If you dream of owning a tropical oasis in your home or apartment, having a fish tank can be incredibly satisfying.
Aside from being cost-effective and calming, fish tanks can also add some green to your home or office. It’s also certain that not just anybody would place a fish tank in their home or office.
But even though it can make a bold statement about you, almost anyone can take good care of a fish tank. After all, most fish require only minimal care, and they leave your home looking amazing.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Tetra 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit | Best Overall |  |
| GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank | Budget Pick |  |
| SC Aquariums 150 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquarium 60x24x24 12mm Eurobraced | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Tetra 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit
Easy to operate digital control panel and modern control panel with LED readout.
You can select the type of filter you need in order to change the filter without the need to turn off the aquarium to change the filter media.
Powerful submersible pump with a whisper-quiet motor.
2. Marina LED Aquarium Kit
(5-Gallon)
The Marina LED aquarium kit is one of the best value aquariums on the market.
This tank is available in two sizes – 5 and 10 gallon – and is specifically designed for those that want to start a freshwater aquarium.
3. REPTI ZOO 67Gallon Reptile Large Terrarium Upgrade Glass Front Opening Tank Sliding Door
Pros:
- Front door ventilation
- Front door security locking with small hidden key
- Inside lockable sliding door provides easy access for feedings etc.
- Lid with locks for travel or moving
- Double pane glass
- Comes with full screen vents on top and all four sides for superb ventilation
- Smooth rolling locking casters
- Full enclosure
- Fits in all standard size Kamps display stands
- Sixteen 1/4" mesh screen vent holes, four on each side for cooling but is removable for easy access
Cons:
- The glass quality is lacking, scratches easily when careless
- The screws are cheap and often break when trying to tighten
Once you've seen the Repti ZOO's exterior, you'll be impressed with how well the Repti ZOO is constructed. After lifting it out from its' container you'll have to assemble the Repti ZOO, which most people say takes about 45 minutes to an hour. No tools are required.
Once it's assembled, you'll be able to see the beautifully designed enclosure, which features a full wrap-around screened top. This Repti ZOO has many great features of a high quality reptile terrarium, including solid easy-lock doors, a glass lockable sliding door, heavy glass and sturdy construction.
4. SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Ideal for beginners
- Comes with everything you need
- Aquarium is durable
Cons:
- The product is basic, without any fancy accessories
- The fish tank may have some bad chemical smells.
The SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set is the perfect starter kit for anyone interested in keeping aquarium fish at home.
It comes with everything you need … just add fish and water.
This aquarium combo is a complete package. It features a 32 gallon filter-less, acrylic fish-only tank. As well as a variety of other accessories, such as a heater, a thermometer, a test kit, a fish net, and a scoop.
5. Landen 90P 59.4 Gallon Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank
Pros:
- Easy to setup and maintain
- The protective glass on the edges and corners make it safe around kids
- Good capacity for a mid-range sized tank
- Comes with black aquarium gravel
- Can be used to house large saltwater aquariums
Cons:
- Corner edges need silicone sealant
- Very heavy and bulky to move
If you’re looking for a mid-range sized tank, the Landen 90P would be a good option. This 90P tank boasts a large 59.4 gallons of professional-grade light weight acrylic and is held together with ultra-thick shaped-over edges for safety.
What’s great about this tank is that the glass corners are actually rounded and have silicone seals on them. It’s suitable for a coastal aquarium or an aquarium housing larger saltwater species. It comes with black nano aluminum-oxide sand which has been compacted into burrowing cubes.
This tank is on the larger side and maybe too big for beginners. It’s heavy and difficult to move alone, so you would need a little help when setting it up. The black sides are quite reflective so plan your spot accordingly so that it’s hidden from any windows or direct sunlight.
6. GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
10 Gallon.
If you’re looking for a basic starter fish tank for your first betta, the GloFish tank could be a good choice.
It’s available in 4 color variants: red, green, blue, and purple, and has a capacity of 10 gallons.
7. GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
10 Gallon.
If you’re looking for a basic starter fish tank for your first betta, the GloFish tank could be a good choice.
It’s available in 4 color variants: red, green, blue, and purple, and has a capacity of 10 gallons.
8. SC Aquariums 150 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquarium 60x24x24 12mm Eurobraced
Pros:
- Comes with a wide assortment of accessories and equipment; all you need to get started – including the pump, Air Filter, Airlift Ventilation Stand, and hood
- Strong tempered glass construction for a high protection of fish and other aquatic animals
- The Size – You can have your heart set on a certain fish, but there's a problem: the tank it's in is too small. With this aquarium, you can rest assured that it will be able to fully support the needs of your pet.
Cons:
- The overall quality may fall short of your expectations.
