Tag: Aquarium Equipment Reviews

A good aquarium background is the cheapest upgrade you can make to a display tank. A $200 setup with the right background looks like a $500 setup. A $500 setup with no background looks unfinished. I’ve been setting up tanks for over 25 years, and the background decision comes up every single time.

Most hobbyists treat backgrounds as an afterthought. They’re not. They set the entire visual tone of the tank.

This guide covers the 7 backgrounds I’d actually recommend, why background color matters more than most people realize, and when to skip a flat background entirely and go 3D.

An aquarium background is one of those things that seems minor until you take one off a tank, and then you realize how much it was doing. A good background hides the equipment behind the tank, eliminates reflections that can stress fish, and gives depth to the aquascape. I prefer solid black or dark blue for planted tanks because it makes the colors of fish and plants pop. The 3D foam backgrounds are impressive but add significant depth to the tank and can reduce swimming space.

Our Criteria (How These Backgrounds Made The Cut)

I’ve been involved in aquariums since I was 11. Through 25+ years of experience setting up various aquariums, there are certain things I look for in a fish tank background. Here is what I focused on when selecting the best to buy:

• Backlight Features. Backlighting comes from Nature Scape aquascaping. When you have a backlit aquarium background, you can replicate a sky environment in freshwater tanks, with color changes on some models.
• Static Clings. A backlit aquarium background is usually a panel you mount. For traditional backgrounds, you want a cling product. These adhere to the back of your aquarium and won’t peel away like the cheap tape-on backgrounds you find in chain pet stores.
• Brand. You want a solid brand that makes backgrounds for serious hobbyists. A pet store brand fish tank background is usually going to be cheap, taped on, or fall apart easily. An aquarium background needs to last through the life of the tank.

What People Get Wrong About Aquarium Backgrounds

The most common mistake I see is hobbyists defaulting to that printed blue ocean scene from the pet store because it “looks like water.” Here’s the problem: blue or busy printed backgrounds compete with the fish visually. Your eye gets confused about where to look. Dark backgrounds, especially black, push all the visual weight forward onto the fish and hardscape where it belongs.

The second mistake is using the wrong color for the fish species. Running a blue background behind dark-bodied cichlids like frontosas or black ghost knife fish washes them out completely. Black is the right call. Running a black background behind a bright white sand Malawi setup with yellow labs and electric blues looks wrong too. In that case, a lighter or natural-toned background works better. Background color is a decision, not a default.

The third mistake is skipping the background entirely because the tank “looks fine.” It doesn’t. Bare glass reflects light back into the tank, causes glare, and exposes every cord, hose, and filter intake behind the glass. Even a cheap static cling in solid black fixes all of that instantly.

The Hard Rule on Background Color

Black is the default for most freshwater and saltwater display tanks. It makes fish colors pop, eliminates reflections, and gives the aquascape visual depth. If you’re uncertain, go black. You can always swap a static cling background, but you can’t get back the weeks you spent looking at a washed-out tank.

The Fish Tank Background Candidates

Now that you know my criteria, here’s who made the cut. I’ll go into further detail below.

In a hurry? I recommend Serene Background Kits. Use discount code ASD15 at checkout!

Picture	Name	Features	Link
Editor’s Choice	Serene Backlight Light Kit	Backlight Static Cling	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Best Value	SPORN Black Aquarium Blackground	Static Cling Dark Background	Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
	FJARDE Lit Background	Backlight Multiple Colors	Buy On Amazon
	DUOFIRE Frosted White Background	Static Cling Great For Planted Tanks	Buy On Amazon
	SPORN Coral Background	Static Cling Photo background	Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
	SPORN Tropical Background	Static Cling Photo Background	Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
	Seaview Sea of Green Background	Photo Background Tape attached	Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

7 Best Aquarium Backgrounds (Reviews)

Let’s look at each one below and why they made the cut.

1. Serene Backlit Light Kit

In the aquascaping world, there is a gold standard when it comes to aquarium backgrounds: backlit panels that come in frosted white. Current USA’s Serene kit meets that standard, costs far less than the ADA equivalent, and adds color-changing capability on top.

What I love about this kit (aside from the price) is its ability to change colors. You set the mood you want for the tank and the living space around it. Because the light is backlit, it doesn’t interfere with your plant lighting. The color range is genuinely impressive.

Installation is straightforward. You can use the included static cling or the mounting clips Current USA provides. This is the background I point people toward when they want their tank to look like something out of a magazine. Give it a try with code ASD15. You won’t be disappointed.

Pros and Cons

2. SPORN Black

Static cling aquarium backgrounds are some of the most reliable products in the hobby. I’m still surprised that pet stores keep selling cheap tape-on backgrounds to new hobbyists. Static clings are just better in every way.

SPORN makes high-quality backgrounds that are both affordable and easy to install. The classic black works especially well for saltwater tanks, African cichlid tanks, brackish water tanks, and betta tank setups.

This is a great buy. You can’t go wrong with this brand.

Pros and Cons

3. FJARDE Background Light

ADA’s backlit panel is widely considered the best in the hobby for backlit backgrounds. The FJARDE is a direct clone of that concept, but with gradient color options added on top.

This panel is designed for rimless aquariums and uses a mounting clip system that keeps everything clean and flush. Install is simple.

If you’re shopping for a premium backlit screen and want to compare against the Serene, this is the other contender. It’s more expensive than the Serene and doesn’t quite match it on features, which is why it ranks at #3. But if rimless mounting compatibility is a priority for your setup, give it a look.

Pros and Cons

4. DUOfire Frost White

Not everyone wants a backlit panel. For planted freshwater setups, a frosted white static cling is a great choice, especially in Nature Style and Iwagumi aquascapes where the bright diffuse background complements the hardscape.

DUOFIRE makes this as a residential window film, but it works perfectly on aquariums and is built for humid, high-stress environments like bathrooms. That durability translates directly to long-term aquarium use.

It’s more expensive than the SPORN line, but frosted white in an aquarium-specific brand is hard to find. The premium is worth it.

Pros and Cons

5. SPORN Coral

If you want a photo background behind a saltwater tank, you need one that holds. The problem with traditional tape-on photo backgrounds is they don’t adhere cleanly and they degrade over time. SPORN solves this with a static cling version.

SPORN’s coral background gives you HD print quality with static cling durability. It adheres cleanly to the back of the tank and lasts. The coral print works well for fish-only saltwater setups where you want the ocean scene effect without paying for live rock all the way to the back wall.

For freshwater, look at the tropical option below instead.

Pros And Cons

6. SPORN Tropical

For freshwater tanks, SPORN offers a tropical photo background in the same static cling format. Easy installation, durable, and a better-looking freshwater scene than anything you’ll find in a local pet store.

One note: if your tank is on the smaller side, the scene proportions look off. This background works best on tanks 24 inches wide and longer. On a 36-inch or 48-inch tank, it looks great.

Pros and Cons

7. Seaview Sea of Green

The Seaview is the kind of background you see at every pet store. It’s taped on, and that’s the problem. The tape doesn’t hold over time. The image washes out without proper backlighting. I include it here because it’s widely available and some people want the taped option, but I’m recommending it with reservations.

If you go this route, add the mounting and illumination kit. It converts the tape-on into something closer to a properly mounted cling and backlights the image properly. Without it, the background looks flat and washed out. With it, it’s acceptable. But at that combined price point, you’re better off buying SPORN.

Adding this kit properly mounts the background and brings it in line with the lighting. It converts a tape-on into a glue-mounted cling with backlighting. That’s a meaningful upgrade, but the Seaview background plus this kit ends up costing more than just buying a SPORN static cling directly. I’d only go this route if you already have the Seaview on hand.

Pros and Cons

3D vs. Flat Background: Which Is Right for Your Tank?

This question comes up constantly, and the answer depends entirely on what you’re trying to do with the tank.

