What is a 180×60×60 cm tank good for?
A 180×60×60 cm tank holds 648 liters, close to a 180 gallon tank in American sizes. At this length it suits active schooling fish and medium cichlids, and it needs a stand built for aquariums.
How much water does it really hold?
The label says 648 liters (171 US gallons). That is the tank filled to the very brim, measured from outside the glass. In real life the glass, the gap at the top, the gravel and the decor take up room. A set-up 180×60×60 cm tank holds about 551 liters (146 US gallons). Use that smaller number when you dose medicine or water conditioner. Work out your exact water volume
How much does a 180×60×60 cm tank weigh?
An empty glass 180×60×60 cm tank weighs about 95 kg (215 lb). Filled, with gravel and a few rocks, it weighs about 765 kg (1,685 lb). That is more than a small car, so use a stand made for aquariums, not ordinary furniture. The load on the floor under the tank is about 710 kg/m² (145 lb per square foot). Add your own stand and rocks
What size heater does it need?
The colder your room, the bigger the heater. These sizes hold the water at 78 °F (25.5 °C), right for most tropical fish.
| Your room | Heater to buy |
|---|---|
| Warm room, 73 °F (23 °C) | 2 × 150 W |
| Normal room, 68 °F (20 °C) | 2 × 250 W |
| Cold room, 63 °F (17 °C) | 2 × 400 W |
Check your own room and target temperature
What size filter does it need?
For a community tank, look for a filter rated at 2,200–3,300 L/h (580–870 GPH). That moves all the water through the filter four to six times an hour. Goldfish and big cichlids need more. Size a filter for your kind of tank
How much gravel or sand?
| Depth | Gravel | Sand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in (2.5 cm) | 41 kg90 lb | 44 kg96 lb |
| 2 in (5 cm) | 81 kg179 lb | 87 kg191 lb |
| 3 in (7.5 cm) | 122 kg268 lb | 130 kg286 lb |
Two inches suits most tanks. Rooted plants like three. Work it out in bags
How much water to change
A normal weekly water change is a quarter of the water: about 138 liters (36 US gallons) for this tank. A big clean-up change is half: about 275 liters (73 US gallons). Plan changes from your nitrate reading
How many fish can go in a 180×60×60 cm tank?
It depends on which fish. The table shows how many of each the tank carries comfortably if that fish is the only kind in the tank. If you mix kinds, keep fewer of each.
| Fish | How many | Keep at least |
|---|---|---|
| Neon tetra | 60 or more | 6 |
| Guppy | 60 or more | 3 |
| Bronze corydoras | 60 or more | 6 |
| Molly | up to 29 | 3 |
| Tiger barb | up to 56 | 8 |
| Yellow lab | up to 29 | 4 |
| Angelfish | up to 6 | 1 |
| Boeseman's rainbowfish | up to 24 | 6 |
| Discus | up to 11 | 5 |
| Oscar | up to 2 | 1 |
Build your own fish list for this tank
Fish that need a bigger tank
These fish are often sold for tanks this size, but they outgrow it:
- Bala shark: grows to 14 in (35 cm) and needs at least 570 liters (150 US gallons).
- Clown loach: grows to 12 in (30 cm) and needs at least 570 liters (150 US gallons).
Questions and answers
How many liters is a 180×60×60 cm aquarium?
A 180×60×60 cm tank is 648 liters brim-full (171 US gallons, 143 UK gallons). Set up, it holds about 551 liters of water.
How much does a 180×60×60 cm tank weigh?
Empty, about 95 kg (215 lb). Filled with water, gravel and rocks, about 765 kg (1,685 lb). Add the weight of the stand to find the load on your floor.
What size heater does a 180×60×60 cm tank need?
In a normal room at 68 °F (20 °C), 2 × 250 W holds 78 °F (25.5 °C). In a cold room use 2 × 400 W; in a warm room 2 × 150 W is enough.
How many fish can I put in a 180×60×60 cm tank?
It depends on the fish, not just the gallons. As the only kind in the tank, a 180×60×60 cm tank carries about 60 or more neon tetras, or 60 or more guppies, or 60 or more bronze corydoras. Mixed tanks hold fewer of each.
Other tank sizes
Dimensions are the common North American and European standard sizes; brands differ slightly. Weights assume float glass of typical thickness, 4 cm of gravel and light rockwork. How we calculate