45F Shallow (5 gallon)

45F Shallow is a 45 × 24 × 16 cm (17.7 × 9.4 × 6.3 in) aquarium, about 17 L (5 gal) to the rim. Its footprint is 45 × 24 cm and the water stands about 10 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.

Start a tank this size

At a glance

Size45 × 24 × 16 cm (17.7 × 9.4 × 6.3 in)
Volume17 L (5 gal)
Water after substrateAbout 10 L (3 gal) with a 6 cm substrate layer
Footprint45 × 24 cm (17.7 × 9.4 in)
Water depth10 cm (3.9 in)
Substrate neededAbout 6 L for a 6 cm layer

Before it goes in

  • 45F Shallow is 45 × 24 × 16 cm (17.7 × 9.4 × 6.3 in) — about 17 L (5 gal) to the rim, and roughly 10 L (3 gal) of actual water once a 6 cm substrate layer and the hardscape are in.
  • That layer takes about 6 L of substrate, which is what you order by.
  • 7 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under 17 L (5 gal). The biggest of them that still fit are Cherry Shrimp and Snowball Shrimp. Betta and Thai Micro Crab need more than this.
  • The water sits about 10 cm (3.9 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 45 × 24 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?

45 × 24 × 16 cm (17.7 × 9.4 × 6.3 in).

How much water does it hold?

About 17 L (5 gal) to the rim, and roughly 10 L (3 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 6 L for a 6 cm layer.

What fits in it?

7 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under its volume, and the water depth of about 10 cm sets which plants can grow without reaching the surface.

What fits in it

Often compared with

45F ShallowFluval Spec V36P
Size45 × 24 × 16 cm52 × 19 × 29 cm36 × 22 × 26 cm
Volume17 L19 L21 L
Footprint45 × 24 cm52 × 19 cm36 × 22 cm
Water depth10 cm23 cm20 cm

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