I have definitely been guilty of the “bigger is better” mindset, an idea I believe the internet has helped promote. After spending 20 years in this career, I feel compelled to speak about the topic more honestly and share what I have learned.
When I explored information online, the common message was that bigger is better. More filtration is better. One cannot go wrong by adding more. I held that belief for a long time. I even used to say that additional filtration was not necessarily a bad thing.
I have seen cichlid tanks running multiple FX6 filters, and over time, I realized such a setup was excessive. Through years of experience, I have come to understand that an over-the-top approach is often unnecessary.
What I have discovered during my travels and observations is that I am no longer convinced that bigger aquariums are always better—even for fish that are moderately sized.
I believe there is a balance to be found, a sweet spot. And honestly, I now see that I was wrong.
I often wonder what might have happened if different choices had been encouraged from the start, prompting people to consider going smaller.
Why Did We Believe Bigger Aquariums Were Better?
I entered the hobby with very large aquariums because I was drawn to “monster fish”—truly big species like Mbu puffers and giraffe catfish.
Species of that size can grow up to 3 feet long, so I needed a lot of space to house them properly. In my experience, going bigger never failed me.
I do not believe an overly large aquarium is an inherent problem. To me, the situation is similar to owning a car that can reach 200 miles per hour.
I might only drive it at 70 or 80, but the capability is there if I ever need it, even if that occasion never arises.
The unused potential does not harm me directly. If a person was given a high-performance car and only used it for a daily commute, it would still function perfectly well.
However, when it comes to purchasing a car with that kind of performance, the owner is paying significantly more for power they are not actually going to use.
The same logic applies to aquariums. Buying one that is too large without a clear purpose becomes a waste of money.
I truly believe this way of thinking can shift how one experiences the hobby.
How Does a Bigger Aquarium Waste Money?
Suppose I want to keep a community aquarium with fish that average around 2 inches in size.
I want several fish in a tank that can serve as a centerpiece in my home, bringing me joy every time I look at it.
I could choose a 55-gallon or a 75-gallon aquarium—but what about a 29-gallon aquarium?
What I have found is that a person can get nearly the same enjoyment from a smaller aquarium.
They might spend just as much time appreciating it, but they certainly do not spend as much time maintaining it.
Larger aquariums almost always lead to higher expenses.
Take a 55-gallon compared to a 29-gallon. Just starting with the substrate, I would need significantly more to fill the larger tank.
I might also need a more powerful filter—unless one uses a sponge filter, such as the kind I sell, in which case the size difference is less of a factor.
The same principle applies to plants. A smaller aquarium can look full and vibrant with far fewer plants. The logic is similar to planting a large yard versus a small balcony garden.
If I place three plants in a large yard, the space appears almost empty.
But if I add the same three plants to a small apartment balcony, it looks lush and thoughtfully designed.
If my goal is to plant something roughly every 4 inches in an aquarium, the tank’s dimensions dramatically affect the total number of plants required.
A 4-foot-long (48 inches) aquarium might require about 12 plants along its length. The planting must also extend from front to back. Depending on the depth, I could end up needing between 24 and 36 potted plants.
If each plant costs $10, the total comes to approximately $360 for plants alone. In comparison, a 29-gallon aquarium is only 30 inches long.
It might require 7 plants across and 2 to 3 rows deep, for a total of 14 to 21 plants. The cost for plants is roughly one-third of the larger setup.
When I add the savings from using smaller quantities of fertilizer and other necessities like dechlorinator, the financial benefits accumulate.
With each step, the smaller aquarium saves money without sacrificing enjoyment.
Does a Bigger Aquarium Take More Time to Clean?
The larger the aquarium, the longer it takes to clean. While it is true in theory that a larger aquarium can require less frequent cleaning, be easier to balance, and provide a more stable environment, my experience points to a different reality.