- This is a bit pricier than other similar aquariums
9. biOrb Classic 15 Aquarium
Pros:
- Breeder strip which is ideal for spawning
- Easy to set up
- High gloss finish
- Base is made from toughened glass
- Supports three types of plants
10. hygger Horizon 8 Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit
Pros:
- This is a great starter tank. On the larger side for the price you pay and has all the accessories you will need. Also looks great.
- The item was pretty easy to set up. Quality of the tank is pretty good. The lights are great and has a nice led stand.
- Overall a great purchase. Very nice tank with a wide array of components included in the box. The bottom filter and pump, floating top filter, blue and white led lights, background for the tank and all decorations as well as a heater for the tank and thermometer. All in all a great purchase!
- The tank is really worth the price, good and heavy, the lights are very nice. It’s easy to set up. The filter works well. I am very happy with the purchase. The tank was packaged great and I love the stand.
- This is a great beginner tank. I’d let the pet store help me choose a filter, they are great at helping you decide and they are nice. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
11. Back to the Roots Water Garden
Pros:
- Reduces water waste
- Simple to set up and maintain
- Includes an algae scraper
- Award winning design
- Plants included
- Ideal for small spaces
- Tank is ADA compliant
- Small enough to fit anywhere
- Helps integrate fish and plants in a small space
- Unlimited possibilities with this high functioning garden
12. Koller Products 6.5-Gallon Aquarium Kit
Pros:
- It’s a complete kit as it comes with power filter, LED light, heaters, thermometer, fish tank heater, and fish food/starter kit all included in the price.
- The LED light throws off a great amount of light without striking heat and the standard fluorescent lighting is very bright and works well.
- The fish tanks top opening makes it very easy to clean and maintain, and changing the filters is the easiest it has been in years. The filter can be detached from two of the sides of the aquarium so that you can just take a sides off and change the filter.
- The included light is great for most fish, but it can be a bit bright for some sensitive fish. Just adding a paper or thin tinfoil in the top of the tank will dim the light for your fish while not sacrificing any of the light for the plants.
Cons:
- The included temperature sensing fish tank temperature will not work all that well at first but once you get it paired up with your tank it will work extremely well.
- You will need to build you own substrate, planter boxes, and all the other decorations as they are not included with the aquarium kit.
13. Aqua Culture 29 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit
Pros:
- The LED lights provide your fish with amazing views and color richness.
- The tank comes with a lid to block out any outside light, so you can control the natural light your fish receives.
- The kit is simple and easy to setup.
- Large enough for large fish, but small enough for beginners. It can even fit in your bedroom!
- Beautiful glass tank.
- The filters are quiet, so it’d be great for a bedroom. However, it’s a little worse for cycling and requires more maintenance.
- The pump is easy to plug in and out for cleaning.
- The maintenance kit, adjustable stand, and LED light are all great additions.
- Easy to move around.
Cons:
- The water pump doesn’t fit well on the LED light.
- You may have to buy replacement light bulbs, because some don’t last very long.
- Not very easy to move, because there’s not a handle and it’s taller than most of the others.
14. MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
Pros:
- * Amazing value for money – especially considering all the accessories it comes with
The MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Aquarium is yet another entry in our best fish tanks list. It comes in 7 different color styles, with the one shown here being the black edition. At 40– 40– 21.5–, it’s pretty compact in size, and easy to place anywhere in your home or office. On top of that, you’ve got access to a whopping 6 feeding ports, which make substrate feeding much easier. It’s also good for people who like to feed frozen or freeze-dried foods.
15. Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit
The 10-gallon Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit is one of the most affordable fish tank kits on the market.
This simple set includes a tank, LED lighting, hood, filter, and pump as well as everything you need to get started with your decorations.
It comes with white LED lighting, which illuminates a pristine 10-gallon tank with the touch of a button.
16. Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit 20H Black
Pros:
- Large and sturdy enough for most fish
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with everything you need for the tank and fish
- Easy to maintain
- Pretty inexpensive tank
- The aquarium provides a nice and natural escape for all fish such as betta fish
- Natural blue light reduces stress on fish
- Can be used with both saltwater and freshwater fish as it is completely made of glass.
