Aquarium Starter Kits: What's in the Box, and What Isn't
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A kit is the easiest way to get a matched tank, lid, light and filter in one box. The trick is knowing what's not in the box. Details below are from Aqueon's and Fluval's product pages and the Amazon listings. We haven't tested these kits.
Bigger is easier
It sounds backwards, but a bigger tank is usually easier to keep stable. Habitattitude, backed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA, says larger tanks "are less likely to have changes in temperature, oxygen, or levels of toxic compounds," while "some smaller tanks require less up-front cost but require more time and attention to maintaining water quality." Aqueon adds that tanks over about 10 gallons should sit on a proper stand.
The kits, side by side
| Kit | Size | Filter | Heater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluval Spec 5 | 5 gal | 3-stage rear compartment | Not included (Fluval) |
| Fluval Flex 2.0, 9 gal | 9 gal | 3-stage rear compartment | Sold separately (listing) |
| Aqueon 10 gal SmartClean | 10 gal | SmartClean filter | Preset 50W, holds 78°F |
| Tetra LED 10 gal | 10 gal | Internal filter | Not listed |
| Fluval Flex 2.0, 15 gal | 15 gal | 3-stage rear compartment | Sold separately (listing) |
| Tetra 20 gal | 20 gal | Internal filter | Included |
| Tetra 29 gal | 29 gal | Whisper PF 30 | 200W included |
From the listings and makers' pages.
Aqueon 10 gallon SmartClean kit
A glass tank, LED hood with feeding door, SmartClean internal filter, a preset 50W heater that holds 78°F and a thermometer, per the listing. Aqueon says its preset heaters hold 78°F, "appropriate for most tropical fish" (Aqueon's rectangle kit page).
Aqueon 10 Gallon Starter Kit with SmartClean
- 10-gallon glass tank, LED hood with feeding door, per the listing
- SmartClean filtration with EcoRenew cartridge
- Preset 50W heater (holds 78°F) and thermometer
Tetra 20 and 29 gallon kits
Both include a heater and thermometer; the 29 uses a Whisper PF 30 filter and a 200W heater, per the listing. The ColorFusion 20 adds a color-changing LED and artificial plants.
Tetra 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
- 24 x 12 x 16 in. glass tank with hinged LED hood, per the listing
- Internal filter with carbon cartridge
- Heater and thermometer included
Tetra 29 Gallon Aquarium Kit
- 30 x 12 x 18 in. glass tank, LED hood, per the listing
- Whisper PF 30 filter
- 200W heater and thermometer included
Tetra ColorFusion 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
- 20-gallon glass tank with hood, per the listing
- Tetra Whisper 20 filter and a UL heater
- Color-changing LED; artificial plants included
Fluval Flex 2.0 and Spec
Rimless-look kits with filtration hidden in a rear compartment. The Flex 2.0 has RGB-plus-white LEDs with a remote and a spray bar for gentle flow; the Spec is a long, slim 5 gallon. Neither includes a heater, so budget for one. More in Fluval Flex vs Spec.
Fluval Flex 2.0 Aquarium Kit, 15 Gallon
- RGB + white LED (6500-7000K) with remote, per the listing
- 3-stage rear filtration: foam, Poly-Carb, BioMax
- Dual output nozzles plus spray bar option
- Heater sold separately
Fluval Spec 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit
- 5-gallon etched glass tank with aluminum trim, per the listing
- 7000K LED
- 3-stage rear filtration: foam, carbon, BioMax
- Heater not included (sold separately, per Fluval)
What every kit still needs
- Water conditioner. The EPA says chlorine and chloramine "must be neutralized or removed if used in aquariums." See water conditioners.
- A test kit. The University of Florida says ammonia is colorless and odorless, so "the only way ... to know if ammonia is present is to test the water." See test kits.
- A heater, if your kit lacks one and you keep tropical fish. See heaters.
- Time. Aqueon's kit guide says "Wait 24 hours before adding fish," but UF says a new biofilter needs "six to eight weeks." Read how to cycle a fish tank first.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
- Tests pH, high-range pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, per the listing
- 7 test solutions, color card and 4 tubes
- Listed as 800 tests; freshwater only
Seachem Prime (250 mL)
- Removes chlorine and chloramine, per the listing
- Detoxifies ammonia and nitrite at typical tap-water levels
- 5 mL treats 50 US gallons of new water
FAQ
Best size for a beginner?
Bigger is more stable, per Habitattitude.
Do kits include heaters?
Some Aqueon and Tetra kits do; Fluval's Spec and Flex 2.0 don't.
Fish the next day?
No; cycle the tank first.
Sources
- EPA: Chloramine Q&A (PDF)
- Aqueon: Kit setup guide (PDF)
- Habitattitude: Aquarium fish
- Habitattitude: Tanks, equipment, maintenance
- Aqueon: Rectangle LED kits
- Aqueon: Aquarium starter kits
- Aqueon: Freshwater water quality
- Fluval: Spec aquarium kit
- Fluval: Flex 2.0 aquarium kit
- UF/IFAS: Ammonia in aquatic systems (FA031)