A freshwater tropical tank needs 12 essentials. Buy a tank of 50 litres or more, a stand, filter, heater, thermometer, lid, light, substrate, decor or plants, water conditioner, liquid test kit and a bucket. Buy the fish last, once the tank has cycled.
What do you need for a fish tank? Twelve things: a tank of at least 50 litres, a stand, a filter, a heater, a thermometer, a lid, a light, substrate, decor or plants, water conditioner, a liquid test kit and a dedicated bucket. The fish come last, after the tank has cycled. The checklist below explains each item and what to check before you buy it.
Setting up now? The Tank Setup guides and how to set up a fish tank cover the build order, and a matched kit can shortcut some of this list. See the starter kit roundup.
What Do You Need for a Fish Tank? The 12 Essentials
| Item | Why you need it | Check before you buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tank | Holds the water and sets how many fish you can keep | At least 50 litres for a tropical tank; work out your real litres |
| 2. Stand or sturdy surface | Water weighs 1 kg per litre | Rated for the full weight, and level |
| 3. Filter | Houses the bacteria that remove ammonia | Rated for at least your tank’s litres, with adjustable flow if you keep gentle fish |
| 4. Heater | Holds tropical temperatures steady | About 1 watt per litre; submersible |
| 5. Thermometer | Confirms the heater is doing its job | Easy to read; place at the far end from the heater |
| 6. Lid or hood | Keeps fish in and dust out | Cut-outs for cables and filter |
| 7. Light | Lets you see fish and grow plants | Runs on a timer, max 10 hours a day |
| 8. Substrate | Surface for bacteria and plant roots | Rinse it before use; suits your plants |
| 9. Decor or plants | Gives fish cover and reduces stress | Aim for about half the tank covered |
| 10. Water conditioner | Neutralises chlorine and chloramine in tap water | Label names chloramine; dose for new water only |
| 11. Liquid test kit | Shows ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH | Covers all four; check the expiry date |
| 12. Dedicated bucket | For mixing and moving water | Used for the tank only, never with soap |
Skimp on the first four and the tank can’t work. The filter guides and heater guides are the two places where cheap choices hurt most.
The Essentials, Item by Item
- Tank and stand: RSPCA Australia gives 50 litres as the minimum for a tropical tank. Real water volume is lower than the label, so work out how many litres your tank holds and check the stand guides.
- Filter: RSPCA NSW says efficient filtration of a suitable size is important because it converts toxic ammonia into less harmful nitrates. It also says a bowl is too small for an adequate heater.
- Heater and thermometer: tropical fish need a submersible heater set around 24 to 26°C, and Aqua One’s manual says 1 watt heats 1 litre. The same manual recommends a surge protector for all aquarium appliances. See what temperature a tropical fish tank should be and the thermometer roundup.
- Light: aquarium lights should run no more than 10 hours a day, so the fish get at least 8 hours of darkness. A cheap timer handles it.
- Conditioner and test kit: SA Water tells owners to ask their pet shop which test kits and conditioners suit their tank and to test regularly. See the conditioner guides and test kit guides.
Many Australian water suppliers add chloramine, not just chlorine, and a conditioner that only handles chlorine won’t be enough. Check your supplier’s water profile and look for the word chloramine on the label. Buying electrical gear from an overseas seller? Check it has an Australian plug and suits 230 V power.
What Do You Need for a Fish Tank? The Nice-to-Haves
- Gravel vacuum: cleans waste out of the substrate during water changes.
- Algae scraper or magnet: keeps the glass clear.
- Air pump and air stone: RSPCA Australia suggests an air stone if the filter doesn’t move the water surface enough.
- Timer: it’s only optional if you’ll reliably switch the light on and off yourself.
What to Leave Until Later
The fish. A new tank has no bacteria, so it needs about 4 to 6 weeks of cycling before anything swims in it. Buy the fish last, and check your state’s rules first, because keeping some species is restricted in parts of Australia and the rules differ by state and change over time. Fish food can wait until then too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a filter for a fish tank?
Yes. A filter holds the bacteria that turn toxic ammonia into nitrate, and it keeps the water moving. Pick one rated for at least your tank’s litres.
Do I need a heater for a fish tank?
For tropical fish, yes. RSPCA Australia says a submersible heater should hold 24 to 26°C because room temperature is generally too cold and fluctuates. Coldwater fish differ, so check your species.
What test kit do I need for a fish tank?
A liquid kit that reads ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. RSPCA Australia’s targets for a tropical tank are ammonia under 0.1 ppm, nitrite under 0.2 ppm, nitrate under 50 ppm and pH 6.5 to 7.5.
What size fish tank should I buy?
At least 50 litres for a tropical tank, according to RSPCA Australia. Bigger tanks are easier to keep stable, and RSPCA NSW notes that the larger the tank and filter, the better it is for the fish.
Do I need an air pump for a fish tank?
Not always. If the filter ripples the surface, that gives enough gas exchange. If it doesn’t, add an air stone.
