9 Best Fish Tanks in 2022 - Fish Tank Reviews - Popular Mechanics

Staff, Courtesy of Aqueon

If you enjoy keeping fish as pets—especially if you have more than one—standard glass bowls simply won't cut it. While fish are typically relatively easy pets to care for, ensuring their long-term health and happiness means giving them a good home—and, more importantly, a good tank. Fortunately, there are tons of great fish tanks out there that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and at price points ranging from budget-friendly to high-end.

Best Fish Tanks

What to Consider

If you're a first-time fish owner, the tank you invest in will have to fit your fish's needs and lifestyle, as well as yours. If it's too big, has tons of bells and whistles, and needs to be frequently maintained, then it's probably not the best option for novices. However, if you have more than just one or two fish, a larger tank will allow them more space to swim around in and more opportunities for you to add in both practical and decorative elements, like larger filters or fake plants.

If you do find yourself needing a little more help keeping a tank clean, self-cleaning options are your best bet. Instead of you having to do the brunt of the work, self-cleaning tanks will sense when it's time for a cleaning and will purify the water so your fish can stay healthy and happy.

How We Selected

We scoured the internet for a wide variety of fish tanks that could work with homes of different sizes, fish owners with varying amounts of time to dedicate to tending to their tanks, and either single- or multi-fish households. Most of the tanks we've selected are great for folks who are just starting out, but some others may be more suitable for more expert fish owners. Below, check out our picks for the best fish tanks on the market.

1

Best Overall

LED MiniBow Kit

• Lightweight and compact
• Great for smaller fish
• Comes with multiple accessories

• Some users say the filter is too strong

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.8 x 11.9 inches (2.5-gallon size)
• Weight: 3.75 pounds
• Capacity: 1, 2.5, or 5 gallons

First-time fish owners are sure to love this fish tank from Aqueon. At just under four pounds, it's incredibly lightweight and can fit on practically any sturdy surface, and its petite dimensions mean it hardly takes up any space.

It's a great home for smaller fish, and comes with everything you need to get started, including the tank, hood, elevated base, power filter, small filter cartridge, fish food, and a water conditioner.

The tank's filter cleans the water in under two minutes, but when it needs to be deep-cleaned, its removable lid makes it easy to do so.

2

Best Starter Kit

ColorFusion Starter Aquarium

Tetra

Now 43% off

• Affordable
• Easy to maintain
• LED lights add some fun to the tank

• Can only hold a smaller number of fish

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 6.9 x 12.5 x 12.9 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Capacity: 3 gallons

Equipped with everything you need to tend to your first fish (or two), this starter aquarium from Tetra is a must-have. Its half-moon shape lets you check in on your fish from nearly every angle, and its modest size makes it a great choice for smaller rooms. It comes with an air-pump-driven filter that keeps the water clean so that your fish's living environment is always healthy.

The clear canopy hole at the top of this tank allows for easy feeding without removing the lid completely. Plus, the included LED lights make it easy to change the tank's interior color whenever you see fit.

3

Best for Betta Fish

Betta Fish Starter Kit

Tucker Murphy Pet

• Comes with fish food
• Divider allows for space for two betta fish

• No filter
• Relatively pricey for size and functionality

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 7.3 x 9.1 x 5.1 inches
• Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Capacity: 0.5 gallons

This low-maintenance kit is perfect for those who are just starting out on their fish-owning journey—especially with betta fish, often said to be some of the easiest aquatic pets to own and maintain. Up to two betta fish can live in this tank, and they can be housed separately within it, thanks to the included divider.

An aquarium plant, gravel, and fish food are also included in this kit, so you have pretty much everything you need to get set up; the only downside is that this kit doesn't come with a filter. To ensure a healthy environment for your pet, it's recommended that you change the water weekly.

4

Budget Tank

Aquaview Aquarium

Koller Products

• Affordable price
• Clear all the way around
• Comes with a filter

• Can only hold small fish

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 10.25 x 10.25 x 10.5 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Capacity: 2 gallons

Not only is this tank incredibly affordable, its minimalist style makes it an attractive addition to any home. While it's primarily designed for tropical fish, users say it works well for a wide variety of different small fish types. To make your tank even more aesthetically pleasing, you can choose from seven built-in LED lighting options that allow you to illuminate it.

