So, how much does the shrimp tank weight?
In short, it can be from 31 pounds or 14 kg (for a small 2.5-gallon tank) up to 260 pounds or 115 kg (for a medium 20-gallon tank). Of course, if you want to have a really big one the weight can reach … thousands of pounds!
The calculation is as follows: empty aquarium + water weight + 15% for additional elements, including the substrate, decorations, filter, lights, aeration, plants etc.
Have you ever thought about such a thing as the weight of an aquarium or whether or not your floor can support the weight of it? Unfortunately, the absolute majority of beginners do not bother themselves with that matter until it can be too late and they do not know where they can put it.
Calculate the weight of the tank in advance
It is one thing when you are buying let’s say a relatively small aquarium. In this case, the question of weight usually does not even arise. You can basically put it anywhere you want. Will it be a coffee table or a nightstand, who cares! It really does not matter much because you simply do not need to know how strong is the construction of the table or can it hold enough the pressure. Modern tables are quite safe and can hold a lot of weight.
Note: Although, it is advisable to take these kinds of calculations into your mind anyway. Just to be safe.
Nonetheless, when it comes to mid-sized or large aquariums it is a completely different story. You simply cannot allow yourself that kind of negligence. It is not a joke to have a couple of hundred pounds of water and rocks somewhere in your house. This may be really dangerous and you must be extremely careful with that “elephant” in your house.
In fact, even if you know the exact weight of the aquarium, you better play safe. It means that the foundation should be able to withstand the weight of two full aquariums of a given size and shape.
This is very important because in addition to the water in the shrimp tank there will be decorations (stones, sand or soil) that will significantly increase the weight of the aquarium.
Sources of light, especially if they are installed into the cover, are also quite heavy and you need to count their weight as well.
Examples of the Aquarium Weight
One more important note, in the following list you will see calculations for aquariums made of glass. For example, empty aquariums made of acrylic glass will be about 1,5-2 times lighter.
Here you can see an approximate weight of Aquariums using the American and European systems of measurement.
Fish tank weight (American system of measurement)
1 pound (lb) is equal to 0.45359237 kilograms (kg).
| Small Aquariums | ||||
| Tank Size | L x W x H | Empty Weight | Filled Weight | +15% for additional elements |
| 2.5-gallon | 12″ x 6″ x 8″ | 3 lbs | 27 lbs | 31 lbs (14 kg) |
| 5-gallon | 16″ x 8″ x 10″ | 7 lbs | 62 lbs | 71 lbs (32 kg) |
| 10-gallon | 20″ x 10″ x 12″ | 11 lbs | 111 lbs | 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| 15-gallon | 24″ x 12″ x 12″ | 21 lbs | 170 lbs | 195 lbs (88 kg) |
| 15-gallon | 20″ x 10″ x 18″ | 22 lbs | 170 lbs | 195 lbs (88 kg) |
| Mid-Sized Aquariums | ||||
| Tank Size | L x W x H | Empty Weight | Filled Weight | +15% for additional elements |
| 20-gallon High | 24″ x 12″ x 16″ | 25 lbs | 225 lbs | 260 lbs (117 kg) |
| 20-gallon Long | 30″ x 12″ x 12″ | 25 lbs | 225 lbs | 260 lbs (117 kg) |
| 25-gallon | 24″ x 12″ x 20″ | 32 lbs | 282 lbs | 325 lbs (147 kg) |
| 29-gallon | 30″ x 12″ x 18″ | 40 lbs | 330 lbs | 370 lbs (167 kg) |
| Large Aquariums | ||||
| Tank Size | L x W x H | Empty Weight | Filled Weight | +15% for additional elements |
| 50-gallon | 36″ x 18″ x 19″ | 100 lbs | 600 lbs | 690 lbs (312 kg) |
| 55-gallon | 48″ x 13″ x 21″ | 78 lbs | 625 lbs | 720 lbs (326 kg) |
| 65-gallon | 36″ x 18″ x 24″ | 126 lbs | 772 lbs | 888 lbs (402 kg) |
| 75 gallon | 48″ x 18″ x 21″ | 140 lbs | 850 lbs | 980 lbs (444 kg) |
| 90-gallon | 48″ x 18″ x 24″ | 160 lbs | 1050 lbs | 1210 lbs (548 kg) |
| 125-gallon | 72″ x 18″ x 21″ | 206 lbs | 1400 lbs | 1610 lbs (730 kg) |
| 150-gallon | 72″ x 18″ x 28″ | 308 lbs | 1800 lbs | 2070 (940 kg) |
| 180-gallon | 72″ x 24″ x 25″ | 338 lbs | 2100 lbs | 2415 (1095 kg) |