Common tank sizes

If you buy a basic aquarium tank with no frills, most will be designed around the imperial inches measurement system, although some aquarium shops will design and build a tank to your exact dimensions.

However the expense comes when you wish to get a custom made-to-measure hood. So most opt to get a standard size tank.

Typical hood sizes are 20"x10", 24"x12", 30"x12", 36"x12", 36"x15", 48"x12", 48"x15", and 48"x18"


 * In the USA, they use expressions like 10 long, 10 tall, 20 long, 20 tall, etc. for the standard sizes (see below table for details).

Large size
Also commonly available are several standard sizes of hexagonal tanks, bowfront tanks, and 5-sided corner tanks. By "standard" we mean that accessories (hoods, stands, undergravel filters, etc.) are readily available to fit them.

Table of typical UK tanks on sale
UK homes are typically smaller than their USA counterpart and so more tanks are available in the small to medium range.