Flat backgrounds (static clings, frosted panels, backlit panels) are the right call for 90% of setups. They’re easy to install and remove, don’t reduce tank volume, and create the visual depth you need without complicating anything. A black static cling on a 75-gallon African cichlid tank looks incredible. Zero complications.

3D backgrounds (foam rock panels, resin walls) are show tank territory. They look genuinely impressive when done right, and some fish (like cichlids and loaches) actively use the caves and crevices built into them. But they have real drawbacks you need to understand before buying.

First, they eat tank volume. A 3-inch foam background on a 20-gallon tank turns it into a functional 14-gallon tank. On a small tank, that’s not acceptable. Second, they’re a pain to remove. Unlike a static cling you can peel off in ten minutes, a foam background that’s been siliconed in is essentially permanent. Third, debris collects in the crevices, which creates maintenance headaches.

My recommendation: use a flat cling or backlit panel on anything under 75 gallons. Reserve 3D backgrounds for larger tanks where you’re specifically building the aquascape around the background, and where you’re committed to that look long-term.

How To Install

Installing an aquarium background is straightforward. Here’s the video from SPORN that shows the exact process for static clings, plus my additional tips below.

Install Before You Fill the Tank

Install the background on an empty tank. Static clings need a clean, dry glass surface to adhere properly. If you’re stuck installing on a running tank, use a mounted backlit panel instead of a cling. Always measure your tank before ordering.

Clean the Glass First

Clings need a clean surface to adhere. Use a household cleaner on the outside of the back glass, but avoid ammonia-based products like Windex. Method brand (available at Target) is a good aquarium-safe option.

Use a Squeegee, Not a Credit Card

You need to squeegee out the bubbles for a proper cling. A credit card works in a pinch, but a proper squeegee gives you better leverage and a flatter result.

Use a Straight-Edge Razor for Final Cuts

Make your initial cuts to rough size before mounting. Once it’s on the glass, use a straight-edge razor or X-Acto knife to trim the edges flush. Scissors leave a rougher edge and are harder to control on the glass.

Why Static Clings Are the Standard

Cling backgrounds are the best practice solution in the hobby. Here’s why:

• They’re removable. Don’t like your background? Peel it off and swap it.
• Easy to install.
• Last longer and stay more durable than tape-on backgrounds.
• Because they adhere directly to the glass surface, they illuminate better with backlighting.

To understand how static clings work at a technical level, 858 graphics has a good breakdown below. The short version: aquarium backgrounds are printed on white opaque material, which is what gives them a solid, non-transparent look. Don’t buy clear cling film for an aquarium background. It won’t show properly in a display tank.

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

A background is the single cheapest visual upgrade you can make to a display tank. I’ve seen hobbyists spend hundreds of dollars on fish and hardscape and then leave the back glass bare, and the tank looks unfinished. Twenty dollars worth of static cling changes that entirely.

Start with black. It works for most setups, makes your fish look better, and costs almost nothing. If you want to step it up, the Serene backlit kit is my personal pick and the one I reach for on show tanks. Everything else falls in between.

The right background doesn’t just finish the tank. It makes the fish you already have look like a completely different collection.

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Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide, your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

A fish tank coffee table is a lifestyle purchase, not a fish-keeping purchase. I want to be honest about that upfront, because people who buy these thinking they’re getting a serious aquarium are consistently disappointed. The tanks are small. The filtration is limited. The top-down viewing angle is awkward compared to a front-viewing standard tank. And access for maintenance is genuinely inconvenient.

That said, a well-chosen coffee table aquarium in the right living room is one of the most striking conversation pieces in the hobby. I’ve seen them done well and done poorly. The difference almost always comes down to expectations and fish selection, not the tank itself.

What People Get Wrong About Coffee Table Aquariums

The two most common mistakes I see are saltwater attempts and tropical fish in unheated setups. Saltwater in a coffee table aquarium is a bad idea full stop. Salt creep reaches the furniture, the smell becomes noticeable in the living room, and the equipment requirements conflict directly with the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. Tropical fish without a heater fare no better: most people don’t realize their living room sits around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius), which is too cold for bettas, tetras, and most community fish. You end up with sluggish, stressed fish that die faster than they should.

The Biggest Mistake

Buying the table first and figuring out the fish later. These tanks dictate the fish, not the other way around. The filtration is limited, the volume is fixed, and the temperature fluctuates with your room. Pick the table that fits your space, then stock it with fish that work within those constraints. Danios, cherry barbs, and white cloud mountain minnows are the species that genuinely thrive in this type of setup. Anything on the tropical side requires a heater, and heaters in coffee table tanks create wire management headaches that undermine the whole aesthetic point.

Our Criteria (How These Coffee Tables Made the Cut)

• Features: Built-in filtration, clean wire management, furniture-grade presentation.
• Build: Acrylic construction is required. These tanks sit low, take accidental kicks, and need to handle years of living room use. Glass is not appropriate for this application.
• Dimensions: The footprint and height have to work as furniture first. The fish selection follows from what the volume supports.

The Aquarium Coffee Table Candidates

In A Hurry? I recommend Midwest Tropical Coffee Tables!

Picture	Name	Best For	Link
Editor’s Choice	Midwest Tropicals – Long Octogon Tank	28 Gallons 45 x 26 x 15.5 inches	Buy On AmazonBuy On Petco
	Midwest Tropicals Octogen Table	40 Gallons 30 x 30 x 16 inches	Buy On Amazon
	Midwest Topicals Square Table	28 Gallons 25 x 27.5 x 28 inches	Buy On Amazon
	Midwest Tropical End Table	15 gallons 21 x 21 x 21 inches	Buy On Amazon
	Aquatic Furnish Coffee Table	29 Gallons 24 x 36 x 24 inches	Buy On Etsy

5 Best Fish Tank Coffee Tables (Reviews)

1. Midwest Tropical Long Octogen

Midwest Tropical has been building custom water features and aquarium furniture for over 30 years. This Long Octogen is their flagship product, and it shows. At 28 gallons across 45 inches (114 cm) of length, it gives you the largest swimming space in the coffee table category and works as actual furniture in a large living room. The cell-cast acrylic body handles the accidental kicks, bumps, and heavy-object drops that all coffee tables take over the years. Glass doesn’t survive that environment long-term. This does.

The included filter, plant decor, and blue gravel give you a functional starting point. The filtration is basic, so I’d recommend upgrading to an OASE Bioplus Thermo if you want to keep tropical fish and run a heater cleanly. The built-in heater compartment on that filter solves the wire management problem that normally kills the aesthetic of a heated coffee table setup.

Pros and Cons

2. Midwest Tropical Octogen

At 40 gallons, this is the largest capacity option in the coffee table category. The octagon shape fits square living rooms better than the Long Octogen, and the symmetric footprint reads as a deliberate design choice rather than an aquarium dropped into a piece of furniture. The top is heavy to remove for maintenance, which is the most honest downside: plan for a two-person job when you need full access to the tank.

Choose this over the Long Octogen when your room layout calls for a more centered, symmetric piece rather than a linear table. Choose the Long Octogen if you have a large rectangular living room and want the most linear surface space.

Pros and Cons

3. Midwest Tropical Aqua Square

This 28-gallon square format works cleanly in modern, minimalist rooms where the octagon shapes would feel out of place. At 25 x 27.5 inches (64 x 70 cm), the footprint is compact enough for smaller living rooms without sacrificing meaningful water volume. One practical warning: the glass corner edges are sharp. If you have young children or large dogs, add bumper guards before the tank goes live. This is a real safety consideration, not a minor inconvenience.

