5 Gallon vs 10 Gallon Fish Tank: Which One Is The Best?
Keeping an aquarium is sure to be a very fun and rewarding experience. But most of the time we become so excited that when we get an aquarium we forget to consider the most important parts.
Is the tank the size right for my home? Does the overall cost come within my budget? Which size tank will be easier to maintain?
Well, In this article I will answer all of your questions related to 5 Gallon vs 10 Gallon Fish Tank and help you decide the right fish tank for you.
Comparison of 5 Gallon And 10 Gallon Tank At A Glance
| Tank Characteristics | 5 Gallon | 10 Gallon |
| Size | Much smaller | Bigger |
| Dimension | 16” x 8” x 10” approx | 20” x 10” x 12” approx |
| Weight when empty | 7 lbs | 11 lbs |
| Weight with water | 62 lbs | 110 lbs |
| Fish Number | 5-6 | 8-10 |
| Maintenance | Easy | Difficult |
| Price comparison | Cheaper | Expensive |
| Water holding capacity | 18 liters approx. | 37 liters approx. |
5 Gallon vs 10 Gallon Fish Tank- Detailed Discussion
1. Space
First of all, you have to consider the space that you are about to put your fish tank in. This is because aquariums are a delicate thing and you don’t want to put it in a place that is unsafe and already congested.
If you have limited space in your home then you can get yourself a Koller 5 Gallon Aquarium.
- This one will be very suitable if you are looking to get a fish tank for a beginner or a kid.
- It comes with 7 different exciting LED lights and is easy to maintain too.
- Besides it is made of impact-resistant plastic however the clarity is so amazing that it almost looks as good as the glass tanks.
- In addition, it comes with a powerful internal filter that cleans the tank very efficiently.
- The shape of this aquarium allows a great view from multiple angles from your room as well.
- It also includes a premium filter cartridge
But if you have enough space in your home then a 10 gallon Aqueon fish tank is going to be one of the most suitable matches for you.
- The tank material is made of glass.
- It is rectangular in shape.
- It comes with an aquarium Starter Kit and a setup guide so that you have everything you need to get started with the aquarium.
- It also includes white LED Lighting that presents life under water very beautifully.
- Even the filter contains a red LED light that will flash when the filter cartridge needs a change.
- It includes a preset heater that will keep the water temperature at a constant of 78 degrees and this makes it very appropriate for having any tropical fish.
- The kit also includes a power filter to purify the aquarium water very efficiently.
- Besides the complete starter kit contains samples of premium fish food and samples of water conditioner as well.
- In addition, you will also get a thermometer to check the temperature and a fish net.
2. Budget
If you are tight on budget then probably it’s best for you to get a 5 gallon fish tank.
Aqueon LED MiniBow Small Aquarium Fish Tank Kit can be a wonderful option for you when you are looking for a good aquarium on a low budget. Because
Aqueon is a world-famous brand in the aquariums section that offers its products in various price ranges.
- It comes with Smart Clean Technology that changes the water within 2 minutes and this helps to keep the fish healthy.
- It’s made of acrylic materials which is usually three to four times lighter than tanks made of glass.
- This kit includes an aquarium vessel, hood and elevated base, power filter, small filter cartridge, fish food, water conditioner, and also a setup guide.
- It’s an ideal option for beginners for keeping small fish.
- It also uses Aqueon Small Replacement Cartridge.
However, if you are looking to get some species of fish that grows much larger in size then you have to raise your budget a little. Still, one of the best deals you can get at a cheaper price is Aqueon Standard Glass 10 Gallon Rectangular Tank
- It’s a rectangular fish tank made of high-quality glass along with clean silicone sealed edges.
- It can be used for both freshwater and marine fish.
- It’s a good option for setting desert or tropical terrarium applications too.
- The tank measures 20.25″ long x 10.5″ wide x 12.625″ high in dimension.
- It needs to be put on a stand that can easily bear the weight of the water-filled aquarium.
3. Maintenance
The basic maintenance work is that you have to feed the fish, test the water condition and monitor it regularly. Also, you will need to change water more frequently.
Larger tanks need more time and work to maintain the activities. Otherwise, the health of the whole system along with the fish will be in danger.
This is why, if you are a beginner I would recommend you to try the smaller aquarium at first so that you can get the hang of all the maintenance work it needs before getting a larger one.
