1 Gallon Fish Tank: 13 Must know Option For Starters

1 gallon fish tanks are a great way to get started with aquariums. They are inexpensive, take up little space, and can be used in many different ways.

For example, you could use it as a quarantine tank or put it on your desk at work for decoration.

If you have any questions about how to set one up or what type of fish would be best suited for this size tank, then read the rest of this guide!

1 gallon Fish tank
1 Gallon Fish Tank

Characteristics:

  • A 1-gallon tank is usually a round shape.
  • It makes a great aquarium for a home, office, classroom, or even a research lab.
  • The material will be glass, plastic, or acrylic.
  • When filled with water, it can weigh up to 12-14 pounds. 
  • Since saltwater is heavier than freshwater, your tank will weigh even more.

One gallon fish tank dimensions:

fish for one gallon tank
Round 1 gallon Tank

One gallon of water is equivalent to 264.2 cubic inches, which means that a tank of this size will be around 6.5″ wide, 10″ tall, and 12.5″ deep.

A one-gallon fish tank can house one small fish or two small fish in a community setting.

What is a 1 gallon fish tank?

A 1-gallon fish tank is a small, inexpensive way to start out with your first pet. It may be too small for some people’s needs, but it will do the trick for others.

There are many benefits to starting with this type of aquarium because it can help you decide if you want to pursue having an aquatic pet in the future.

For instance, the one-gallon size lets you experience how much work goes into maintaining a healthy environment without feeling overwhelmed by its upkeep.

This is also helpful when considering that larger tanks are more costly upfront and take up more space than smaller ones.

The cost of caring for these pets can be lessened dramatically by choosing a 1-gallon tank as your starter model instead!

Why buy a 1 gallon fish tank?

The 1-gallon fish tank is a great starter kit for anyone looking to start their own saltwater or freshwater aquarium.

It can be difficult to find the right type of fish, food, and equipment for small tanks, so this kit has it all!

The 1-gallon fish tank includes everything you need to get started, including a hood light, filter, air pump, and more.

This little tank is also perfect for those who live in apartments or have limited space. 

It’s not too big, but still enough room to add some colorful friends like seahorses, clownfish, and shrimp!

The size of the tank means that these aquatic animals will stay happy and healthy with plenty of room to roam around.

Once you’re ready for an upgrade, we offer bigger kits.

How Many Fish Can You Keep In A 1 Gallon Tank?

Betta Fish for 1 Gallon Fish Tank
Betta Fish for 1 Gallon Fish Tank

A question that many beginner fish owners have is how many fish they can keep in a 1-gallon tank.

There are some general rules to follow when it comes to stocking your aquarium with live aquatic animals. So please read on before deciding what’s best for your pet!

The one-inch-per-gallon rule suggests that in a tank with a 10″ x 6″ footprint. You can have four adult goldfish or nine neon tetras.

Overcrowding aquariums leads to stress and disease, so it’s best to avoid.

There are some who say you can keep as many as 10, but this is not true. You should only put 2-3 goldfish in the tank, and these are the largest fish you could have in there. Some other types of fish might also work fine in your one-gallon tank.

Guppies are one species of fish that you can keep in a small tank.Goldfish produce a lot of waste and need heavy filtration to compensate.

Neon tetras may survive for up to 10 years, yet they can perish with the smallest alteration to their fish tank habitat.

Test your water regularly, increase the frequency of water changes if your readings are high.

Never do 100% water changes unless your ammonia or algae are out of control.

If the water chemistry changes in a big way, the fish get stressed, sad, and have a hard time fighting off diseases.

  • Fish species are recommended for 1-gallon aquarium, Neon Tetra, Zebra Danio, White Clouds, and Betta Fish.
  • Do not overcrowd.

Average Cost for 1 Gallon Aquarium

The cost of a gallon aquarium can vary depending on what you want. If you are looking for a saltwater tank, it is going to be more expensive than a freshwater tank.

There are also different types of tanks, such as those with live plants and those without.

The average price for a one-gallon aquarium is around $25 to $50 but this does not include the stand or anything that will need to go inside it. 

The cost of a gallon aquarium varies depending on what type of tank you’re looking at and if there are going to be any plants in your setup!

On average, 1-gallon tanks usually start at around $25–50 USD, but keep in mind that doesn’t include the stand or any decorations that may come with it.

1 Gallon Fish Tank Setup

A 1 gallon fish tank is a very small aquarium that can only house a few fish or other aquatic creatures.

It is important to set up the tank properly to ensure the health and happiness of your pets. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Choose a suitable location for the tank. Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources, and areas with high traffic or noise.
  • Rinse the tank, gravel, and any decorations with clean water. Do not use soap or detergent as they can harm the fish.
  • Fill the tank with dechlorinated water. You can use tap water treated with a water conditioner, or buy bottled water from a pet store.
  • Install a filter and a heater if needed. A filter will keep the water clean and oxygenated, while a heater will maintain a stable temperature for tropical fish.
  • Add some live plants or artificial ones. Plants will provide shelter and oxygen for the fish, as well as enhance the appearance of the tank.
  • Cycle the tank for at least two weeks before adding any fish. This means letting the beneficial bacteria grow in the filter and gravel, which will help break down the waste and ammonia produced by the fish.
  • Choose compatible fish for your tank. A 1 gallon tank can only hold one or two small fish, such as bettas, guppies, or neon tetras. Do not overstock the tank or you will risk overcrowding and poor water quality.
  • Acclimate the fish to the tank. Float the bag with the fish in the tank for 15 minutes, then open the bag and add some tank water every 5 minutes for another 15 minutes. Then gently release the fish into the tank.
  • Feed the fish sparingly and regularly. Overfeeding can cause water pollution and health problems for the fish. Feed them once or twice a day, only as much as they can eat in a few minutes.
  • Perform regular water changes and maintenance. Change 25% of the water every week, and rinse the filter media every month. Check the water parameters, such as pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, with a test kit every week.

