The best fish tanks for beginners
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Keeping pet fish is something of a science. To build a great aquarium for your fishy friends, you need a good fish tank. Whether you want to start out small or go big and bold, the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set is the perfect beginner tank and our top pick for the best fish tank overall.
There is something about a beautifully maintained aquarium that eases the mind and soothes the soul. Lush aquatic plants, natural décor elements, and colorful fish come together to create something amazing that anyone can appreciate and any aquarium hobbyist can be proud of. Keeping a fish tank at home does come with its challenges, but the beauty of a healthy and thriving aquarium is a reward in and of itself.
Whether you are a seasoned aquarium enthusiast or a newcomer, your success in the aquarium hobby hinges on the choices you make when starting out. First and foremost, you need to choose the proper fish tank to sustain the kind of aquatic environment you want to cultivate. From there, you’ll need to outfit the tank with the necessary equipment and decorate it according to your liking before adding your fish and other tank inhabitants.
Fish tanks come in all shapes and sizes — they can even be made from different materials. Before you start shopping for your own tank, you would be wise to learn about the different options available to you. If you have no idea where to start, you’re in luck because we’ve done the hard work for you! We’ve scoured the reviews to bring you our top picks for the best fish tank overall as well as the top choices in five other beginner-friendly categories
Although the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit, the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit, the Tetra 20-Gallon Aquarium Kit, the Marina LED Aquarium Kit, and the SCA Starfire 50-Gallon Glass Aquarium Kit.
The best fish tank overall
Why you'll love it: If you’re looking for a beginner tank that offers the ideal combination of durability and good design, look no further than the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set.
When shopping for the perfect beginner tank, there are several things to consider. First and foremost, you want the tank to be well constructed and sturdy. The two most common materials for fish tanks are glass and acrylic. Acrylic is generally the better choice for beginners because it is 15 times stronger than glass but half the weight. It also doesn’t hurt if the tank comes in a variety of different sizes or if it comes as a combo set with all of the equipment you need for set up. Our top pick for the best overall fish tank for beginners that meets these requirements and more is the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set.
Not only is SeaClear one of the oldest and most trusted names in the aquarium industry, but its Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set comes in a wide range of sizes from 15 to 50 gallons. Constructed from break-proof acrylic, this aquarium is virtually leak-proof and safe for both freshwater and saltwater use. It comes with a fluorescent light fixture and reflector so you can showcase your fish. You’ll need to purchase additional equipment such a heater and filtration system, but most aquarium hobbyists prefer to choose their equipment on their own.
Best Automatic Fish Feeders comments on the durability and unique design of the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set. Not only is it stronger than glass, but it is clearer and easier to see through as well. Pet Gear Lab confirms the tank’s durability and attractive design. Fishing Picks names this tank its top choice in fish tanks for 2017, commenting on the elegance of the rounded seamless corners and the fact that it is easy to clean.
With more than 60 reviews on Amazon, the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set has a solid 4.5-star rating. Buyers love the seamless corners and elegant appearance of the tank as well as the fact that it is easy to clean. Several customers commented that the lighting could be better, but that is an easy feature to replace if you want to choose something better.
Pros: Available in sizes ranging from 15 to 50 gallons, made from break-proof acrylic for durability, half the weight of a glass tank, rounded seamless corners, clear view all the way around, easy to clean, comes with a fluorescent light fixture
Cons: Not available in sizes under 15 or over 50 gallons, doesn’t come with a filter or heater, some assembly required, included fluorescent light may not be adequate for planted or reef tanks
Buy the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set on Amazon for $349.99
The best betta fish tank
Why you'll love it: The Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit includes everything you need to get started with your betta tank, and it has a unique design that will show your fish off both day and night.
If you’ve never kept aquarium fish before, you should start out with a species that is beginner-friendly. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a great option for beginners because they are relatively hardy and easy to care for. One thing to keep in mind is that males of the species are highly territorial and should be kept in a tank by themselves. This is perfect for the beginning aquarium hobbyist, however, because you only need to worry about meeting the needs of a single fish. If you choose to get your feet wet in the aquarium hobby by starting out with a betta fish, we recommend the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit.
With a sleek, modern design, the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is the ultimate desktop tank and the perfect choice for a betta fish. Available in 3- and 5-gallon sizes, this fish tank is constructed from clear glass with rounded corners to give it a unique appearance. The aquarium kit includes a 3-stage filtration system hidden behind frosted glass as well as an energy-efficient LED light fixture and a hinged glass lid for feeding and cleaning.
Heavy describes the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit as a stylish aquarium with bonus features like a hinged light rail and a hidden filter. Aquarium Advisor speaks to the benefits of the LED light fixture which, in addition to being energy-efficient, contains both blue and white lights. During the day, white lights beautifully illuminate the tank while, at night, blue lights give it a subtle moonlit glow.
Similar to the Marineland Portrait 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit, the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit offers two options for size and a slightly different lighting system. Either model would be a great option for a betta fish, especially considering that both models have a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and are available at a similar price point.
Pros: Made from clear glass with rounded corners, available in 3 or 5 gallons, comes with a hidden 3-stage filtration system, included LED light fixture with white and blue lights, hinged glass lid for easy feeding and cleaning, perfect for desktop use, room to install a heater
Cons: Doesn’t come with a heater, may be difficult to remove and replace the included filter, stock lighting could be stronger, water flow from the filter is not adjustable
Buy the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit on Amazon for $59.99
The best fish tank with less than 10 gallons
Why you'll love it: With an integrated 3-stage filtration system and included LED light fixture, the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit has everything you need to get started.
Small fish tanks under 10 gallons in capacity are often referred to as “nano tanks.” While maintaining a healthy environment in a tank this small comes with its challenges, a small tank offers certain benefits. It is a great option for people with limited space for a larger tank and it is cheaper to run. Some aquarium hobbyists also enjoy the challenge of cultivating a thriving aquatic ecosystem in such a small space. Our top pick for a fish tank with less than 10 gallons is the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit.
Made from durable etched glass with a contemporary design, the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is an impressive tank for its size. With an integrated 3-stage filtration system and included LED light fixture, this tank comes with everything you need to get started. Its 5-gallon capacity is large enough for several small fish but not so large that it takes up a lot of space in your home.
Equipped with 37 LEDs to give your tank a gorgeous glow, Aquarium Adviser notes that this tank will keep your fish looking their best while the integrated 3-stage filtration system will keep them feeling their best. The tank comes with a foam block for mechanical filtration, activated carbon for chemical filtration, and BioMax Bio rings for biological filtration. The combination of the three will ensure excellent water quality to keep your fish healthy and thriving. Best Reviews includes this tank in its top five picks for the best fish tank, adding that it is small enough for a desktop or dresser but big enough to hold a few fish.
With more than 300 reviews on Amazon, the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit has a strong 4.5-star rating. Buyers love the contemporary design and the strength of the integrated filter, though some say the lighting could be stronger. Overall, however, this product receives excellent reviews.
Pros: Made from durable etched glass, contemporary design with an aluminum trim, included tank hood with LED light fixture, integrated BioMax 3-stage filtration system, filter has an adjustable flow rate, small enough for desktop or dresser, 5-gallon capacity can hold several small fish
Cons: Doesn’t come with a heater, integrated lighting could be stronger, doesn’t include gravel or other tank decorations, included filter may be difficult to remove and replace
Buy the Fluval Spec V 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit on Amazon for $79.99 (originally $89.99)
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