Aquarium Notes - Personal News - AMBYTE Vermont, USA

2023, Jul 16

Aquarium - Notes

This page is not very well organized list of interesting and important news and facts about our hobby.

Most people own one aquarium which they consider their main tank. Extra aquarium(s) is/are good to have for sick fish, for breeding, for quarantine.

In gallons, 1 gallon is 3.785 litre.

Water Weight

Tank Gallons	Tank Litres	Water Pounds	Water Kilograms
5	19	42	19
10	38	83	38
15	57	125	57
20	76	167	76
25	95	208	95
29	110	242	110
35	132	292	132
50	189	417	189
55	208	458	208
65	246	541	246
75	284	625	284
90	341	750	340
125	473	1,041	473
150	568	1,250	567
180	681	1,499	680
1 pound = 0.454 kg 1 gallon of water = 8.33 lbs or 3.78 kg

5 and 10 gallons
very small fish, fits anywhere, cheap, lighter
15 to 20 gallons (small)
Great starter and also perfect for breeding. 15 gallons
may be the best for smaller and breeding fish.
20 gallons
great for community fish
29 gallons
starts serious, larger fish - Angels, Gouramis - taller tank, better breeding
40 gallons
main tank, larger, better to breed, sponge filters still possible and effective
55 gallons
Excellent size for the main, it might be cheaper because they sell it more often as a kit with other items plus most fish like to have horizontal swim space. Just consider the weight, 55 gallons of water is 458 pounds ... and aquarium is not only water :( It will be very heavy (600 lbs or so), needs very solid surface, power filtration, can handle much bigger fish.
75 - 125 gallons
Best size but complicated to keep, very heavy, tough maintenance, cleaning, 125 and 150 are insanely large. Volume of fish is larger, giant filtration needed, hang on back filter may be the best.

Python water changing system, Python water changer with hose - reliable, easy to use.
Algae scraper or magnet scraper with razor blade or ice scraper - needed to keep glass clean from the inside.
Clean outside with aqua cleaning product or Windex. Just be carefull with chemicals not to drop it into the water and also with pressure so as not to damage the tank.
Bucket for emptying water.
Towel. Keep it clean, but careful when using any chemicals.
Toothbrush may be good for cleaning.
Some chemical cleaner, just make sure it is safe.

General cure
Treats lot of their illnesses, also when you get a new fish.
Some minor meds.
What is nitrogen cycle? How to handle it?
Water changes
Remove nitrates from aquarium - when nitrates are elevated.
Masters test kit to test water ... test especially if you have more fish per tank.
Water conditioners -
Remove bad stuff from water.
Water change -
Syphon hose and bucket, Python water changer.
pH tester.

Which substrate (bottom of the tank)?
Bare bottom for small tank is option, just needs to be cleaned up more often.
Gravel - looks like small stones.
Sand - might be better than gravel, lots of surface area, and sand can move and help the filter.
Planted tank = more natural.
Big expensive cannister filter may work ok.
Local shops are sometimes too expensive.
Live bacteria in a bottle
Excess decorations - don't overdo it.