Pros and Cons

4. Midwest Tropical End Table

Not every room has space for a 28 to 40-gallon centerpiece. The End Table format at 15 gallons and 21 x 21 inches (53 x 53 cm) fits naturally as a bedroom or office accent piece. It works as a side table rather than a primary table, which reduces the pressure on the fish selection: with the table next to a couch rather than in the center of foot traffic, the safety concerns around sharp edges and accidental kicks are reduced. Fish capacity is limited at 15 gallons, but for a small school of danios or a planted nano setup, it’s workable.

Pros and Cons

5. Aquatic Furnish Coffee Table

The Aquatic Furnish tables from Etsy are for hobbyists who prioritize fish keeping over furniture aesthetics. You’ll see the bracing, the glass body, and the equipment more obviously than with the Midwest Tropical units. At 29 gallons in a 24 x 36 inch (61 x 91 cm) footprint, the fish capacity is excellent for this category and customization is available by contacting the maker directly. If you want maximum fish-keeping functionality and you’re willing to accept a more industrial look, this is the one. If the table needs to look like furniture first, go Midwest Tropical.

Pros and Cons

Why You Should Consider a Coffee Table Aquarium

Your Tank Will Be in the Most Active Hub of the Home

Outside of the kitchen, the living room gets more daily foot traffic than any other room. A coffee table aquarium puts your fish where you actually spend time, not in a bedroom corner you visit twice a day. You’ll observe your fish more, catch health problems earlier, and genuinely enjoy the tank rather than checking in on it.

The Health Benefits Are Real

Research consistently shows that watching fish reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. Aquariums appear in medical and dental waiting rooms for that reason. A coffee table tank you actually sit in front of for an hour each evening delivers those benefits far more consistently than a display tank in a less-frequented room.

Disadvantages to Know Before You Buy

Equipment Is Limited

You cannot run a canister filter or a sump on a coffee table aquarium. The included filtration is typically a basic internal filter. This limits bioload capacity and restricts you to fish that are not heavy waste producers. If you want to upgrade, the OASE Bioplus Thermo is the best internal filter option: it holds a heater inside the unit, which solves the wire management problem for tropical setups.

Saltwater Is a Bad Idea

Saltwater tanks generate salt creep, produce an ocean smell in an enclosed living space, and require equipment that conflicts with the furniture aesthetic. You might get away with a simple fish-only setup or a very basic soft coral nano reef, but generally, this is a freshwater application. Don’t fight that constraint.

Fish Selection

Best Without a Heater

Wire management and clean aesthetics matter in a living room setting, so running without a heater is the cleanest approach. Your room temperature dictates your fish options. Most living rooms stay between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 23 degrees Celsius), which is suitable for cold-tolerant nano fish that are not temperature-sensitive.

The Filtration Is Limited

The included filters on these tanks are basic internal units. Keep the fish load light. Nano fish that produce minimal waste are the right choice. Large fish add bioload that the filtration cannot handle, and the water quality deteriorates faster than it does in a well-filtered standard tank.

Good Fish to Consider

• Danios (white clouds, zebra danios)
• Cherry Barbs
• Guppy Fish
• Livebearers like Molly Fish
• Cory Catfish

Fish to Avoid

• Goldfish (high waste producers, get too large)
• Betta fish (require 78+ degrees Fahrenheit, 26+ degrees Celsius)
• Aggressive fish
• Cichlids
• Large fish like Angelfish and Discus Fish

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

A fish tank coffee table done right is one of the most impressive aquarium setups you can have in a home. Done wrong, it’s an expensive mistake and a fish welfare problem. The key is matching the setup to what the tank can actually support: cold-tolerant nano fish, limited bioload, clean wire management, and realistic maintenance expectations. Go with a Midwest Tropical unit for the best combination of furniture quality and fish capacity, or the Aquatic Furnish option if you’re a hobbyist who wants more customization and fish-keeping flexibility at a lower price.

For stocking recommendations and quality livestock to fill your new coffee table tank, check out Flip Aquatics and Dan’s Fish. Both stock the kind of cold-tolerant nano fish that work well in this type of setup and have solid track records for shipping quality.

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🔨 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide, your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

References

• Seriously Fish: Species profiles and care data
• FishBase: Taxonomy and scientific data
• Practical Fishkeeping: Husbandry and care advice

A 100-gallon tank is a serious commitment. and I mean that in the best way. My main display tank is a 125-gallon reef, and moving up to that size changes what’s possible in the hobby. You get genuine stability (larger water volume means slower swings in temperature, pH, and chemistry), room for fish that would be cramped in a 55 or 75, and the kind of visual impact that makes people stop and stare. The practical reality: 100 gallons of water weighs over 800 pounds before you add substrate, rocks, and the tank itself. You need a proper stand and ideally floor support below it. Get those logistics sorted first, then choose the tank. Here are 5 worth considering.

Our Criteria (How These Aquariums Made The Cut)

I’ve been involved in aquariums since I was 11. Through my over 25 years of experience as a fish tank keeper, There are certain things I look for when purchasing an aquarium. Here is what I focused on when I made this list:

• Features – Aquariums of this size are usually more than just the aquarium. I like systems that have everything in one because you don’t need to guess what your fish needs! The equipment is also better than most entry-level setups and budget builds
• Build – For a good quality product, it’s important to look for the right manufacturer. You should make sure that they have warranties and reviews of their workmanship if you want your purchase protected or even replace any broken pieces in case something goes wrong later on down the line! Brace aquariums have been around for a very long time, while rimless are new and need more vetting to determine if they are a smart buy
• Dimensions – A 100-gallon fish tank can be 4 or 6 feet. If the tank is 4 feet, you will more space for aquascaping, and spend less on other equipment like lighting. A 6 feet length will be better for most fish as they prefer more horizontal swimming space.

The 100 Gallon Fish Tank Candidates

In A Hurry? I recommend Red Sea Reefers for Saltwater and UNS Aquariums for Freshwater!

Picture	Name	Type	Link
Editor’s Choice!	Red Sea Reefer 425 XL	Reef Ready All In One Saltwater	Click For Best Price
Budget Option	SC Aquariums 120	Reef Ready Euro Braced Great Dimensions	Buy On Amazon
	UNS 120U	Rimless Best For Freshwater	Click For Best Price
	Planet Aquariums 125	Rimless Made in the USA	Click For Best Price
	Top Fin 125 Ensemble	Cheap Best For Freshwater	Buy On PetSmart

Top 5 Picks (2023)

Let’s look at each aquarium and see why they made the cut!

1. Waterbox 4820 Peninsula

Peninsula aquariums are great for living rooms or room splitters. With a 100 gallon fish tank, their size makes them ideal to purchase one with this configuration. Waterbox offers an excellent choice when it comes to a Peninsula-style aquarium.

This aquarium is 48 inches in length with a total water volume of 108.5 gallons when you include the sump. The Peninsula style allows you to either keep saltwater or freshwater fish. The drain is a bean animal style, which is going to be of better quality than anything else you will find at a chain pet store or even some local fish stores.

The sump comes with dual filter socks, which you can convert to a media cup. A media cup setup is more useful for freshwater setups. The sump is well-sized with both a skimmer section and a refugium section. For a freshwater setup, you can load your skimmer section with biological media like marine pure and the fuge section with floating plants if you want some nitrate control. For reef tanks, this is a get setup to house microorganisms in the fuge section.

Peninsula aquariums do come with a hefty price tag. This aquarium is a statement piece. If you are looking for high-quality and looks, you can’t go wrong with this fish tank.

Pros and Cons

2. Red Sea Reefer 425 XL

The Red Sea Reefer 425XL is a top-of-line rimless aquarium that comes with a sump and overflow. It was one of the first ready-to-run large saltwater tanks in history. It started up an entire craze for those who want their worry-free premium setup! You can see how proud they are about this process below:

This 425 XL model is the best choice if you’re looking for more space to customize your scaping. It is wider as it’s 4 feet long and the piping is already assembled for you. The pipes require no gluing.

