Aquarium Buckets – An Essential Accessory

Aquarium buckets are an essential accessory for keeping aquarium water clean. The start and end of the “classic” partial aquarium water change are aquarium buckets. You have to choose, store, and protect aquarium buckets carefully. It is crucial if you want to maintain excellent water quality.

How To Choose The Right Size Aquarium Buckets

An aquarium bucket should be the right size for the amount of water in your aquarium. It’s one of the first things you use for adding water to your aquarium. The size of the bucket for changing water is also important. It should be big enough to hold the water that you need to change or clean your tank.

Aquarium buckets are containers to put water in an aquarium and take it out. It would help if you thought about how much water will leave your aquarium when you make a partial change. Use that information to help you pick the right-sized bucket for your tank.

When you do a partial water change in your aquarium, you remove about 10% of the water. So if you have a 20-gallon tank, you will take out 2 gallons of water. In this case, you should use a 3-gallon bucket. Moreover, if you have a 55-gallon aquarium, you will change 5-gallons of water. That’s a 10% partial water change. So, a 5-gallon bucket is a good option.

A 20-gallon aquarium needs about seven trips from the water source to the tank if you use 3-gallon aquarium buckets for the first aquarium fill.


Of the eight trips, six will fill the tank, and two will be to top it off and fill your HOB Filter (if you use one).
If you have a fish tank that is 29 gallons or less, then 3-5 gallon buckets are suitable. You need to buy a larger bucket if your tank is more than 30 gallons.

Why You Need Two Aquarium Buckets

Many new aquarium enthusiasts use only one bucket. But it is better to choose two buckets of the same size and type. One benefit of having two buckets is that you can guestimate the water to put in the second bucket. All you have to do is match the water level you take out of the aquarium using the first bucket in the second bucket.

With two buckets, you can fill one with fresh water and treat it with a de-chlorinator in advance. You can use the other bucket to get water out of the tank. It’s now easier for you to pour the fresh water into the tank after taking the aquarium water out.

New Buckets Vs. Use Buckets

Do you want to buy new buckets or re-use the ones you have? New aquarium buckets are suitable for starting a tank. If you re-use a bucket, make sure to scrub it, so nothing unhealthy gets in the tank. New buckets are inexpensive. It’s better to start fresh with a new aquarium bucket and avoid problems.

Give new buckets a quick wash with a small amount of dish soap. Rinse it well. Dry it off with a clean towel. Fill the bucket with water and add chlorine remover. As per the instructions, pour it out and let the bucket dry. You are all set!

Do not use aquarium buckets for regular cleaning. It is important not to mix soap and chemicals in your aquarium bucket. It can be dangerous for your fish. Keep a separate set of Aquarium buckets and label them “aquarium use only.”

5 Best Aquarium Buckets

Rubbermaid Roughneck Square Bucket, 12-Quart. Comfortable Durable Grip Pour Handle

Aquarium Water Changer Accessories

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, aquarium buckets are a good way to change the water in your aquarium. They are also easy to get and affordable. Never use old, dirty buckets!