Bring Your Own Aquarium Freshwater Starter Kits: A Simpler Start to Fishkeeping

A New Way to Begin Your Freshwater Aquarium Journey

There’s something truly special about creating an underwater world of your own. The lush greenery of live plants, the graceful swimming of fish and shrimp, and the calm energy of a thriving freshwater tank can bring a room to life. But for many beginners, setting up a new aquarium feels overwhelming.

That’s why we created the Bring Your Own Aquarium Starter Kits. These bundles are one of the most affordable ways to enter the aquarium hobby. Simply pick up a standard black-trim aquarium from your local pet store, then choose the kit size that matches your tank. You will get nearly everything you need to build a strong and healthy foundation, without the higher cost of buying all the included components individually.

Whether you are starting small with a 5-gallon tank or aiming for a 40 gallon breeder, each kit is built to fit your space and your confidence level.

Why Choose a Bring Your Own Aquarium Kit?

Starting your first aquarium should be exciting—not stressful. That’s why our team of freshwater enthusiasts selected equipment that’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and proven to work.

The goal is simple: take the guesswork out of aquarium setup so you can spend more time enjoying your fish and aquascape instead of worrying about equipment. With these kits, you’ll have the essentials covered and the flexibility (and budget!) left over for the fun part—choosing fish, shrimp, snails, plants, and aquascaping decor.

Our starter bundles cover the most popular standard aquarium sizes, from 5 gallons up to 40 gallons, making it easy to find the right fit for your home.

What’s Included with Each Kit?

• A versatile hang-on-back filter with mechanical, chemical, and biological stages
• Pre-calibrated heater, ideal for maintaining stable temperatures with no setup required
• Spider wood & aquarium gravel to create a natural layout and surface area for beneficial bacteria
• Water conditioner to make tap water safe
• Beneficial bacteria starter to kickstart your cycle
• A stick-on thermometer for simple, battery-free temperature monitoring
• high-quality pellet fish food for community species

With the foundation ready to go, you can focus on bringing your vision to life—whether that’s a lush planted jungle, a colorful community of tetras and rasboras, or a peaceful shrimp colony.

Getting started in the freshwater aquarium hobby has never been easier—or more fun.

Choose the Kit That Matches Your Vision

5 Gallon Starter Kit	10 Gallon Starter Kit	20/29 Gallon Starter Kit	40 Gallon Starter Kit
Includes: 1x AquaZen Internal Corner Filter 1x AquaReady 22W Preset Heater 5lbs Aqua Natural Gold Pearl Gravel 1x 6-12" Lifegard Spider Wood 125mL Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 100mL Seachem Prime Water Conditioner 1x BRS Stick-On Thermometer 2oz BRS Premium Fish Food Pellets	Includes: 1x Eheim LiBERTY 75 Power Filter 1x AquaReady 50W Preset Heater 10lbs Aqua Natural Gold Pearl Gravel 1x 12-23" Lifegard Spider Wood 125mL Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 100mL Seachem Prime Water Conditioner 1x BRS Stick-On Thermometer 2oz BRS Premium Fish Food Pellets	Includes: 1x Eheim LiBERTY 130 Power Filter 1x AquaReady 100W Preset Heater 20lbs CaribSea Peace River Gravel 2x 12-23" Lifegard Spider Wood 125mL Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 100mL Seachem Prime Water Conditioner 1x BRS Stick-On Thermometer 2oz BRS Premium Fish Food Pellets	Includes: 1x Eheim LiBERTY 200 Power Filter 1x AquaReady 200W Preset Heater 40lbs CaribSea Peace River Gravel 2x 12-23" Lifegard Spider Wood 125mL Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 100mL Seachem Prime Water Conditioner 1x BRS Stick-On Thermometer 2oz BRS Premium Fish Food Pellets

Questions You're Probably Asking Yourself Right Now

What About Lighting?

Lighting is one of the most personal and important choices in any aquarium, especially if you're planning to grow live plants. That’s why we’ve left it out of this kit. Whether you're setting up a simple fish-only tank or aiming for a planted aquascape, your lighting needs will vary depending on the types of plants, tank layout, and your goals for growth and aesthetics. From basic LED fixtures to full-spectrum plant lights with timers and dimming features, the best light for your setup is the one that supports your specific vision. By leaving the light out of this starter kit, you have the flexibility to choose the fixture that fits your goals without paying for something you might not use.

Confused about lighting? Check out: Guide to Aquarium Lighting: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced

Can I keep live plants with this kit?

Absolutely. The included substrate and hardscape are plant-friendly, and the gentle filter flow is ideal for small planted tanks. Just make sure to choose a light that supports plant growth and consider using a basic liquid fertilizer or root tabs if needed for the types of plants you select.

Is it normal for the spider wood to float?

Yes, it’s completely normal. Spider wood is naturally buoyant and may float when first placed in your tank. We recommend soaking it in a bucket of water for a few days before setup to help it become waterlogged. If you need to place it right away, you can weigh it down with rocks or other decor until it sinks on its own.

Do I need to cycle my tank before adding fish?

Yes, cycling your tank is an important first step. It allows beneficial bacteria to grow and establish a biological filter that processes harmful ammonia. This usually takes a few weeks, but using the included MicroBacter7 can help speed things up. For more information, check out our post on Simplifying the Nitrogen Cycle.