For many people, a 55-gallon fish tank is an ideal size. It’s not really all that huge, but it’s big enough to have zones for lots of smaller fish or for aggressive African Cichlids. You can also use it to house big fish. But the thing is, its size and weight when full can present a problem.Its dimensions can reach 48” x 13” x 21” and its weight with water can reach up to 550 pounds. You can’t just put it on a flimsy table or shelf. You need a robust 55-gallon fish tank stand.My recommended 55-gallon stand is the Aquatic Fundamentals, continue reading for more options.Advantages of a Ready Made StandIf you’re a beginner, here are some stands that offer good value for money. 1Aquatic Fundamentals 55 Gallon Upright Aquarium StandThis mixed-media measures 49.4 x 13.1 x 28.2 inches which makes it suitable for the typical 55-gallon tank dimensions. It’s a cabinet-style stand that offers full bottom support and storage space. It weighs 74.6 pounds. ProsIt’s easy to assemble with its clear instructions.

It’s good for acrylic tanks too.It’s made of dense fiberboard, with moisture-resistant powder coat finish.The locking cam assembly is made with metal parts.It looks great and classy.ConsIt’s the most expensive on this list, although the price is still reasonable.There aren’t any adjustable feet for leveling. 2Petco Brooklyn 55 Gallon Metal Tank StandThis metal stand is very basic, and it measures 48.5 x 13.5 x 29.5 inches. That’s good enough to fit nicely with the standard 48" x 13" x 21" dimensions of a 55-gallon tank. It only provides support for the edges, however, so it’s limited to glass tanks. It weighs 34.5 pounds. ProsIt’s made from durable solid steel, and it’s strong enough to support much more than 550 pounds.​It comes with powder coated finish for moisture resistance.​It also has adjustable feet so you can level the stand before you add the tank.​It’s easy to assemble.ConsIt’s limited to glass tanks.There aren’t any adjustable feet for leveling. 

Its look is more functional than stylish.The finish scratches easily. 3Aquatic Fundamentals Mixed Media Series with StorageThis stand measures 48" x 13.5" x 27.87" and weighs 69 pounds. It comes with a top shelf, along with two cabinets at the bottom. It’s made from MDF, with the locking cam assembly made of metal. ProsIt’s easy to put together.It looks quite stylish, and the top shelf allows you to accessorize it further.You’ve got ample storage space.ConsWhen it gets wet, you should wipe it down right away.You’ll also have to make sure the feet are level before you put in the tank. 4Caitec Bird Toys Double Aquarium StandsThis metal stand measures 50.5" L x 32" H x 13" W, with a dimension opening of 46.5" x 11.25". The top shelf holds a 55-gallon tank, with the bottoms shelf supporting the same type of tank or something smaller as well. ProsWith this configuration, you don’t take up as much space in the room.It’s powder-coated to resist corrosion and water damage.It’s very easy to put together because of its very basic design, and you don’t even need tools for the assembly.

ConsYou’re going to have to really make sure that the feet aren’t wobbly.The configuration can also be very heavy, so make sure your floor placement can take the weight. 5Aquatic Fundamentals 50/65 Gallon Upright StandWhat really sets this aquarium stand apart is that doesn’t just support the aquarium at the corners. It’s a solid top stand, and so it supports every square inch of the tank bottom.This means it can support a wide variety of aquariums, including smaller or rounded tanks that don’t have corners at the right spots (or any corners at all). best sand for freshwater fish tankThe high quality of this stand is also demonstrated by the use of a metal to metal locking cam assembly. fish tank pet storeIt’s very different and much longer-lasting than those cheaper stands that cut costs by using wood screws and glue in their construction.best sand for freshwater fish tank

