Pet Supplies Plus does carry 55 gallon fish tanks, both in-store and through their website, typically stocking Aqueon and Tetra branded tanks as complete kits or as bare tanks. Whether you'll find one available depends on your local store's inventory, but 55 gallon tanks are a staple product that most locations carry or can order. If you've been thinking about a 55 gallon setup, this is one of the best tank sizes in the hobby, and it's worth knowing exactly what you're getting into before you walk through the door.

A 55 gallon aquarium is 48 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 21 inches tall. That size hits a sweet spot: big enough for a real community of fish, priced reasonably, and standard enough that accessories are easy to find at any pet store. We'll cover what Pet Supplies Plus typically offers, how their pricing compares, what equipment you'll need to add, and how to evaluate whether a kit or a bare tank is the better buy.

What Pet Supplies Plus Stocks for 55 Gallon Tanks

Pet Supplies Plus stores vary a lot by location for what they keep on hand. Larger stores in suburban areas tend to stock complete 55 gallon kits, while smaller stores might only carry the bare tank or keep larger tanks as special orders.

The most common product you'll find is the Aqueon 55 Gallon Tank Ensemble Kit. This kit typically includes the tank, a dual-bulb fluorescent hood, an Aqueon QuietFlow 55 HOB filter, and sometimes a heater. Retail price at Pet Supplies Plus generally runs $200 to $280, depending on whether there's a sale and your region.

Bare Tanks vs. Kit Pricing

Pet Supplies Plus typically runs sales on bare tanks two or three times a year, often aligning with seasonal events. Their "$1 per gallon" sales on tanks up to 40 gallons don't usually extend to 55 gallon tanks, but they do discount larger tanks periodically. A 55 gallon bare tank at full price runs around $90 to $120.

If you see a bare 55 gallon tank on sale for $70 to $80, that's a strong deal. Compare that against buying a kit, which bundles a hood and filter that you might upgrade anyway.

How Pet Supplies Plus Prices Compare to Other Retailers

Petco and PetSmart both carry 55 gallon tanks, and pricing is generally similar across all three chains. PetSmart tends to run "Dollar Per Gallon" events more aggressively than Pet Supplies Plus, but those sales typically cap at 40 gallons too.

Amazon often has the Aqueon 55 gallon tank available, and bare tank pricing can be lower online, in the $80 to $100 range before shipping. The catch is shipping cost and the risk of glass damage in transit. Buying locally at Pet Supplies Plus means you can inspect the tank for chips, cracks, or scratches before it comes home.

The Price of a Complete Setup

A 55 gallon tank from Pet Supplies Plus is just the start. A complete, functional setup requires:

  • Aquarium ($90 to $280 for tank alone or kit)
  • Filter: Aqueon QuietFlow 55 or Fluval C4 ($40 to $70)
  • Heater: 200 to 300 watt unit ($25 to $45)
  • Lighting: Usually included in kits; LED upgrades run $50 to $150
  • Gravel or substrate: $30 to $50 for 50 lbs of gravel
  • Decor and plants: $30 to $100+
  • Water conditioner, test kit, thermometer: $40 to $60

Budget $350 to $500 for a fully equipped 55 gallon tank if you're buying everything new. Kits reduce upfront cost but sometimes include lower-quality filters or hoods that you'll want to upgrade.

Evaluating the Aqueon Kit from Pet Supplies Plus

The Aqueon 55 Gallon Ensemble Kit is one of the more popular options Pet Supplies Plus stocks. The tank itself is solid: standard glass, silicone seams, and drilled overflow holes are not present (it's a standard aquarium). The glass is 1/4 inch thick, which is appropriate for 55 gallons.

What's Good About the Kit

The QuietFlow 55 filter that comes with the kit actually performs well for most freshwater community tanks. It's rated for up to 55 gallons, uses cartridge media you can find at any pet store, and is easy to maintain. The included hood has dual fluorescent bulbs, which is adequate for low-light plants like anubias or java fern.

What You Might Want to Upgrade

The hood and lighting are the weakest link in most Aqueon kits. Fluorescent T8 bulbs lose intensity over time, and if you want live plants beyond low-light varieties, you'll want to upgrade to an LED fixture within the first year. The Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC (48 inch) is a popular upgrade for planted 55 gallon tanks, running around $100.