- Stylish design and spacious tank
- LED decoration on the tank is soothing and pleasing for humans… and fish …to look at
17. Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 57L
Pros:
- Made from high-quality opaque acrylic
- High-efficient filter for superior water cleaning
- Three-dimension viewing area
- Comes with a seamless canopy
- Easy to clean
- Offers quick and easy installation
- Ideal for both fresh and salt water
- Available at 15 gallons
- Easy to clean
- A-Shape cabinet and glass door
(Hagen Aquarium Genuine)
18. Tetra PLAYMOBIL Explore Your Aquarium 10 Gallon Kit
Pros:
- Offers an authentic aquarium experience
- Perfect for young fish-keepers
- Smart designed filter
- Simple assembly and maintenance
- Delivers with the right accessories
- Great for keeping Betta fish indoors
Cons:
- In-efficient LED light
- Filtration system needs some improvements
- Most of the accessories are not of high quality
With the right set-up, even a 10-gallon fish tank can become a fun way to bring life to any room in your home or office. This is where Tetra’s PLAYMOBIL Explore Your Aquarium fits in perfectly.
PLAYMOBIL Explore Your Aquarium is one of the smallest tanks the company offers, coming in at 10 gallons. However, it’s a large step up from the Classic one. This gives you a realistic working experience with your fish.
Even though it’s a bit more expensive than the Classic one, PLAYMOBIL Explore Your Aquarium is much more fun and exciting.
19. Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Reasonable size
- Large enough to fit a betta
- LED lighting
- Includes decor
- Easy to clean
- Large enough for medium-sized fish
- Beautiful, clear glass
- Good starter kit
Cons:
- Takes up space
- Decorations can annoy fish
The Tetra ColorFusion 20-gallon aquarium is a stunning and practical aquarium. It has great features, like LED lighting, so you can watch your pets at night, too. The filter accommodates the tank’s size, and is quite powerful, filtering the entire aquarium’s water through its media in a very short amount of time. The LED lighting is already installed and sealed within the hood, so it’s not detachable. You can change the lighting depending on the plants you have in the tank. The hood is made of a thick plastic and seems tough and durable.
20. Aqua Culture 10 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit
Pros:
- Simple, easy to setup design that will fit into your home or office
- The plants don’t require a lot of maintenance
- Comes with an LED light with 3 settings – day, sunset, and moonlight
- The unique cube-shaped aquarium looks great both on its side or upright
- The kit includes a clip-on timer for easier lighting control
- The filter has multi-stage filtration
- Filter works for both fresh and salt water
Cons:
- Some fish may find it too small to swim around comfortably
- The LED lights work great for plants, but won’t provide enough lighting for low to medium plants
- The aquarium is made of glass, so it’s important to keep out of reach of children and pets
- The filter isn’t powerful enough to keep up with plant debris and fish waste
- Too many small fish in a small tank can lead to an ammonia buildup
Light & Filter, Fish Only.
The aqua culture cube aquarium is one of the most attractive tanks we’ve ever seen. It’s unique 3-dimensional 6-sided cube design is what makes it so special.
21. Aq Ascent LED Kit 20g
We recommend the Aq Ascent LED Hydroponic, which comes in a variety of sizes: 4 gal, 9 gal, and 29 gal. The complete kit comes with a 29-gallon tank, lighting system, and all the accessories you need to set up the tank.
Don’t let the words “aquaponics” fool you. You don’t need to do anything special to grow plants. What the unit does is cycle water through the tank, filters, and plants before pumping it back into the fish tank. Any excess water will be pumped through a drain connected to your sink.
One of the biggest advantages of this kit is that it includes a top and rear overflow. This will help cut back on cleaning. Not to mention that it houses your filter and pump, along with room for a heater.
22. JAJALE 100 Gallon Aquarium Fish Tank LED Light Pump Freshwater Filter Upright Fishtank Stand Bundle Curved Clear Glass
Pros:
- Includes an LED light
- Has a clear glass that’s scratch resistant
- 100-gallon (379 L) water capacity
- Comes with a pump
- Easy to setup
- Great customer service
- Has a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The LED light isn’t the brightest
- The pump requires the set up of a separate filter
- Electricity power cord isn’t that long
If you’re looking for an affordable tank that’s durable, then this is just for you. The tank measures 108.3 x 32.3 x 34.6 inches, and it comes with a stable base. The 6mm LED lights are also well lit, which makes it great for fish viewing.
Unfortunately, not all tanks are created equal when it comes to that. The good news is that this pack comes with a spare pump – and a free lighting.
Another great thing about this product is that it’s affordable enough for you to be able to afford the upkeep of the tank.
23. Aqueon Tank Breeder Black 36X18X16 40gal
Pros:
- Can accommodate a variety of tropical fish (quarantine tanks) with a capacity of 40 gallons
- High-quality construction as this tank has been UV stabilized to prevent premature deterioration.
