About FishTankMath

FishTankMath is a calculator and research site for freshwater aquarium beginners. The math is the math. The setup guidance is sourced from FishBase, manufacturer specs, peer-reviewed aquaculture references where they exist, and established hobby consensus where they don't.

What this site is

• A set of free, accurate aquarium calculators — tank volume, water weight, heater sizing, with more shipping in upcoming phases.
• A small library of beginner-safe setup guides, written from sourced research rather than personal tank-keeping.
• A glossary of water-chemistry terms cross-linked into the body copy throughout the site.

What this site isn't

• Not a hobbyist's blog.No first-person tank stories. No “in my experience” brand picks. The author of this site doesn't pretend to be an experienced keeper — that distinction is openly flagged because the alternative is the kind of thing that reads fake within a few pages.
• Not a “best fish for…” listicle factory. Strong product opinions and ranking lists aren't shipped unless backed by sourced evidence, and never as the primary framing of a page.
• Not veterinary advice. Educational content only. For sick fish, consult a vet familiar with aquatic species.

Author

Jimmy L Wu runs calculator-driven research sites. PayoffMath is the personal-finance one; FishTankMath is the freshwater aquarium one. The framing is the same on both: math first, sourced second, conservative-beginner-safe defaults third.

Sourcing

For the long-form: see the editorial policy for how setup-guidance and water-chemistry claims are sourced. For monetization: see disclosures for affiliate relationships. (Phase 1 ships with no affiliate links — that turns on once the equipment buying guides land.)