Everything You Need for a New Aquarium (from 5 to 75 Gallons)
One of the most common questions we get at the Aquarium Co-Op retail store is, “What do I need to set up my new fish tank?” The answer is a bit complicated because the exact type of aquarium light, heater, or other accessory that we would recommend can vary greatly depending on the size of the aquarium and other requirements. The following list contains the most frequently used accessories for setting up a fish tank. They range in size from 5.5 to 77.5 gallons.
Before you begin…
For those who are looking for a simple, ready-to-use shopping list, this article will serve as a reminder. The following resources will help you to understand each product category better and make your selections.
– Lighting: Aquarium LED Light Guide and How to Pick the Best Planted Aquarium Light – Heater: How to Choose the Right Aquarium Heater – Gravel or Substrate: How to Pick the Best Substrate for a Planted Aquarium – Filter: Fish Tank Filters: Which One Should You Get? and Sponge Filters: The Easiest Fish Tank Filter Ever – Starter Bacteria: Freshwater Fish Tank Cycling – How to Prepare for New Fish – Live Plants: Quick Guide: How to Plant Live Aquarium Plants – Fertilizer: Which Planted Tank Fertilizer Is Right for You?
Aquarium Setup: 5.5 Gallon
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 5.5-gallon tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 16″x8″ hinged glass top –
Light (for tanks with no or low-light plants):
Finnex Stingray Clip-On LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Light (for a tank with high light plants):
Finnex Stingray 16” LED and Wi-Fi Timer –
Heater:
25W to 50% heater
Substrate:
5 pounds gravel, sand or plant substrate
Filter:
Nano sponge filter, check valve and airline tubing with check valve.
Number of Live Plants:
3-4 plants
Fish stocking ideas:
5-gallon tank recommendations
A 5-gallon aquarium with cherry shrimp
10-Gallon Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 10-gallon tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 20×10 inch hinged glass top
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
— –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Finnex Stingray 20 inch LED and Wi-Fi Timer –
Heater:
50W to 100W Heater
Substrate:
10 pounds gravel, sand or plant substrate
Filter:
Small sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano pump –
Numerous Live Plants
6 plants
Stocking ideas for fish
Recommendations for 10-gallon tanks
Aquarium Setup for 15 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 15-gallon tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 24×12″ hinged top in glass –
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
— –
Light (for a tank with high light plants):
Finnex Stingray 24″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Heater:
50W to 100W heater –
Substrate:
15 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Small sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano pump –
The number of live plants:
8 plants
Aquarium Setup for 20 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 20-gallon high tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 24″x12″ hinged glass top –
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
Finnex Stingray 24″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 24″ –
Heater:
100W heater
Substrate:
20 pounds of gravel or sand or plant substrate
Filter:
Medium sponge filter, with check valve, airline tube, check valve and USB nano pump.
Number of Live Plants:
10 plants
Fish stocking ideas:
20-gallon tank recommendations
20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 20-gallon long tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa hinged glass top 30″x12” Aqueon Versa
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
— –
For tanks that have high light plants, you will need to use light:
Finnex Stingray 30″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Heater:
100W heater
Substrate:
20 pounds of gravel or sand or plant substrate
Filter:
Medium sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano or Aquarium Co-Op pump –
Number of Live Plants:
10 plants
Stocking fish:
Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes
Breeding pair of German blue rams in a 20-gallon tank
29-Gallon Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 29-gallon tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 30×12″ hinged top in glass –
Light (for a tank with no plants or low light plants):
Finnex Stingray 30 LED and Wi-Fi Timer –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 24″ –
Heater:
One or two 100W heaters –
Substrate:
30 pounds of gravel or sand.
Filter:
Medium sponge filter with check valve, airstone, airline tubing and Aquarium Co-Op’s air pump –
Numerous Live Plants
13 plants –
Fish stocking ideas:
29-gallon tank recommendations
40-Gallon Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 40-gallon Breeder Tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 36″x18″ hinged glass top –
Light (for a tank without plants or low-light plants):
Finnex Stingray 36 LED and Wi-Fi Timer –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 36″ –
Heater:
Two 100W heaters –
Substrate:
40 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Large sponge filter with check valve, airstone, airline tubing and Aquarium Co-Op pump –
Numerous Live Plants
18 plants –
Fish stocking ideas:
Recommendations for 40-gallon tanks
Boesemani rainbowfish in a 40-gallon tank
55-Gallon Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 55 gallon tank
Lid:
Two Aqueon Versa 24×12 inch hinged glass tops
Light (for tanks with no or low-light plants):
Finnex Stingray 48″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Light (for a tank with high light plants):
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 48″ –
Heater:
Two to three 100W heaters
Substrate:
55 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Two medium sponge filters, two check valves and airline tubing.
The number of live plants:
20 plants
Fish stocking ideas:
55-gallon tank recommendations
Aquarium Setup 75 Gallon
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 75-gallon Tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 48″x18” hinged glass top
Light (for a tank with no plants or low light plants):
Two Finnex Stingray 48″ LEDs and Wi-Fi timer (with a power strip) –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 48″ –
Heater:
Three 100W heaters
Substrate:
75 pounds of gravel, soil, or plant substrate
Filter:
Two large sponge filters with 2 air stones, 2 check valves, airline tubing and 2 Aquarium Co-Op pumps.
Numerous Live Plants
26 plants
Discus in 75-gallon aquarium
Next Steps
If this is your first fish tank, you may also need to get the following additional supplies:
– Tank stand that can support the weight of your aquarium – Rocks, driftwood, or other decorations – Water conditioner and starter bacteria to make the aquarium water safe to live in – Fish food to feed the animals – Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer and/or Easy Root Tabs to feed the plants – Aquarium siphon to clean the fish tank – Ammonia and multi-test strips to check if your water is safe and clean
Once you’ve purchased all the components necessary to provide the best home for your fish, follow our step-by guide to setting up the tank. Good luck with your aquarium purchase and enjoy the outdoors every day.