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. We have listed the most commonly used items when setting up fish tanks, which range from 5.5 to 75 gal.
Before You Begin…
This article is intended to be a quick reference for those who need a “cookie cutter” shopping guide. However, if you are interested in delving more deeply into each product category so that you can better understand the different options and customize your selection, please see the following resources:
– Lighting and How to Choose the Best Aquarium LED Light. – Heating: How To Choose the Right Aquarium Heating – Gravel Or Substrate. How Do You Pick the Best Substrate For a Planted Aquarium? – Filter. Fish Tank Filters. Which one should you get? Sponge and Filters: The Easiest Fish Tank Float Filter Ever! Freshwater Fish Tank Cycle – How to Prepare for New Fish. How to Plant Live Aquarium Plants. Which Planting Tank Fertilizer is Right for You?
Aquarium Setup: 5.5 Gallon
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 5.55-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 –
For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:
Finnex Stingray 16” LED and Wi-Fi Timer –
Heater:
25W to 50W heater –
Substrate:
5 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Nano sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and USB nano air pump –
Numerous Live Plants
3-4 plants
Stocking fish:
5-gallon tank recommendations
A 5-gallon aquarium with cherry shrimp
Aquarium Setup for 10-Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 10-gallon tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 20×10″ hinged top in glass –
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
— –
Light (for tanks that have high light plants)
Finnex Stingray 20″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Heater:
50W to 100W heater –
Substrate:
10 pounds of gravel, soil, or plant substrate
Filter:
Small sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano pump –
Numerous Live Plants
6 plants
Fish stocking ideas:
10-gallon tank recommendations
15-Gallon Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 15-gallon tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Vera 24″x12” hinged glass top
Light (for a tank without plants or low-light plants):
— –
Light (for tanks that have 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 Vera 24″x12” hinged glass top
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
Finnex Stingray 24 inch 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, soil, or plant substrate
Filter:
Medium sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano or Aquarium Co-Op pump –
The number of live plants:
10 plants
Ideas for stocking fish
Recommendations for 20-gallon tanks
20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 20-gallon long tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 30″x12″ hinged glass top –
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
— –
Light (for a tank with high light plants):
Finnex Stingray 30-inch LED and Wi Fi timer –
Heater:
100W heater –
Substrate:
20 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Medium sponge filter with check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano or Aquarium Co-Op pump –
The number of live plants:
10 plants –
Ideas for stocking fish
Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes
Breeding pair of German blue rams in a 20-gallon tank
Aquarium Setup in 29 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 29-gallon Tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 30″x12″ hinged glass top –
Light (for a tank with no plants or low light plants):
Finnex Stingray 30-inch LED and Wi Fi timer –
For tanks that have high light plants, you will need to use light:
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 24″ –
Heater:
One or two 100W heaters
Substrate:
30 pounds of gravel or sand.
Filter:
Medium sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and Aquarium Co-Op air pump –
Number of Live Plants:
13 plants
Ideas for stocking fish
Recommendations for 29-gallon tanks
Aquarium Setup for 40 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 40 gallon breeder tank
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 36″x18″ hinged glass top –
Light (for a tank with no plants or low light plants):
Finnex Stingray 36″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –
Light (for a tank with high light plants):
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 36″ –
Heater:
Two 100W heaters
Substrate:
40 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –
Filter:
Large sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and Aquarium Co-Op air pump –
The number of live plants:
18 plants
Fish stocking ideas:
Emphasis on 40-gallon tanks
Boesemani rainbowfish in a 40-gallon tank
Aquarium Setup for 55 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 55 gallon tank
Lid:
Two Aqueon Versa 24×12 inch hinged glass tops
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
Finnex Stingray 48” LED and Wi Fi timer –
Light (for tanks that have high light plants)
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 48″ –
Heater:
Two or three 100W heaters –
Substrate:
55 pounds of gravel, soil, or plant substrate
Filter:
Two medium sponge filters, two check valves and airline tubing.
Number of Live Plants:
20 plants
Ideas for stocking fish
55-gallon tank recommendations
Aquarium Setup for 75 Gallons
–
Aquarium:
Aqueon 75-gallon Tank –
Lid:
Aqueon Versa 48×18″ hinged top in glass –
Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)
Two Finnex Stingray 48 inch LEDs and Wi Fi timer (with 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 two air stones, two check valves, airline tubing, and two Aquarium Co-Op air pumps –
Number of 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:
– A tank stand that can hold the aquarium’s weight. – Driftwood or rocks to decorate the aquarium. – Water conditioner to keep the water safe for your fish. – Easy Green all in one fertilizer and/or Easy root tabs to feed your plants. – Aquarium siphon to clean your fish tank. – Multi-test strips to ensure your water is clean.
After you have bought the right components for your fish’s home, be sure to follow our step by step guide for setting up and quarantining fish. Best of luck with your new aquarium and remember to enjoy nature daily.