I also love how well setup the newest generation models are with the sump. The ATO container sits at the top of the sump, freeing room on the opposite side of the aquarium stand to place all your equipment and wire manage efficiently.

Red Sea Reefers are expensive but are a great way to get started in the reefing hobby. They have everything you need and look great too!

Pros and Cons

3. INT 100

Innovative Marine is well known for developing premium quality all-in-one aquariums. They have to lead the aquarium industry with larger all in aquariums like this INT 100 model. This model is a 100 gallon, 4 foot long aquarium with its overflow built into the back.

This is the one of the few internal overflow systems of its kind that incorporates a bean animal drain system for added safety. The overflow is a trapezoid style, which doesn’t put as big of a footprint as typical internal overflow box systems.

The stands that comes with these systems are premium quality. They are made of anodized aluminum, which makes them corrosion-resistant. They will not warp or swell and provide better long-term reliability then wooden cabinets. Because of their aluminum structure, they are lightweight as well. The white or black aquarium stand also have a modern look to them and they are easy to assemble.

Innovative also sells their own line of aquarium equipment, most of which are designed to work and fit in this aquarium.

If you are looking for a premium quality all in one aquarium at this size, this is the aquarium to buy. It can be suited to work with both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Keep in mind that these do not come with sumps.

Pros and Cons

4. UNS 120U

UNS is the leading brand for high-quality freshwater fish aquariums. They have world class manufacturing process with 45 degree precision cut mitered edges that are made from low iron glass, which has 91% Diamant grade material making it ideal to be used in commercial applications like restaurants or hotels where heavy wear may come about due other factors such as temperature changes.

This 24″ tall and wide aquarium is perfect for scaping. It has plenty of room to roam, with a large number of schooling fish in the tank as well as larger ones like angels and discus fish! The clear background also makes it better looking for planted tanks than the other reef ready systems showed beforehand. You can plant things without worrying about covering up your beautiful decorations because they’ll still be visible through their water surface

It’s not best to picture this tank if you are looking for a saltwater setup and the price can be up there. However, if you are looking for a large aquascape tank, this is the one to buy.

Pros and Cons

5. SC Aquariums

A great choice if you want a sump and good price is to look at SC Aquariums 100 gallon fish tanks. They are a eurobaced glass aquarium, which is a good compromise from the rimless aquariums we have seen so far.

The overflow is three drains in a bean animal configuration. The aquarium stand is closer to the standard wood cabinets you will see at a fish store, except they use oak instead of MDF that you would find in cheaper builder.

What you get here is a high quality setup at a more reasonable price. The aquariums come with a 3 year warranty and black background is removable if you want to swap out for another or need it clear for a freshwater tank setup. Overall, it’s an excellent buy if you want an sump system.

Pros and Cons

Buying Guide

What Do You Want

Figuring out which type of fish you want in your 100 gallon fish tank will narrow down what equipment is necessary for running and maintaining it. Do have a particular species or setup that suits YOU better than others do – like:

• Saltwater versus freshwater aquariums
• Saltwater fish only vs. Fish only with live rock (FOWLR) vs. Reef aquarium
• Planted tanks vs un-planted ones
• Particular species of fish only tanks like Discus Fish

There are so many ways to find inspiration for what you want in your fish tank. You can visit forums, go to an aquarium club meeting, or check out Pinterest and get a few ideas from there!

Budget Concerns

Aquariums of this size are expensive. They are even more so than 2 or 3 foot long tanks. When you get into 4 and 6 foot long tanks, the amount of equipment can double and it goes up higher the more complex the setup. Fish only is reasonable compared to a aquascape or a reef tank.

You should expect to spend over $45 per gallon on a reef aquarium setup vs 10 – $30 dollars a gallon for a freshwater setup. If you want to save some money, consider getting a carpenter friends to build a cabinet for you or purchase cheap aquariums second hand locally.

Equipment Investment

When you get to aquariums over 100 gallons, you usually start looking at higher end filtration systems to run your tank regardless if your goal is fish only, a planted tank, or reef tank. This has to do with the amount of bioload these tanks will be handling.

When you get to aquariums over 100 gallons, the type of filtration system is important for maintaining clean water. For example if your goal is just fish only then a simpler filter will be sufficient but when planning on keeping plants or reefs there are more expensive options that will be needed. For example, you may need to get RO water for a planed tank and RODI water for a reef tank.

A canister filter is the best choice for a freshwater aquarium. It has large media capacity and will keep your tank more stable than other systems, you won’t need to place heavy hang-on back filters on top of it or add ugly equipment that stick out like sore thumbs with this size!

The best way to keep a saltwater tank is with an aquarium sump. Sumps offer ultimate flexibility and the ability to hide away equipment in the sump instead of the display thank.

Even if you purchase a used tank, you can always convert an aquarium to a sump system either by drilling it or installing a hang on back overflow box system. A drilled overflow box will be the most reliable.

You will also need to consider a CO2 system if you want to keep a lot of plants and dosing pumps for a major reef tank setup.

Aquarium lighting is the last major piece of equipment to look at. This will vary depending on if you go with a saltwater or freshwater setup. For either setup, Current USA offers great options at reasonable prices. Note that your lighting costs will increase significantly if you go with a 6 foot format versus a 4 foot format.

Maintenance

A 100 gallon fish tank will be more maintenance extensive than smaller aquariums. The water changes are larger and the amount of glass cleaning will be greater. Pruning a tank like this can be a major chore as well!

For saltwater tanks, you will be using lots of aquarium salt and RODI water for water changes. A freshwater tank will be cheaper and take less time to maintain. There are some saltwater reef tanks however, that can get to the point of requiring minimal water changes. You can achieve the same with planted tanks, but you will still need to prune.

Keep maintenance in mind when you are determining if a 100 gallon tank is for you.

Types

Rimless vs Rimmed Tanks

Rimless vs rimmed tanks becomes a big consideration at this size. Not only is a 100-gallon fish tank large, there is also a noticeable black rimmed on standard glass tanks of this size. The appeal of a rimless really shows cosmetically when you get to 4 and 6-foot-long tanks.

Rimmed tanks will use standard glass, which will have a green hue to them. You will notice a clarity difference at this size. Rimless tanks will use low iron glass, which will be more transparent, and also more expensive than rimmed tanks.

The extra cost for this clarity is totally worth it! The look and more transparent hue are noticeable when looking at 4 or 6-foot-long tanks.

Glass vs Acrylic

Another consideration will be glass vs acrylic. There are pros and cons to both:

• Glass is very difficult to scratch
• Acrylic is much lighter
• An acrylic tank will have the best clarity of any tank type
• Glass are offered in rimless formats. Acrylic tanks have bracing
• Glass can crack, acrylic is difficult to break
• Acrylic is easier to drill than glass

I did not include any acrylic tanks in this list. Acrylic tanks sold online are pretty subpar compared to the glass tanks you can find online. To get a higher quality acrylic tank, you will need to go to a local fish store or work with a custom manufacturer. Buying locally is the best bet for arycilic tanks.

Keep in mind that fish with sharp teeth like Trigger Fish or big sucker fish will put bite marks on the acrylic surface.

4 foot or 6 foot format

A 100 gallon can be purchased in a 4 foot or 6 foot long format. The 4-foot format is going to be more readily available. There are some factors to consider when thinking about a 4 vs 6-foot tank:

• The 4-foot format will be wider than taller making it more ideal for aquascaping
• Because of the shorter length, a 4-foot tank will generally be cheaper to set up. You only need one or two light fixtures and less substrate over a 6-foot format!
• Most premium level ready-to-run setups are going to be in 4 foot sizes over 6.
• Because of its long length, the 6-foot format gives you plenty more options when it comes to what fish can be placed in a tank
• Longer fish tanks will have fewer territorial disputes amongst tank mates
• You will have more room to store equipment in a longer tank

If you are purchasing a 100-gallon tank primarily for fish, I would recommend that you purchase the 4-foot format. You tend to get a thin tank with at the 100 gallon size. If you want a 6-foot long tank, I would suggest looking at 125 gallon aquariums.