I started my aquarium journey with a 5 gallon tank because back then I was very busy and I didn’t have much extra time in hand to do frequent cleaning of the aquarium as well.
What Kinds of Fish Will Suit My Aquarium?
The most important thing here is, what type of fish you want to keep in your tank will have a huge impact on the choice of tank size. Normally, It’s not a good idea to keep a number of big fish in small tanks.
Because this will restrict their movement and the fish won’t be happy there. Besides, the larger fish will make the water more dirty very fast. As a result, the tank condition will not certainly be ideal.
However, if you plan what’s the best fish species according to the size of your aquarium things will become easier for you.
For 5 Gallon Tanks
When you are willing to get a 5 gallon fish tank, naturally the choice of fish species becomes limited because of the tank size.
If you are wondering about what fish to buy, I’d say you have plenty of options. When I had my 5 gallon fish tank I tried keeping many kinds of fish including, guppies, mollies, betta fish, harlequin rasbora, neon tetras, cherry shrimps, etc.
However, do remember to keep the fish number around 4-6. And in case you are getting yourself betta fish make sure to choose the tank with a lid because they can occasionally jump out of water.
For 10 Gallon Tanks
If you are getting a 10 gallon fish tank then you can put around 10 fish at maximum. However if your fish species grows larger over time, limit the fish number to around a maximum of 8. This will help you to keep the tank healthier and cleaner.
Luckily, there are many species to choose from when you are getting a 10 gallon fish tank. You can get yourself guppies, betta fish, neon tetras, zebra danios, mollies, cardinal tetras, dwarf gourami, goldfish, golden dwarf gourami, etc.
Besides, you can do a lot with a 10 gallon tank such as adding different aquatic plants, rocks, and other decorative materials due to the extra space in the tank.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Shape Of The Fish Tank Is Best?
Round, square, and rectangular, aquariums are available in all shapes. But most aquarists prefer the rectangular shaped aquarium because it has a wider water surface compared to the water volume than any other shapes. And this allows more gas exchange in the water.
How Often Do You Change The Water In A 5 Gallon Fish Tank?
As a thumb rule, 25 % of the aquarium water needs to be changed every two to four weeks. However, you can definitely just change the water without removing the fish from the tank. Make sure to keep the tank clean otherwise, your fish health will deteriorate.
What Is The Best Beginner Fish?
As a beginner, one should start their aquarium keeping hobby with cherry barbs, guppies, neon tetras, white cloud minnows, etc. Because these fish are friendly and very less demanding and also they do well in almost any condition.
Is A 5 Gallon Tank Good For Fish?
A 5-gallon tank can be suitable for certain types of fish, but it has limitations. While it is technically possible to keep fish in a 5-gallon tank, it is generally considered a small volume for fish to thrive in. The small size restricts the swimming space and can lead to poor water quality if not properly maintained Low-maintenance fish like bettas or a few small schooling fish (such as neon tetras or guppies) can be suitable for a 5-gallon tank.
Can I Put 10 Fish In A 5 Gallon Tank?
It’s not a good idea to put 10 fish in a 5-gallon tank. The general rule of thumb for stocking a fish tank is to have one inch of fish per gallon of water. In a 5-gallon tank, you can comfortably accommodate around 2-4 small fish, as long as each fish doesn’t grow larger than 1 inch.
Is A 5 Gallon Tank OK For 1 Goldfish?
A 5-gallon tank wouldn’t be the right choice for a goldfish. Goldfish require ample space to swim and explore their environment. In a smaller tank, the water quality can deteriorate quickly and lead to health issues for the goldfish. To ensure the happiness and health of your goldfish, it is highly recommended to provide them with a larger tank, ideally ranging from 10 to 20 gallons or even more
Conclusion
When we are comparing the 5 gallon tank vs the 10 gallon tanks, none of them is greater than the other. Because it all depends on what you desire.
If you are either low on budget or space the best one for you is a 5 gallon tank. But if you can spend a few extra bucks and have enough space you will certainly love the 10 gallon tank.
The bottom line is, no matter what size tank you get, you have to get the right number of fish for them. And don’t forget to keep the tank nice and tidy by cleaning it on a regular basis.
If you are having difficulty cleaning and maintaining your fish tank, you can follow us for our next article on this topic.
Hit the comment section for any further queries and don’t forget to share with your friends.
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