Simple Guide To Set-up And Maintain A 5-Gallon Aquarium
Are you a fish enthusiast?
Do you relish in recreating the scenic underwater world at your home?
If the answer to the above questions is Yes, then check out our fantastic guide to better understand your 5 gallon fish tank, how to set it up correctly and some important tips to maintain it in the future.
A 5-gallon aquarium is a very small-sized tank with limited space for fish and decorations to keep.
If you are new to this job and do not possess any knowledge about the know-hows of aquarium world, then you may need some serious help regarding the whole ensemble and set-up process. Moreover, most of the 5 gallon fish tanks comes with a beginner’s kit which contains all the apparatus or equipment necessary.
So let’s get started with the procedure of setting up a 5 gallon aquarium.
STEP 1: CHOOSE AN AQUARIUM TANK
Firstly, you will need a 5 gallon tank.
The fundamentals of creating a good aquarium is choosing the right tank. Your choice depends upon a lot of factors including space, fish species, maintenance, and so on. So the first step is to choose the right aquarium.
Here I have listed 5 of the best 5-gallon fish tanks available in the market.
MARINELAND ML90609 PORTRAIT AQUARIUM KIT- BEAUTIFUL DESIGN
No products found.
If you want to start with an aquarium with minimal maintenance, then this one’s for you.
This piece is ideal for beginners.
Marineland 5-gallon aquarium has a very stylish shape and design. The size of this mini aquarium is so small that it can even fit in any small space like workplace or living room. Moreover, the three-stage filtration system works phenomenally. It rids off your tank of all the unwanted, harmful substances, fish waste, and impurities that compromise fish health. The LED lights keeps the tank well-lit which looks very cool.
Features:
- Product Dimensions: 11.8*11.6*17 inches
- Three-stage hidden filtration system
- Fits small spaces like your desks
- LED with natural daylight and moonlight settings
- Easy to assemble
- Silent filter
- Back compartment for placing accessories
The product is available on Amazon at a great price.
KOLLER PRODUCTS PANAVIEW 5-GALLON AQUARIUM KIT- COST-EFFECTIVE TANK
No products found.
If you are looking for a fish tank which is easy to assemble, then the Koller panaview 5-gallon aquarium is the right fit for you.
It is affordable and despite its small size, it gives a top-notch performance. As most of the 5-gallon aquariums comes with a special kit, you do not need to do the extra work or require extra tools.
The filtration system of this tank is pretty easy to install and it works great. Though small, the filter as a powerful impeller which keeps all the dirt and impurities at bay.Features:
- Product Dimensions: 14.2*11.5*10 inches
- Energy-efficient LED lighting with 7 colors
- Filter with powerful impeller
- Outer body made in durable plastic
- Easy to set up
- Cost-effective
You can get this product at a very reasonable cost on Amazon.
FLUVAL SPEC V AQUARIUM KIT, 5-GALLON, BLACK- PRE INSTALLED FILTER
No products found.
Those who have a very limited experience in fish-keeping will be very satisfied with this piece. The Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit demands minimal supervision. Its design is compact and looks very cool.
The best part is that the filter comes pre-installed in the tank. However, it in no way hinders the fish from roaming freely inside the tank. The LED illumination is also very beautiful, especially at night. You can easily see all the corners and content of the tank.
In addition to this, the tank material is durable and can withstand multiple bumps without any scratches or leakage.Features:
- Product Dimensions: 6.3*17.2*10.6 inches
- Etched glass tank with aluminium trim
- Powerful 37 LED lighting system
- Filter works silently
- Foam block, activated carbon, BioMax bio rings included
- 3-stage mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration
Get it on Amazon at a reduced price.
MARINA LED AQUARIUM KIT, 5-GALLONS- BEST FOR BEGINNERS
No products found.
Every aquarium hobbyist demands a tank which is affordable and reliable. If this is the case with you, then this is an ideal pick for you.
You can learn a lot about fish keeping and aquarium maintenance with this tank. You will be surprised to know that it works better compared to its larger counterparts. The 3-stage filtration is very powerful and efficient.
It does not allow any dust particles, harmful substances, impurities, fish waste, to hamper the smooth working of the tank. Features:
- Product Dimensions: 18.5*10.8*13.3 inches
- All-inclusive starter kit
- Filter with 3-stage filtration
- LED lights with natural daylight effect
- Impressive LED lights over the canopy
- Nutrafin Aqua Plus Water Conditioner to dechlorinate tap water
You can buy this aquarium from Amazon at a low cost.
TETRA CRESCENT ACRYLIC AQUARIUM KIT, 5-GALLONS- DURABLE MATERIAL
No products found.
Those who want to buy a reliable aquarium that does not require a lot of maintenance, should go for the Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium.
This 5 gallon tank is portable and its filtration system which removes all the waste particles from the tank, keeping the water crystal clear at all times.It is adjusted graciously inside the tank covering minimal space and letting the fish float without disturbance.
The lighting effect is magnificent, thanks to the LED lights available with the tank.Features:
- Product Dimensions: 16.6*11.2*13.2 inches
- Powerful chemical and mechanical filters
- Energy-efficient LED lights
- Made of durable acrylic
- Easy to set-up
- Portable
- Filter works quietly
You can purchase this fish tank on Amazon at a reasonable cost.