In my experience, the aquarium’s size is rarely the limiting factor. Instead, the limitations are usually a lack of knowledge or the amount of care a person is willing or able to provide.
Take a 55-gallon aquarium, for example. Let us say it takes me about 1 hour per week to perform maintenance. If it is my only aquarium, that is manageable.
But I, like many others in the United States, have developed what some call “multiple tank syndrome.” My 55-gallon setup, for instance, might be my seventh aquarium. Suddenly, I am spending 6 hours every Sunday on maintenance.
The challenges begin at this point. Every time I go on vacation, fall ill, or decide to postpone maintenance until the following week, I fall behind.
Making up for missed cleanings becomes difficult because each cleaning still requires the same amount of time.
The time savings are not always perfectly proportional. A 55-gallon tank might take 1 hour, and a 30-gallon tank might take around 30 minutes. However, a 29-gallon tank could still take closer to 40 minutes because certain tasks, like setting up a hose, take the same amount of time regardless of tank size.
By scaling down, I might cut my total maintenance time in half. With 7 smaller aquariums, I may only spend 3 hours instead of 6.
That makes it easier to stay on schedule, and I am more likely to catch up when I fall behind.
In my view, such consistency is what makes a significant difference in the long-term health of the fish.
How Do European Hobbyists Maintain Small Aquariums?
My experience at the home of Chris Lukhaup—the “Shrimp King”—and in other European homes completely changed my perspective on fishkeeping.
It was a revelation for me to see how impressive aquariums were created using small tanks.
Chris has been in the hobby much longer than I have, and sometimes the most valuable insights come from seasoned veterans like him.
When I visit someone with years of experience, vast resources, access to any fish, the ability to collect rare species, and multiple sponsorships, I am always curious to see their methods. Seeing his approach was enlightening.
He had 7-gallon aquariums, and I believe there were 6 of them.
I stayed with Chris for 2 weeks, so I had the chance to watch him perform his maintenance.
There was no fixed schedule. Instead, he might say, “We have about 30 minutes before the next thing,” and he would just begin.
His approach was calm and effortless. He used a watering can—usually one that held 2 to 3 gallons—and a short piece of hose.
He would start the siphon, guide the debris into the watering can, and perform a water change, often removing about 50 percent.
It only took 2 to 3 minutes to drain the water from one tank.
What struck me was the seamlessness of it all. He would drain all 6 or 7 aquariums in around 20 minutes.
Then, with each full watering can, he would walk around and water his plants.
Afterward, he would refill the can at the sink while carrying on a conversation or making a snack, simply going about his day. The process never felt like the chore of “cleaning aquariums.”
He would carry the watering can upstairs and refill the tanks casually, one at a time.
With conversation and a relaxed pace, the whole process would stretch to around 45 minutes, but it never felt like a chore.
He did not do everything at once, and the unhurried nature of the task was part of its appeal.
I discovered a completely different way of fishkeeping—one where maintenance blended into everyday life.
His “water change day” was more like a “water change moment,” and he simply fit it in while waiting for something else to happen.
Why is a Smaller Water Change More Manageable?
I experience a strange disconnect when I compare different volumes of water. When I look at a 10-gallon aquarium, it feels small.
But when I see two 5-gallon buckets, I think to myself that two 5-gallon buckets hold a lot of water.
For anyone who doubts the volume, dumping a 5-gallon bucket on the floor and mopping it up provides immediate perspective. It is more than enough water.
For a 20 to 30 percent water change on a small tank, one only needs to remove 2 or 3 gallons. A person can do that with a simple pitcher—one, two, three—and then refill it.
Add a little algae scrubbing, and the entire maintenance can be done in about 10 minutes.
Most people are far more likely to stay consistent with such a simple routine.
A person might perform this maintenance weekly, keeping the aquarium healthy and clean. In contrast, managing a 100-gallon aquarium is a different story.
Life gets busy. A person might be working overtime, the holidays are approaching, birthdays are coming up—and maintenance finally gets done at the end of the month.
