Best Fish Tanks: Reviews And Buyers Guide
Fish tanks provide a safe haven for your fish pets to live. As a pet owner, you know how important securing a comfortable resting place for your pets is. In the case of fish pets, this means buying the best fish tanks with great features.
You have to make sure that you go about this right because one wrong choice could mean the death of your fish. In addition to providing safe haven, fish tanks add a soothing atmosphere to any room they are put in. Children love watching the fish swim and feeding them. In any case, having an aquarium in your house is a great way to teach your children how to take care of pets. In this guide, we review the top rated fish tanks and teach you how to buy one without much hassle.
Overview of the top 10 best fish tanks
There are plenty of fish tanks available in the market and as such, deciding which one to buy can be overwhelming. The good news is that we have reviewed the top rated fish tanks that you can expect to find on the market and which can be put in your home, apartment or office.
| Image
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Product Name
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Type
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Size
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Price
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Rating
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Salt water
|
6 gallons
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$$$
|
|
 |
|
Marina
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10 gallons
|
$$
|
|
 |
|
Salt or Fresh
water |
50 gallons
|
$$
|
|
 |
Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit With Rail Light |
Any type
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3 or 6 gallon
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$$
|
|
 |
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Any type
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5 gallon
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$$
|
|
 |
|
Freshwater
|
3 gallon
|
$$
|
|
 |
|
Salt water or fresh water
|
30 gallons
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$$$
|
|
 |
|
Any type
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20 gallon
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$$$
|
|
 |
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Any type
|
2 and half gallon
|
$
|
|
 |
|
Freshwater
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5 gallon
|
$
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Types of fish tanks
Fish tanks come in various types including:
Freshwater fish tanks
They are the most popular type of fish tanks perhaps because they are also the easiest to clean and maintain. The average water temperatures range between 72 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need a separate aquarium heater to keep the temperatures warm enough for tropical fish. It is a great tropical fish tank for beginners especially since there are no chemicals that must be administered, complicated equipment or expensive lighting fixtures. Majority of freshwater fish are affordable and there is also a vast majority of them to choose from.
Coldwater fish tanks
These are simply that – cold freshwater aquariums. The water temperatures in this case are usually below 70 degrees and sometimes below room temperature. The Goldfish is a common fish found in coldwater aquariums. The cost of these aquariums may skyrocket if you shopping for another fish species other than the goldfish. Another species found in domesticated coldwater fish aquariums is Koi.
Marine aquariums
These require saltwater for the fish to survive. The salt must be mixed with water before being added to a marine fish tank. The beauty of buying a marine fish tank is that you get to add beautiful fish, spectacular invertebrates as well as colorful corals to admire. Generally, marine fish species tend to be more expensive as compared to their freshwater counterparts. Marine fish also require specialized care as they are more sensitive to water parameters and eat specialized food. Marine fish tanks are considerably more expensive and so are their accessories compared to freshwater fish tanks and accessories.
Brackish fish tanks
Brackish water is a mix of saltwater and freshwater. It’s kind of like in the middle – not freshwater, yet not strong enough to be classified as marine water. If you can picture Mississippi River meeting the Gulf of Mexico, then you have a fair idea of what brackish water is. There is a very few selection of fish species that can be put in brackish fish tanks. The Puffer is the most common brackish water fish. Not many people like brackish fish tanks because maintaining the water conditions is extremely hard.
Top fish tank brands
With such a huge variety of brands that specialize in fish tanks, choosing something that suits your needs and preferences can be a struggle. Some manufacturers may offer fish tanks with better filters while others offer the best choice for algae scrapers. So which brands should you trust to offer the best value for money?
TopFin: This is PetSafe’s home brand for all things aquarium and you can get almost anything you need including fish tank kits and filters. Most of the brand’s starter kits are popular among consumers due to the ease of setting up and affordability.
DeepBlue: This company produces everything you need when it comes to fish tanks and their accessories. It prides itself in producing quality at affordable prices. One of the features that are exclusive to fish tanks they produce is black silicon, which gives added durability and strength. DeepBlue aquariums are also known to feature tempered glass, particularly the 75-Gallon Reef Ready Glass Aquarium and 1.5-Gallon 3-Way Betta Tank Kit.
Marineland: Previously known as Perfecto Manufacturing, this company was established in 1968 and has since established itself as an industry leader producing quality products. Its history of innovation is part of the reason why the company produces a wide range of products including fish tanks, filters, heaters, food and care products etc. The Marineland Desktop Kit comes in 3-gallon and 5-gallon sizes, and is a personal favorite of ours for use in office spaces.
Fluval Edge Aquarium
Inspired by architectural design to stand out from the rest, this fish tank has a visual effect that will capture your attention and emotion as soon as you look at it. It has an LED light whose wiring is concealed well enough to ensure an all round view of the fish tank. In addition, its compact design allows for versatility for various applications. It comes in three colors i.e. white, silver and black, all of which complement every modern décor. It is available in six gallon and twelve gallon sizes, allowing you to choose what you prefer depending on available space.
