A Beginner’s Guide To 75 Gallon Aquarium Setup
Do you want to purchase a 75 gallon fish tank?
But don’t know how to set it up?
Don’t worry, as here I will share with you the step-by-step process to set up a 75 gallon fish tank!
Fish tanks are available in various sizes and shapes. The one we are going to discuss in this article is the 75-gallon fish tanks which typically measure 48*18*24 inches.This is an optimal size to keep large fish. It is easy maintenance and you can also show your creativity as there is plenty of space available.
The first and foremost step in the fish-keeping hobby is, buying a fish tank. So let us have a look at some of the best of them.REVIEWS OF THE BEST 75-GALLON AQUARIUMS
75 gallon is the right pick for beginners, however, more experienced aquarists can also buy them.
After having tested multiple 75 gallon fish tanks, I have shortlisted 5 of them, which are undoubtedly the best.Perfecto Manufacturing APF97003 Aquarium
- Large size home sweet home small pet deluxe cage with wire top
- Convenient 3-pack for retailers
- Great for guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, chinchilla
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Perfecto Manufacturing is among the most preferred brands in the aquarium market. Its aquariums are made of high-quality material which contributes to their durability.
The best feature of this model is its suitability for both freshwater and marine water inhabitants.It means that in a 75 gallon big tank, you can mimic a natural habitat for your pet. Also, due to the size of the tank, the LED lights won’t disturb the fish.
This aquarium is my all-time-favorite pick!
FEATURES:
- Dimensions: 48*18*21 inches
- Detailed with black accent features
- Suitable for freshwater and marine water setups.
Deep Blue Professional DB Edge 75 Aquarium
- Pet Supplies
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This aquarium can house a variety of fish and its water temperature can also be maintained easily.
It is built with tempered glass for ultimate safety and is fully plumbed, which makes it easier to add components and get started!
Another added advantage with this size is that you can set up a tropical setting in it.
The tank uses Opti-Pure glass, which allows light to penetrate the aquarium to enhance clarity and brightness.
Also, there is enough space inside to add several decorations like live plants, aquarium gravel or substrates, heater, bubble maker, and many more items.
FEATURES:
- Pre-drilled
- Includes a plumbing system
- Uses Opti-Pure technology
- Dimensions: 48*18*20 inches
The aquarium comes pre-drilled and includes a plumbing system, making it easier for you to hook up the pump for great filtration.
The existing plumbing solution also ensures that you do not face any difficulty with water flow.To know about the Opti-Pure technology in detail, you can check our website.
Clear-for-life 75 Gallon Fish Tank
- Dimensions - 48"(L)x15"(W)x24"(H)
- Clear Back Panel - Round Front Corners
- Made in the USA
- Limited Lifetime Warranty Against Leakage
- Safer & Stronger than Glass
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Whether you are a newbie or an experienced aquarist, Clear-for-life has everything and in large variety to offer you.
This 75 gallon tank will add life and light to your space. It is a fantastic pick for both freshwater and saltwater varieties. It is durable, light-weight and made of acrylic, which provides it an edge over other fish tanks.
With a hexagonal tank shape and multiple viewing angles spanning 360 degrees around the perimeter of the tank, allows you to view your tank from everywhere!
Also, it comes with a lifetime leakage warranty so you are protected from any future faults or damage! You can find it at a very reasonable price on Amazon.
FEATURES:
- Made of acrylic
- Highly durable
- Lightweight
- Hexagonal shape
- Suitable for freshwater and saltwater fish
- Dimensions are: 48*15*24 inches
- Comes with a lifetime leakage warranty
HOW TO SET UP?
75 gallon is a great size for both beginners and experienced aquarists. Today I will teach you how to set it up, following the step-by-step method.
STEP 1: Clean the fish tank
If your tank is new, use a cloth to remove all the dust. Or if it is a used one, wipe it down with white vinegar and hot water.