For me, the hobby can sometimes become a full-day cleaning project scheduled for the weekend. An obligation like that fundamentally shifts the experience.
I often spend more time maintaining than actually enjoying the aquariums.
Smaller tanks allow me to prevent problems before they start.
I know that even if I have just 5 minutes, I can make a huge difference, and I do it.
On the other hand, with my 800-gallon aquarium, a full cleaning takes an entire day—and sometimes I even need help.
How Do Smaller Tanks Lead to More Enjoyment?
When I focus on truly optimizing my enjoyment of the hobby—which I believe is important—I find that I genuinely enjoy maintenance.
I love cleaning sponge filters; it feels incredibly satisfying. I actually enjoy gravel vacuuming and watching the debris get pulled out.
But I do not enjoy doing it for 8 hours straight.
I know I could create a more enjoyable experience by downsizing.
Many of us face burnout, and I believe the sheer scale of the work is a primary cause.
If I spend 5 hours cleaning all my aquariums and the results are just average, it can feel exhausting.
But if I streamline my setup so the same outcome only takes 2.5 hours, I am much more likely to go the extra mile.
I might choose to spend 3 hours instead, giving 2 of my aquariums some extra care.
Suddenly, they look better than they ever have, and I feel more connected to the process. A subtle adjustment like that leads to a more rewarding hobby overall.
Everyone has a limited amount of time and money to dedicate to any hobby.
If I spend mine on medications, substrate, or other routine expenses, I might miss the chance to invest in new fish or take a trip to observe them in their natural habitat.
For me, it all comes down to balancing the time I put in with the joy I get out.
What is the ‘Sweet Spot’ for Aquarium Size?
I hope my perspective helps others reconsider their approach to the hobby. I started to realize that my shrimp aquarium did not need to be a 20-gallon long tank.
A 10-gallon aquarium would have worked just fine. I would have saved money, had more space, and spent less time on maintenance.
Since it sits on my desk, I would still enjoy it just as much.
I do not need the largest television screen in every room; I can still enjoy a program on a standard one.
I was mistaken in thinking bigger was always better.
I now believe there is a sweet spot. I also do not believe that a 1-gallon aquarium is automatically easier.
Likewise, a 1,000-gallon setup is not necessarily more manageable either.
From my years of working in an aquarium store, I observed that a 29-gallon aquarium can keep a family engaged and satisfied for a very long time.
For the average hobbyist with 7 aquariums, it is not necessary to have seven 29-gallon tanks. A thoughtful mix—perhaps 10-gallon, 15-gallon, 20-gallon, a single 29-gallon, and even a 5-gallon—can work beautifully.
The key is to match the aquarium size to the needs of the animals and the level of enjoyment being sought.
For those who also have houseplants, aquarium maintenance can be easily incorporated into a plant-care routine by using the old tank water for them during small, regular water changes.
A simple, integrated rhythm can add immense joy to the experience.
Conclusion
Larger aquariums often lead to higher costs, longer maintenance, and underused capacity, while a smaller setup—such as a 29-gallon tank—can offer equal enjoyment with significantly less time and expense.
By selecting aquarium sizes that match both the animals and the level of care I can provide—such as a mix of 10-, 15-, and 20-gallon tanks, a single 29-gallon, and even a 5-gallon—I simplify water changes, usually needing only 2 to 3 gallons at a time.
Such an approach reduces the cost of substrate, plants, and filtration, helps prevent burnout, and allows maintenance to become a seamless part of my routine.
In doing so, I find a sweet spot that supports healthy fish, keeps the hobby enjoyable, and uses my time and resources wisely.
My name is Chibuzor Abraham Mba, and I’m the aquarist behind this website. I’ve spent years exploring the fascinating world of aquariums—especially small-scale tanks like nano and pico setups. Over time, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, and through each one, I’ve learned valuable lessons.