Have you been considering getting a fish tank for your home? Maybe you want to get one for your kids or just because fish are awesome. Maybe you’re looking for a first pet. But how big should the tank be and what kind of fish can I keep in it?
If you are considering getting a 30-gallon fish tank and keeping it for a long period of time, this article will show you exactly how many fish and other critters you can keep in your tank, what it will cost to maintain your tank and what kind of fish will be the best for your tank.
Aquariums are a great addition to any home because they are beautiful, they increase the value of your property and they bring life into your home. They can be expensive, but it is well worth it if you take the time after purchasing your tank to set up the tank properly before getting any fish.
What To Know About 30 Gallon Fish Tanks
A 30-gallon tank is a very popular size fish tank, but it is just as popular with pet owners for housing their guinea pigs, hermit crabs, and other pets. This makes the perfect beginner’s tank because you can use it for so many things.
It will come with everything you need to keep most fish species in your tank and it can easily be converted into a 20-gallon reef. You can also keep a smaller number of fish in a 30-gallon tank. It is a good size for handling small numbers of fish with plenty of room to grow.
Like most fish tanks, the 30-gallon fish tank has advantages that are largely due to its size. It is a good size for many fish species and it is small enough to be placed on a desk or countertop for easy access.
Even though you can keep a limited number of fish in your tank, you can add more if you decide to upgrade in the future or move the tank out of your house. You can also keep most plant species inside of it making it an excellent choice when you want both plants and fish.
The tank itself is made from glass, like all fish tanks on the market today. This is important when considering your tank because glass tanks can be easily scratched and are relatively fragile. Even though you may not care about a few scratches for aesthetic purposes, there are some fish that will react negatively to damaged or scratched glass.
There are some glass fish tanks made from acrylic or foam, but they are much less common than glass tanks. They are also less durable and more expensive to purchase.
The glass tank is the most common, but if you want a different type of fish tank or you want a bigger tank in the future then researching all of the options will be an important part of your decision-making process.
30 Gallon Fish Tank Dimensions
The 30-gallon fish tank is relatively small. It is 18 1/2 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 24 inches long. The measurements are the same for all 30-gallon tanks, but there may be small differences between manufacturers, so you will want to check your tank and the box before purchasing it if this is important to you.
This makes it a good choice for people who have limited space in their homes or office. It will easily fit on a desk or countertop without taking up too much space. You are not limited to using it as a fish tank, however, you can use this size and type of tank for a wide variety of pets.
Expert Tip: You can keep a few small juvenile fish in the tank and you can move them into larger tanks as they grow. If you are going to keep any kind of pet in your 30-gallon tank, it is especially important to consider the size of the pet before purchasing your first fish.
30 Gallon Aquarium Equipment
The 30-gallon fish tank is relatively small, so most of the equipment you will need to buy to set up the tank will be small too. It is possible to buy ready-made 30-gallon fish tanks at some pet stores, but it is more common to find them online or in specialty fish stores.
Before purchasing your tank, you should make sure that it comes with everything you need. This includes the stand or base, the light, and the hood or canopy. You will need to purchase a separate filter and a separate heater, but many nano tanks don’t come with them.
If this is the situation with your particular tank, it is important to purchase aquarium biological filters and aquarium heaters to ensure you have everything you need to keep your fish alive.
Here’s the equipment that is necessary to set up your tank:
Aquarium Filter: This should come with the tank. It should be a biological filter that is able to remove waste from your fish and keep the ecosystem in your tank stable.
Aquarium Heater: This should come with the tank. It will keep the temperature at a constant level for your fish and should be used for heat but not necessarily to produce light for your aquarium plants.
An Aquarium Stand & Base: This will help you keep the tank stable on a desk or countertop
Hood: This is used to cover the tank to keep light from shining on the water, it provides shade for your fish and it hides any hardware that may be sticking out of the stand or base. Hood may not be necessary for most tanks, but it is very beneficial for larger tanks so you can see the fish and plants you have added to your tank.
Light: You will need a light to see your fish and aquarium plants. The light should be positioned behind the canopy.
Water Conditioner: This is a chemical that you put in the water to keep the water healthy for your fish.
Thermometer: This should be placed on the outside of your tank so you can monitor the temperature inside of it at all times. It will also help you monitor how well your heater is working.
In addition to these things that are necessary to set up the tank, you should also consider getting a gravel cleaner, a fishnet, and some plant fertilizer.
How many fish can I keep in a 30 Gallon tank?
The best way to figure out how many fish you can keep in your tank is by measuring the space between the bottom of your tank and the ceiling. This allows for a lot of flexibility with how big a tank you have and allows for you to have more than one type of fish without having to use more than one type of stand and filter.
The number of fish reflects the temperament and size of the fish. It also takes into account how many other types of pets you want to keep in your tank, like snails or aquatic plants. It is important to note that you could end up with more than one type of fish in each category if you keep just one type of fish that can live with others.
The number of fish you can keep in your tank estimates are based on keeping only one of these types of fish in your tank at a time. You can keep more than one type of fish if they do not have any problems with living together, but you will have to make sure that they can all live comfortably in your smaller tank and give them enough room to grow.
Here are some suggestions:
- Freshwater tropical – 5 to 7 if you include a bottom feeder. You could add one more if you want another freshwater fish.
- Freshwater non-tropical – 5 to 10 depending on the size and whether or not you include a bottom feeder.
