to 33
- Guppyup to 11
- Harlequin rasboraup to 15
- Cherry barbup to 13
- Platyup to 13
- Panda coryup to 13
- Honey gouramiup to 6
- Dwarf gourami1 only
- Bristlenose pleco1 only
- German blue ramup to 2
Plan a 20 gallon high community How many fish in a 20 gallon tank?
Too big for this tank
- Zebra danio needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 35 x 12 in footprint.
- Bronze cory needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 31 x 12 in footprint.
- Pearl gourami needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 35 x 12 in footprint.
- Tiger barb needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 31 x 12 in footprint.
- Molly needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 35 x 12 in footprint.
- Angelfish needs a bigger tank: the recommended minimum is a 39 x 16 in footprint.
Gear for a 20 gallon high tank
Searches on Amazon for the right size. Check the tank size or flow rating on the listing before you buy.
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