STEP 2: GET THE RIGHT TANK STAND
You should know that as much as it is important to choose the right aquarium, a tank stand too demands a thorough research.
Without a right stand, a tank would be prone to many mishappenings, especially if you have kids or animals around.An aquarium stand is used to provide a firm, and powerful support to your tank, keeping it at a safe distance from any disturbance.
Moreover, the storage spaces or cabinets available can be used to keep all the fish supplies, equipment, and decorations.If you want to make your own fish tank, check our website for more information on the DIY work.
Amazon Best Seller Aquarium Stands
No products found.
STEP 3: PURCHASE OTHER IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT
Apart from the aquarium and the tank stand, the other important equipment required for setting up an aquarium are aquarium heater, filter, and hood.
HEATER
As the fish are very delicate creatures, they require steady temperature at all times; or they will die.
A heater helps in doing that by maintaining a constant water temperature, thus preventing the fish from getting sick or dying. For a 5-gallon fish tank, a less powered heater of 50 Watt will work fine.
Check out the best 5-gallon tank heater –
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
FILTER
It is very important to maintain clean water in the aquarium for a healthy fish life. A tank filter does all the work for you by removing the contaminants from the water and purifying it simultaneously.
A 5-gallon fish tank does not require a big filter. Some kits already have incorporated filters into the aquarium, while with others you need to buy one separately.Here are my top 4 picks in the 5-gallon aquarium filters –
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
HOOD
Complete vigilance on your part at all time is kind of impossible, therefore, you need something to prevent the fish from jumping off the aquarium. A hood does the exact thing for you.
It also reduces the amount of water that evaporates from the tank as it seals it completely, except the filter and heater section. If you are using a mini-sized aquarium of 5 gallons, use one of these hoods to seal your tank from the top-
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
STEP 4: ADD WATER TO THE TANK
Adding water to the tank doesn’t mean that you add it directly to the tank. You need to keep a lot of things in mind before pouring the water.
The first step is to clean the tank. Do not use soap, shampoo or other harsh materials to clean it as it might kill the fish.The next thing to be careful about is to dechlorinate the water as tap water may contain chlorine which could be harmful for the fish.
Keep in mind to maintain a recommended pH level.
Even after following the above steps, you need to add the water in portions.To learn more about the water addition process, check out our other article dedicated to the 5-gallon tank set-up process on our website.
STEP 5: INTRODUCE FISH AND OTHER CREATURES
Just like the addition of water demands a lot of care, the introduction of fish to the water too requires special attention.
You cannot be too reckless about adding the fish as even the subtlest of changes in the surrounding environment may kill it. To learn more about adding fish and other creatures into the tank, check our website.
A 5-gallon fish tank may be small, but you can still add a variety of fish to it without any problem. Here are some fish species which you can buy-
Fish combinations recommended for a 5-gallon tank-
- 1 Betta Fish, 1 Amano Shrimp, 1 Nerite Snail
- 2 Kill Fish
- A bunch of Micro Rasboras
For snail tank or shrimp tank-
- 10 Cherry Shrimps
- 5 Nerite Snails
You can keep multiple:
- Tetras,
- Rasboras, and
- Betta Fish in the fish tank as they all are small-sized species.
Fish species which you can easily keep in a 5 gallon fish tank are:
- Betta Fish, White Cloud Mountain Minnow, Honey Gourami, various Micro Rasboras, Dwarf Puffer, Dwarf Frog, Clown KillFish, Least KillFish, Dwarf Crayfish, Endler’s Livebearer, Rosy Loach, Cherry Red Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp, and Nerite Snail.
STEP 6: MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE
Last but not the least is the proper maintenance of the tank. It is not a very difficult task to maintain a small 5-gallon fish tank.
Thanks to its micro size, the maintenance time and procedure is comparatively very less complicated. The important things to keep in mind are to feed the fish regularly, check that all the equipment are working properly, follow the changing behavioral patterns of the fish and take action as soon as you detect any negative changes, clean the tank at regular intervals, cycle it to continue the growth of good bacteria for fish nourishment, etc.
Let me know which fish tank you purchased and what kind of marine animals have you kept or are thinking of keeping in you 5 gallon aquarium.Apart from that, if you want any other help, just reach me on the website. I will assist you immediately.
FAQs
What is the typical size of a 5-gallon fish tank?
The typical size of a 5-gallon aquarium tank is 16 X 8 X 10 inches.
Can I keep gecko in my Koller Panaview 5-Gallon Aquarium?
No. A gecko requires a size of at least 10- gallons. A 5-gallon aquarium size will be too small for creatures like gecko.
Will a marine fish be adequate for my Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium, 5-Gallons?
Yes, you can keep marine fish in the fish tank as it does not require a protein skimmer.
GET FRESHWATER AQUARIUM GUIDE WORTH $99 FOR FREE!
Topics Covered
My son has a 5 gallon tank with a male betta, 4 neon tetras, 2 rocks, 2 fake plans s and 1 real plant. We vaccumed the gravel a week ago and changed 50% of the water. It’s so cloudy, has algae, and only 7 days later. Can I get some shrimp to help with algae? I’m afraid that’s too much for the tank. This 5 gallon has required so much maintenance that I’m considering going up to a 10 gallon. But will that size be easier to maintain?
Thank you,
Sarah Walker