The heater that sometimes comes with economy kits is often underpowered. A 150-watt heater simply can't maintain stable temperatures in a 55 gallon tank if your room gets cold. Upgrade to a 200-watt Aqueon Pro or Eheim Jager for reliable heating.

What to Check In-Store Before Buying

If you're buying a 55 gallon tank at Pet Supplies Plus in person, take a few minutes to inspect it before loading it into your car.

Run your finger along all four seams at the bottom corners. Look for any gaps in the silicone, discoloration that might indicate stress, or areas where the silicone looks bubbled or separated. Check the glass edges at the top and bottom for chips. Ask a store associate if they have a test policy, since some stores will fill tanks with water briefly if you request it.

Also check the date on the tank if you can find it. Some stores have older inventory, and while tanks don't really expire, silicone can dry out over many years of storage in hot conditions. New stock is preferable.

Setting Up a 55 Gallon Tank Bought from Pet Supplies Plus

Once you've got the tank home, the setup process takes some patience.

The nitrogen cycle needs to run before you add fish. This takes 4 to 6 weeks for a new tank. You're building up beneficial bacteria in the filter media that convert toxic ammonia (from fish waste) into nitrite and then into relatively harmless nitrate. Adding a bottle of Fritz Zyme 7 or Tetra SafeStart, both of which Pet Supplies Plus stocks, can speed this process along.

For equipment placement, hang the filter on the back, position the heater vertically near the filter intake for even heat distribution, and put the thermometer on the opposite end of the tank from the heater so you're reading actual water temperature rather than the temperature right next to the heat source.

For more complete guidance on what gear you need, the best aquarium equipment roundup covers filters, heaters, and lighting options across different price points.

Best Fish for a 55 Gallon Tank

A 55 gallon tank is roomy enough to keep some genuinely impressive fish that wouldn't fit in smaller tanks.

Good community options include: - A school of 15 to 20 cardinal tetras with 6 to 8 corydoras catfish and a pair of German blue rams - A single angelfish pair with a supporting cast of smaller tetras and rasboras - 4 to 6 pearl gouramis with a school of rummy nose tetras and 6 kuhli loaches - A pair of keyhole cichlids with a larger school of compatible tetra species

A 55 gallon is also a great starting point for a single large centerpiece fish like an oscar, though an oscar alone will quickly need a 75 gallon or bigger as it grows to 12 to 14 inches.

FAQ

Does Pet Supplies Plus have a return policy on fish tanks? Most Pet Supplies Plus locations allow returns on unopened or defective equipment within 30 days with a receipt. Tanks that have been set up (filled with water or gravel) are generally not returnable. Check your local store's policy before buying, as individual franchise locations can vary.

Is a 55 gallon kit from Pet Supplies Plus a good deal compared to buying separately? It depends on the sale price. If the kit is $200 or less and includes a filter you'd actually use, it's often a decent value. If it's priced at $260 or more and includes a fluorescent hood you'd replace immediately, you're often better off buying a bare tank on sale and selecting your own equipment.

Can I buy aquarium stands at Pet Supplies Plus for a 55 gallon? Most locations stock aquarium stands in the $100 to $200 range. Aqueon makes a dedicated 55 gallon stand that matches their tank dimensions. Online options from companies like Imagitarium (through Petco) or standalone furniture often provide better quality for the price.

How often does Pet Supplies Plus run tank sales? Pet Supplies Plus doesn't follow the same predictable sales calendar as Petco, but they typically run tank promotions around spring (when people start thinking about new setups), back-to-school time, and Black Friday. Signing up for their Pals Rewards program gives you access to personalized coupons that sometimes include aquarium equipment.

Final Takeaway

Pet Supplies Plus is a reasonable place to buy a 55 gallon tank, particularly if you find one during a sale or as a kit at a competitive price. Inspect the tank thoroughly before buying, plan to upgrade the heater and lighting in most kit configurations, and budget $350 to $500 for a fully functional setup. The 55 gallon size itself is excellent: it's forgiving, spacious enough for real fish communities, and large enough that minor water quality issues don't become emergencies overnight.