60F Shallow (9 gallon)

60F Shallow is a 60 × 30 × 18 cm (23.6 × 11.8 × 7.1 in) aquarium, about 32 L (9 gal) to the rim. Its footprint is 60 × 30 cm and the water stands about 12 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

Size60 × 30 × 18 cm (23.6 × 11.8 × 7.1 in)
Volume32 L (9 gal)
Water after substrateAbout 20 L (5 gal) with a 6 cm substrate layer
Footprint60 × 30 cm (23.6 × 11.8 in)
Water depth12 cm (4.7 in)
Substrate neededAbout 11 L for a 6 cm layer

Before it goes in

  • 60F Shallow is 60 × 30 × 18 cm (23.6 × 11.8 × 7.1 in) — about 32 L (9 gal) to the rim, and roughly 20 L (5 gal) of actual water once a 6 cm substrate layer and the hardscape are in.
  • That layer takes about 11 L of substrate, which is what you order by.
  • 21 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under 32 L (9 gal). The biggest of them that still fit are Ember Tetra and Chili Rasbora. African Dwarf Frog and African Clawed Frog need more than this.
  • The water sits about 12 cm (4.7 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 60 × 30 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?

60 × 30 × 18 cm (23.6 × 11.8 × 7.1 in).

How much water does it hold?

About 32 L (9 gal) to the rim, and roughly 20 L (5 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 11 L for a 6 cm layer.

What fits in it?

21 of the 160 animals in this library list a minimum tank at or under its volume, and the water depth of about 12 cm sets which plants can grow without reaching the surface.

What fits in it

Often compared with

60F ShallowFluval Flex 9Dennerle Nano Cube 30L
Size60 × 30 × 18 cm34 × 33 × 33 cm30 × 30 × 35 cm
Volume32 L34 L30 L
Footprint60 × 30 cm34 × 33 cm30 × 30 cm
Water depth12 cm27 cm29 cm

More tank sizes