The best 10-gallon fish tank - New York Daily News

There is something soothing about watching fish in a tank. Their gentle movement through the water or sharp-finned darting is mesmerizing and relaxing at the same time. And if you want to build the perfect fish habitat for your own home, a 10-gallon fish tank is a great size to start with.

However, not all fish tanks are the same. It's important to think about a few things before you purchase one. If you are looking for the best 10-gallon fish tank that includes everything you need to get started, the GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank is a good choice.

What to know before you buy a 10-gallon fish tank

Just the basics vs. the full setup

A fish tank is more than just the actual tank itself. In addition to the vessel that holds the water, you'll need to purchase things like gravel, a filtration system, a heater, a thermometer, and other various supplies and accessories that keep fish happy and healthy.

If you are a person who likes to research each purchase to find the best fit for you, it might be good to just start with a basic tank and then buy the other items separately.

If the goal is to get a tank up, running and filled with brightly-colored fish as soon as possible, then you might do better with a kit that includes everything you need (except the fish). These full kits tend to be less expensive than buying each item a la carte, but you can find some good deals and really customize your tank when you purchase individually.

Plastic or glass

Fish tanks have historically been made from glass edged with plastic or metal and sealed with silicone, but this makes them extraordinarily heavy (even more so when they are filled with water). Plastic tanks are much lighter and many of them are just as clear as glass.

The downside of plastic is that it can scratch easily. If you choose plastic, take care not to scrub too hard when cleaning.

Hidden costs

A 10-gallon fish tank has the upfront practical costs of ownership, but there are other hidden costs, too. Your filter and lights will add to your electric bill every month, and although you may not see much change in your water bill, you will be using more water as you clean your tank regularly. Chances are good that these hidden costs will be small, but they are worth considering.

10-gallon fish tank features

Accessories

The best 10-gallon fish tanks come with loads of accessories. These might include:

Plants

Heaters

Filtration system with filters

Water conditioner

Tank decorations

Lids with lights and feed-through systems

All of these accessories make owning fish easier.

Materials

The materials used in your 10-gallon fish tank and all of the accessories should be made of BPA-free plastics. This ensures that the water in the tank stays safe and free of chemicals.

Special lights

Some fish tanks are specially designed for certain fish. These tanks include lights that highlight their bright colors.

Background design

If you'd like to add a more decorative element to your tank, consider a fish tank with a background design. This might be a tropical watery world or a deep-sea scene.

10-gallon fish tank cost

The cost of a 10-gallon fish tank varies depending on whether you get a simple tank or the full setup. You'll find a quality tank at either end of the spectrum for $40-$125.

10-gallon fish tank FAQ

How do you keep a 10-gallon fish tank clean?

A. You should clean your 10-gallon fish tank once a week by performing a partial water change. To do this, remove your fish and place them in a container with water from the tank. Unplug the lights, heater and filter. Scrub the sides of the tank and use a vacuum tool to remove 25% of the water from the bottom. The vacuum tool will also remove any debris that has fallen to the bottom of the tank without removing gravel. Replace the water you removed with treated water, and then add your fish back in.

Other fish tank cleaning tasks include:

Replacing the filter once a month

Cleaning plants and decorations once a week

Deep-cleaning your tank twice a year

Can you keep saltwater fish in a 10-gallon fish tank?

A. Saltwater fish have very specific water requirements that are hard to achieve on a small scale. Because of this, you cannot keep saltwater fish in a 10-gallon fish tank.

Which 10-gallon fish tank should I get?

Best of the best 10-gallon fish tank

GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank: available at Amazon

Our take: This fully equipped tank is designed to highlight the bright colors of GloFish.

What we like: This kit includes everything including the tank, food, heater, plants, thermometer and filter. It's easy to set up and specifically designed to make the colors of GloFish pop.

What we dislike: It works for other fish, but if you're only planning on housing guppies or other more subtly-colored fish it's a bit over the top.

Best bang for your buck 10-gallon fish tank

COLIBROX Aqua Aquarium: available at Amazon

Our take: This is just a basic tank — a great place to start.

What we like: The quality glass is clear and sealed well with silicone to prevent leaks. It's a standard size that fits most lids and light set-ups, too.

What we dislike: This is really the bare-bones model. It does not come with lights or filters, so you'll need to add those for fish.

Honorable mention 10-gallon fish tank

Aqueon Fish NeoGlow LED Aquarium Starter Kits: available at Amazon

Our take: This aquarium starter kit is great for beginners and people who appreciate neon's unearthly glow.

What we like: The NeoGlow LED aquarium comes with white and blue LED lighting that really picks up the colors of your fish. The set includes plants, heater, food, gravel, filtration system and more. The filter is quiet, and the feed-through lid means you don't have to remove the lid at dinnertime.

What we dislike: The heater is preset and cannot be adjusted.

Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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