Everything you Need for a new Aquarium (from 5 To 75 Gallons)

aquarium

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…

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 5.55-gallon tank

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 16″x8″ hinged glass top –

Light (for a tank with no plants 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 of gravel, soil, or plant substrate

Filter:

Nano sponge filter with check valve, airstone, airline tubing and USB nano pump –

Number of Live Plants:

3-4 plants

Stocking fish:

Recommendations for 5-gallon tanks

aquarium
Cherry shrimp in 5-gallon aquarium

Aquarium Setup 10-Gallon



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 small check valve, check valve and airline tubing.

The number of live plants:

6 plants

Ideas for stocking fish

Recommendations for 10-gallon tanks

15-Gallon Aquarium Setup



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 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

20-Gallon High Aquarium Setup



Aquarium:

Aqueon 20 gallon high tank

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 24×12″ hinged top in glass –

Light (for tanks without plants or with low light plants)

Finnex Stingray 24” LED and Wi Fi timer –

Light (for a tank with high light plants):

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, airline tube, check valve and USB nano pump.

The number of live plants:

10 plants –

Fish stocking ideas:

Recommendations for 20-gallon tanks

20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup



Aquarium:

Aqueon 20-gallon long tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa hinged glass top 30″x12” Aqueon Versa

Light (for a tank with no plants or 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, sand, or plant substrate –

Filter:

Medium sponge filter, with check valve, airline tube, and USB nano pump or Aquarium CO-Op air pumps –

Numerous 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 hinged glass top 30″x12” Aqueon Versa

Light (for a tank without plants or low-light plants):

Finnex Stingray 30 LED and Wi-Fi Timer –

Light (for a tank with high light plants):

Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 24″ –

Heater:

Two or three 100W heaters

Substrate:

30 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –

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

29-gallon tank recommendations

Aquarium Setup 40 Gallon



Aquarium:

Aqueon 40-gallon Breeder Tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 36″x18″ hinged glass top –

Light (for tanks without plants or with 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 or 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:

40-gallon tank recommendations

Boesemani rainbowfish in a 40-gallon tank

55-Gallon Aquarium Setup



Aquarium:

Aqueon 55-gallon tank –

Lid:

Two Aqueon Versa 24″x12″ hinged glass tops –

Light (for a tank with no plants or low light plants):

Finnex Stingray 48″ LED and Wi-Fi timer –

For tanks with high-light plants, light is important:

Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 48″ –

Heater:

Two to three 100W heaters

Substrate:

55 pounds of gravel or sand or plant substrate

Filter:

Two medium sponge filters with two air stones, two check valves, airline tubing, and two Aquarium Co-Op air pumps –

The number of live plants:

20 plants

Stocking ideas for fish

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 without plants or low-light plants):

Two Finnex Stingray 48 inch LEDs and Wi Fi timer (with power strip)

Light (for a tank with high light plants):

Fluval Plant 3.0 LED – 48″ –

Heater:

Three 100W heaters

Substrate:

75 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate –

Filter:

Two large sponge filters with two air stones, two check valves, airline tubing, and two Aquarium Co-Op air pumps –

Numerous Live Plants

26 plants

Discus inside a 75-gallon tank

Next Steps

This is the best time to start a fish tank.

Tank stand to support aquarium weight.

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. Good luck with your aquarium purchase and enjoy the outdoors every day.