Build My Setup
A great setup starts with the animals or plants you want to keep. Choose your aquarium style, work out the space and budget, then shop the essentials. Need a second set of eyes? We can help you put the pieces together.
1. Choose your aquarium
Saltwater & Reef
Start with your fish and coral plans. A fish-only system and an SPS reef can need very different lighting, flow and filtration.
Nano or desktop: Start with nano aquariums. Check the actual water volume, available equipment space and what the kit includes.
Larger display: Browse Red Sea systems or all aquariums. Compare cabinet footprint, sump access and the equipment included with each package.
Your essentials: Aquarium and suitable stand, heating, salt mix, salinity testing, water testing, filtration and circulation. Add lighting matched to your corals, and choose a skimmer around your livestock and feeding load. RO/DI water, rock and substrate also belong in the plan.
Reef lighting · Pumps & flow · Protein skimmers · Salt mix · Salinity testers
Freshwater Community
Choose the fish first, then plan for their adult size and swimming space. Match the filter to the aquarium and livestock rather than buying by price alone.
Nano or desktop: Browse small aquariums and check that the system suits freshwater use. The Dymax IQ9 Freshwater Kit is one option for a compact display; confirm included lighting before adding another fixture.
Your essentials: Aquarium and suitable stand, filter, a heater where your species require one, thermometer, water conditioner, freshwater test kits, substrate, appropriate food and water-change equipment. Cycle the aquarium before adding livestock.
Filters & media · Heating & cooling · Water testing · Freshwater food
Planted & Aquascaping
Pick your plant goals before choosing the light. A low-demand planted aquarium can be a very different project from a high-light system with injected CO₂.
Small planted display: Explore the Dymax IQ9 Freshwater Kit. Check the full installed dimensions and current kit contents before ordering.
Your essentials: Suitable aquarium and filtration, plant-appropriate lighting, substrate, hardscape and maintenance tools. Decide whether your plants need root nutrition, water-column fertilizer or CO₂. These are separate choices, not automatic requirements for every planted tank.
Planted aquariums & aquascaping · Plant care & tools · Live plants · Lighting
2. Check the fit before you buy
- Measure tank length, depth and height, plus space for cables, hoses and maintenance.
- Check stand suitability, sump compartment dimensions, pump connections and glass thickness for magnetic mounts.
- For lights, match coverage and output to tank dimensions and livestock or plant needs. Check whether mounts are included.
- Read the package contents before adding a separate light, pump or filter.
3. Set your total budget
Include the aquarium, stand, equipment, consumables and shipping. Keep room for routine supplies and maintenance after setup.
- Up to $250: Start with a focused equipment upgrade or explore smaller aquarium options. A complete new system may need a larger budget once essentials are included.
- $250–$750: Compare compact systems and build the essential equipment list before adding extras.
- $750–$1,500: Compare aquarium packages with a separately assembled setup, checking exactly what each includes.
- $1,500+: Plan the full aquarium, cabinet, filtration, lighting and installation requirements together.
Want us to check your shopping list?
Contact IBA with your aquarium type, tank dimensions or target size, livestock or plant plans, total budget and shipping ZIP code. Include equipment you already own so we can help you avoid buying things twice.
These paths are planning guides. Confirm product fit, electrical requirements and kit contents before ordering. Products are sold separately unless the listing states otherwise.
Explore IBA Picks · Read our aquarium guides · Check shipping information