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
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.