20 Gallon Fish Tanks
20 gallon fish tanks are a great option for many people. They come in two main shapes:
- 20 gallon (high) which measures 24″ x 12″ x 16″
- 20 gallon (long) which measures 30″ x 12″ x 12″
Both have a filled weight of approximately 225 lbs.
Many people believe that 20 gallon fish tanks are one of the best aquarium sizes. This is true for 3 main reasons:
- They offer enough room for a wide range of inhabitants
- But are small enough to still be suitable for a wide variety of rooms
- And the 20 gallon size means that the water chemistry and filtration requirements are more forgiving than in smaller tanks.
This makes is a great option for experienced aquarists but yet still perfect for those starting out on their fishkeeping journey. Below we’ve picked out some of our favorite tanks and 20 gallon fish tank stands. Hopefully you find one that suits your needs!
20 Gallon Fish Tank Starter Kits
Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit, Includes LED Lighting and Decor
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4.5/5
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The Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit is made in the USA and is built to last. The glass is scratch resistant, which will help to keep the tanking looking in great condition for a number of years. The kit is fully equipped, including and LED hood, that provides a natural daytime effect and a Whisper Filter that is whisper quiet while providing powerful, dependable water flow. The artificial Plants add a nice feel to the tank and give the fish somewhere to hide. You may, however, want to change these over time to suit your own styles. The 20 gallon fish tank kit includes a 20 gallon glass aquarium, a Tetra Mini Heater , LED hood, a Tetra Whisper 20 Filter, 1 artificial Boxwood Plant Mat and some artificial plants.
A great place to start, the Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit has everything you need to get started on your fishkeeping journey. All you will need to add is gravel, water and fish to complete your aquarium.
At 20 gallons it is worth considering purchasing a good quality 20 gallon fish tank stand such as that produced by Imagitarium.
Marina 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Marina 20 gallon fish tank kit is a great place to start. The panels are made of glass (not acrylic). It comes with a Marina Slim S20 clip on filter. It is easy to change the filter cartridges. The tank is approximately 24 x 12 x 16 inches in size.
The filter works well, help to keep your water clear and fish healthy. It is also surprisingly quiet. It also comes with aquarium lights. All you will have to add is substrate and perhaps a heater (depending on which type of fish you are going to keep in this 20 gallon aquarium.
One thing to take into account is that some people have reported this tank managing to spring a leak. We did not have this problem, but it is certainly worth being aware of when you are making your decision on which 20 gallon fish tank to buy.
GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit with Lighting and Filtration
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit is pretty cool. Not only does it look great, but it includes:
- 20 gallon fish tank (made from glass)
- A Tetra mine UL heater
- A GloFish 13 inches light stick (LED)
- A Tetra Whisper 20 gilter
- 2 multipacks of plants to add an instant homely feel to your 20 gallon tank
- Fish food and water care samples
- Thermometer
- 1 Glofish yellow anemone
The tank itself measures approximately 24 x 12.5 x 16 inches. As you can see from the tank image, the LED lighting provides an attractive and colorful neon display.
Overall we found this to be a great quality kit. It contains almost everything you need to get started. Just add substrate.. and fish of course!
Oceanic Systems 20 Gallon Fish Tank – All Glass
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 3/5
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The Oceanic Systems 20 gallon fish tank is made from glass. It can be purchased with either Black or Oak trims. Overall it is a decent quality fish tank, but too expensive (around $100) for what you are getting. Plenty of better value options available!
SeaClear Acrylic 20 Gallon Aquarium Combo Set
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4.5/5
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The SeaClear Acrylic 20 Gallon Fish Tank has a classy feel to it. Not only does it appear rimless, but it is made out of acrylic. This is half the weight of glass and much stronger, making it easier to handle… and much safer if you have children or pets running around!
The SeaClear 20 gallon aquarium can be used for both saltwater and freshwater aquarium setups. It comes with LED lighting.
Overall a fantastic looking aquarium and one that is built to last. The only thing we would have preferred was a higher quality LED light. Regardless, these are easy to source and upgrade if you feel the same way that we do!
20 Gallon Fish Tank Stands
Imagitarium Newport Wooden Tank Stand – for 20 Gallon Aquariums, 24.75 in
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4.5/5
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The Imagitarium Newport Wooden Tank Stand for 20 gallon fish tanks has a simple, clean and modern design. It is easy to assemble and has the benefit of adjustable and protective nylon leveling feet in case your floor is not quite even!
Overall it is well built stand and very sturdy. A few other 20 gallon examples (and plenty of 10 gallon fish tanks) are somewhat flimsy. The Imagitarium Newport 20 gallon fish tank, however, is not. We feel it is great value for money and something that will stand the test of time.
Ameriwood Home Flipper 20 Gallon Aquarium Stand, Black Oak
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4.5/5
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The Ameriwood Home Flipper 20 gallon fish tank stand is one of the higher quality 20 gallon stands available on the market today. It is made of Laminated MDF and particleboard and has a classy appearance. One very nice feature of this stand is that it can be turned upside down to give a smaller top – one that is perfect for 10 gallon fish tank! In addition, there is a cabinet and two open spaces in which you can either keep fish food etc. or display photographs or other paraphernalia.
How Many Fish in a 20 Gallon Fish Tank?
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 20 inches of fish in a 20 gallon fish tank. If you want a little more capacity consider a 29 or 30 gallon fish tank.
Fish For 20 Gallon Fish Tanks
As discussed above, it is best to limit your fish to about 20 inches in total length when constructing a your tank. At this size, you are able to keep a much wider range of fish than in 5 and 10 gallon tanks. There are a range of options including:
- 5-6 Mollies in a 20 gallon tank. These are beautiful, but peaceful fish, that grow to 3-4 inches. They can be kept alone, or added to a community tank. Remember to reduce the amount so that the total amount of fish is not overcrowded.
- 10 Zebra Danio in a 20 gallon tank. These striped fish grow to about 2 inches in length. They are schooling fish, and are therefore best kept in a group. But they are hardy fish and well suited for beginner fish keepers.
20 Gallon High Fish Tank Dimensions
The standard dimensions of a 20 gallon high fish tank are 24″ x 12″ x 16″. This equates to approximately 61 x 30 x 41 cm in metric measurements. These aquariums are well suited to office receptions. There are also a wide range of stands available for display around your office or home.
The tank will weight 225lbs when full (approximately 102kg).
20 Gallon Long Fish Tank Dimensions
The standard dimensions of a 20 gallon fish tank are 30″ x 12″ x 12″. This equates to approximately 76 x 30 x 30 cm in metric measurements. Long 20 gallon fish tanks are well suited to office receptions and larger counter tops around the home. There are a few 20 gallon aquarium hoods available on the market today.
These tanks will weight 225lbs when full (approximately 102kg). If you need something a little smaller it is worth considering at 10 gallon fish tank.