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…

As a reminder, this article is a quick guide for those of you who want a ready-made, “cookie cutter” shopping list to work from. If you’re interested in learning more about each product category to better understand them and tailor your selections, the following resources are for you:

– 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 Vera 16″x8” hinged glass top from Aqueon

Light (for tanks without plants or with 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 50W heater –

Substrate:

5 pounds gravel, sand or plant substrate

Filter:

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

Number of Live Plants:

3-4 plants

Stocking fish:

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)

— –

Light (for tanks that have high light plants)

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 –

Fish stocking ideas:

10-gallon tank recommendations

15-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 15-gallon tank

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 24″x12″ hinged glass top –

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

— –

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

Finnex Stingray 24 inch LED and Wi-Fi Timer –

Heater:

50W to 100W heater

Substrate:

15 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

8 plants

Aquarium Setup for 20 Gallons

–

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 tanks that have high-quality 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, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano or Aquarium Co-Op pump –

Numerous Live Plants

10 plants

Stocking ideas for fish

Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes

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):

— –

Light (for a tank with high light plants):

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 air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and USB nano air pump or Aquarium Co-Op air pump –

Numerous Live Plants

10 plants

Fish stocking ideas:

Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes

Breeding pair from German blue rams in 20-gallon tanks

Aquarium Setup 29 Gallon

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 29-gallon tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 30×12″ hinged top in glass –

Light (for a tank without 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:

Two or three 100W heaters

Substrate:

30 pounds of gravel, soil, 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

40-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

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 –

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, airline tubing, and Aquarium CO-Op air pump –

The number of live plants:

18 plants –

Ideas for stocking fish

40-gallon tank recommendations

Boesemani rainbowfish in a 40-gallon tank

55-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 55-gallon Tank –

Lid:

Two Aqueon Versa 24×12 inch hinged glass tops

Light (for a tank with no plants 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 or three 100W heaters –

Substrate:

55 pounds of gravel or sand 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

75-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 75-gallon Tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 48×18″ hinged top in glass –

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

Two Finnex Stingray 48” LEDs with Wi-Fi timer (with an adapter)

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 –

Number of Live Plants:

26 plants

Discus inside a 75-gallon tank

Next Steps

You may need the following supplies if you have a fish tank for the first time:

– 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. We wish you the best with your new aquarium. Remember to take time to appreciate nature every day.