STEP 2: Choose the right substrate
There are many types of substrate in the market and all of them are composed of different chemical compounds.
With so many choices available, it might get confusing to pick the appropriate one for your tank.
So I have done some intense research and picked up the best ones for your 75 gallon planted aquarium.
- GRAVEL: Seachem Flourite Black is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium. Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any freshwater aquarium environment.
- AQUARIUM BED: Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary when using Seachem Flourite Black as this product is most effective when used alone as an integral substrate bed, but it may be mixed with other gravels.
- SET-UP: When adding water to the aquarium, fill slowly to avoid disturbing Flourite Black substrate bed. Place a bowl in the aquarium and add water directly to the bowl, allowing water to overflow softly on to the gravel bed. Initial cloudiness is normal, but to remove this simply use mechanical filtration
- COMPATIBLE: Flourite Black substrates will work fine with an under gravel filter and will not soften or decompose to an unsuitable state within your tank.Flourite substrates will work fine with an UGF
- SAFETY: Seachem Flourite Black is not chemically coated or treated, thus does not alter the pH of the water. Flourite Black is beneficial for the life of the aquarium and need not be replaced.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Promotes Robust Plant Growth: Stratum fosters vigorous plant development by facilitating easy root penetration and nutrient absorption, aiding in the acquisition of vital nutrients essential for growth
- Facilitates Rapid and Beneficial Colonization: Its porous structure enables swift colonization of beneficial nitrifying organisms, fostering a healthy aquatic environment crucial for the well-being of aquarium inhabitants
- Maintains Optimal pH Levels: Designed to sustain a neutral to slightly acidic pH range, ideal for supporting the growth of various plants, tropical fish, and shrimp commonly found in planted aquarium setups
- Offers Shelter for Newborn Shrimp: Stratum provides a safe haven for newborn shrimp, offering protection from potential predators until they reach a size where emerging into the main aquarium is viable
- Preserves Water Quality: Ensures water clarity by preventing discoloration and effectively manages organic discoloration, especially in the presence of natural driftwood, while being specifically formulated for use in freshwater aquariums
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Ph value at 6.5
- Does not require rinse before use
- Not easy to break down
- The Package Weight Of The Product Is 11.0 Pounds
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- With its natural earth color, it shows aquascapes visually more natural.
- Rare japanese plant-based black soil is used in ingredients, it promotes the growth of almost all aquatics plants, except plants that prefer specific water quality.
- Contains rich organic ingredients and nitrogen level that promotes the growth of aquatic plants and make the water condition mildly acidic for plants and tropical fish.
- Ideal and easy to handle for beginners seeking to make a beautiful fully planted aquarium with crystal clear water.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These are my best picks in substrate.
Besides fulfilling the aesthetics purpose, some animals actually require substrate in order to live their normal lives.
It is a great source of nutrients and necessary for the growth of plants and maintaining water quality.Just keep in mind to rinse it before placing in the water, otherwise it will make the water cloudy. Keep rinsing it until the water turns clear.
To know more about choosing the right quality substrate for fish tank, check our website.STEP 3: Decide the location
Now you have to pick the right location for placing the tank, because once you have filled it with water, it will get heavy which will make it impossible to move.
STEP 4: Cycling the tank
Make sure to cycle the tank before you add fish to it so as to allow a bacterial population to grow which may take up to 6 weeks. The tank will cycle on its own, you just have to get a water testing kit to check if it has finished.
STEP 5: Choosing the fish
75 gallon aquariums support all kinds of setups, so you have a lot to choose from. Here are some fish ideas that you can pick from for stocking your aquarium:
TYPES OF FISH THAT YOU CAN KEEP
In a 75 gallon aquarium you can put a lot of small fish but avoid putting large number of the big ones. Here are some ideas to follow when stocking a 75 gallon aquarium.
TROPICAL FISH
- Zebra Danio, Marble Hatchet, Silver Dollars are perfect for a 75 gallon aquarium as in this size, you can keep a lot of them.