- Designed with a rugged black plastic frame and a high-clarity glass liner to provide a strong structure and stunning views of the fish and aquatic environment
- The cover is sleek and easy to open for quick access without removing it
- The filter has a filtration capacity of up to 10 times the tank’s volume and has air-intake holes for aeration
- Comes with a tetra whisper 10 filter kit and tetra heater to establish an ideal water temperature and prevent cold shock
- Includes UV sterilizer to maintain the water’s dissolved oxygen levels
- Comes with an airline tubing and air pump to automate the filtration system and provide a gentle current across the tank
- Comes with a bonus Aqueon fish care kit
24. Seapora 56219 Edge Series Aquarium Reef Ready Frag
Pros:
- Large capacity of 80 gallons
- Can be used as LED aquarium and nano reef aquarium
- Maintains water temperature automatically
- Low energy costs
- Comes with its own filtration system
- Suitable for most tropical saltwater fish
- Can be used for anemones, corals, and shrimps
- It has a very simple design
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a cover
- Is expensive
Caribbean Blue, 50L.
We all have our preferences, but we recommend this fish tank if you’re looking to start your fish tank hobby. Complete with LED lights, filtration system, an ATO, and more, this fish tank has everything that you need to start taking care of your aquarium.
The design is very simple and although the tank itself is not very big, it’s a great place to start. Plus, this tank can also be used as a nano reef tank, which is great if you’re just getting started and want to expand your tank.
25. Vepotek 60-Gallon Acrylic Bowfront Aquarium Fish Tank
Pros:
- It’s large – comes in at 33% larger than most other aquariums
- Made from thick acrylic panels
- Beautiful black colour
- Waterfall-like design
- Large picture window
- Seamless frame
- Easy installation
- Decent price
- Made in the USA
- Great for beginners and experts
Cons:
- Can’t be used with saltwater species
- Not suitable for very tall fish – it needs to be at least 15” in height
- Not made to be moved around
X 19.5 in.
Highlights:
- Can be used with freshwater and marine fish
- Relatively lightweight for an aquarium of its size (96 lbs)
- It’s easy to install – you can do it by yourself (no need for professional help)
- The easy-to-use glass door is easy to remove, but also stays closed
- The flexible, sliding glass allows for complete access to the water – it blends in with the fish tank wall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which brand of fish tank is best?
There are many outstanding brands of fish tanks on the market today, including both standard and bowfront-shaped tanks. Well-known manufacturers of fish tanks include: Tetra, AquaClear, Fluval, Kenmore, Aqueon, Betta, Fluval, and Eheim.
While the fish tanks from these different makers vary in price, they also vary in overall quality.
For example, the Aqueon 10 Gallon LED Aquarium and the Tetra 10 Gallon LED Aquarium are both excellent 10-gallon fish tanks.
The Aqueon is slightly smaller than the Tetra fish tank and it costs slightly less money. However, the Aqueon has a plastic stand while the Tetra features an all-glass stand. The Aqueon has a more energy efficient light fixture than the Tetra. Finally, the Aqueon has a smaller capacity for fish than the Tetra.
Which fish tank is easiest to maintain?
A lot of people underestimate the requiring maintenance of a fish tank. They think that taking care of an aquarium is simple. Well, it is simple in the beginning, but eventually, you will need to invest some money and time into maintaining the aquarium. Here are some factors:
{1}. Relatively low fish count. Most people will start with basic fish tanks featuring only a few fish species. This provides an easier maintenance.
{2}. Freshwater fish species. Many people start with saltwater fish tanks. The maintenance of such an aquarium is much more complicated as you are required to clean the water on a daily basis. Freshwater fish tanks may not be as interesting and colorful as the saltwater ones. However, their maintenance is way easier.
Are real plants better for fish tanks?
The short answer is yes. Real plants do offer a more natural look, and they do help cycle the tank and are easy to maintain, but it is also a choice with pros and cons.
With live plants you have to take care of them. Plant maintenance requires light, heat, and water to stay healthy, and you may even have to make use of fertilizers. You’ll also need to worry about the plants getting too big for the tank, and you’ll have to be sure to feed them. All that being said, live plants do offer several benefits. They can really enhance an aquarium by creating a natural setting for the fish, they help cycle the tank… all while looking beautiful.
What is the best all in one aquarium?
All in one aquariums are a setup which combines the tank and its décor in one single product. They are designed as easy-to-assemble kits that work well for beginners. They contain instructions which are helpful for those who arenʼt very familiar with aquariums, or those who are just starting out.
Conclusion
What keeps you up at night? Financial issues? Credit card bills? Immigrants? No, we’re talking about the outrageous cost of fish tanks. When it came time to prepare this listing, we had to summon the last of our patience. Almost everything we saw cost a fortune. Really a fortune, considering that all these fish tanks are just a bunch of glass or plastic held together with glue.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Tetra 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit | Best Overall | |
| GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank | Budget Pick | |
| SC Aquariums 150 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquarium 60x24x24 12mm Eurobraced | Upgrade Pick | |