Aquarium water change calculator
A 10–30% weekly change is a starting range, adjusted by water tests and livestock needs. The table uses 85% of nominal capacity, not geometric volume. Bucket counts are fractional volume equivalents; use safe fill marks and allow carrying headroom. Larger emergency changes may be needed for unsafe water, with temperature and chemistry matched.
Adjust the numbers
Use your measurements and current product instructions. These are freshwater planning estimates.
Worked example: 20 gallon long
20 nominal gal × 0.85 = 17 estimated water gal. × 0.25 = 4.25 gal (16.09 L). Divide by 5 = 0.85 bucket equivalents.
| Change | US gal | Litres | 5 gal buckets (equivalents) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 1.7 | 6.44 | 0.34 |
| 20% | 3.4 | 12.87 | 0.68 |
| 25% | 4.25 | 16.09 | 0.85 |
| 30% | 5.1 | 19.31 | 1.02 |
| 50% | 8.5 | 32.18 | 1.7 |
Choose a tank size
- 2.5 gallon12 × 6 × 8 in
- 5 gallon16 × 8 × 10 in
- 5.5 gallon16 × 8 × 10 in
- 10 gallon20 × 10 × 12 in
- 13 gallon widescreen24 × 8 × 19 in
- 15 gallon24 × 12 × 12 in
- 15 gallon column13.75 × 13.62 × 25 in
- 20 gallon high24 × 12 × 16 in
- 20 gallon long30 × 12 × 12 in
- 20 gallon extra high20 × 10 × 24 in
- 25 gallon24 × 12 × 20 in
- 29 gallon30 × 12 × 18 in
- 30 gallon36 × 12 × 16 in
- 33 gallon long48 × 13 × 13 in
- 37 gallon30 × 12 × 22 in
- 38 gallon36 × 12 × 20 in
- 40 gallon breeder36 × 18 × 16 in
- 40 gallon long48 × 12 × 16 in
- 45 gallon36 × 12 × 24 in
- 50 gallon36 × 18 × 19 in
- 55 gallon48 × 13 × 21 in
- 60 gallon breeder48 × 18 × 16 in
- 65 gallon36 × 18 × 24 in
- 75 gallon48 × 18 × 21 in
- 90 gallon48 × 18 × 24 in
- 110 gallon48 × 18 × 30 in
- 120 gallon48 × 24 × 24 in
- 125 gallon72 × 18 × 21 in