The Best Fish Tank Options for Your Aquatic Pets - BobVila.com

Whether you're buying your first betta or you want to try your hand at keeping saltwater fish, a quality fish tank is key.

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The Best Fish Tanks

Photo: amazon.com

Fish make terrific pets, and finding the best fish tank helps ensure that they live long, healthy lives. Whether you already have fish and are contemplating an upgrade to your current tank or you're a novice fish keeper looking for your first tank, there are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for the best fish tank for your home.

First, decide how many and what type of fish will live in the tank to help calculate the right size. Some fish need more space than others, while others live alone rather than in a school.

After determining the quantity and type of fish you want, you should have an idea as to the size of tank needed. Fish tank sizes are measured in gallons; some of the most common sizes for beginners and experienced fish owners are three, five, and 20 gallons.

Next, consider how much the tank will weigh once filled with water. Since most tanks are made of glass, the tank along with its water can be heavy. If you use a stand for your tank, consider whether it can handle that much weight. For example, a 20-gallon fish tank weighs about 225 pounds when filled with water.

The Best Fish Tanks

Photo: amazon.com

Our Top Picks

Like the fish that live in them, fish tanks come in many shapes and sizes and with a variety of features. Our top picks are well-designed, quality tanks with useful features such as filtration systems and LED lights. From 3-gallon to 20-gallon sizes, deluxe or unique, there's a fish tank on this list for almost everyone.

Best Overall

The Best Fish Tanks Option: MarineLand Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
Photo: amazon.com

This 5-gallon tank from MarineLand is a good choice for those with only a few fish. With a sleek design and a portrait shape, it fits most spaces. Weighing about 62 pounds when full, this fish tank can fit on a kitchen countertop or a bedroom dresser.

Set the tank to one of two lighting settings: Bright-white LED lights showcase the fish, while blue LEDs cast a pretty, moonlit glow. These lights are bright, so if the tank sits in a bedroom, you can turn them off at night.

The MarineLand tank's filtration system is hidden, so it won't obstruct the view of the fish. This kit comes with cartridges for the filtration system, bio-foam, and an adjustable flow filter pump.

Runner Up

The Best Fish Tanks Option: GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank with LED
Photo: amazon.com

If looking for a larger tank to hold more fish or provide additional room for those you already have, this 20-gallon tank could be the solution. This tank is a substantial investment in time, money, and space. It weighs 225 pounds when full, so users need a sturdy surface or cabinet to support it.

The GloFish tank has a black background with a blue LED light that can transform fish into a mesmerizing, glowing display. The effects do not harm the fish.

This bundle includes an LED hood, mini heater, a quiet filter, a 13-inch LED light stick, one yellow anemone, two plant packs, fish food, a water conditioner sample, and a setup guide.

Best for Beginners

The Best Fish Tanks Option: Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
Photo: amazon.com

Tetra's tank holds five gallons of water, and its unique, rounded-front shape allows for an unobstructed view of your finned pets. The tank's smaller size works well for a child's bedroom or in a living room. When full of water, the tank weighs 62 pounds, so be sure the chosen location can bear this weight.

A maximum of three community tropical fish is recommended for this tank. This kit comes with a power filter, filter cartridge, LED lights, and an aquarium setup guide. Just add the fish and some fish food.

Upgrade Pick

The Best Fish Tanks Option: Fluval Sea Evo Saltwater Fish Tank Aquarium Kit
Photo: amazon.com

This saltwater tank's modern design is sleek and simple to complement most styles of home decor. Its filter is concealed by a honeycomb design, and the canopy on top has an easy-feed door for quick access.

Holding 13.5 gallons of saltwater, this tank from Fluval can weigh up to 150 pounds and needs a sturdy location that can handle that amount of weight. The tank comes with an integrated LED system, a low-voltage transformer, a circulation pump with an output nozzle, a foam filter, and an activated carbon insert.

Best Mini

The Best Fish Tanks Option: MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit
Photo: amazon.com

MarineLand's smaller, 3-gallon tank could work in a bedroom, living room, or even the kitchen. It weighs about 30 pounds when it's full, so most surfaces can bear its weight. This tank from Fluval has a clear canopy that makes it easy to observe fish from multiple angles.

This compact tank is suitable for a single betta fish or up to three tropical fish. Included with the tank are LED lights on a hinged rail that cast bright or blue hues. The tank also comes with a three-stage filtration system and an adjustable flow filter pump.


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