If you’re a fish lover, you may be interested in purchasing a large tank. Today, a 200-gallon tank can run you almost $3,000!
200-gallon fish tanks are not a common size, so dimensions can vary. When purchasing, consider where you want to place it and what type of fish you want to have. You’ll also need equipment such as filters, heaters, lights, substrate, and live plants.
Looks like there’s a lot of information we should know about before we set up a 200-gallon tank. In this article, we’ll explore our top choice for a 200-gallon tank, how to set it up, and which fish to showcase.
What Size Is A 200 Gallon Fish Tank?
A 200-gallon fish tank isn’t a standard tank size, so the actual dimensions can differ depending on the manufacturer. To give you a good idea, the average dimensions may be 65″ L x 30″ W x 24″ H.
The 200-gallon tank will hold closer to 240 US liquid gallons, so that’s important to keep in mind when preparing the tank. The tank alone can weigh around 300 lbs when empty. Every gallon of water is roughly 8 lbs, so you’ll be looking at a tank that ways around 1600 lbs when full.
The Best 200 Gallon Fish Tank
Our top choice for a 200-gallon fish tank is the 200 Gallon ProStar Rimless Glass Aquarium because of its sleek look, affordable price, and nearly ready-to-go setup.
200 Gallon ProStar Rimless Glass Aquarium – Our Top Choice
Product Highlights
The rimless tank measures 60″ L x 26″ W x 24″ H and has high clarity and low-iron glass that enables you a perfect view of all your fish from every angle.
Features
- Internal overflow
- Stand
- Plumbing
- Sump
- Auto top-off system
What We Like About the 200 Gallon ProStar Rimless Glass Aquarium
We love this tank because the plumbing, auto top-off, and sump are included in the price, making this a tremendous 200-gallon tank for a beginner or an experienced aquarium owner. The rimless tank allows for a sleek look and a three-sided view of your fish. The stand has adjustable legs that will enable you to level the tank on any floor.
What We Don’t Like About the 200 Gallon ProStar Rimless Glass Aquarium
We think a few things could be improved just like any other product. The plumbing isn’t the best quality and required replacement after only a few months. This tank is also a little taller than average, meaning water changes were more difficult.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Rimless for better fish viewing | Can’t hold snails or other creatures that can escape |
| It comes with the specially designed stand | Deeper, so harder to clean |
| It comes with the auto top-off | The plumbing isn’t of excellent quality ; will need replacing after some time |
| Available in both black and white | The material is glass instead of acrylic |
How Many Fish Can Fit In A 200 Gallon Tank?
Once you’ve picked out your fish tank, you’ll need to decide how many fish will go in. A well-known rule for stocking a tank is 1 inch of fish per 1 or 2 gallons of water. For example, if a fish will grow to 5 inches long, that fish needs 10 gallons of water.
Let’s assume all the fish you plan on purchasing will grow to 5 inches long (because that’s a nice number). Each fish will need 10 gallons of water based on the rule above. Then, divide the 200 by 10. By this math, you’ll be able to fit 20 full-grown fish in your 200-gallon tank.
You can follow the 1-inch to 2 gallons of water rule for any fish you purchase.
What Fish Can Go In A 200 Gallon Tank?
Each fish will have their own needs and wants; not all fish get along. While we can recommend fish that do well in 200-gallon tanks, not all of these fish can coexist in the same tank. They require different temperatures, pHs, and water treatments.
It’s also a good practice not to put several large fish into one 200-gallon tank. If you find a few large fish that are compatible, find smaller fish that share a similar habitat that may compliment the larger fish. Some fish can be costly, so putting them into the tank is no use to have them die a few weeks later.
Freshwater Fish
- Frontosa Cichlid – These fish need 75 gallons for a single fish but are an incredible addition to a tank where you want a few unique specimens to appreciate.
- Fire Red Eel – Once again, these fish require anywhere from 75 gallons to 150 just for one fish. The eels can grow extremely large but are incredible centerpieces to any tank.
- Clown Loach – These fish are native to Indonesian waters and prefer to hang out in the bottoms of tanks. They have beautiful black stripes that give them their name.
- Giant Gourami – These fish love freshwater setups with live plants and are extremely compatible with other large, peaceful fish. They prefer water temperatures around 70 F to 80 F.
- Clown Knife Fish – These fish are native to tropical habitats of Southeast Asia and are nocturnal by nature. Fully adult clown knives require at least 200 gallons to thrive.
Saltwater Fish
- Cardinal Fish – These fish have beautiful black and white fins and should never be purchased alone. Cardinal fish like to school and require at least six others to feel safe in a tank.
- Long Nose Butterfly Fish – Otherwise known as a Forceps fish, this fish roams all tank levels and has an omnivore-based diet. They are bright yellow.
- Yellow Tang – This fish is one of the most common aquarium fish you can find due to its bright yellow color and ease of care.
- Regal Angelfish – These fish are multi-colored and gorgeous. They prefer the middle zone of the tank and are recommended for expert fish keepers because they require a reef aquarium setup.
