3 Gallon Fish Tanks

3 gallon fish tanks can be a great place to start for fish enthusiasts. The tanks are affordable and are available from a range of suppliers. They can come in a range of dimensions depending on the manufacturer, but 10″ x 10″ x 10″ is a good starting point to give you a good idea of the general size.

Due to the small nature of the tank, however, it is important to remember:

  • Not to overstock the tank
  • That a good filtration system will be required
  • That any adjustments to the water chemistry (such as pH adjustments or the buildup of nitrates) can have a bigger effect than if the tank was larger

Below you’ll find a range of 3 gallon starter kits. Hopefully you find one that is right for you!

3 Gallon Fish Tank Starter Kits

Tetra ColorFusion LED Half Moon Aquarium Kit, 3 Gallons

Tetra ColorFusion LED Half Moon Aquarium Kit, 3 GallonsA Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Tetra ColorFusion LED Half Moon 3 gallon fish tank is a compact choice. It’s half moon shape allows for great viewing through a full 180 degrees of angle. It has a LED bubble curtain and color changing LEDs to give great visual effects.

The filtration system of the Tetra ColorFusion LED Half Moon aquarium is cartridge based and keeps the tank perfectly clean. Overall it is a great starter kit and highly regarded compared to other tanks in this category.

3 Gallon Fish Tank Stands

3 gallon fish tanks usually measure 10″ x 10″ x 14″. This equates to 25 x 25 x 36 cm in metric measurements. It is not necessary to get a specific stand for them – the fit nicely on top of your kitchen counters or even your your desk.

How Many Fish Should You Add?

The general rule for fish tanks is that you should have a maximum of 1 inch of fish (length) for every gallon of water. Some people extend this to 1.5 inches with success, but it is not generally recommended. Bear in mind that the 1 inch of fish per gallon of water is based on the fish at their fully grown size, not the size that you buy them at!

It is therefore recommended that you have a maximum of 3 inches of fish in the tank. If you want something a little bigger, consider either a 5 gallon or 10 gallon tank.

Fish For 3 Gallon Fish Tanks

As discussed above, it is best to limit your fish to about 3 inches in total length when constructing a 3 gallon fish tank. This could be made up in a range of ways, such as:

  • 1 female Guppy in a 3 gallon tank (female Guppies grow up to 2 inches in length)
  • 2 male Guppies in a 3 gallon tank (male Guppies grow up to 1.5 inches in length). It is worth considering getting a tank divider to keep the two male Guppies separate in your 3 gallon tank.
  • 1 Betta fish (the average length of a Betta fish is 2.25 inches, but they can grow up to 3 inches in perfect conditions)

3 Gallon Fish Tank Dimensions

The standard dimensions of a 3 gallon fish tank are 10″ x 10″ x 14″. This equates to 25 x 25 x 36 cm in metric measurements. These aquariums make for great starter kits and could fit easily on top of your kitchen counters, on your desk, or even on smaller furniture pieces around your home.

A 3 gallon fish tank weights approx 40lbs when full (approximately 18kg). If you are looking for something slightly smaller there are also some 2.5 gallon fish tanks available.

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