These days, one of the most popular types of planted tanks is the 20-gallon long tank.
A 20-gallon long planted tank is, as the name implies, a planted tank that can hold up to 20 gallons of other. There are different specifications for 20-gallon tanks, but for a long tank particularly, this probably means 30″ wide, 12″ tall, and 12″ deep.
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What is a 20 gallon long tank?
A 20-gallon long tank is a very popular type of planted tank. Although you have a couple of options when choosing a tank, a long tank is typically the one that most people think of when they think about aquariums. In other words, it’s a classic – and for good reason too.
In terms of specifications, a 20-gallon tank typically measures 30″ wide, 12″ tall, and 12″ deep. Sometimes, it can also be 13″ tall and 13″ deep.
So, why exactly is it so popular? Simply put, its width of 30″ means there are a lot of things that you can see in the tank. Since it’s 12″ tall, light can easily penetrate the bottom, which means you can grow plants very easily, whether it’s the saltwater or the freshwater variety. This is very helpful to any beginner who’s just starting to get into the planted tank hobby.
How long is a 20 gallon long planted tank?
As mentioned above, 20 gallon long tanks are typically around 30 inches long. This gives fishes enough area to move around, and plants more space to propagate.
Other than the long tank, there are also two other variants of the 20 gallon, namely the high tank and the extra high tank. The high tank typically measures 24″ wide, 16″ tall, and 12″ deep. Obviously, it’s narrower than the long version but it makes up for it with the height. It’s also quite popular since it has a smaller footprint than the traditional long tank.
The extra high tank, on the other hand, is twice as tall as the traditional 20 gallon long planted tank. At 24″ tall, it’s not as popular as the two other variants, but there are still a lot of aquarists who are interested in this tank.
How do you Aquascape a 20 gallon tank?
Aquascaping a 20 gallon tank is certainly fun for everyone. With a 20-gallon allowance, you can have a large selection of fish to choose from, as well as enough room for various plants.
The most important thing is preparing your aquascape. First of all, determine what budget you’re comfortable with. Obviously, a bigger budget means you can do a lot more things, but you don’t need a huge budget to make something great. Even with just a small budget, you can already create a respectable and beautiful aquascaped 20-gallon planted tank.
Second, consider the different apparatuses that you need for the tank. For instance, what kind of filter will you be using? Is it a sponge filter? A canister filter? A hang-on-back filter? Do you need to include a heater in the tank? Remember, there are some fishes and plants that can’t survive in colder temperatures, so keep this in mind.
Last but not the least, it’s time to select the plants that you’ll be putting in the tank. This mostly depends on your preferences, but you should consider your expertise and skills as well. Don’t choose plants that are hard to take care of if you’re still a beginner. Opt for easy plants to care for, such as java ferns, anubias, or amazon swords.
What can I put in a 20 gallon long tank?
There are many things you can put int a 20 gallon long tank.
Obviously, you can put various fishes in there and create a community tank. Fishes such as guppies, mollies, tetras, danios, plays, corys, and catfish survive in a 20 gallon long tank. Although many of them are schooling fish and would feel much better if there are multiple of the same species, be careful not to overcrowd the tank.
If you’re thinking of keeping other species in the tank, you can also add reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and even invertebrates. For instance, you can put an African Dwarf Frog in a 20-gallon long planted tank.
Your option for reptiles include lizards, geckos, and even snakes. For amphibians, you can add salamanders, American toads, or fire-bellied newts. The list for mammals includes hamsters and gerbils. Lastly, for invertebrates, tarantulas, millipedes, and scorpions are great options.
How many fish can I have in a 20 gallon tank?
A 20-gallon tank can hold a decent amount of fishes. For instance, you can keep around 20 small fishes, roughly 1-inch each, and ten 2-inch ones. Simply put, a good rule of thumb is to add only 1 inch of fish per gallon of water.
How much substrate do I need for a 20 gallon long tank?
For a regular planted aquarium, you need around 20 pounds of substrate. This substrate should cover 1-3 inches of the bottom, preferably sloped from the front to the back.
Did you learn a lot from this article? Be sure to check out our other aquarium posts!