- Foxface Rabbitfish – Another yellow fish, these peaceful fish have venomous dorsal spines and should be handled with care.
How To Setup A 200 Gallon Fish Tank
For this article, we’ll explore how to set up a 200-gallon freshwater tank. The steps are similar in a saltwater tank, but there are a few more things you need to consider in saltwater that we’re not covering here.
Choose Your Substrate
When choosing your substrate, consider the environment your fish enjoy living in. Most aquarium owners opt for sand or a similar texture because of its low price and easy acclimation. You’ll want one pound of substrate per gallon of water.
If 200 pounds of substrate feels like a lot, it’s because it is. When dealing with larger tanks, you’ll want to consider the tank’s dimensions and how deep you want the substrate to be. The depth of the substrate will depend on which plants you want and if your fish like to dig.
In the end, the amount of substrate you’ll need depends on the fish and plant life in the tank. Consider buying the substrate in bulk for a cheaper rate per pound/liter.
Choose Your Filter
Not all filters can handle a 200-gallon tank. We recommend the Fluval FX4 High-Performance Aquarium Filter and the AMOSIJOY 528GPH Ultra-Quiet Canister Filter. These two products can filter the tank efficiently, leaving you less to clean up.
You can choose any filter you want; just remember that not all filters are made the same. If you have plants in your aquarium and feed them with fertilizer, the carbon in most filters will eliminate that fertilizer. These are just some things to look out for.
Choose Your Heater
Most plants love warm water, so you’ll need an even temperature throughout the 200-gallon talk. This can become tricky if you live in cooler climates or have central AC.
We recommend the Hitop Adjustable Aquarium Heater, which comes in 50W, 100W, and 300W. This heater has enough power to regulate the water temperature to ensure the entire tank is safe and appropriate for your fish.
Choose Your Plants & Decorations
Not all plants play nicely with all fish. Some fish require live plants to thrive, while others need reefs and corals that mimic their natural environment. When choosing decorations, you can get as creative as you want. I recommend adding driftwoods to help with the natural feel of the tank.
Java moss, anacharis, hornwort, amazon sword, and water wisteria are great options to add a little green to any aquarium. These five plants are relatively easy to maintain and often come ready to place directly into the tank.
Fill The Tank
Once everything is in place, you can go ahead and fill the tank with water! Make sure the tank is where you want it to be because it will get very heavy quickly. You can add the plants before or after you put the water in. Some find it easier to put the plants in after because the water helps support them.
Don’t add the water too fast. You don’t want to kick up the substrate and cause an uneven mess. That’s the fish’s job later!
Quarantine Your Fish
Before you put any fish into the tank, make sure to quarantine them for 2-4 weeks if you have just purchased them. This ensures that each fish doesn’t bring diseases into the new tank. You can skip this step if you’ve already had the fish and are just moving them to the new tank.
Introduce Your Fish
Finally! The time has come to add your fish. Go ahead and introduce the little guys (and the big guys) to their new home. They may be stressed at first, but that’s okay. They’ll take around a week to fully acclimate to their new environment.
How To Maintain A 200 Gallon Fish Tank
Large tanks are easier to maintain because the water ratio has fewer chemical fluctuations. This can mean less frequent water changes, fewer filter replacements, and less substrate replacement. However, this can also depend on the type of fish you have.
Water Changes
Once every two weeks, give the tank a partial water change. To be efficient, you only need to replace 10-15% of the water.
Never change more than 50% of the water at one time, as this can kill the good bacteria that live in the tank.
Checking the Filter & Heater
Filter sponges can be rinsed with water you have removed from the tank. Do not wash them in tap water. Depending on where you live, the fluoride and chlorine can kill the beneficial bacteria that live in the filter sponges.
Check to make sure the water temperature is staying at the correct level. You can do this with any thermometer, though I recommend using a corded thermometer similar to the one you would use when cooking.
Replacing the Substrate
With well-working filters, you may not need to change the substrate for several years. Of course, this also depends on the fish and how much waste they produce.
When doing a water change, go ahead and siphon out any waste or uneaten food that’s fallen to the bottom of the tank. If you think the substrate is getting low, you can carefully add more and spread it around.
Doing A Deep Clean
You should do a deep clean every six months in your aquarium. This includes the tank, the heater, the filter, and other associated equipment. You’ll need to remove the fish for this and put them in a temporary holding tank. Make sure to save 50% of the water to add to the tank.
FAQs
How Much Does A 200 Gallon Fish Tank Weigh?
Empty, a 200-gallon tank will weigh around 300 lbs. This can change depending on the type of material it’s made from. When filled with water, that weight rises to about 1,600 lbs, so make sure the tank is where you want it before you fill it!
Recap
Whether you’re new to owning an aquarium or are well versed in fish keeping, the 200 Gallon ProStar Rimless Glass Aquarium is a great choice to dive into working with larger tanks.