29 gallon fish tank: dimensions, weight & setup
A standard 29 gallon tank measures 30 × 12 × 18 inches, holds about 25.1 gallons of real water and weighs roughly 270 lb once set up. It is a great size for a first "real" community tank with room for a centerpiece fish.
29 Gallon tank dimensions
| Inches | Centimeters | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 30 in | 76.2 cm |
| Width (front to back) | 12 in | 30.5 cm |
| Height | 18 in | 45.7 cm |
| Footprint | 360 in² (2.5 ft²) | 2,323 cm² |
| Typical glass | 3/16 in | 5 mm |
These are typical outside dimensions for US glass tanks; brands vary slightly, so measure yours before buying a stand, lid or background.
How much water does it really hold?
| US gallons | Liters | |
|---|---|---|
| Outside dimensions | 28.1 | 106.2 |
| Filled 1 in below the rim | 25.1 | 94.9 |
| With 2 in of gravel | 22.1 | 83.6 |
Dose medication and fertilizer for the real water — about 22 gallons once the tank is aquascaped, not 28.
How much does a 29 gallon tank weigh?
| Empty (estimated, 3/16 in glass) | 35 lb | 16 kg |
|---|---|---|
| Filled with fresh water | 244 lb | 111 kg |
| Set up, fresh water + 2 in gravel | 268 lb | 121 kg |
| Set up as saltwater | 272 lb | 124 kg |
| Floor load under the stand | 107 lb/ft² | 5.1 kPa |
Add rock, decor and the stand (often 40–120 lb). A floor load of 107 lb/ft² is 2.7× the 40 lb/ft² a typical home floor is designed for when averaged over a room, so place the stand across the joists and near a load-bearing wall. Use the weight calculator to include your own rock and stand.
Heater size
| Room temperature (water at 78 °F) | Heater |
|---|---|
| 73 °F (5 °F lift) | 50 W |
| 68 °F (10 °F lift) | 100 W |
| 63 °F (15 °F lift) | 150 W |
Colder room, nano heater or dual-heater setup? See the 29 gallon heater size chart.
Plan maintenance with the water change schedule: a 30% change on this tank is about 6.6 gallons.
Filter flow
| Tank type | Real flow | Filter rating |
|---|---|---|
| Community tropical | 100–150 GPH | 143–215 GPH |
| Planted tank | 125–201 GPH | 179–286 GPH |
| Goldfish, cichlids or heavy feeders | 201–251 GPH | 286–358 GPH |
Substrate
| Depth | Gravel | Sand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in (2.5 cm) | 20 lb | 19 lb |
| 2 in (5.1 cm) | 40 lb | 39 lb |
| 3 in (7.6 cm) | 60 lb | 58 lb |
Stocking ideas
- 8 harlequin rasboras + 6 bronze corydoras + 1 honey gourami + 2 nerite snails
- 1 pair of Bolivian rams + 8 rummy-nose tetras + 6 corydoras
- 1 dwarf gourami + 10 neon tetras + 5 kuhli loaches
Check any combination — including temperature and group size — in the stocking calculator.
Setup tips
- Same footprint as a 20 long, 6 inches taller — the extra 9 gallons stabilizes temperature and water chemistry.
- Angelfish need at least 30 gallons and a tall tank; a 29 is borderline for a single fish, too small for a group.
- Long tongs and a gravel vacuum with a long tube make maintenance at 18 inches much easier.
← 20 gallon long40 gallon breeder →
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a 29 gallon fish tank?
A standard 29 gallon glass tank measures 30 × 12 × 18 inches (76.2 × 30.5 × 45.7 cm) on the outside, a footprint of 2.5 square feet. Brands differ by up to about half an inch.
How much does a 29 gallon fish tank weigh?
About 35 lb empty, 245 lb filled with water and roughly 270 lb set up with 2 inches of gravel, before rock, decor and the stand.
How many gallons does a 29 gallon tank really hold?
28.1 gallons by its outside dimensions, about 25.1 gallons (95 liters) filled an inch below the rim, and about 22.1 gallons with 2 inches of gravel.
What size heater does a 29 gallon tank need?
100 W to hold 78 °F in a 68 °F room; 50 W in a 73 °F room and 150 W in a 63 °F room.
How much gravel or sand for a 29 gallon tank?
About 20 lb of gravel per inch of depth: 40 lb for a 2-inch bed, or 39 lb of sand.
What filter flow does a 29 gallon tank need?
100–150 GPH of real flow for a community tank (4–6× turnover), so choose a filter rated about 143–215 GPH.