- Oscar and Bettas are another species that are suitable for any size tank.
MARINE SPECIES
- Clownfish and Regal Angelfish are the right pick for a 75 gallon aquarium.
- Moorish Idol and Mandarin fish look peaceful and mesmerizing in this size.
- Banggai Cardinal fish species are often spotted hovering around plants and anemones, since they are nocturnal. So if you are thinking of having these ones, make sure you have plenty of live plants in your aquarium.
It is always recommended to keep one shoal or some bottom dwellers or centerpiece, in a 75 gallon aquarium.
A stocking examples could be:
- 6 Rummynose Tetras
- 5 Kuhli Loaches
- 1 Male Dwarf Gourami
- 2 Female Dwarf Gouramis
Compatible livestock includes:
- Zebra Danio (in a group of 6)
- Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (in groups of more females)
- Rummynose Tetra are mid-bottom dwellers (in groups of 5-6 or more)
- Kuhli Loach are bottom dwellers (in groups of 4-5)
- Bristlenose Pleco
EQUIPMENTS
The next important step is to buy the rest of the equipment. As most of the aquariums come with the kits, you don’t need to buy them separately.
However, with the other ones, you have to purchase the following:
- Aquarium Tank
- Aquarium Stand
- Heater
- Hood or Canopy
- Filter
- Lights
- Air Pump
- Fish Net
- Fish Food
- Gravel Cleaner
- Decoration Items
75 GALLON FISH TANK
75 gallon aquariums are available in various shapes and sizes. You just have to pick the one that enhances the beauty of your place.
The shape of fish tank you are going to purchase is also influenced by the type of fish you want to have and the type of environment you want to create. So decide in advance.AQUARIUM STAND
Some 75 gallon aquariums do not come in kits, so you have to purchase the stand separately. In this situation it might get hard to decide on the right size that you should go for. You have to keep a lot of things in mind, from the size of the tank, to its shape.
So I have made that decision easier for you by shortlisting the best ones for 75 gallon tanks.
If you want to create a stand of your own, you can watch a DIY video on our website.
HEATER FOR 75 GALLON TANK
Heaters are vital to maintain the temperature of water, as fish might fall sick if the temperatures is changed even a little bit.
So in case you are living in a cold area, but have set up a tropical fish tank, you might be needing a heater.The right heater for a 75 gallon aquarium should be of 300 Watts.
Following are the best quality heaters for 75 gallon tank:
- Titanium Tube
- Sleek analog controller
- HMA 300: 80-100 Gallons
- Age range description: all life stages
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Heater is meant for Tanks between 159-264 Gallons.
- Size of Heater is 20” X 1.4” Diameter
- Fully submersible, will automatically turn off when water level dips too low.
- Thermo safey control protects against running dry.
- Made of shock resistant and shatter proof glass for fresh or marine water.
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- Suitable for marine and tropical aquariums
- Easy to use
- High precision electronic temperature control
- For external use
- 5/8 inch hose
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To know more about the right heaters for aquariums, check our website.
FILTER FOR 75 GALLON TANK
Filter is another important item required to maintain the quality of water in an aquarium. Its size depends on the size of your aquarium. So you have to choose accordingly.
Here I have shortlisted a few filters for your tank:
- Multi stage filtration for healthy fresh & saltwater aquariums
- Suitable for aquariums up to 100 gallons. Flow Rate: 1450 LPH (383 US GPH)
- Sound dampening impeller design for a quieter operation. The Fluval 406 Canister Filter has a unique square shaped canister design that holds 35 to 50 percent more water than round canister filters of similar size allowing better water flow through a complex cleansing path that maximizes contact with the filtration media
- Equipped with a clog proof intake strainer and a dual layer foam screen. To prevent water from dripping onto the receptacle or plug,a “drip loop” should be arranged by the user in the cord connecting appliance to a receptacle
- Built with a patented Aqua stop Valve, multiple filtration baskets, and rim connector assemblies; 3 year warranty.Media Capacity: 8.5 L
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- CASCADE 1000 CANISTER FILTER: Without effort, the Cascade 1000 Canister Filter quietly delivers crystal clear water throughout the tank. Recommended for aquariums up to 100 gallons, this filter cycles water at 265 Gallons per Hour. It’s compatible for both freshwater and saltwater fish tanks, and is also great for water based turtle habitats.
