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. 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:

– Light: Aquarium LED Lighting Guide and How To Pick The Best Planted Aquarium Light. – Heater. How do you choose the right aquarium heater? – Substrate or Gravel: How do you pick the best substrate to plant your tank? – Filter. Which Fish Tank Filter Should You Get. Sponge Filters and Freshwater Fish Tank Racing – How to Prepare For New Fish – Live Plants – Quick guide: How to Plant Aquarium Plants – What Planted Tank Fertilizer Should You Use?

5.5-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 5.55-gallon tank

Lid:

Aqueon Vera 16″x8” hinged glass top from Aqueon

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 & Wi-Fi timer

Heater:

25W to 50% 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:

Recommendations for 5-gallon tanks

A 5-gallon aquarium with cherry shrimp

Aquarium Setup for 10-Gallons

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 10-gallon Tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 20″x10″ 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″ 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 –

The number of live plants:

6 plants –

Stocking ideas for fish

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 or sand or plant substrate

Filter:

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

Number of Live Plants:

8 plants

Aquarium Setup 20 Gallon High

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 20-gallon high tank

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 24×12″ hinged top in glass –

Light (for a tank with no plants or 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, 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

Setup a 20-Gallon Long Aquarium

–

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 or sand 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

Fish stocking ideas:

Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes

Breeding pair with 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 without 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, soil, or plant substrate

Filter:

Medium sponge filter with check valve, airstone, airline tubing and Aquarium Co-Op’s air pump –

The number of live plants:

13 plants

Stocking ideas for fish

29-gallon tank recommendations

40-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 40 gallon breeder tank

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 36×18″ hinged top in glass –

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, soil, or plant substrate

Filter:

Large sponge filter, with check valve, airline tubing, and Aquarium CO-Op air pump –

Number of Live Plants:

18 plants –

Ideas for stocking fish

Recommendations for 40-gallon tanks

Boesemani rainbowfish kept in a 40-gallon aquarium

Aquarium Setup for 55 Gallons

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 55 gallon tank

Lid:

Two Aqueon Versa 24×12″ hinged glass tops

Light (for tanks without plants or with 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, soil, or plant substrate

Filter:

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

Numerous Live Plants

20 plants –

Stocking ideas for fish

Recommendations for 55-gallon tanks

75-Gallon Aquarium Setup

–

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″ 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 or 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 –

The number of live plants:

26 plants

Discus in a 75-gallon aquarium

Next steps

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

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