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. 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. 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 Versa 16×8″ 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 50W heater

Substrate:

5 pounds gravel, sand or plant substrate

Filter:

Nano sponge filter, check valve and airline tubing with check valve.

Number of Live Plants:

3-4 plants –

Fish stocking ideas:

5-gallon tank recommendations

Cherry shrimp in a 5-gallon aquarium

Aquarium Setup 10-Gallon

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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 gravel, sand or plant substrate

Filter:

Small sponge filter with small check valve, check valve and airline tubing.

The number of live plants:

6 plants

Stocking ideas for fish

10-gallon tank recommendations

Aquarium Setup 15 Gallon

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Aquarium:

Aqueon 15 gallon tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 24″x12″ hinged glass top –

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

— –

Light (for a tank with 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 small check valve, check valve and airline tubing.

Number of Live Plants:

8 plants

Aquarium Setup 20 Gallon High

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 20-gallon high tank

Lid:

Aqueon Vera 24″x12” hinged glass top

Light (for a tank without 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 check valve, air stone, airline tubing and USB nano or Aquarium Co-Op pump –

Numerous Live Plants

10 plants –

Ideas for stocking fish

Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes

20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup

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Aquarium:

Aqueon 20-gallon long tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 30×12″ hinged top in glass –

Light (for tanks without plants or with 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 air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and USB nano air pump or Aquarium Co-Op air pump –

The number of live plants:

10 plants

Ideas for stocking fish

Tank recommendations for 20-gallon sizes

Breeding pair with German blue rams, in a 20-gallon tank

Aquarium Setup 29 Gallon

–

Aquarium:

Aqueon 29-gallon tank –

Lid:

Aqueon Versa 30″x12″ hinged glass top –

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

Finnex Stingray 30 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:

Two or three 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 –

Number of Live Plants:

13 plants –

Fish stocking ideas:

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 tanks without plants or with low light plants)

Finnex Stingray 36 inch LED and Wi Fi timer –

For tanks that have high light plants, you will need to use light:

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 –

Stocking ideas for fish

Emphasis on 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″x12″ hinged glass tops –

Light (for tanks without plants or with 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 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 –

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 48×18″ hinged top in glass –

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

Two Finnex Stingray 48″ LEDs and Wi-Fi timer (with a 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 or sand or plant substrate

Filter:

Two large sponge filters, with two air stones and two check valves. There is also airline tubing.

The number of live plants:

26 plants

Discus in a 75-gallon aquarium

Next steps

If this is your first fish tank, you may also need to get the following additional supplies:

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. Best of luck with your new aquarium and remember to enjoy nature daily.