Build a resilient freshwater setup with reliable filters, heaters, lighting, and monitoring tools. Clear picks, beginner friendly, gear-only guidance.
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How We Vet Gear
How We Choose Aquarium Gear
Gear on The Tank Guide is chosen based on real-world use and recommendations from experienced hobbyists. We feature only equipment that’s proven reliable, efficient, and a good value for the everyday aquarist.
Interactive Gear Finder
Tank Size
Core Equipment Recommendations
Stable temperatures within a 1–2°F window reduce stress responses, so these picks focus on heaters that recover quickly from room swings and keep tropical fish steady.
5–10 Gallons: 50W adjustable heaters sized for nano tanks to hold 76–78°F.
10–20 Gallons: 100W adjustable heater that keeps community tanks stable in rooms down to ~68°F.
20–40 Gallons: 150–200W heaters matched for mid-size tanks, with digital readouts for accuracy.
40–55 Gallons: 200–300W options to cover larger footprints; pair with flow for even heat.
55–75 Gallons: 300–500W total heating, often split across two units for redundancy.
75–125 Gallons: 500–800W total output, with external controllers for added safety.
Filtration is the tank’s life support—each recommendation balances mechanical polishing, biological capacity, and adjustable flow so waste never outruns your biofilter.
10 Gallons: Quiet hang-on-back rated 80–100 GPH with a sponge prefilter.
20 Gallons: Compact HOB or canister pushing 160–200 GPH with biomedia.
29 Gallons: Canister filter around 220–260 GPH with spray bar for even return.
40 Breeder: 300–350 GPH canister or dual-outlet HOB to keep corners circulating.
55–75 Gallons: 400–500 GPH total flow, split across two filters for redundancy.
75–125 Gallons: High-capacity canister or dual filters delivering 6–7× turnover.
Dual-outlet pump: Adjustable 4–7W pump to run two sponge filters or air stones with check valves.
Battery backup: Portable air pump to protect fish during outages or heat waves.
Airline kit: Silicone tubing with check valves and flow controls to balance multiple devices.
CO₂ safety: CO₂-rated check valves to protect regulators and prevent back-siphon.
Lighting needs shift between fish-only and planted tanks, so we flag fixtures with timers and spectrum control that showcase fish while fueling plant growth when you need it.
20–24 inch tanks: 18–24" LED with 6,500–7,500K spectrum and built-in timer.
30 inch tanks: 24–36" programmable LED for moderate PAR at substrate.
36 inch tanks: 36–48" light covering the full breeder footprint.
48 inch tanks: Dual 24–36" lights or a high-output 48–55" fixture for even spread.
Planted focus: Full-spectrum LEDs with adjustable intensity to dial in PAR for stems and carpets.
Planted tanks: Nutrient-rich aquasoil or mineralized substrate for rooted plants.
Community tanks: Inert sand or gravel that rinses clean and keeps parameters stable.
Hardscape prep: Pre-soak driftwood and rinse stones; test rocks for carbonate fizz before use.
Depth guide: Aim for 2–3" depth for rooted plants and secure decor.
20–29 Gallons: Stands rated 200–300 lbs with matching footprint and leveling feet.
40 Breeder: Cabinet stands rated 500–650 lbs to support the wider base.
55–75 Gallons: 700–900 lb capacity with bracing; verify full top support.
125 Gallons: Heavy-duty stands rated 1,200+ lbs with proper leveling and padding.
Testing Kits & Monitoring
Testing Kits: Your Tank’s Dashboard
Testing weekly keeps surprises out of your aquarium. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit pairs with simple digital tools so you can catch swings before they stress fish.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit: Benchmark ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH with lab-style droppers.
Digital Thermometer: Verify that heaters hold steady temperatures between maintenance days.
TDS Pen: Track dissolved solids in planted or shrimp tanks to fine-tune water changes.
Water conditioner: Neutralizes chlorine/chloramine at every water change.
Bacteria starter: Bottled nitrifiers to seed filters after setup or media cleaning.
Ammonia detoxifier: Temporary binder for spikes while you troubleshoot.
Test kits: Pair liquid tests with a digital thermometer for quick diagnostics.