What are the benefits of having a 1 gallon fish tank:

1 gallon vase
Green Fish Tank

A 1-gallon fish tank is a great choice for anyone with limited space.They are also great for beginners because they require less maintenance and upkeep than larger tanks.

Here are ten benefits to having a 1-gallon fish tank: 

  • It’s small enough to fit in any room of the house, even an apartment! 
  • You can customize your décor by choosing different wallpapers and paint colors around it. 
  • 1 Gallon Fish Tank won’t break your budget when you’re buying accessories from pet stores or online retailers. 
  • They’re easy to clean since there isn’t much water in the tank that needs changing out regularly. 
  • Your home will be filled with ambient light, which is great for your pets. 
  • You won’t have to worry about finding a suitable location for this tank because it can go anywhere in the house! 
  • It’s easy to set up and maintain, making them perfect for beginners or anyone with limited time. 
  • They look stylish on tables or shelves since they are small

Here are some cons of 1-gallon fish tanks:

  • The tank will need frequent water changes because of its small size.
  • This means more time spent cleaning your aquarium each week!
  • There may be limited space in the tank, so you might have trouble finding room for all your equipment.
  • You’ll have a hard time creating natural habitats or decorating with plants or rocks due to the tank’s small size.

How Big is a 1 Gallon Tank?

A 1-gallon tank typically has the following dimensions:

  • Length: Approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm)
  • Width: Approximately 6 inches (15.24 cm)
  • Height: Approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm)

These measurements can vary slightly depending on the specific design and manufacturer of the tank, but they provide a general idea of the size.

It’s essential to note that a 1-gallon tank is relatively small and is typically suitable for small fish or aquatic creatures, such as a single Betta fish or a few small shrimp.

It is not ideal for larger fish species or those that require more space to swim and thrive.

Proper filtration and maintenance are crucial in smaller tanks to ensure water quality and the well-being of the inhabitants.

Common Problems: 

The common problem with a 1-gallon fish tank is how to keep the water clean. The water will become polluted and toxic quickly.

The answer is simple, but not easy because you need to change your water up to 10 times per week!

They often get too small and cramped for the fish to live comfortably in them.

If you want your fish to be happy and healthy, you must ensure they have enough space to swim around and explore. 

Another common problem that many fish owners face with their 1-gallon fish tank is that they often cannot provide enough filtration for the tank.

The reason is that most filters are too large to fit in a one-gallon tank and will cause water to overflow out of it.

This can be problematic, as you want your fish aquarium to stay clean and healthy at all times.

It is best to pick up some smaller-sized filter media or purchase small hang-on-back (HOB) filters for your tanks rather than the larger HOB ones designed for 5–10 gallon tanks.

How to Care for Your Small Fish Tank Properly?

One of the most common inquiries new aquarium owners have is what sort of fish to use in a 1-gallon fish tank. And what plants and other items to acquire to help it flourish. A 1-gallon fish tank is unlike any other sort of tank.

Therefore, I’ll describe what you can put in it. It’s a fish thing. As a result, there are several things you should never do with the fish and plants in your tank.

What matters most, though, is what you should obtain to develop and work on your aquarium.

The only thing you should do in your 1-gallon fish tank is put snails in it since they eat algae.

What you need to do is for your filter to be efficient enough to clean out all the algae, and then pour a lot of water on top of your snails, as well as a lot of air, because they’ll need it.

Also, make sure your snails enjoy the water a lot, but not too much, since if they don’t, they won’t consume it.

Snails love to float, so getting some scuba flippers is a wonderful idea.

Filling smaller tanks with rocks and coral is the greatest way to make them seem more natural, and it will also save you money because they won’t need to store as much water.

Getting a heater for your small tanks is smart. It keeps the water warm, perfect for fish that like it cozy.

Plus, since smaller tanks have less food piled up, you can leave it longer for fish to nibble on without worrying.

Having a heater in smaller tanks helps tiny fish too. They get a cozy spot to hide when it’s warm.

And by putting food at the bottom, they’ll munch on that instead of gobbling up all the sand.

Summary

The 1-gallon fish tank is a popular choice for many hobbyists, but it’s not without its cons.

One of the best things about these tanks is that they are easy to set up and maintain.

They’re also very inexpensive, which can be attractive for some people on a budget. However, there are drawbacks to owning one, too.

The 1-gallon fish tank is a great product for someone who wants to get their feet wet in the world of aquariums.

This heater is great for beginners or folks with small spaces.

But it’s also got cool features that even pros will love, making it a top choice for upgrading from older models.

To learn more about this exciting innovation in the pet industry, read our article on how you can use your old products creatively!