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.
- Nano tank (up to about 10 gallons; betta tanks)
- 10-20 gallon tank
- 20-40 gallon tank
- 40 gallons and up
- Rimless or open-top tank
- Hooded or lidded tank
- Planted tank
- Shrimp tank
- Fry and grow-out tank
- Several tanks on one pump
Choose your tank setup to see the key facts and what fits. Each fact 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.