The Best Aquarium Kits
Whether you're new to fishkeeping or a seasoned veteran, a fish aquarium is where the magic starts. Fish tanks help keep your aquatic friends healthy and happy, allowing them to live peacefully in a habitat that imitates what they'd find in the wild. And an aquarium gives you the opportunity to observe them up close as they go about their daily lives. With so many aquariums available, choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task. With all that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best aquariums on the market to help you decide.
What to Look For
We recommend keeping the following three things in mind as you search for an aquarium kit: What type of fish do you want to keep, and how big do they usually grow? Is the aquarium wide enough for fish to swim freely without competing for space? Do the accessories you need come with the kit? Our favorite was the aquarium kit from Tetra, which features a whisper filter and enough room for fish to swim around comfortably. We also really liked the aquarium kit from Koller, which is energy efficient and provides a 360-degree view for you and your fish. Read on to learn more about our top picks and discover the best aquarium for your home.
Tetra Crescent Curved Aquarium Kit
Perfect paradise
If you’re new to keeping fish, this aquarium kit from Tetra has everything to start you off on the right foot. It takes the guesswork out of setting up a fish tank and allows you to display your favorite fish at home. The 5-gallon tank’s design gives you an unobstructed, close-up view of your aquatic friends as they go about their day. And it also comes with a powerful filter that keeps the water clean and prevents unpleasant odors.
Pros:
- We love that this fish tank has a compact, sleek design that doesn’t take up much space on a table, desk, or stand.
- The filter runs smoothly and discreetly, so you won’t have to worry about it drowning out conversations or the TV.
Cons:
- You have to purchase a heater and thermometer separately.
Koller Products AquaView 360 Aquarium Kit
Home sweet home
This stylish aquarium from Koller Products fits into almost any decor, offering a panoramic view of your fish throughout the day. It features an LED light with seven different colors, allowing you to change the lights to suit the occasion. And the tank is constructed from durable, impact-resistant plastic, so it shouldn’t break or crack even if bumped with force. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to move from room to room.
Pros:
- We were impressed by how easy it was to clean this tank with just a bit of soap, water, and a sponge.
- Its hood is heavy enough to deter other pets who may attempt to open the tank.
Cons:
- The smaller size limits the type of fish you can keep in it.
Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting
Above and beyond
Keeping tropical fish can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, this aquarium kit from Aqueon simplifies the task of getting started. It comes equipped with a preset heater that maintains the water’s temperature at 78 degrees, the ideal setting for tropical fish. It also features high-shine LED lights to illuminate the tank, providing unparalleled viewing clarity of your fish in their habitat.
Pros:
- We especially liked that this tank has a dedicated feeding door, which is convenient and saves time when feeding fish.
- The tank is large enough to give your fish plenty of space to grow without needing to upgrade the tank after a short time.
Cons:
- The heater lacks a temperature control feature.
MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit
Bold and vibrant
Replicate outdoor lighting with this aquarium from MarineLand, which features bright white and blue lights that shine down on the water. They create a shimmering effect that mimics the sun’s rays and moon’s glow when lit. But the best part is that you can fill the aquarium with fresh water or salt water, and its hidden three-stage filtration does an excellent job of keeping it clean.
Pros:
- We especially like how beautifully the rail lights illuminate the tank, creating a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easy to see everything.
- The sliding glass lid makes the tank easy to access and clean, and the filtration system helps keep the water free of toxins.
Cons:
- It may not have sufficient water capacity for experienced fish owners.
Aqueon LED MiniBow Desktop Aquarium Kit
Aquatic fun
This aquarium from Aqueon is the perfect option if you want to keep fish but don’t have a lot of space to do so. It’s made of durable acrylic that’s unlikely to break or crack if it’s bumped or falls from a significant height. It features excellent LED lighting and is low maintenance and easy to set up, making it a great choice for beginners.
Pros:
- This aquarium comes with a filter, cartridge, media, and everything else you need to get started keeping fish at an affordable price, making it an excellent value.
- It has a quiet yet powerful filter that won’t disturb you if you’re watching a movie or trying to catch up on sleep.
Cons:
- The filter may be too strong for weaker fish and is primarily designed for Bettas.
Why do aquariums need a heater with an adjustable thermostat?
If you plan to keep tropical fish, giving them a warm tank to live in that mimics their natural environment is a must. For this reason, you’ll need to invest in an aquarium with a heater featuring an adjustable thermostat. Another option is to keep the room where you house the tank at a suitable temperature, although this is difficult to maintain in most homes. The problem with preset heaters is they often fail, which can have tragic consequences for your fish if the temperature gets too hot or cold. A heater isn’t necessary for aquariums with coldwater fish, such as goldfish and koi.
Why do I have to wait several hours before putting fish in the aquarium?
Waiting 24 hours before adding your fish to the aquarium ensures they have enough time to acclimate to their new environment. If you don’t allow a fish tank to complete its nitrogen cycle, which removes waste products from the water, your fish could die. Furthermore, waiting to add new fish to an aquarium protects those already living in the tank.
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