10 Gallon
10 Gallon is a 50.8 × 25.4 × 30.5 cm (20 × 10 × 12 in) aquarium, rated at 38 L (10 gal). Its footprint is 50.8 × 25.4 cm and the water stands about 24.5 cm deep once a 6 cm substrate layer is in — the two numbers that decide what you can plant in it and what you can stock it with.
At a glance
| Size | 50.8 × 25.4 × 30.5 cm (20 × 10 × 12 in) |
|---|---|
| Volume | 38 L (10 gal), as sold |
| Water after substrate | About 29 L (8 gal) with a 6 cm substrate layer |
| Footprint | 50.8 × 25.4 cm (20 × 10 in) |
| Water depth | 24.5 cm (9.6 in) |
| Substrate needed | About 8 L for a 6 cm layer |
Before it goes in
- 10 Gallon is 50.8 × 25.4 × 30.5 cm (20 × 10 × 12 in) — rated at 38 L (10 gal), and roughly 29 L (8 gal) of actual water once a 6 cm substrate layer and the hardscape are in.
- That layer takes about 8 L of substrate, which is what you order by.
- 25 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under 38 L (10 gal). The biggest of them that still fit are African Dwarf Frog and African Clawed Frog. Neon Tetra and Panda Cory need more than this.
- The water sits about 24.5 cm (9.6 in) deep over the substrate. Plants that get taller than that — Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' and Water Sprite — reach the surface and start growing along it, which is a look you either want or trim.
- Its footprint is 50.8 × 25.4 cm, and that is the area a carpet has to cover — the number that decides how many pots you buy, not the volume.
What are its dimensions?
50.8 × 25.4 × 30.5 cm (20 × 10 × 12 in).
How much water does it hold?
It is sold as 38 L (10 gal), and roughly 29 L (8 gal) of actual water once the substrate is in. Stocking works off the second number; minimum-tank-size advice works off the first.
How much substrate does it take?
About 8 L for a 6 cm layer.
What fits in it?
25 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under its volume, and the water depth of about 24.5 cm sets which plants can grow without reaching the surface.
What fits in it
- Animals this size will hold: African Dwarf Frog, Black Devil Snail, African Clawed Frog, Red Claw Crab and Chili Rasbora.
- Plants that stay under its water line: Anubias nana 'Petite', Cryptocoryne wendtii, Dwarf Hairgrass Mini and Frogbit.
Often compared with
| 10 Gallon | 45P | Eheim Aquastyle 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 50.8 × 25.4 × 30.5 cm | 45 × 27 × 30 cm | 31 × 31 × 36 cm |
| Volume | 38 L | 36 L | 35 L |
| Footprint | 50.8 × 25.4 cm | 45 × 27 cm | 31 × 31 cm |
| Water depth | 24.5 cm | 24 cm | 30 cm |