The Best Nano Aquarium Tanks in 2020
When you really want to keep a marine aquarium but don't have enough space, you may consider the idea of buying a nano aquarium. There are quite a few options available these days, with nano aquarium going all the way up to 20 gallons. Depending on the space you have available, you may have to choose a smaller one. Here are some options for you to consider.
Nano Aquarium Tanks: Our Top Picks
Fluval SEA EVO XII Aquarium Kit
Most stylish
Rated by: Amber
Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium
BEST Overall
Rated by: Amber
Penn Plax Curved Aquarium
Best curved glass
Rated by: Amber
1. Fluval SEA EVO XII Aquarium Kit
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
For those looking for a stylish nano saltwater tank, Fluval has the answer. This nano aquarium kit features an amazingly sleek honeycomb design. Its aluminum water-resistant casing also looks quite stylish.
You will love the fact that it's designed to conceal the rear filtration system, which prevents any visual obstruction. It is easy to replace water and you don't need to worry about causing any surface agitation while using the nozzle of the filter.
Even though it doesn't come adjusted to support proper levels of oxygen, you can handle it with ease though. Moreover, you will get good results using this nano tank because it comes equipped with a three-phase filtration system, which also features enlarged mechanical, chemical, and biological filter media.
For easier maintenance, the company has used a multi-functional canopy design that comes with a feeding door as well. This is a welcome feature and makes this model a more preferred choice for beginners. Other features like touch start day features and superb night lighting features also go towards making it a popular nano fish tank.
Overall, it's a great product, but you need to keep in mind that some users have complained about inadequate room are the read area. Moreover, the top light doesn't function properly.
PROS
CONS
2. Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
When you're looking for a nano fish tank that won't test your skills to set it up, you should try this option from CoralLife. This aquarium is compact and requires little maintenance.
You will appreciate the fact that it comes with a built-in filtration system. You can customize it easy to make it perform even better. There's a return nozzle as well, which you can adjust as per your liking. The addition of dual intakes as well as noise-free submersible pump also goes towards making it an impressive buy.
Many users opt for this unit because of its moonrise/moonset and sunrise/sunset feature, which helps create a natural day cycle to keep your aquarium inhabitants happy and healthy. The LED lighting system will grab your attention as well. It is designed to deal with the needs of freshwater and marine environments. The LEDs are available in luminous white and shimmering blue colors.
While you will surely like the tank for its impressive features, you should bear in mind that it costs you a lot more than many other similar models from other brands. Therefore, if you have some budget constraints, you may want to look for another model on our list.
PROS
CONS
3. Penn Plax Curved Aquarium
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for a nano aquarium with a larger capacity, you can consider buying this one from Penn Plax. It is actually available in different sizes, ranging from 3.4 gallons and going all the way up to 10 gallons. It means you can easily find one to suit your needs and the space you have available.
The design looks quite impressive too, as you won't find many aquariums made using bent glass. You won't be able to notice any seams or frame for that matter. The best thing is that it offers an unobstructed view, so your fish will always be in front of your eye.
The additional features include an LED light, a cascade internal filter, a hinged plastic lid, and a mat. The non-slip rubber mat is surely a welcome feature and helps you keep your nano tank in place. But, it is worth mentioning that the light fixture is not of good quality. It is quite flimsy, but again, you're buying a budget model, so you have to bear with these small glitches.
PROS
CONS
4. Red Sea Max Nano Aquarium
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
For a larger aquarium, which still doesn't take up a lot of your real estate, you can buy Red Sea Max aquarium. This nano tank comes with a capacity of 20 gallons. It uses a high quality, ultra clear glass for its construction, which is why it works amazingly well as a reef show tank.
Another interesting feature is the availability of full-spectrum LED lighting. This 55W LED comes equipped with seven-color channels. What users really like about it is that they can control it through WiFi. You will also find a custom lighting mount – you can rotate it to choose the best angle.
Overall, the nano tank looks cool, is quite durable, and features impressive features. As it is a high-end aquarium, be prepared to cough up some money, as the price tag is a bit on the higher side.
PROS
CONS
FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
What Fish are Good for Nano Tanks?
If done properly, nano tanks can be quite impressive and extremely beautiful. As you're going with a small aquarium, it is natural to think that you don't have as many fish options as in case of larger fish tanks. That is really not the case, as you can find quite a few freshwater nano fish to add to your nano tank. For instance:
- Betta Fish: Thanks to their awesome colors, Bettas are everyone's favorite, and they do quite well in smaller aquariums as well. That's mainly because of their hardy nature. Their temperament is peaceful and can deal with most water conditions while requiring very little care. Though you should not keep them in a small bowl or cup, they can survive in a 5-gallon nano tank.