Best Options

For those who are looking at the 100 gallon aquarium, we’ll discuss what types of setups suit this size best. Let’s look at the different options!

Aquascape Aquariums

An Aquascape Aquarium is an incredible display tank. It typically isn’t seen at 6 feet as many will cap out around 4′ in length, but if you’re looking to go this route then your options for fish open up quite significantly. Angelfish and discus are ideal for this size!

African Cichlid Tanks

African Cichlids are beautiful, colorful fish that need space to thrive. The size of a 100-gallon tank allows them plenty room for to settle territory – making it the perfect choice for them!

Discus Fish Tanks

A large tank like this is great for Discus Fish. Discus need tall and long tanks to thrive. You get both with a 100 gallon setup. It’s also large enough to consider tank mates for them.

Reef Tanks

A 100 gallon tank is great entry level aquarium at the 4 foot size for a reef tank. You get a lot of stability with this volume and have great size for corals. Dwarf angelfish and some Tangs can be housed at this size.

The height and length of a 4 foot 100 gallon tank works great for mixed reefs, softy, or LPS coral tanks.

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

I hope that this article was able to help you in your quest for the perfect fish tank. If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below, and let’s have a conversation. I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have and continue to update this post as more information comes to light. Thanks for reading and happy fishkeeping!

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🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide. your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

The 20 gallon is the sweet spot for hobbyists stepping up from a nano. it opens up far more fish options than a 10 gallon while still being manageable in terms of maintenance and space. I’ve set up 20 gallon tanks as community tanks, species tanks, and planted setups, and it’s a size I recommend constantly for beginners who want more creative flexibility. The 20 gallon long (as opposed to the tall) is particularly good for most fish since it offers more horizontal swimming space. something I always point out when helping people decide between configurations.

Today, we’ll be talking about the best 20-gallon aquariums for you and what fish to get. Let’s start by discussing criteria!

What Is The Best 20 Gallon Aquarium (Our Criteria)

I used to own a 20 gallon long aquarium. It was one of those 30 inch long standard tanks you purchase at the chain pet store. Nowadays, the options are plenty. There’s an aquarium, aquarium kit, or fully decked out system for every taste and budget – but what really makes one preferable over another? Here is how I determined my favorite choice! You can also check out our video above from our YouTube Channel.

Aquarium Layout

The rimless aquarium is a style that’s gaining popularity for its sleek design. At this size, it’s purchased at an affordable price. I want to provide multiple purchase opens and setups for you to consider.

Filtration

Several of these aquariums are all in one tanks complete with a 3 stage filtration system. For kits, I want to make sure I find a glass aquarium kit with a decent starter filter that you won’t outgrow or will fall apart on you. If it is a basic fish tank, I want to make sure it’s the right dimensions to allow for multiple filter setups.

There’s a new trend in the fishkeeping world – a fish tank kit with everything included! These kits come complete with three-stage filtration systems – often times with the system built into the fish tank! Tanks made this way make it so you’ll never have to buy another filter again. Other kits may include a power filter or internal filter. I’m looking to list packages that have solid equipment so you start out on the right foot.

Lighting

Some of these aquariums will come with lighting systems. If they do, I want to lean on systems that can support low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks or soft corals if they are designed for saltwater.

I want to lean on systems that can support at minimum low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks. For saltwater tanks, they need to be the correct spectrum and have enough par to support soft corals and easy to care for LPS corals.

Price

Price is always a considerations when it comes to building your dream aquarium. The most basic of glass tank are available for as little at $50, but high-end models will set you back more than that! This article aims at helping those who want an affordable and durable setup with great features while still being able stay within their budget constraints. An aquarium kit may also help with costs as they’re cheaper than buying all the equipment separately.

The 20 Gallon Aquarium Candidates

Below is the list of 20 gallon fish tanks that made the cut. They are from various price ranges and cover both freshwater and saltwater tanks. I’ll go over each one in detail.

In a hurry? I recommend the UNS 60!

Picture	Name	Features	Link
Editor’s Choice	UNS 60	Rimless Excellent Quality Great Price	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Best Value	Waterbox 20 Cube	Cube Format Built In Filtration Rimless	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Budget Option	Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit	All In One Kit Price	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Red Sea Max Nano	Built In Filtration Great For Nano Reefs Premium Setup	Buy On ChewyBuy On Amazon
	Fusion Pro 20	All In One Aquarium Rimless Great For Nano Reefs	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Aqueon Neo Glow Tank Kit	Designed For GloFish Great Value	Buy On Amazon
	Aqueon 20 Gallon Tank	Cheap Easy to Find	Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

The 7 Best (2023 Reviews)

So, you’ve seen the list. Now it’s time for some fish tank knowledge! Let me show ya each one below and tell ya what makes them special in their own unique way…

1. UNS 60U

The UNS 60U is a great 20 gallon glass tank. It has the same dimensions as a traditional 20 gallon fish tank, but is rimless. UNS is well known in the planted fish tank community for building high quality rimless aquariums. These aquariums are well built and are actually cheaper than other rimless tanks you may find online.

This aquarium is very popular among the aquascaping community. There are plently of videos online of builds that will get your inspiration going. Here is a great example of wjhdrew’s fish tank below:

Because this aquarium is the same dimensions as a rimmed 20 gallon fish tank, it should be easier to find a cabinet, or you can purchase your own. Just make sure the surface the aquarium is sitting on has support all around it. Many discount cabinets will have large gaps, which won’t work with a rimless fish tank.

It’s a great brand and a great fish tank if you want a rimless fish tank. It’s on the pricey side if you are comparing it to a rimmed fish tank, but beauty and looks does have a price!

Best For – Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

2. Waterbox 20 Cube

The Waterbox 20 Cube offers a great looking cubed fish tank with all the bells and whistles to get you started. It’s an all-in-one fish tank with a built in filtration system. The filtration systems comes with a filter sock, which is a type of mechanical filtration that is superior to most other filtration systems in this aquarium size. The socks are replaceable or washable and can be more maintenance then foam. Waterbox also includes bio-balls, carbon, and a filter sponge to round out the system.

The system is more designed for saltwater systems, but this fish tank can also be a great freshwater planted tank. It comes with a black background versus a frosted or clear background that you will see with many planted style scapes. While this might take away from the landscape look, you can balance it out by using more colorful nano fish that stand out when setting these up.

For saltwater tanks, this cube is a perfect glass tank. it has great dimensions for building up rock scape for corals and the footprint means the AI Prime a perfect light for this system. Most reefs will end up using the filter sock and opt-in for a protein skimmer for added filtration. It’s great that this system can function with either setup.

This is a great value for a cubed rimless given all the features offered for this fish tank. The price is high for a lot of hobbyists, but the next option offers another great value at a lower price.

Best For – Nano Reef, Freshwater Tanks

3. Aqueon 20-Gallon Aquarium Kit

The Aqueon aquarium starter kit is an excellent budget option for those who want to get started with fish keeping. This because they offer a multitude of equipment in one package, most or which performs well and remove any guesswork about what you need when starting out

This package includes everything you need to get started with fishkeeping, including a standard fish tank and hood, a fish net, fish food, and tap water conditioner. You save money by purchasing the complete set over buying each item separately! I believe this kit is one of the best 20 gallon glass aquariums because it has a better quality equipment than other kits including the Marina led aquarium kit, Tetra whisper 20, and generic brand kits.

The main difference between the Aqueon kit and the other competitors is the power filter. The Aqueon filter is a 3 stage filtration system that can tell you when it needs to be replaced, so there is no guesswork when to do maintenance. The hood is good for fish only tanks, but not good for planted tanks.

