Q&A for How to Set up a Five Gallon Fish Tank

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Is glass or acrylic better with fish tanks?

Luke Leskovisek
Aquarium Expert
Luke Leskovisek is an Aquarium Expert and the Owner of The Coral Crib, based in Bloomington, Illinois. With over five years of professional experience, Luke specifically focuses on coral aquaculture and growing coral. He and his team offer fish, aquariums, live rock, aquarium decor and lighting, water testing, aquarium cleaning and maintenance, and more to their customers.

Luke Leskovisek

Aquarium Expert

Expert Answer

Well, that will depend on lots of factors. Acrylic aquariums are very clear and light, which is a huge plus. The downside is that they scratch easily. Glass aquariums can be more prone to breaking when moving them into a house, but they are more resistant on the day to day operations, being more durable long term.

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Question

I have a 5 gallon tropical fish tank, one of my fish died because of the heater (according to the Petco employees) - how do I maintain the temperature of the tank without the heater?

Community Answer

First, find out if it was really the heater that killed the fish, Petco employees are know to lie to avoid giving a refund and most of them don't know anything about fish or about caring for fish. Always do your own research. To keep the tank warm without a heater, you can warm up the room slowly until you've got the target temperature in the tank, then just keep the room at that temp. Always have an aquarium thermometer in the tank and check it often to make sure the temp is right with or without a heater.

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Question

How much conditioner should I use?

Community Answer

It varies. Check the print on the side or back of your conditioner bottle.

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Question

Do I need an air stone as well as a filter in a five gallon tank if I want a pair of bottom feeders?

Community Answer

Yes, a 5 gallon tank is too small of a water surface area for the water to naturally diffuse oxygen into the water and if you live in a warm climate the water will have less oxygen as well. Air stones make more bubbles to increase the area of the water to increase oxygen. A filter helps clean the tank and house good bacteria so that the waste from the fish don't kill them. Also, find out the adult size of the fish you are getting. A 5 gallon tank is a very small fish tank and can only hold very small fish, about 1.5 to 2 inches max as adults and only about 2-4 fish of that size depending on how well to take care of it. Fish you buy from pet stores are usually just babies and still have more to grow.

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Question

Can I use bottled water to fill the tank?

Community Answer

Yes, but the water might still have chlorine in it, so you may have to de-chlorinate it. Also, if you do use spring water, do not use purified water as it could cause electrolyte shock in the fish. It would be best just to use tap water with de-chlorinater/water conditioner added to it, such as stress coat.

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Question

How many pebbles do I need for the bottom of a 5-gallon tank?

Community Answer

A rule of thumb I follow is a pound per gallon, so 5 pounds of pebbles.

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Question

I'm setting up a 5gallon tank for a beta, it's been running with filter for about 36 hrs and I put Safe Start in it about12hrs ago. The water is very cloudy and was clear before, also condensation was on the inside, what can I do?

Community Answer

If you have put Safe Start in the aquarium should be okay, leave it about a week before doing your first water change and keep testing the water to make sure the Safe Start fully established.

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How many plants can I put in a 5-gallon fish tank?

Community Answer

I wouldn't put too many plants in the tank because each plant you add reduces the amount of available space for your fish. I would determine the appropriate number of plants based on the number and type of fish you intend to house in the tank.

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Can I have 20 guppies in a 30-gallon tank?

Ajay Sawant

Community Answer

Yes, just make sure you have good layer of substrate, as these fishes produce an excess of waste.

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Question

Do plants eat algae?

Community Answer

No, plants do not eat algae. They use sunlight to feed themselves through the process of photosynthesis.

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Question

Can I put 10 guppies in a 5-gallon tank?

Community Answer

No, that would be overstocking the tank. Keep no more than 4 or 5 in a 5-gallon tank; if you want 10 guppies, get at least a 10-gallon tank.

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Question

In a 5 gallon aquarium, do I put the water all the way to the top of the tank?

Community Answer

No. Most tanks have a max fill line. Sometimes it is on the filter, sometimes it is hard to see, but usually it is there.

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Question

How many fish can live in a 5 gallon tank?

Community Answer

It depends on the type of fish you are getting. For instance, if you're going to house neon tetras, do not put more than five for them to live optimally and comfortably. Put only one if you're getting a betta.

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Question

Where do you put an airstone in a 5 gallon tank?

Em Davis

Community Answer

You can place an airstone anywhere in the tank. However, it is most effective to place it furthest away from the filter to increase water flow all over the tank.

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