Marina Style Deluxe Glass Aquarium Kit
A 10 gallon fish tank can add a level of beauty and serenity to any room. Part of the appeal of this fish tank is that it comes with everything you need to set up. It comes with a bottom frame & incandescent canopy with two clear bulbs, care guide, thermometer, a net, Nutrafin Cycle and Nutrafin AquaPlus to keep your tank clear, Nutrafin fish food, as well as a Marina Slims 15 clip on filter with quick cartridges. You just have to follow the instructions to set up then buy some fish. The filtration system included makes it easy to clean and maintain.
SeaClear 50 gal Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
The combo includes an aquarium, electrical fixtures and a reflector, all of which work together to create one of the most impressive fish tanks you’ll ever purchase. And while many people love glass tanks, one made of acrylic offers more advantages. For starters, acrylic fish tanks are much clearer as compared to those made with glass. In addition, acrylic is almost 20 times stronger than glass making this fish tank durable. This aquarium is built to be resistant to impact and less prone to chipping and/or cracking. Given its acrylic construction, this is a great option for homeowners who have kids or pets.
Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit With Rail Light
If you are in the market for something with a little more flair, the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium is a great option. It holds up to three gallons of water, giving you plenty of space for several fish. The LED lighting system and curved glass make for a serene show in your space that you will really love. The lighting system consists of bright blue and white LED lights that look great both day and night. In addition, it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or cleaning thanks to its three stage filtration system that comes with the kit. The filtration system is well concealed and a hinged light allows you to reach the tank when need be.
Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit
The daylight and moonlight settings using LED lighting is something that most manufacturers haven’t been able to achieve so far. It’s not hard to find fish tanks with LED lights but how they are used is what makes them stand out. With this aquarium, Marineland went the extra mile to deliver a fish tank with white LED lights that provide a shimmer in the water while the blue LED lights create the illusion of moonlight. The manufacturer provides everything you need to set it up, a process that takes a few minutes. It also features a hinged glass canopy that slides so that you can access the tank.
Other top rated fish tanks include:
Back to the Roots Water Garden
Coralife Biocube
Tetra Aquarium Kit
AquaView Corner Aquarium Kit
API Panaview Aquarium Kit
What to consider when buying a fish tank
A lot of work goes into finding the perfect fish tank and making your fish pets comfortable in their ‘nest.’ If you are thinking of keeping fish as pets, you should think of things that will make them comfortable. Part of that involves knowing what to consider when choosing a fish tank. You also want to ensure that whatever you settle for makes your space look vibrant. To make that happen, here are a few factors you should keep in mind when shopping for a fish tank.
Cost and fish type: While the initial cost of fish tanks is usually high, the subsequent cost of maintenance is low depending on what type of fish tank you purchase. The same is true for the different types of fish. Some species are quite expensive while others are cheap. You have to identify the type of fish you wish to have before you start thinking about a fish tank. And even if you go for cheaper options, make sure that it comes with essential features required to keep your fish safe.
Size of fish tank: The size of the fish tank you buy determines how many fish you can keep. In most cases, a bigger fish tank is always better as it accommodates more fish. On the other hand, a small aquarium makes it easy to clean the water as all you need to do is add some chemicals. Whatever you decide, make sure that your fish tank is big enough and sturdy enough. It should also be able to fit in the allocated space.
Filtration equipment: Missing filters is not an option if you intend to keep your fish tank clean. Most aquariums come with filtration systems, but you have to purchase the filters separately in the case of some fish tanks. You should take time to learn more about the various types of filters and which one is needed for your fish tank. Needless to say, purchasing a fish tank that comes with its own filters is not only cheaper, but also more convenient.
Aquarium heater: If you are keeping tropical fish, you’ll need to keep the temperature around 75-80°F. If the tank you are buying doesn’t already come with a heater, you’ll need to order a separate aquarium heater and thermometer.
Lighting system: Many fish tanks come with plants that require lighting to make food for the fish. You need to know the right type and adequate amount of lighting that will make it easy for the plants to process food. In other cases, the lighting system is simply there to keep things vibrant. In some instances, the lighting system can be customized to different effects especially at night. In this case, the lights are for decorations while the plants are artificial and as such fish food has to be purchased separately.
Fish tank construction: This affects the durability of the fish tank. Take time to learn about the different materials used to make aquariums and which ones are more durable. Construction also affects the design of the fish tank. Sturdy products may not always leave room for impressive design. However, some brands still manage to combine the two in one product.
Conclusion
With all the shapes, sizes and styles of fish tanks available in the market, there’s a lot to choose from. Purchasing a fish tank is an investment in time and money. As such, it’s important that you get it right. The information provided in this guide can help sort through the various options and decide what’s best for you without much hassle. Whether buying an aquarium kit for yourself or as a present for your friend, the information in this guide should make the process much more fun.
Looking for a fish tank filter next? – Here’s our list of the best fish tank filters available