Finally, unlike metal frames, this stand functions double as a storage compartment inside. You just push the front panel and it functions as a magnetic door. Inside, you have lots of space for your supplies, and when the door is closed you get a very attractive stand to complement your aquarium.ProsIt’s very easy to assemble. All the parts are labeled, and the instruction sheet comes with understandable instructions. Just lay out the parts and read the directions, and then read them again for good measure. 55 gallon fish tank metal standAll the predrilled holes are in their proper locations, and all you need is a screwdriver.55 gal fish tank dimensionsYou don’t have to worry about its sturdiness and durability.55 gal fish tank dimensions

The room bottom is very handy, and with the door it looks good.ConsPeople who rush the assembly may have some trouble at first because you really should take the time to read the instructions first.Some people may wish for a shelf in the storage compartment, but this may compromise the integrity of the entire stand.It really depends on the type of aquarium you have.If it’s a glass tank, I’d recommend the Petco Brooklyn. It’s very strong and easy to assemble, and it looks good. But its winning feature is that you can adjust the feet. With these heavy tanks, you really want to make sure you don’t have a wobbly stand at all.Now if your aquarium is acrylic, I’d go with the Aquatic Fundamentals Mixed Media Series. It looks fantastic, and its MDF material is durable enough. Also, the two cabinets offer a lot of storage space for your accessories.This freshwater aquarium setup article explains how to set up a basic freshwater fish tank. We'll start with a short list of the equipment you'll need and then give you a step by step guide on setting up or starting your first freshwater fish tank.

Equipment checklist of items you will need: STEP 1: Realize the responsibility involved. Learning how to set up a fish tank is not all that difficult, but there are some steps you should follow for a freshwater aquarium setup. First, you must realize a few things about an aquarium setup. A tropical fish tank is just like having a dog or a cat when it comes to the amount of effort on your part. In order to have a successful freshwater tropical fish tank you will have to work at it. Once a week, or at most once every two weeks, you will need to perform some kind of maintenance on the tank. Most of the time you will be performing water changes. You will also have to feed your fish at least once a day. Setting up and running a fish tank does cost money. There are recurring expenses such as replacing filter media, buying food, etc. Check out the Freshwater vs. Saltwater Aquarium page to get an idea of the setup costs involved. If you are up to the challenge, please proceed!

STEP 2: Decide on an aquarium size. It's a good idea to have in mind what kind of freshwater aquarium fish you want to keep in your freshwater aquarium setup before you purchase an aquarium. Some fish only grow to be an inch or two, whereas other types of tropical fish can grow 12 or 13 inches or more in length! Knowing what kind of fish you want will help you decide the size of the tank they will need. If this is your first time with an aquarium, it may be a good idea to start with a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium setup for now and stock it with some smaller and hardier species. To get your creative juices flowing, research freshwater aquarium setup ideas by checking out the Freshwater Aquarium Builds forum to see how members have set up their aquariums. STEP 3: Decide on the aquarium's location. Place your freshwater aquarium setup in an area where the light and temperature of the tank won't be affected by external sources such as windows and heater vents. Sunlight that enters the room through an unshaded window could affect the temperature of your tank.

This could also lead to green algae problems for your tank down the road. You will want to place your aquarium on a stand that will be able to hold its total weight. You also want to be sure that the floor is able to support the total weight of the aquarium and stand. A good rule of thumb for determining the total weight of a full aquarium is 10 pounds per gallon of water. For example, a 55-gallon tank will weigh approximately 550 pounds when filled with water! STEP 4: Buy your aquarium and equipment. Now is a good time to decide on the type of aquarium filter you will want to use. You will also need to purchase a heater capable of heating the freshwater aquarium setup size you have. Buy the gravel, plants, a power strip and other decorations. A good rule of thumb for the amount of gravel that you will need is 1 to 1.5 pounds of gravel per gallon of water. Another consideration is whether or not you want to make it a planted freshwater aquarium setup. If so, you will want to invest in some higher output lighting than what normally comes with all in one freshwater aquarium kits.