- Dwarf Puffer: Many people think that Puffers are a saltwater species only, but that is not the case, especially when you talk about Dwarf Puffers that can survive in freshwater environments. Many of their varieties can easily survive in a nano aquarium – that is especially true for Pea Puffers that grow to about an inch in length only. You may need a larger tank though if you want to keep more than one Puffer. They require moderate care and their temperament is semi-aggressive, making them a good nano tank fish.
- Celestial Pearl Danios: You can find Danios in all shapes and sizes, but you should go with the tiniest to keep in your nano fish tank, and that's when you can choose the Celestial Pearl Danios. These naturally schooling fish grow up to 1 inch in length, and as they're omnivores, they enjoy a mixture of meat-based and plant-based foods. Nevertheless, they're peaceful and not that picky in terms of food either.
- Bumblebee Goby: The best thing about Bumblebee Gobies is that you can keep them in both brackish and freshwater tanks. Most people love them for their bold personalities, and you can keep them in your nano aquarium of up to 5 gallons because they grow up to 1.5 inches in length only.
What's the Best Nano Marine Tank?
You can choose from a wide variety of nano marine tanks these days, as they're available in different sizes and designs. But, it also means you will have to do some research to buy the best one. Here are some features to check:
- The best nano marine tank will come with a complete kit. While most of them come equipped with kits, they may not contain all important parts and accessories. Top brands won't make you deal with these issues. Still, ensure the kit contains premium quality filtration system, LED lighting, and remote control. Some may also contain heaters, and it may be a good idea to go for them.
- Ensure that the nano marine aquarium you're buying comes with an outstanding filtration system. Most companies now offer reef tanks with built-in filtration systems, but the quality of these systems will have a direct impact on the quality of the fish tank. Going for the one with three-phase filtration system would deliver better performance.
- The best tank is the one that is suitable for the types of fish you want to keep. It has to be suitable for the space you have available. For a larger tank, you will have to invest in a larger heater as well, and they're going to take up more space as well. Consider what space you have available before finalizing a purchase.
- Consider the availability of the lighting system. The quality of LEDs matters a lot here, especially when you're going for a saltwater reef tank. Going for LEDs that go beyond 10,000K makes a lot of sense, but they may be more expensive. Nevertheless, the best tank will have LEDs within the range of 6,500K and 7,500K. Also, consider additional features, such as daytime/nighttime cycles, cloud cover, stunning illumination, etc.
What is Considered a Nano Tank?
Most people are under the impression that a nano tank means a tank with a capacity no larger than 5 gallons. Gone are the days when that was the case because now you can find manufacturers offering a great diversity not only in styles and designs but in sizes as well. Today, you can find nano tanks with a capacity of up to 30 gallons.
Even though there are bigger tanks, they still go well for smaller spaces. You can place them easily on tables, small stands, and desks. Most people choose them for smaller office cubicles, rooms, and other areas with not enough space.
Newer nano aquariums are now available in a wide assortment of sizes, and they also combine the sophistication of larger aquariums, such as LED separate filtration sumps, and more. It won't be a huge issue finding the options because you can check the info offered by a participant in the Amazon program an affiliate advertising. That program designed to provide more info will surely work in your favor and help you have the info to finding nano aquariums.
What is the Best Fish for a 5-Gallon Tank?
Even for a small, nano aquarium of 5 gallons, you can find a number of good fish options. Bettas are probably the best because they're quite hardy and don't mind cramped up spaces.
The thing is that smaller aquariums can get contaminated quite easily because of the small amount of water. Therefore, it is a good idea to opt for your fish wisely while paying attention to water parameters and bio-load. Some other good options include Honey Gourami, White Cloud Mountain Minnow, Dwarf Crayfish, Least Killifish, Dwarf Frog, and Various Micro Rasboras.
Quite interestingly, you can also try multiple fish options to keep in your nano aquarium. For instance, you can opt for a Betta fish, a Nerite Snail, and an Amano Shrimp along with a couple of Killifish. Similarly, you can opt for a shrimp tank or a snail tank. For this, your tank can have 5 Neerite Snails and 10 Cheery Shrimp as well. Moreover, your nano tanks could also have some beginner plants, such as Javal Moss, Java Fern, and Anubias.
The Best Nano Aquarium to Buy
Finding a nano aquarium can become a bit tricky when you don't know what to check before making a purchase. It's an important buy, so you need to be ready to do your research. To make a good decision, you can put your money on Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium, which features a stunning design, an ultra-quiet pump, and nice filtration system.
About the Author Steven
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