The main separator between Aqueon’s offering and the others is the power filter. Aqueon’s filter is a true 3 stage filter and as a feature that tells you when you should change the filter cartridges. The hood is good, though not ideal for planted tanks. The water heater is decently made. I’ve personally used these heaters for either a hospital tank or quarantine tank and never had an issue, but the preset heater bit too hot if you want to keep your temperature lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius).

This package is perfect for those who want an easy and stress-free experience when selecting their fish tank kit. This is the best 20 gallon fish tank kit to buy if you want cheap, yet good equipment to start.

Best For – Freshwater Tanks

4. Red Sea Max Nano

Red sea offers the best nano reef tank available starting at 20 gallons. It offers all the benefits of your classic red sea reefer, but in the small footprint of a 20 gallon fish tank.

It offers ultra-clear glass with bevealed edges at the top and bottom for the best viewing experience you can get. The water pump provided offers 240 gallons per hour, which puts this at the 10 times turn over level you want for many desirable corals in the hobby. It’s designed to be adjusted to ensure there aren’t any dead spots in your aquarium.

The filtration system is powered by a micron filter bad and a protein skimmer can be detached from the fish tank. This is the only nano reef tank package I have seen that offers a protein skimmer out of the box – and the protein skimmer is actually pretty good. You also get a media shelf to place any chemical or biological media you want. The system also comes with an auto-top off system that has a has a built in reservoir that supply 3 days worth of freshwater.

The led lighting system is designed for reef tanks. The kit comes with a ReefLED 50, which Red Sea’s competitor to the AI Prime and AI LED lighting units. It’s a great light for corals. The light is powered by the ReefBeat App, which connects all your red sea devices together.

This is bar none the best nano reef tank you can buy today, but it comes with a big price. As the most expensive tank kit on this list, it’s not for everyone. However, this is a premium quality fish tank kit for reef setups. If you are looking for a high quality setup with the guess work taken out of it, look no further!

Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

5. Innovative Marine Fusion Pro 20

Innovative marine is the originator of the modern all in one nano aquariums you see in the saltwater tank hobby. This Fusion Pro 20 is their latest line of aquariums and really comes in offering premium features. This extraordinary fish tank kit comes with a mesh lid and micro glass cleaner to keep your favorite dweller from jumping out, plus it has an algae scrapper for removing unwanted algae.

The Innovative Mighty Jet DC water pump is a great option for any nano reef tank. It’s got adjustable flow rates so you can customize it to your needs, no matter what type of corals are going into the aquarium!

Innovative is a company that has been making stellar aquariums for years. Their products are worth every penny and they’re one of our favorite brands!

Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

6. Aqueon NeoGlow Tank

Want something really unique? Try Glofish. This aquarium is a kit that is specially designed for Glofish in mind.

What are Glofish? Glofish are a specialized type of fish that have a fluorescent glow to them. These fish aren’t injected like the old painted glass fish we used to see 20 years ago. These fish are specially bred. Their colors are hereditary traits that are passed down from generation to generation. Their breeding has helped us understand cellular disease and development¹.

What you get here is a 20 gallon fish tank, a Aqueon power filter, a specialized LED lighting system and hood, artificial plants, rocks, and gravel that all show well in fluorescent lighting.

There are many Glofish fish species available these days including:

• Barbs
• Bettas
• Danios
• Tetras
• Freshwater Sharks

The price isn’t too shabby with everything that’s included here. If you want something unique, then this Glofish fish tank kit might just be what you need!

Best For – GloFish Tanks

7. Aqueon 20 Gallon Long Tank

The Aqueon 20 gallon long is a great glass tank for getting length at a cheap price. While the price may seem great at first impression, it can actually end up costing more than an Aqueon glass kit to build out your system – not that there’s anything wrong doing this!

I included the links to go purchase this if you want. It’s an affordable 20 gallon fish tank and will last a long time. It’s just not my first choice, as I prefer to work with rimless aquariums these days or all-in-one systems for smaller aquariums. If you want a rimless or an all in one system, consider the other aquariums on this list.

Best For – Freshwater Tanks

What Fish Can I Get For This Size of Tank?

Nano fish are the best choice for new aquarium keepers. They’re small, colorful and adorable! Some common nano fish species options include:

• Guppy fish
• Rasboras
• Danios (White Cloud Minnows are great cold water fish)
• Small Tetras
• Freshwater Pea Puffers

Nano reef tanks are great-looking and challenging tanks to keep. You need to be mindful when selecting freshwater fish species that will get along in a small tank like this. Here are a few options:

• Firefish Gobies
• Clown Goby
• Azure Damsel
• Clownfish
• Cardinalfish
• Royal Gramma

The clownfish and the damselfish are the two riskiest fish species of the bunch. Clownfish are iffy trying to pair at this size as a non-paired couple will fight it out until one of them submits. With the damselfish, their aggression is too much for many on this list. If you are going to attempt a damselfish and clownfish, it’s best to pair them together as the clownfish and damsel can work through their aggression – while most other fish will be harassed to death.

Setup Guide

Setting up a 20 gallon fish tank can be stressful if it is the first time for you. Luckily, it’s easier than you think if you are guided.

I go for planted tanks or reef tanks. Here is a good video from Shawn Hineidi that shows a simple aquascape that can be installed in a 20 gallon fish tank. Check it out below:

To start building your own aquarium from scratch, you will need the following:

• Filter
• Heater (if going with tropical fish or marine fish)
• Lighting
• Decorations
• Live Plants or Corals

Aquarium Filtration for The Tanks

There are a ton of options when it comes to 20 gallon fish tanks. If you want to go with a canister filter, I would recommend the OASE Biomaster 350. This is the smaller version of the Biomaster 600. It’s great for a 20 gallon fish tank. If you are looking for a pro level 20 gallon planted tank, you might want to consider upgrading to the 600 model.

You can try power filters, which are a great choice. My go to for power filters are Hagen Aquaclears. In my mind, the aquaclear is the best power filter you can purchase in the hobby.

Aquarium Heaters

You want to have a quality heater in order to keep your tank temperatures stable. it’s important to consider a brand like Eheim when shopping around. The heaters that come with OASE filters and controllers are also excellent choices – you’ll have no problem getting the job done!

Hooking up your heater to a controller is the best way for added safety. Inkbird has great controllers with wifi capability, and they even have an app on you phone that you can download that will send you alerts.

Aquarium Lighting

The range of led light options is as vast and diverse, from basic to advanced. You have the option of two great choices at this size whether you want to go with a freshwater planted tank or a saltwater reef tank.

The freshwater Serene RGB Pros have a variety of led light features that will help you grow your favorite live plants. They come with an easy-to control and adjustable controller, making this led light perfect for anyone looking to add some lushness into their aquarium!

For saltwater aquariums, the AI Prime is the best led light you can purchase for nano reef tanks. With the AI Prime, you can grow just about anything short of hardcore SPS corals. They work amazing for Zoas – a very popular beginner coral that’s great in Nano reef tanks! This led light is good for 24×24 footprints. You may have to plan a different led light if you go with a 20 gallon long. For 20 gallon longs, I would recommend the Current USA IC Pros.

Decorations

Driftwood make a solid decorative piece for 20 gallon aquariums, but you can use any type of decoration that suits your needs. Some people prefer driftwood with low tannins and others like those made from manzanita. Manzanita are reasonably placed and easy to place in an aquarium.

For saltwater tanks, I would recommend purchasing live rock at your local fish store. These are so small you really don’t need much to get started! A couple pounds is plenty – 7-10 lbs should do it for starters. Fill the rest of the aquarium up with dry rock.