STEP 5: Set up your aquarium and stand. Wash out your tank with water only! Do not use soap or detergents. Soap residue left behind will be harmful for your tropical fish. If you are going to use an under gravel filter (not recommended) now would be the time to set it up as well. STEP 6: Wash Gravel, plants and decorations. Be sure to wash the gravel thoroughly before adding it to your tank. An easy way to do this is to put some of the rocks in a pasta strainer and wash them out in your bath tub. Then place the clean gravel in a clean 5-gallon bucket for transport to the aquarium. After adding the gravel you can place your plants and decorations. STEP 7: Add water to the aquarium. To avoid messing up your gravel and plants, you can place a plate or saucer in the middle of your aquarium and direct the water flow onto the plate. Use room temperature water when filling. To remove the chlorine and chloramine, use something like Tetra AquaSafe for Aquariums. Don't completely fill up the aquarium until you are sure of the layout of your decorations.

Otherwise, when you place your arm in to move stuff around water is going to spill over. STEP 8: Set up equipment. Install your heater but don't plug it in until thermostat in the heater has adjusted to the water temperature. This usually takes about 15 minutes or so. Hook up your filter and any other equipment you have, then top off the aquarium water in your freshwater aquarium setup to just under the hood lip. Place your hood and tank light on the aquarium and then check your power cords to be sure that they are free of water. I would also recommend using a drip loop on all of the power cords to be extra cautious. For more information on safety, read this great article on aquarium electrical safety. Plug all of the equipment into a power strip and then "turn on" the aquarium.Wait, wait, wait and then wait some more. I know, you want to add some fish. But, in order to do this right you must wait until your aquarium has cycled before adding any fish. There are ways of speeding up this process.

Check out the nitrogen cycle page to learn more about starting the nitrogen cycle and how to speed it up. If you must use fish to cycle, try to get a hardier species like the zebra danio or cherry barb. You may notice your fish tank cycle kicking in gear if you start to get some cloudy aquarium water after a few days.Only add one or two fish at a time. Adding a couple fish at a time gives your filtration system the time needed to take on the increased biological load that the new fish introduce. When you bring the fish home let the bag float in the tank for about 15 minutes so that the fish can become acclimated to the temperature and pH of the aquarium water. After 5 minutes of floating the bag you should add some of the aquarium water to the bag so that the fish can become acclimated to the pH level in the aquarium. This will help reduce the amount of stress imposed on the fish. Stressed fish often leads to dead or diseased fish! Don't feed your fish on the first day. They probably wouldn't eat any food on the first day anyway.

Let them get acquainted with their new home. If you're interested in some good and hardy first fish, please read the Good First Tropical Fish article.Get ready for regular maintenance. Be prepared to spend some time once every week or two to clean your tank. Performing regular water changes will reduce the nitrate levels and keep your tropical fish happy and healthy. As you can see, the steps for how to set up a fish tank are not that complex and hopefully you now have your aquarium setup and running! Have fun, take care of and enjoy your fish! There are many ways to set up a freshwater aquarium. Here is a quick video showing another way to set up a tank. We have had a tank for about a month with fish in it. The water all of a sudden turned cloudy last night and has continued that way today. Is this a normal transition process of newer tanks or is it a problem? Cloudy aquarium water in a newly established tank could be attributed to a few different factors:

Overfeeding - try to feed your fish very tiny amounts and only give them as much as they can consume within a minute or two. Bacterial Bloom - If your cloudy aquarium water is a cloudy white or gray you may be experiencing a bacterial bloom. This bacteria is talked about on the aquarium nitrogen cycle page. The aquarium nitrogen cycle is an essential cycle that you should definitely know about. Please read the article. Completely replacing filter media - if you change out all of the filter media when you perform your tank maintenance you are removing most of the beneficial bacteria mentioned above and may be causing your tank to go through a mini-cycle. Try to swap out only half of the filter media during maintenance. Power filters sometimes come with two filter slots just for this purpose. Water Changes - if you recently did a water change sometimes the water coming out of the tap can be cloudy. To avoid this (and some other potential problems, such as pH swings) it can be a good idea to let your water age a day or two before using it in your water change.