- Saltwater – 7 to 10 because of the aggressive nature of saltwater fish. You could add one more if you want another species of fish.
There are some fish that do not like certain types of tank mates and there are some that will only live in tanks with other fish, so it is important to take this into account.
What Fish Can You Keep in a 30 Gallon Tank?
The size of your tank will obviously influence the types of fish that you can keep in your tank. You can keep a limited number of fish and other pets in a 30-gallon tank. This often depends on the size of your tank, but you may be able to keep multiple small fish in the same tank assuming they can coexist peacefully.
How to Set up a Fish Tank
Setting up a 30-gallon tank is one of the most difficult parts of having a fish tank. If you are not prepared with enough time and patience, you could end up with dead fish and a broken heart. This can be even more difficult if you plan on using your tank for other non-fish pets or marine life.
Your 30-gallon tank will come with everything you need to set it up. Your first step will be to put your tank inside a proper stand and make sure that the stand has adequate ventilation so that you can keep the temperature of your tank stable.
Here is how to Set up a Fish Tank:
- Place your tank inside the stand and ensure that it is well-ventilated.
- Install the filter and heater. Remind yourself to remove them in the future to clean them properly.
- Fill your tank with tap water that is close to room temperature. Never pour cold water into a tank or it could shock or kill your fish.
- Add about a teaspoon of aquarium salt for every 10 gallons of water in your tank.
- Add your filter and heater, but do not plug them in.
- Replace the filter if it has a charcoal compartment or it is not a canister filter unless you want to let the tank run without cleaning the water for a while.
- Leave the tank with the lid off overnight so that it can evaporate and stabilize.
- Plug in your heater. Do not plug it in until the tank is ready because you could risk harming your fish if you get the temperature wrong.
- Trim your plants and decorations to ensure that they do not fall into the water, but don’t disturb anything that is already secured in place.
30 Gallon Tank Maintenance
The water in your fish tank is the most important part of your tank. This is the area where it is most likely that you will see some level of algae or other types of plant life growing, so you will want to make sure that you are taking care of it.
You should do a thorough clean once every month, but you could only go three months without cleaning your tank if there are no signs of decay or discoloration in the water. You should also make sure that your tank is well-ventilated, so you can keep the temperature stable.
Expert Tip: If your tank is overflowing into its stand or if you have any leaks, you should get it fixed before letting bacteria grow or your fish start to die. You may need to have some professionals in to inspect your house for a leak and clean things up for you.
How to Clean Your Tank
Step 1: Turn off all the power to your tank before you start the water change. You will want to remove any decorations or fishing nets before changing the water. You can place these in a plastic bag so that they don’t get dirty.
Step 2: Prepare your new water by adding some aquarium salt to it and leaving it overnight in a sealed container so that it can be dissolved into the water.
Step 3: Turn off the filter by unplugging it and then remove the pump from inside the tank.
Step 4: Add a cup of aquarium salt to your new water, but don’t put it in yet.
Step 5: While you hold above the top of the tank and pour in your old water. You should do this slowly so that you can avoid any leaks or spills. Be careful not to fill up too much because if you spill it. you could end up with some serious problems.
Step 6: Wait until your water has stopped draining into the bottom of the tank and then remove it.
Step 7: Put some aquarium salt into your fresh water and make sure that you leave it in there for a few days before you ever turn on the filter. You will want to do this so that your tank has a chance to be cleaned.
Step 8: Add the filter and turn it back on.
Step 9: Add about a teaspoon of aquarium salt for every 10 gallons of water in your tank, but do not add any water yet.
Step 10: Add the new water and then add your decorations, plants, and fishing nets again. Let your fish go back into their tank before you turn on the filter.
What type of fish is best for a 30-gallon tank?
There are many different types of fish in the world, but not all of them are suitable for a tank that is 30 gallons. Some of them will be able to live there, but they will only be able to thrive if the water is kept clean and at the right temperature.
You should also make sure that you are taking care of your fish, so you can ensure that they stay healthy and happy. You will want to check with your local laws before purchasing fish that you plan to keep in your tank, particularly if you are keeping them for children or pets.
Some fish species cannot be kept in fish tanks unless you have a license, regardless of the size of your tank. If you are considering keeping more than one type of fish, you will want to make sure that your fish species have the same requirements so that they can thrive in your tank.
If you only have a tank that is 30-gallons or less, then you will want to only keep one species of fish in it. There following are different types of fish that will work well in a 30-gallon tank:
• Community fish
• Furnace fish
• Guppies
• Catfish
• Mollies
• Discus
• Tetras
• Barbs
• Gouramis
• Rasboras
• Angelfish
How much does a 30-gallon tank cost?
A 30-gallon tank is going to cost you more than a 10-gallon tank, but not by a lot. You can expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $200. depending on where you are shopping and what brand the fish tank is when you shop online.
There are some places that will have tanks for sale used, but this is only if you don’t mind buying something with some damage or if there are some pieces missing. You can find these tanks at garage sales or second-hand stores.
Conclusion
A 30-gallon fish tank is a great way to get started in the aquarium hobby if you are new to this. You will learn a lot and you will be able to get everything that you need to keep aquatic pets in your house, 30-gallon tanks are very versatile, so you can keep many different types of fish and even other pets in them.
Keeping a 30-gallon fish tank is a lot of fun and it is great for anyone who wants to learn about how to take care of and care for their fish. These fish tanks are very simple to care for, so you can make sure that your fish stay happy and healthy with minimal work
