Aquarium Gear Checklist
for Beginners

Essential Aquarium Gear Checklist for Beginners

Starting your first aquarium doesn’t require fancy equipment — but choosing the right basics makes the hobby far more enjoyable and far less frustrating.

This guide covers the essential aquarium gear I recommend for beginners, based on real-world use and long-term reliability. Below, I’ll explain what each piece does, why it matters, and what to look for before buying.

My Beginner Aquarium Gear Picks (Quick Guide)

If you just want a simple setup that works without overthinking it, this is what I recommend for most beginners:

You’ll often see beginner aquarium kits instead of standalone tanks, especially online. Kits are a convenient way to get started because they include a tank and basic equipment. While the included filter or heater may not be the best long-term option, they’re usually fine for learning — and you can upgrade individual pieces later if needed.

If you prefer to build your setup piece by piece, a simple 10–20 gallon glass tank works just as well.

Below, I explain why each piece matters and what makes a good choice.

Aquarium Tank

The tank itself is the foundation of your setup, and size matters more than most beginners realize.

What to Look For

  • Bigger is easier: Larger tanks dilute waste and are more forgiving
  • Glass over acrylic: More scratch-resistant and widely available
  • Simple shape: Standard rectangular tanks are easiest to maintain

Recommended Size

  • 10-gallon: Works, but requires closer attention
  • 20-gallon long: My favorite beginner size — stable, flexible, and easy to stock

A larger tank gives you more room for error and more options when choosing fish.

Aquarium Stand (Often Overlooked)

A filled aquarium is extremely heavy. A 20-gallon tank can weigh over 200 pounds once water, substrate, and decor are added.

Why a Proper Stand Matters

  • Prevents uneven stress on the glass
  • Keeps the tank level
  • Reduces long-term risk of leaks or cracks

What to Use

  • Manufacturer aquarium stands
  • Heavy-duty furniture rated for the full weight

While many hobbyists (myself included) have used dressers or household furniture in the past, most standard furniture isn’t designed to support the constant, evenly distributed weight of a filled aquarium. Over time, this can lead to bowing, shifting, or stress on the tank seams.

Avoid placing aquariums on flimsy shelves, particleboard furniture, or uneven surfaces. When in doubt, a purpose-built stand is the safest long-term option.

Filtration (One of the Most Important Choices)

Your filter houses beneficial bacteria that keep water safe by breaking down waste.

Hang-On-Back (HOB) Filters

Great for beginners because they’re:

  • Easy to install
  • Simple to clean
  • Affordable and reliable

Look for:

  • Adjustable flow
  • Space for sponge and biological media
  • Quiet operation

A good adjustable hang-on-back filter with room for sponge and biological media is ideal for most beginner tanks.

👉 HOB filter

Sponge Filters (Excellent Backup)

Sponge filters are inexpensive and extremely useful:

  • Ideal for quarantine tanks
  • Gentle flow for smaller fish
  • Easy to seed and reuse

Many hobbyists keep a basic sponge filter running at all times as a backup.

Heater

Most popular beginner fish are tropical and need stable, warm water.

What to Look For

A reliable adjustable aquarium heater rated for your tank size helps keep water temperature stable, which is far more important than hitting an exact number.

  • Adjustable temperature control
  • Proper wattage for your tank size
  • Reliable brand with good reviews

Stable temperature is more important than exact temperature. Sudden temperature swings cause far more stress than being a degree or two off.

Thermometer

A thermometer helps you confirm your heater is doing its job.

Options

  • Stick-on glass thermometers
  • Digital probe thermometers

This is a small, inexpensive piece of gear that prevents big problems — a simple aquarium thermometer helps confirm your heater is working properly.

Lighting

Fish don’t require intense lighting, but plants do.

Fish-Only Tanks

  • Basic LED lighting is perfectly fine

Planted Tanks

  • Look for adjustable brightness
  • Simple, low-tech plant lights with adjustable brightness are ideal for beginners. A simple adjustable LED aquarium light works well for both fish-only and lightly planted tanks.

Avoid overly powerful lights unless you plan on advanced plant setups. Too much light causes more problems than too little for most beginner tanks.

Substrate

Substrate affects both appearance and fish comfort.

Gravel

  • Easy to clean
  • Works for most beginner tanks

A neutral aquarium gravel is a simple, beginner-friendly choice that works well for most community fish.

Sand

  • Better for bottom-dwellers like corydoras
  • Slightly more maintenance

Neutral-colored substrates are versatile and beginner-friendly.

Water Conditioner (Non-Negotiable)

Tap water contains chlorine and chloramine, which are harmful to fish.

A water conditioner:

  • Neutralizes chlorine
  • Makes tap water safe instantly
  • Is required for every water change

This is one of the most important products you’ll own — a reliable aquarium water conditioner is required for every water change.

Test Kit

Testing your water helps you understand what’s happening inside your tank.

What to Test

  • Ammonia
  • Nitrite
  • Nitrate
  • pH

Liquid test kits are more accurate than test strips and last a long time — a liquid freshwater aquarium test kit is one of the best tools a beginner can own.

Maintenance Tools

Basic tools make routine maintenance easy and stress-free.

Essentials

  • Gravel vacuum — removes debris during water changes
  • Dedicated aquarium bucket — used only for tank maintenance
  • Algae scraper or sponge — keeps glass clean

A basic aquarium gravel vacuum and a simple algae scraper are all most beginners need to handle regular maintenance.

Optional Upgrade

If you want to make water changes even easier, sink-attach gravel vacuums allow you to drain and refill directly from a faucet. I personally use one and love it — but it’s a convenience upgrade, not a requirement.

Optional but Helpful Gear

Not required, but useful as your setup grows:

  • Light timer — keeps lighting consistent without daily adjustments
    • A smart outlet plug makes it easy to automate aquarium lighting and maintain a consistent schedule. I personally use one for my tank lights and love the convenience, but a basic timer works just as well for beginners.
  • Fish net — helpful for moving fish or removing debris
  • Power strip with drip loops — improves electrical safety
  • Battery-powered air pump — useful during power outages

Beginner Gear I Skip (On Purpose)

Some products cause more problems than they solve:

  • Automatic feeders (often lead to overfeeding)
  • Overpowered canister filters
  • “Miracle” water additives

Simple, proven gear works best.

Putting It All Together

You don’t need everything at once.

Start with:

  • Tank
  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Substrate
  • Water conditioner

Add the rest as you gain confidence.

For a full walkthrough of setting up your tank, see:
👉 Start Your First Tank