Live Plants or Corals

If you’re just getting started with keeping fish, it’s best to start off by adding some beginner plants. There are many different types that will thrive in a 20 gallon tank and they can make fish’s home look more appealing too! Some great options include:

• Java fern
• Anubias Nana
• Java Moss
• Christmas Moss
• Bucephalandra

All of these live plants feeds off the aquarium water column, so you can glue them to driftwood. If your looking for a high-quality live plant seller consider buying from an online retailer like Buce Plant

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

The 20-gallon long is where most serious hobbyists started, and there’s a reason it’s still the default recommendation after 25 years in this hobby. It’s not glamorous. It’s not the flashiest tank on the shelf. But it gives you enough volume to build real biological stability, enough footprint to stock a proper school, and enough flexibility to grow as a fishkeeper without outgrowing the tank in six months.

If you’re debating between a 10-gallon starter and a 20-gallon, get the 20-long. The extra water volume forgives beginner mistakes that a 10-gallon won’t. If you’re debating between a 20-high and a 20-long, get the long. Most fish never needed the height. They needed the horizontal space you weren’t giving them.

Don’t get talked into a fancy all-in-one kit if the filtration specs don’t hold up. Buy the glass. Buy real equipment. The tank you set up right the first time is the one you’ll still enjoy three years from now.

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🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide. your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

The 10 gallon is probably the most popular beginner tank size in the hobby. it’s widely available, affordable, and gives you just enough room to create something interesting. I’ve owned 10 gallon tanks at various points over 25 years and have watched the quality of all-in-one kits improve dramatically. They work great for bettas, small community setups, shrimp, and easy planted tanks. The main thing to know is that not all 10 gallon tanks are equal. filtration quality and build durability vary a lot between the budget options and the better kits.

What Is The Best 10 Gallon Aquarium (Our Criteria)

I’ve owned 10 gallon aquariums and see the evolution in the industry. There are simple aquariums and fully decked out all in one systems. Here is what I used to determine the best.

Aquarium Layout

Everyone wants a rimless aquarium. I’m primarily going to be looking at this style of fish tank because you can rimless tanks at this size at an affordable price. It’s way too easy to point out a discount fish tank kit. You didn’t come here for that, you came here for high quality and style.

Filtration

Several of these aquariums are going to be all in one tanks compete with a 3 stage filtration system. For kits, I want to make sure I find a glass aquarium kit with a decent starter filter that you won’t outgrow or will fall apart on you. If it is a basic fish tank, I want to make sure it’s the right dimensions to allow for multiple filter setups.

Lighting

Some of these aquariums will come with lighting systems. If they do, I want to lean on systems that can support low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks or soft corals if they are designed for saltwater.

Price

Price is always a factor in any aquarium build. I’m looking at a price of aquariums here from high end to the most basic. If it’s priced high, I want to make sure it has premium features like being rimless or including a good light. If it is priced low, I want to make the aquarium will last.

The 10 Gallon Aquarium Candidates

Below is the list of aquariums that made the cut. They are from various price ranges and cover both freshwater and saltwater tanks. I’ll go over each one in detail.

In a hurry? I recommend Serene Aquariums!

Picture	Name	Features	Link
Editor’s Choice	Serene Aquarium	Comes with light Frosted background Rimless	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Best Value	Waterbox 10 CLEAR Mini	Rimless Great Value	Click For Best Price
Budget Option	Aqueon 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit	All In One Kit Price	Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
	Water Box Nano	Built In Filtration Great For Nano Reefs	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Fusion Pro 10	All In One Aquarium Rimless Great For Nano Reefs	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Dennerle 10G Shrimp Tank	Gentle Filter Shrimp Tanks	Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
	Aqueon 10 Gallon Tank	Cheap Easy to Find	Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

The 7 Best (2023 Reviews)

You have seen the list, now it’s time to learn more about each fish tank. Let’s look at each one below.

1. Serene Aquariums

Current USA’s Serene aquariums are a new entrant into rimless aquariums, but it’s one of the best freshwater focused kits you can buy today. What I love the most about this aquarium is they design it so you can have a low maintenance tank. It comes with a frosted background that is backlit. This is a feature you don’t get with any fish tank manufacturer. In fact, to get similar, you would have to purchase a background and lighting system from ADA, which is as much as this tank! The frosted background is the perfect color for freshwater aquascapes.

The light that comes with this aquarium is Current USA’s Serene line. While it is not the Pro RBG light, it is still good enough to grow lots of low light plants. The Serene light has a ton of features. See the video below from Current USA to see some of the features below.

This is a rimless aquarium with a very good price. You get a 13 gallon fish tank (yes, it’s slightly better than 10 gallons, but I felt it’s close enough to be on this list), the Serene light, a frost background, and you even get some decorations. This aquarium is a stand-alone tank that is a better quality offering than some of the all-in-one aquariums you will see like the Waterbox or Innovative Marine. It is also designed for freshwater aquascaping versus reef tanks.

Current USA has several aquascaping packages to choose from. The one I linked to is the dragonstone package. They also have a Manzanita and a planted package. You can chose these other packages and get the aquascaped look without live plants.

The main cons with this package is the price. It is on the pricey side, but there also is a nice 15% offer you can get from me to help with the price (use offer code ASD15).It is also missing a filtration unit. I would either use a canister filter or opt with OASE’s Bioplus Thermo. It’s a great buy and highly recommended!

Best For, Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

2. Waterbox 10 CLEAR Mini

When you are looking for a rimless aquarium only, the Waterbox 10 Mini offers an excellent price to get into a high clarity fish tank. Waterbox is really putting in efforts to penetrate the freshwater hobby with this well priced package. They are well known for their great all in one aquariums that comes with aquarium sumps and easy to install plumbing.

The CLEAR aquarium is roughly the same dimensions as your standard 10 gallon tank. The straight edged silicone gives the glass aquarium a seamless look. You won’t see ugly silicone on the edges of your aquarium or a plastic rim. The aquarium comes with a self leveling mat, so you do not need to purchase your own. Waterbox also offers cabinets, though they pretty expensive. The Serene offers more equipment, a background, and decorations, but the CLEAR is cheaper and gives you the freedom to buy your own gear.

In looking at the Clear aquarium, I like the design and simplicity. I prefer this name brand over similar offerings I’ve found on Amazon, and the customer support with Waterbox is pretty responsive in my opinion.

If you are looking for a pure rimless aquarium with a great brand behind it, this is the aquarium to get. It is more expensive as a traditional rimmed tank, but it looks a lot better and well suited for planted tanks.

Best For, Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

3. Aqueon 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit

It would be really easy for me to place Aqueon’s standard 10 gallon tank as the budget pick here, but I felt Aqueon’s aquarium starter kit is a great budget option. This is because Aqueon takes the guesswork away from select equipment and most of the equipment they offer in the package is pretty good.

The package comes with the standard fish tank, a hood with standard LED light, Aqueon’s power filter, a heater, a fish net, themometer, water conditioner, and some sample fish food. You save a bit of money purchasing this package over buying everything separately. I feel the overall quality of the package is better than most other 10 gallon glass aquarium kits, including the Marina led aquarium kit, Tetra’s, and generic brand competitors.

The main separator between Aqueon’s offering and the others is the power filter. Aqueon’s filter is a true 3 stage filter and as a feature that tells you when you should change the filter cartridge. The hood is good, though not ideal for planted tanks. The heater is decent in quality. I’ve personally used these heaters for quarantine tanks and never had an issue. The main thing I don’t like about the preset heater is that you can’t adjust it, it is designed to keep temperatures at 78 degrees.

Overall, this is a great fish only starter package if you are looking for good equipment and stress free selection.

Best For, Freshwater Tanks

4. Water Box Nano

Are you looking for a nano reef tank? If so, The Water Box Nano is an excellent choice at the 10 gallon aquarium size. This all-in-one fish tank offers a built in filtration system, return pump, black background, and rimless style aquarium.