Gravel vacuum: Siphon sized for your tank to manage weekly water changes.
Algae control: Magnetic scraper or pad plus spare blades for stubborn spots.
Bucket & hoses: Dedicated, labeled tools to prevent cross-contamination.
Power safety: Check valves, drip loops, and a surge-protected strip kept dry.
Supporting Gear
Root tabs: Slow-release nutrients for heavy root feeders like swords and crypts.
Liquid fertilizer: Balanced macro/micro mix dosed weekly for stems and floaters.
Liquid carbon: Supplemental carbon source; start at reduced dose for sensitive plants.
Dosing tools: Measuring spoons or pumps to keep routines consistent.
Staple diet: Slow-sinking pellets or flakes sized for community fish.
Bottom feeders: Algae wafers and protein-rich sinking tabs.
Treats: Frozen or freeze-dried brine shrimp/daphnia for variety.
Feeding tip: Offer what fish can finish within 1–2 minutes, 1–2× daily.
Maintenance & Safety Toolkit
Keep a dedicated maintenance kit so water changes stay quick, clean, and safe for everyone in the room.
Microfiber Towels:Ultra-soft cloths protect glass from streaks during wipe-downs.
Nitrile Gloves:Powder-free gloves keep skin oils and cleaners out of the tank.
Use our Stocking Advisor to estimate your tank’s bioload, then choose equipment that fits your fish. Once your setup is complete, you can prepare it for fish with our Cycling Coach.
Quick Gear Checklists by Tank Size
Scan these ready-to-run lists before you buy. Each one covers the heat, filtration, lighting, and monitoring pieces that keep common freshwater tanks running smoothly.
10-Gallon Community Tank
Heat: 50W adjustable heater to hold 76–78°F.
Filter: Quiet HOB rated 80–100 GPH with sponge prefilter.
Lighting: 15–20W LED with timer for low-light plants.
Monitoring: Liquid master kit plus stick-on thermometer.
Backup: Air stone with check valve for emergency oxygen.
20-Gallon Freshwater Tank
Heat: 100W heater with reliable thermostat protection.
Filter: HOB or compact canister pushing 160–200 GPH.
Lighting: 20–30W LED that toggles between planted and fish-only modes.
Monitoring: Liquid tests and digital thermometer for daily spot checks.
Backup: Dual-outlet air pump with check valves for redundancy.
29-Gallon Showcase Tank
Heat: 150W adjustable heater with protective guard.
Filter: Canister rated 220–260 GPH with spray bar for even flow.
Lighting: 30–40W LED with programmable day/night schedule.
Monitoring: Liquid kit plus TDS meter to watch dissolved solids.
Backup: Gravel vacuum and magnetic algae cleaner for weekly tune-ups.
40 Breeder Community Tank
Heat: Two 150W heaters or a 200W unit with external controller.
Filter: Canister delivering ~300 GPH plus circulation pump for corners.
Lighting: 40–50W LED that covers the full 36-inch footprint.
Monitoring: Liquid kit, digital thermometer, and TDS pen for planted setups.
Backup: Battery-backed air pump and stand rated 600+ lbs.
FAQs About Fishkeeping Gear
Choose a 100W adjustable heater. This can hold a steady 76–78°F in a typical room (down to 68°F), which is ideal for most community fish.
Aim for a filter rated for 5–7 times the tank volume per hour (GPH). For a 40-gallon breeder, this is 200–280 GPH. We recommend a canister filter or a large HOB with good biomedia.
A strong filter return can provide enough oxygen. However, a battery-backed air pump is a smart, inexpensive backup that keeps fish safe during power outages or summer heat waves.
Look for a full-spectrum LED light in the 6,500K–7,500K range. For low-to-medium light plants (like Anubias or Java Fern), a light with a PAR value of 30–50 at the substrate is perfect.
Never replace all your media at once. Rinse sponges or ceramic media in old tank water every 2–4 weeks. Only replace disposable carbon or polishing pads when they are clogged and reducing flow.
Yes, we highly recommend a lid. It reduces evaporation, keeps jumpy fish safe, and helps your heater work more efficiently by trapping warmth.