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. To help simplify things, we have itemized the most common things we use when setting up a new fish tank, ranging from 5.5 to 75 gallons in volume.

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. However, if you are interested in delving more deeply into each product category so that you can better understand the different options and customize your selection, please see the following resources:

• 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?

5.5-Gallon Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 5.5-gallon tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 16"x8" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 12" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: 25W heater or 50W heater
• Substrate: 5 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Nano sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and air pump
• Number of Live Plants: 3-4 plants
• Fish stocking ideas: 5-gallon tank recommendations

Cherry shrimp in a 5-gallon aquarium

10-Gallon Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 10-gallon tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 20"x10" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 20" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: 50W heater or 100W heater 
• Substrate: 10 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Small sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and air pump
• Number of 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 a tank with plants): 24" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: 50W heater or 100W heater
• Substrate: 15 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Small sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and air pump
• Number of Live Plants: 8 plants

20-Gallon High Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 20-gallon high tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 24"x12" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 24" Easy Plant 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 air pump
• Number of Live Plants: 10 plants
• Fish stocking ideas: 20-gallon tank recommendations

20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 20-gallon long tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 30"x12" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 30" Easy Plant 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 air pump
• Number of Live Plants: 10 plants
• Fish stocking ideas: 20-gallon tank recommendations

Breeding pair of German blue rams in a 20-gallon tank

29-Gallon Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 29-gallon tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 30"x12" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 30" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: One or two 100W heaters
• Substrate: 30 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Medium sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and 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"x18" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with plants): 36" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: Two 100W heaters
• Substrate: 40 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Large sponge filter with air stone, check valve, airline tubing, and air pump
• Number of 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 plants): 48" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Heater: Two or three 100W heaters
• Substrate: 55 pounds of gravel, sand, or plant substrate
• Filter: Two medium sponge filters with two air stones, two check valves, airline tubing, and air pump with two outlets
• Number of Live Plants: 20 plants
• Fish stocking ideas: 55-gallon tank recommendations

75-Gallon Aquarium Setup

• Aquarium: Aqueon 75-gallon tank
• Lid: Aqueon Versa 48"x18" hinged glass top
• Light (for a tank with low or medium light plants): One 48" Easy Plant LED and Wi-Fi timer
• Light (for a tank with high light plants): Two 48" Easy Plant LEDs and Wi-Fi timer (with a power strip)
• 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 air pump with two outlets
• 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 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

Now that you have purchased the necessary components to give your fish the perfect home, make sure to follow our step-by-step guide for setting up the tank and quarantining new fish. Best of luck with your new aquarium and remember to enjoy nature daily.