There's a powerful internal filter that cleans and purifies the water in the tank at a rate of 25 gallons per hour, so you hardly have to worry about it getting dirty or cloudy, and the rounded shape makes it easy to see your fish no matter where they are in the tank.

5

The Statement Tank

Rectangle Alanrium Tank

Archie & Oscar

• Perfect for contemporary homes
• Comes with a light

• Very expensive
• Heavy

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15.5 x 36 x 36 inches
• Weight: 100 pounds
• Capacity: 25 gallons

One of the larger tanks on our list, this one is sure to make a statement in your home. It can hold up to 25 gallons of water, so it's perfect for fish of various sizes. The top of this freshwater aquarium is removable, so it's easy to set up and clean, and once the top is secured, it can be used as an elegant coffee table.

6

Largest Capacity

55-Gallon Aquarium Kit

Tucker Murphy Pet

• Can hold a large number of fish
• LED lighting creates a daytime look and feel

• Expensive
• Can weigh up to 521 pounds with water

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 16.4 x 51.9 x 24.4 inches
• Weight: 72.5 pounds
• Capacity: 55 gallons

This tank is a great option for fish owners looking to make the transition from small starter tanks to bigger ones. It can hold up to 55 gallons of water, meaning it can safely house a relatively large number of fish, depending on type, and users say the water temperature and flow are easily maintained. The built-in LED lighting creates a daylight effect in the tank, so you can easily check in on your fish to ensure they're doing well.

This tank also comes with a fish net, heater, filter, digital thermometer, and additional accessories that make maintenance simple.

7

Best Spherical Tank

Classic Sphere Aquarium

• Comes in multiple sizes
• Very attractive design
• Five-stage filtration system

• Pricey for its size

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 13.2 inches (4-gallon size)
• Weight: 6.5 pounds
• Capacity: 4, 8, 16, or 28 gallons

Fish owners with a modern aesthetic to their home will love this sphere aquarium. It's just over a foot long and wide, so it hardly takes up any space on a counter or table, and it can hold up to four gallons of water. This tank is equipped with a long-lasting LED light that illuminates the water, making it easy to see your fish, and is made of acrylic, which is ten times stronger than glass.

Aside from how attractive it is, it also boasts a five-stage filtration system, so you're guaranteed to have a clean tank at all times.

8

Best Rectangular Tank

Glass Rectangular Aquarium

Tucker Murphy Pet

• Offered in two sizes
• Great starter tank

• Basic design

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 8 x 10 x 16 inches (5-gallon size)
• Weight: 7.2 pounds
• Capacity: 5 gallons or 20 gallons

If you have a little more counter or table space available, this fish tank is a smart upgrade from smaller models. At just over a foot long, it's big enough to hold a variety of fish, but won't take up an excessive amount of space. This tank can hold up to five gallons of water and weighs up to 50 pounds when filled all the way. While its design is a bit basic, it's easy to maintain, has good visibility, and is relatively affordable for a glass tank of this size.

9

Best Self-Cleaning Tank

Multifunction Self-Cleaning Tank

AQQA

Now 31% off

• Incredibly lightweight
• Comes with aromatherapy diffusers
• Can work as a night light

• Small capacity compared to other tanks

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 11 x 4.7 x 7.9 inches
• Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Capacity: 1.8 gallons

If you're worried you won't have time to clean out your fish tank as regularly as you'd like, this self-cleaning model is a great choice. It's designed with a hidden, built-in filter system that ensures the tank water never gets too dirty or murky so that your fish always have a healthy environment to swim around in. The LED lights inside can be set to nine different modes, allowing you to customize how the tank is illuminated.

The tank also comes with an air purifier, as well as an aromatherapy system that can provide a light and pleasant fragrance to the air in your home. This tank can hold a number of smaller fish, but if you have larger ones, it may not be a great fit.

Kylee McGuigan Associate Commerce Editor Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines's Enthusiast Group.

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