In this review of the best fish tanks to keep freshwater or saltwater fish in we will help you in finding the aquarium that is best for you, along with providing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to fish tanks. This is because there are so many different fish tank for sale on the market that it is sometimes difficult to choose one from all of the options.
In the list of Our Top Picks we have narrowed these down to our favourite six aquariums. Each is different and can maintain both freshwater and saltwater fish. As we look at each product, we will cover their functions and features, detailing the pros and cons of each, before finally attributing it a star score out of a total of 5. Once we have done this, we will then make a recommendation as to which one we think you should purchase based on all of the above. So let us proceed with the product reviews…
marina led aquarium kit
Rated by: Amber
tetra 20 gallon aquarium kit
Rated by: Amber
seaclear acrylic aquarium set
Rated by: Amber
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Utilising the rectangle shaped fish tank, which is an absolute classic in the world of aquariums, the Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit w/ filter heater LED light & plants is the ideal fish tank for those individuals just starting out looking after fish. This is because those fish tanks with a larger water capacity re easier to manage than smaller ones are harder to manage in terms of getting the quality at the correct levels. This is easy to get wrong in the early days and can harm your fish if you do so.
The fish tank has been constructed using a glass that is completely scratch proof and comes with a filter that contains three separate stages for cleaning the water.
In addition, the kit includes LED lights that are highly efficient and changes color, and a small heater to warm the water up should you decide to keep tropical fish. As the name suggests, the Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit w/ filter heater LED hood & plants, the kit comes with a number of fake plants so that there is no need to go out and purchase something to decorate your aquarium with. All you need to do is add the gravel.
The filter on the Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit w/ filter heater LED & plants is completely adjustable so that you can manage the flow in and out of the fish tank. However, in general, the filter is not the best quality and produces quite a bit of noise as a result of this. Thanks to the size of the fish tank, you can keep a large amount of different varieties and given the price point, it represents good value for money.
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Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Specifically designed to house saltwater fish, such as Flame Angel Fish and Orange Spotted Goby, the SCA 50 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquariums Complete Package incorporates a large 50 gallon fish tank in a cube shape that is completely rimless. Because of the durable starfire glass that has been used in the construction of the fish tank, it will never leak or crack, or have algae grow on it. This sits on a strong and robust black cabinet to provide all the support that the fish tank needs.
When keeping saltwater fish it is important to keep all organic matte, such as waste, out of the water, which is why the SCA 50 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquarium Starter Complete Package comes with a 3 stage filter, a sump system, a return pump, and a protein skimmer. The pumps work to help the water flow, which is another important thing for keeping saltwater fish in good health.
What it not included is a light fixture or complete lighting system, so this would need to be bought additionally.
Because of all of the different filters and pumps that comes with the SCA 50 Gallon Starfire Glass Aquariums Complete Package and because the cabinet does not come already assembled, it takes lots of assembly to get this aquarium up and running into a useable state.
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Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
This is a reasonably priced aquarium kit that features a fish tank that has been constructed from glass in order to provide a greater level of durability. Thanks to this fact, it as able to support a large amount of weight, whilst also being resistant to scratches. The main reason why the Marina LED Aquarium Starter Kit is priced at a lower price point than other similar fish tanks in the list of Our Top Picks is because glass is much cheaper than acrylic.
The Marina LED Aquarium Kit comes with the choice of three different size rectangular fish tanks (5 gallon, 10 gallon, and 20 gallon) all at varying prizes. The kit includes a filter that can be clipped onto the side of the fish tank and can be maintained via the use of filter cartridges that can be changed quickly and easily. Built in to the top of the fish tank is an LED light fixture that is highly efficient and works to improve the look of and the overall appearance of the aquarium.
However, the light can be too bright for some certain types of fish.
Also, the Marina LED Aquarium Kit includes a conditioning liquid, a pot of fish food, care instructions, a net, and a thermometer. The latter is particularly helpful should you decide to keep tropical fish. However, because a heater is not included in the kit, this would need to be purchased additionally. Thanks to everything that is included in the kit, it is really easy to set up and maintain a healthy environment for your fish to live in.
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Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
The Fluval Spec V Aquarium tank Kit comes complete with a built in LED light fixture and an advanced filtration mechanism, thus providing you with everything that you need to look after both freshwater and saltwater fish. The LED lighting includes thirty seven individual LED lights that work to provide a bright glow and keep the aquarium looking at its best. What is not included are any of the decorations or gravel that is on the picture on the front of the box. Similarly, if you want to keep tropical fish, then you have to purchase a heater, as one is not included.
By definition this is a nano tank, as it holds less than 10 gallons.
Therefore, if you are wanting to keep a large number of fish, then this is not the fish tank for you. However, if you have limited space, in which to keep a tank, then the Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit is a great option. Because of its design, it would look great sat on a desk within the home or in an office. The fish tank has been constructed out of a really string etched glass and has a metallic trim to give it a completely modern design.
The Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit includes a full stage filtration system, which is more than adequate given the tank size, works to keep your fish feeling good at all times. This is because the water being circulated in the tank goes through a biological filter media via bio rings, a chemical filter media via activated carbon, and finally a mechanical filter via a block of foam. This works to create water that is of the highest quality and so keeps your fish in good health. However, if the filtration system ever needs replacing, this is a difficult thing to do.
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Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Containing every that you need to start looking after fish, the MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Tank Kit with Rail Light is designed in a way that will really show off your fish, whether that is day or night. The minimalist contemporary design of the aquarium means that it would look good sat on any desk or table top. It comes in two different sizes, 3 gallon and 5 gallon, and has been constructed from a sleek glass that has been rounded at the corners to give a modern design.
The MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit comes complete with a full system for filtering the tank water that is hidden behind a frosted glass section at the back of the tank so that nothing unsightly is on display. However, if and when anything ever goes wrong with the filter, it is really difficult to remove and fix, given the fact that it is hidden.
The aquarium also features an LED lighting fixture and a lid, made from glass and on a hinge, that allows for easy cleaning and feeding.
The LED lighting features both white and blue lights that are highly efficient when it comes to energy usage. Thanks to the white lights, the tank is well illuminated during the day, whilst the blue lights provide a more subtle illumination at night. Should you want to keep tropical fish in the MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit, then a heater would need to be purchased additionally, as one does not come with this kit.
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Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
This tank is great for first time fish keepers as it combines good design with a high level of durability. Its acrylic construction means that it is fifteen times as strong than those other tanks in Our Top Picks that are made out of glass. The acrylic is so strong, in fact, that it is practically leak proof and so the aquarium can be used to house either saltwater or freshwater fish. Additionally, acrylic is clearer, and so easier to observe your fish through, than glass.
The SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set comes in a variety of different tank sizes, ranging from twenty gallons through to fifty gallons. With a tank this size, you are able to keep lots of fish. The set comes with everything you need to set the aquarium up, thus making it the perfect choice for beginners. In the world of aquariums, SeaClear is a well known and highly trusted brand, so you can rest assured that what you are purchasing is a really well made aquarium.
A fluorescent light and a reflector are both included as part of the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set, which allow you to really show of your fish. If you are wanting to keep large numbers of fish or tropical fish, then you will have to purchase a filtration system and heater additionally, as these are not included in the set. However, with large numbers of fish comes lots of dirt and waste. Luckily, however this aquarium is really easy to clean.
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Now that we have taken an in depth look at each of the best fish tanks that made it in to the list of Our Top Picks, it is time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions relating to tanks and keeping fish. This should prove extremely helpful to any individual who at this stage is still unsure as to which of the above tanks is the right one for them. So let us begin to answer these questions…
The main thing to consider when picking your first ever tank is the size. They can range in size from anything as small as one gallon through to as big as hundreds of gallons. If you are new to the world of keeping fish, then it would be easy to assume that a smaller tank with a small capacity would be easier to manage than a larger one. However, this much is not true. It is advisable for beginners to go for a tank that has a capacity of 5 gallons as a minimum, with 20 gallons being the ideal tank size.
Some of the fish tank sale on the market which are aimed for beginners include the Aqueon Deluxe LED Bow Front Aquarium Kit, the Fluval Edge 23 Litre Desktop Aquarium (Black), the Aqueon Ascent LED Frameless Aquarium Kit, the Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit, the Tetra Half Moon Aquarium Kit and the Marina 360 Aquarium Starter Kit.
Many people’s first thought when getting into keeping fish is what fish to get, instead of the more important consideration of what tank size they should go for. Once you have purchased your tank, you can then start thinking about what type of fish you want, and can afford, to keep. As stated in the answer to the previous question, for beginners, it is advisable to go with a larger tank rather than a smaller one.
This is because in smaller and more confined spaces, fish soon become stressed out and thus turn aggressive. When they have an abundance of space, this does not happen. Also, as any experienced fish keeper will tell you, big tanks are much easier to manage, as keeping the temperature and chemistry of the water stable in them is easier to do. This is because it takes much longer for ammonia levels to peak, thus giving you more time to counteract this and keep your fish happy and healthy.
IBoth of these materials are used in the construction of tanks and are similar in terms of how clear they are and in their ability to hold vast amounts of water. However, if you look closer, you will see that there are differences between the two materials. One of these is that acrylic is easier to scratch, so greater care must be taken when cleaning an acrylic aquarium. Secondly, on the whole, glass aquariums are much cheaper than acrylic ones. These are the two main factors that make glass aquariums better suited to beginners than acrylic ones.
Other difference between the two aquarium materials include the fact that glass is much heavier than acrylic, thus making those tanks much more difficult to move and transport. Another is acrylic can be molded into various different shapes, whereas glass tanks tend to only be square or rectangular shaped. If you are wanting a contemporary design with rounded edges, then you will need an acrylic aquarium.
Because you are unable to fit a heater or a light into a bowl, it is advisable to only keep cold water fish in a bowl, as opposed to tropical or marine fish, that require warm water to survive in. Also, because bowls are small, they soon become dirty and so these types of conditions are best suited to those that are robust, such as white cloud minnows, as they are able to quickly and easily adapt to changes in water quality levels.
Other types of cold water fish that can survive the conditions in a bowl include zebra danios, salt and pepper corydoras, blind cave tetras, goldfish, endlers livebearers, paradise fish, and guppies.
So there you have it. We are now at the end of the review having looked at each of the best fish tanks in the list of Our Top Picks and then answering those frequently asked questions. The only thing leftfor use to do therefore, is to make our recommendation as to which fish tank we think is the best of all and the one that you should purchase. It is important to state that this was a difficult decision, as they are all so different, but yet any one would make a more than adequate tank to keep either freshwater or saltwater fish in.
However, in the end we decided that the Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit w/ filter heater LED & plants is the best of all. This is because it is really easy to set up and once this is done it is also easy to maintain and keep your fish happy and healthy. Also, it includes lots of different accessories that others in the list of Our Top Picks did not include as standard, thus saving the need to buy these at an extra cost. Because of this, the aquarium represents good value for money. The only slight downfall with it, is that the water filter used in the aquarium is not of the best quality and so makes a loud noise when switched on.