The cubed dimensions of this aquarium allow for more aquascaping space then a regular 10 gallon. The built in filtration unit is large enough to house an auto top off system and aquarium heater. In my personal experience with dealing with this tank, they are prefer for softy nano reef setups. The filtration is basic enough for them and a simple lighting fixture is all you need.

There are a few things here that could be improved. The return pump isn’t that great and the price is on the higher end. However, if you want a better return pump, you can opt for the next option below.

Best For, Nano Reef Tanks

5. Innovative Marine Fusion Pro 10

Innovative marine is the originator of the modern all in one nano aquariums you see in the saltwater tank hobby. This Fusion Mini is their latest line of aquariums and really comes in offering premium features. It comes with a mesh lid and micro glass cleaner to keep your fish from jumping and algae a breeze to scrape. It has superior features, build quality, and a higher price compared to the Waterbox.

The return pump included is Innovative’s Might Jet DC pump. This DC pump is one of the best DC pumps you can put into a nano reef tank. With its adjustable features, you can adjust the flow to suit whatever corals you plan to keep.

This package is what I call a premium package and commands a premium price. It’s the most expensive fish tank on this list. If you are looking or the best nano reef tank at this size, this is the aquarium to purchase. My personal recommendation is purchase this over the Waterbox if you want more than soft corals. I’ve worked on LPS and mixed reef tanks from this line and seen plenty of successful setups.

Best For, Nano Reef Tanks

6. Dennerle Shrimp Aquarium

Looking for a freshwater shrimp tank? If so, this 10 gallon tank by Dennerle is a great option for a larger shrimp tank. This is aquarium is built for the purpose of keeping shrimp. Starting with the Eckfilter internal filter, this gentle filter can keep your fish tank clean while keeping your shrimp safe. The filter is simple, making it easy to clean and maintain. It also comes with a LED light with a color output of 6500K. While it is not the best-planted tank LED, it is adequate for low-light plants.

The aquarium itself is a rimless tank that is a bit wider than your standard ten-gallon aquarium. This allows you to play with the depth space and give your shrimp more space to run around in. The aquarium is built as a curved corner glass tank. Keep this in mind as this can give an odd look when looking at the corners.

My affiliate partner, Flip Aquatics loves these tanks for his customers. It offers a simple yet effective setup. This is a great tank if you are looking for a shrimp-only tank. If you are looking to build a community tank that includes freshwater shrimp, consider the Serene instead. They are more expensive to set up over the Dennerle, but you get a higher-quality glass tank and the option of installing better filtration.

Overall, the Dennerle, with its Eckfilter and LED lights great option for shrimps and offers a great overall value for everything it comes with. It has the functionality, is built for shrimps, and has better looks than rimmed glass aquariums. It’s a great first shrimp tank.

Best For, Freshwater Shrimp Tanks

7. Aqueon Ten-Gallon Aquarium

I left this aquarium for last. This is the aquarium you will typically see when you go to Petco or Petsmart’s dollar-per-gallon sale. While the price may be great at first impression, you can actually end up spending more than the Aqueon glass aquarium kit to build out a suitable system.

I included the links to go purchase this if you want. It’s cheap and Aqueon aquariums should last a long time. It is longer than most all-in-one aquariums (20” L x 10” W x 12” H).

It’s just not my first choice for building out a good-looking display tank. If you are looking for a classy rimless tank or want to do a premium setup, consider going with the other tanks on the list.

That’s not to say you can’t build a great-looking setup with this over the Serene tank. I’ve built plenty of great 10 gallon setups using these tanks from aqueon including community fish and betta fish tanks.

Best For, Freshwater Tanks

What Fish Can I Get For A 10 Gallon Fish Tank?

A common question when purchasing an aquarium at this size is what type of fish species can you put in these tanks. The preferred options would be nano fish like the following:

• Guppy fish
• Rasboras
• Danios (White Cloud Minnows are great cold water fish)
• Small Tetras
• Freshwater Pea Puffers

If you want the most stunning fish you can buy at 10 gallon aquariums, I would recommend a betta fish. The link below is from Glass Aqua, which favors Plakat Betta fish. These types of betta are the best to purchase for larger tanks because they are more active, hardy, and can compete for fish food from other fish tank mates.

If you are looking at a nano reef tank, your options are going to be limited. The best fish to buy at 10 gallons would be:

• Firefish Gobies
• Clown Goby
• Single Azure Damsel

Check out my full list of the best fish for 10 gallon tanks here.

How to Setup a 10 Gallon Fish Tank

Setting up a 10 gallon fish tank can be stressful if it is the first time for you. Luckily, it’s easier than you think if you are guided. For those of you who are video inclined, I provided a video below from Waterbox that explains their process of setting up their mini aquariums. I’ll go in more detail below.

Assuming you building everything with just an aquarium to start, you will need the follow to setup:

• Filter
• Heater (if going with tropical fish or marine fish)
• Lighting
• Decorations
• Live Plants or Corals

Aquarium Filtration for 10 Gallon Fish Tanks

There are a ton of options for 10 gallon fish tanks. If you want to go with a canister filter, I would recommend the OASE Filtosmart 100. This is a mini version of their Biomaster Thermo, but small enough not to be over kill for this size.

You can try power filters, which are a great choice. My go to for power filters are Hagen Aquaclears. They do not display very well in rimless aquariums though.

For rimless aquarium options, I would consider an OASE BioPlus Internal Filter or Filtosmart 100. Either filtration system will get the job done.

Aquarium Heaters for 10 Gallon Aquariums

You want to have a quality heater in order to keep your tank temperatures stable. Consider a high quality brand like Eheim when shopping around. The heaters that come with OASE filters are also excellent choices. You can hook up your heater to a heater controller for added safety. Inkbird has a great line of controllers that have wifi capability. The controller comes with an app that you can download on your phone that sends you alerts.

Aquarium Lighting for 10 Gallon Aquariums

Lighting can be basic or advanced depending on what you are looking for. The great thing is at this size there are two great choice depending on whether you go freshwater or saltwater. More options are led lighting systems.

For freshwater, the Serene RGB Pros are a great value and will grow just about any freshwater plant available in the hobby. It comes with a great controller and adjustable features

For saltwater aquariums, the AI Prime is the best light you can purchase for nano reef tanks. Just buy this light and you can grow just about anything short of hardcore SPS corals. They work amazing for Zoas, a very popular beginner coral.

Decorations for 10 Gallon Aquariums

For a 10 gallon aquarium. I prefer to go with a solid piece of driftwood and decorate from there. Manzanita driftwood offers a great value, has low tannins, and has a reasonable price. You can also use plastic plants or silk plants if you want to use artificial plants as decorations.

For saltwater tanks, I would consider purchase live rock at your local fish store. These tanks are so small you really don’t need much to get started. A 5 to 7 pound rock is all you need. Fill the rest up with dry rock.

Live Plants or Corals for 10 Gallon Fish Tanks

Beginner plants are the best plants to add for a 10 gallon fish tank. The following are great plants you can add to your tropical fish tank:

• Java fern
• Anubias Nana
• Java Moss
• Christmas Moss
• Bucephalandra

All the plants above feed off the aquarium water column, so you can glue them to driftwood. If you are looking for a quality live plant seller, considering buying from an online retailer like Buce Plant.

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

The 10-gallon is forgiving enough to learn on and small enough to actually manage. Give it a proper nitrogen cycle, don’t overstock it, and it’ll run itself week to week with a water change and a quick wipe of the glass. I’ve seen beautifully planted 10-gallon tanks that outshine much larger setups. The tank size isn’t a limitation. The decisions you make inside it are.

Pick the right tank for what you’re building, upgrade the filtration if your kit came with cartridge-only, and cycle before you stock. Do those three things and you’re ahead of 80% of beginners I’ve watched struggle in store.

Questions? Drop them in the comments below and I’ll answer. Thanks for reading.

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