- STATE OF THE ART FEATURES: In addition to the push button primer that allows for a simple and quick prime, this Canister Filter also features two independent valve taps that rotate 360°. This makes for easy maneuvering, even in the tightest aquarium cabinets. The 3 stackable, large capacity media baskets give aquarists the ability to customize filtration.
- FILTER MEDIA: This Canister Filter comes standard with 1 Coarse Bio-Sponge, 3 Poly Fiber Floss Pads, and 1 Bag of Activated Carbon. In addition to optimizing the colonization of anaerobic bacteria, this filter traps floating particulate matter, removes harmful chemicals and toxins, clears up discolorations, and reduces foul odors from your aquarium’s water.
- ITEMS INCLUDED: 2 Independent Valve Taps, Push Button Primer, Flow Rate Control Cut-Off Valves, Swimming-Pool Style Hose Clamps, 4 Easy Lift Alignment Clamps, Sturdy Tip-Proof Base, 3 Large Capacity Media Baskets, 3 Poly Fiber Floss Pads, 1 Coarse Bio-Sponge, and 1 Bag of Activated Carbon.
- MEASUREMENTS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO: The Cascade 1000 Canister Filter measures 11.5” (W) x 10” (D) x 17” (H). Additional Info = 110 Volts / 60 Hz / 28.5 W.
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Aquarium filtration system that offers superior contact time with filter media and energy efficient pump lowers operating costs
- Quick and easy installation; we recommend that you clean aquarium filter every 2 weeks for maximum operation and efficiency
- Provides optimal mechanical; chemical; and biological filtration
- Comes equipped with AquaClear Foam; Activated Carbon Filter and BioMax and Cycle Guard for superior water quality
- Filtration volume is up to 7 times larger than comparable fish tank filters
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- WITH ROTATING BIO-WHEEL: Patented Bio-Wheel technology provides excellent wet/dry biological filtration.
- MULTI-STAGE FILTRATION: Delivers mechanical, chemical and biological aquarium filtration to maintain a clean aquatic environment.
- COMPATIBILITY: Use with Marineland Rite-Size Filter Cartridges (see individual filter for sizing recommendations).
- FIVE SIZES: Available in 75 GPH, 100 GPH, 150 GPH, 200 GPH and 350 GPH sizes.
- Age range description: All Life Stages
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
HOOD OR CANOPY FOR 75 GALLON TANK
Hood or canopy is another important item, especially for the tanks that have jumpy-fish in them. With jumpy species there is risk of them falling out of the tank and dying eventually.
MAINTAINING A 75 GALLON AQUARIUM
Now that your aquarium is set up, what is left?
You think your work is done? Wait…. Because it has just started!
Setting up an aquarium isn’t that much of a task as much as is maintaining it. So for your convenience, I have written a step-by-step guide which you can check on the website.
75-gallon is quite a big size, which makes it easier to maintain. So if you are a beginner, this would be the right one for you.Every aquarium has its own features, pros and cons. The right one depends on your requirements. If you have enough space and money, 75 gallon fish tank is a great choice!
If you have any doubts relating to the maintenance of 75 gallon aquarium, leave your comments in the section below.Do tell me which tank you finalized, which fish you go for and any questions regarding maintenance.
FAQS
What is the typical size and weight of a 75 gallon aquarium?
A standard 75 gallon aquarium measures 48*18*24 inches. However, the size may vary slightly depending on their shape.
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