Congrats! If you are reading this 75 gallon fish tank guide it means you are either a pro, or found the space and budget to fit a large tank somewhere at home or in the office.
Many people go for wallet and space-friendly choices, and hey, small tanks can fit almost anywhere, from a study desk to that sunny spot in the living room. Plus, they look less daunting than their bigger buddies.
Buuut, bigger tanks are like friendly giants – they’re actually easier to look after and way more chill when it comes to handling those oops moments we all have as beginners. Here’s one quick fact: Brand new aquariums can give biological headaches. They might develop nasty stuff like ammonia and nitrite and in a pint-sized pool, these troublemakers can skyrocket, causing your fish to stress or, worse, go belly up.
We spent a great amount of time researching this topic and calling experts from different aquarium stores. It might seem simple to just recommend a tank and a few accessories but, there are three important questions that need to be answered before we get started. If you are in a rush, just skip it.
Common Questions
How many fish can I fit in a 75 gallon tank?
This depends more on area than volume and a quick/generic rule of thumb is to allow one inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area.
There’s another rule of thumb mostly for small fish between 2 and 3 inches that states an inch of fish per gallon of water. The reason is because as fish get larger their biomass production increases exponentially putting off significantly more waste and requiring more water.
Think of people, a big adult 80 inches tall is 4 times longer than a baby 20 inches tall but produces waaay more than 4 times the waste. Makes sense?
Author Note: It might sound obvious but make sure to use fish measurements as a full grown adults even if you get them as tiny juveniles.
How much does a 75 gallon fish tank weigh?
A gallon of water weighs 8.34 lbs, so 75 gallons will weigh 699 pounds with fresh water and 715 pounds with saltwater since it is denser. To this, add the weight of the tank itself which is about 150 lbs, plus 100-150 lbs of substrate assuming 2 inches tall, another 40 lbs in decoration and equipment for an approximated total between 900 lbs and 1,100 lbs!
Author Note: The weight is an approximation due to many variables like tank materials (glass vs acrylic), amount of rock, number of fish, etc.
How big is 75 gallon fish tank?
Holding 75 gallons of water could be accomplished with different shapes so we are listing different examples below. Please note that some shapes do not allow for an exact 75 gallons, so we picked sizes that get close to it.
| Shape | Size (inches) |
Volume (gallons) |
| Rectangle | 48X18X20 | 70 |
| Hexagon | 28X24X30 | 75 |
| Flat Back Hexagon | 48X16X20 | 60 |
| Pentagon | 30X30X24 | 75 |
| 1/2 Cylinder | 36X18X30 | 60 |
| 1/4 Cylinder | 27X27X30 | 70 |
| Bow Front | 48X17X20 | 65 |
Pros:
- Minimalist design
- Good for both freshwater and saltwater
- High quality workmanship
- 10mm thick glass
- Nano foam for leveling
Cons:
- Price
- Branding sticker that can be removed
- Does not include lid
We liked this tank because its rimless design enhances crystal-like transparency and a minimalist style. It is made of super white glass for excellent light transmission (more than 91% to be exact), offering a clear and beautiful view of the aquascape. What a better way to show off your fish to friends and family?
The tank includes an EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) material cushion to protect the tank’s bottom and ensure smooth placement. Without this, mat you might end up with heavy pressure points leading to cracks and leaks.
Are you worried about leaks? This tank is put together with skillful silicone workmanship and special cutting techniques for even tank splicing. They even use professional glue and treatment process to ensure uniform and bubble-free bonding, without scratches.
Dimensions:
Length 47.24 in, Height 19.69 in, Width 19.69 in
Pros:
- Price
- High quality glass
- Smooth silicone edges
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Black frame
- Does not include a lid
- Cannot be drilled
Constructed of high-quality glass, this tank is built to last! We think it is awesome to find large tanks like this one in a price range that could be within many people’s budget. We are aware it is not necessarily a “cheap tank”, but if you are looking for something that could hold 75 gallons you probably know that it is not going to be near the cost of small tanks (check our 4 Best 10-Gallon Saltwater Tanks).
With a well made frame this tank is very sturdy and able to hold lots of small fish, or a few large ones like Copperband Butterflyfish and Kole Tangs (maybe not together so check their tank mates section). The superior glass build and neat silicone edges of this tank offer the perfect environment for setting up a cold water, tropical, or even a marine fish tank.
Whether you are an expert or a beginner this tank could be a great option and depending on budget and available space, maybe get more than one tank? This is just in case you have large corals and lots of fish of different sizes and are looking for a more efficient way of keeping your tank clean. As we shared, it is easier to maintain a large aquarium than a small one.
Dimensions:
Length 49 in, Height 21.25 in, Width 19.5 in
Pros:
- Very, very sturdy steel frame
- Elegant style with two color options
- Different storage options
- Sliding doors for easy access
Cons:
- Heavy
- Possibility of scratches
- Difficult to put together
So you are spending a good amount of money on a large tank, where are you going to place it?
