Reference
Aquarium automation and upkeep by tank size and type
Pick a tank setup to see the automation and upkeep gear that suits it, what each item can and cannot do, and the safety checks that matter.
Choose your tank setup to see the key facts. Each one links to its source on the full page.
All tank setups
- Nano tank (up to about 10 gallons; betta tanks) What fits a tank up to about 10 gallons: small-food feeder ports, the smallest air pumps by maker figures, a mini gravel vacuum, and the checks that matter.
- 10-20 gallon tank Maker air flow figures for 10-20 gallon tanks, USB-C battery-backup pumps, water-change rates and gravel vacuum sizes, with what each figure does and does not mean.
- 20-40 gallon tank Maker air flow figures for 20-40 gallon tanks, faucet water changers and their adapters, and gravel vacuum sizes, with the limits of each figure.
- 40 gallons and up Maker flow figures and suggested tank sizes for larger air pumps, what "T-ed" outlets mean, and long water-changer hoses and large gravel vacuums.
- Rimless or open-top tank How feeders mount on a rimless or open-top tank: clamp ranges, brackets and pads, and why makers warn about humid air reaching the feeder.
- Hooded or lidded tank Fitting a feeder to a hood: the feeding-hole size Fish Mate gives, why it advises against the condensation tray, and how makers say to keep food dry.
- Planted tank Running lights on a timer or smart plug within its rating, why standard air check valves are not for CO2, and keeping the surface open for gas exchange.
- Shrimp tank What makers state that bears on a shrimp tank: small-food feeder ports and surface agitation, and why no feeding rule carries over from fish.
- Fry and grow-out tank What Merck says about feeding growing fish, why no source supports leaving fry to an automatic feeder, and what to check daily instead.
- Several tanks on one pump Splitting one air pump across tanks: two-outlet pumps and their dials, T connectors, check valves per line, drip loops and ground-fault protection.