The 10 Best Fish Tanks And Aquariums
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There is nothing more beautiful than a healthy and thriving home aquarium. There is something majestic about capturing the beauty of an underwater world in the comfort of your own home.
If you’ve always been curious about the aquarium hobby, there is no time like the present to give it a try for yourself. It may be easier to break into than you imagine, and it all starts with choosing the right tank.
In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of caring for aquarium fish and provide some tips for choosing the best fish tank or aquarium. You’ll also see our top 10 picks for the best fish tanks and aquariums.
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Fish Tanks And Aquariums
|
Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank
3. Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit, Includes LED Lighting and Decor |
Best Freshwater Tank
5. SeaClear 46 gal Bowfront Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set |
||||||||
|
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Acrylic |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Glass |
Materials
Plastic |
|
Size
5 gallons |
Size
3 or 5 gallon |
Size
20 gallons |
Size
20 gallons |
Size
15 to 50 gallons |
Size
8 gallons |
Size
15 gallons |
Size
16 or 32 gallons |
Size
5 gallons |
Size
1.1 gallons |
|
Accessories
LED lights, filter, filter media |
Accessories
LED rail light, 3-stage filtration |
Accessories
LED light, filter, heater |
Accessories
Clip-on filter, water conditioner |
Accessories
None |
Accessories
LED rail light, filtration system, 3D background |
Accessories
3-stage filtration, LED lights |
Accessories
LED lights, filtration system |
Accessories
LED rail light, 3-stage filtration |
Accessories
LED light |
What To Look For In A Fish Tank Or Aquarium?
Aquariums and fish tanks come in all shapes and sizes, so it may be difficult to choose just one. Think about the type of aquarium fish you plan to keep in your tank and consider their needs for space. You should also think about how much time you’ll have to devote to maintenance and what your budget is when you start shopping around for a fish tank or aquarium.
Here are some important things to look for in a fish tank or aquarium:
- High-quality construction. You don’t want to skimp on the construction of your tank because it will need to hold water which becomes very heavy. It also pays to choose a sturdy foundation, stand, or cabinet on which to place your tank.
- Size and dimensions. You should have some idea what type of fish you plan to keep before you shop for a tank, so choose a tank size and shape that fits your tank inhabitants. For example, angelfish require a tank that is taller than it is wide.
- Cost to purchase. Though you shouldn’t shop by price alone, you can make a smart decision when it comes to the cost of your aquarium. Some materials are more costly than others and you can sometimes save money by purchasing a starter kit.
- Included accessories. Not all fish tanks and aquariums come with accessories, but many do. If you’re looking for a simple way to break into the aquarium industry, look for a starter kit rather than a stand-alone tank.
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a fish tank or aquarium, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 10 picks for the best fish tanks and aquariums.
Our Top Picks For The Best Fish Tanks And Aquariums
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 5 gallons
- Accessories: LED lights, filter, filter media
- Affordably priced under $100
- Comes with integrated filter system
- Equipped with LED lighting system
- Tank heater is not included in the kit
- Integrated filter can be tricky to remove and change media
Marineland Contour Rail Light Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 3 or 5 gallon
- Accessories: LED rail light, 3-stage filtration
- Available in 3- and 5-gallon sizes
- Equipped with LED rail light and filtration
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Included filter is not adjustable for flow
- Doesn’t come with a tank heater
Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit, Includes LED Lighting and Decor
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 20 gallons
- Accessories: LED light, filter, heater
- More room for error than smaller tanks
- Comes with heating, lighting, and filtration
- Includes several décor elements
- Included equipment could be of higher quality
- Filter included with the kit makes noise
Marina LED Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 20 gallons
- Accessories: Clip-on filter, water conditioner
- Comes with clip-on filter and filter media
- Includes several helpful accessories
- Manageable size for a starter saltwater tank
- Limited options for sizing
- Doesn’t come with a tank heater
SeaClear 46 gal Bowfront Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
Product Info
- Materials: Acrylic
- Size: 15 to 50 gallons
- Accessories: None
- Half the weight of glass aquariums
- Acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass
- Available in a wide range of sizes 15 to 50 gallons
- Limited range of sizes, between 15 and 50 gallons
- Doesn’t include heater or filter system
Hygger Horizon 8 Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 8 gallons
- Accessories: LED rail light, filtration system, 3D background
- Manageable 8-gallon size
- Attractive curved front and 3D background
- Integrated 3-stage filtration system
- Some species of fish may jump out of the open top
- No tank heater included with the kit
Fluval Hagen HG Flex Aquarium
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 15 gallons
- Accessories: 3-stage filtration, LED lights
- Attractive curved front design
- Perfect size for community tank (15 gallons)
- Equipped with filtration and LED lighting
- May not be large enough for some community fish
- No heater included in the aquarium kit
Coralife LED BioCube Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 16 or 32 gallons
- Accessories: LED lights, filtration system
- Sleek, modern design in two sizes
- Equipped with LED lights and filtration
- Perfect for a marine or reef nano tank
- Only available in two sizes, 16 and 32 gallons
- Doesn’t come with a tank heater
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Glass
- Size: 5 gallons
- Accessories: LED rail light, 3-stage filtration
- Attractive glass aquarium with LED light
- Includes 3-stage hidden filtration system
- Affordably priced under $50
- Some species of fish may jump out of the open top
- No tank heater included with the kit
Tetra ColorFusion Half Moon Aquarium Kit
Product Info
- Materials: Plastic
- Size: 1.1 gallons
- Accessories: LED light
- Manageable 1.1 gallon size
- Affordably priced under $20
- Can be set on a desktop or counter
- Small 1-gallon size is only appropriate for very small fish
- May require more frequent cleaning than larger tanks
Tips For Maintaining A Fish Tank Or Aquarium
Maintaining a healthy aquarium environment is not the most difficult task on earth, but you do need the proper equipment to make your job easier. Choose a 3-stage filtration system appropriately sized for your tank and pick the best lighting system that suits your tank inhabitants. It is also important to install a heater to keep your tank at the right temperature and to perform routine maintenance tasks.
Here are some simple tips for maintaining a fish tank or aquarium:
- Top off your aquarium once or twice a week to account for evaporation – make sure to condition the new water first to remove chlorine and heavy metals.
- Perform a 15% to 20% water change ever two weeks to help remove accumulated toxins and the by-products of the breakdown of waste.
- Do a larger 25% to 50% water change once every month or so to keep the water in your aquarium fish.
- Keep an eye on your aquarium equipment to make sure that it is working properly and test your tank water once a week to make sure your tank parameters are within the right limits.
- When performing a water change, use a gravel vacuum to remove accumulated waste from the substrate in your tank.
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a fish tank or aquarium and how to properly maintain one, you’re ready to start shopping!
Final Remarks
Choosing the perfect fish tank or aquarium is only the starting point. From there, you also need to think about the best equipment for your tank including lighting, heating, and filtration as well as decorations and tank inhabitants. Picking out a high-quality, perfectly sized aquarium is the best place to start but don’t skimp on the rest of the necessities!
If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a fish tank or aquarium, try out one of the top 10 best picks we’ve reviewed above. One is bound to be the perfect fit. Good luck!
