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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:


5.5-Gallon Aquarium Setup

Red cherry shrimp on java fern

Cherry shrimp in a 5-gallon aquarium


10-Gallon Aquarium Setup


15-Gallon Aquarium Setup


20-Gallon High Aquarium Setup


20-Gallon Long Aquarium Setup

german blue ram in planted tank

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


29-Gallon Aquarium Setup


40-Gallon Aquarium Setup

Boesemani rainbowfish

Boesemani rainbowfish in a 40-gallon tank


55-Gallon Aquarium Setup


75-Gallon Aquarium Setup

Discus fish in an aquarium

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:

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.




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