We looked at different options and concluded that the Tatub 75-90 Gallon Fish Tank Stand would be ideal not only because it is very sturdy able to hold over 1,000 lbs (feel free to test it), but it also it serves as a cabinet to store all the equipment, food, chemicals and many other extras needed to keep a 75 gallon tank in good shape.
Want to get technical?
The frame is made of heavy-duty steel 4cm / 1.57in thick which is pretty much the skeleton of the stand. We are not sure if you are fan of the X-Men mutant superheroes but this reminded us of Wolverine and his adamantium reinforced skeleton. The supporting tabletop is medium-density fiberboard which unlike wood, it does not warp or crack and it is also denser and stronger than particle board.
We know you might be able to use existing furniture you have at home but, do you know the specifications and is it as good as this stand? Maybe a money vault could work too. By the way, the stand comes in black and grey colors so that gives you even more options to add a sturdy and good looking piece of furniture to your home or office.
Dimensions:
Length 58.9 in, Height 32.6 in, Width 19.7 in
Pros:
- Programmable 24-hour settings
- 120 degree light dispersio
- 6 band waves
- Expandable to different tank sizes
Cons:
- Learning curve to use the app
- Adjusting the red color might not make a significant difference
- It might cause an algae outbreak in the high brightness setting
What is the point of having a large 75 gallon tank with lots of coral and beautiful fish if you can barely see what it is inside? Feel free to do your own research and you will find out that this aquarium light will come come on top.
It can be programmed with a gradual 24-hour light cycle settings in case you want different lighting at sunrise, midday, sunset and night. Do not think you will get bored with the same colors because it includes six band waves for full spectrum results and if this is too technical for you, don’t worry because it comes with pre-set habitat light configurations like Lake Malawi (we googled it and it is an African Great Lake), Tropical and Planted.
Lastly, it provides a 120 degree light dispersion and it fits different tanks due to its extendable bracket that can range from 48 to 60 inches.
Dimensions:
Length 15 in, Height 0.75 in, Width 2.5 in
Pros:
- Multi-stage filtration system
- Accessible for quick routine maintenance
- Good for both freshwater and saltwater
- Different water return options
Cons:
- Not too quiet for some people
- Suctions cups push the intake abput 2 inches away from the back glass
There is no way we would finish a post about 75 gallon tanks without recommending a filter, that would be like recommending a vehicle to a new driver without explaining the importance of oil changes (unless it was a Tesla).
We already shared that large tanks are easier to maintain than small ones although this does not mean we should cut corners and get a low quality water filtration system. If you want to save money, maybe do it with the decoration but not where your fish will live.
We looked around and found a few pricey filters like the Fluval FX4 Canister Filter selling for over $300 and the Marineland C-530 Multi Stage that costs almost $400 but hold your horses! We found you a great solution that is also affordable.
Let us introduce you to the Aqueon QuietFlow Aquarium Fish Tank Canister Filter; a multi-stage filtration system with multiple water return options for a variety of habitats (e.g., spray bar, water director and water polishing unit). This beauty is built for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums and it comes preloaded with biological, chemical and mechanical media.
Lastly, the hang-on-the-back water polishing unit is the cherry on the cake since it allows for quick and easy maintenance without having to disassemble the canister housing when needing replace the contents of the media basket. Wait! We forgot to mention it is half the cost of the pricey ones 🙂
Dimensions:
Length 17.5 in, Height 8.25 in, Width 8.25 in
Wrapping Up
Choosing a large 75 gallon tank is not an easy task specially with all the other things needed to keep it in good shape and being able to enjoy the looks of it. If you are still doubting getting a large tank instead of a small one, we will finish our article listing the following advantages:
- Stability in Water Parameters: Larger volumes of water in big tanks are more stable in terms of temperature, pH, and chemical composition. This stability is crucial for the health of the fish, as rapid changes in water conditions can stress or even kill them.
- Dilution of Toxins: Toxins like ammonia and nitrites, which are harmful to fish, are diluted in a larger volume of water. This reduces the risk of toxic build-up, giving you more time to correct any issues before they become harmful.
- More Space for Fish: Larger tanks provide more swimming space, which is essential for the well-being and natural behavior of many fish species. It can also reduce stress and aggression among fish.
- Greater Biodiversity: With more space, you can house a wider variety of fish and plant species, creating a more diverse and interesting aquarium.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Larger tanks offer more scope for elaborate aquascaping and can be a stunning focal point in a room.
- Flexibility in Stocking: You have more options for choosing different species, as some fish that are unsuitable for small tanks due to their size or territorial behavior can thrive in larger tanks.
- Room for Error: Beginners might find larger tanks more forgiving. Mistakes like overfeeding or irregular maintenance have a less immediate impact compared to smaller tanks.
- Better Filtration Options: Large tanks can accommodate more powerful and efficient filtration systems, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy aquatic environment.
We hope this helped! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us and don’t forget to tag us on Facebook when sharing cool photos of your 75 gallon tank. Good luck!
