Searching for the best fish tank can be difficult if you are new or not sure what you are looking for to keep your fish safe and happy. Aquatic pets are often very expensive and require a lot of care so choosing the best fish tank is very important. You should make sure you have the right aquarium for your fish or other aquatic creatures. This will ensure both their health and longevity!
There are a variety of tanks in the market, and after a lot of research, we made it our goal to create an informative list about which fish tanks will work best for you. We’ve done extensive comparisons so that users can have all information needed before making their ideal choice!
- Best Overall: Fluval Flex
- Best Reef Tank: Coralife Biocube 32
- Best for Beginners: Marineland Portrait
- Best 5 Gallon Tank: Fluval Spec V
- Best 6 and 12 Gallon: Fluval Edge
Contents
Important Considerations For Choosing the Best Fish Tanks
What types of fish do you want to keep? From a Betta Fish tank to Guppies you will want to know what you can stock in your tank. These types of aquatic animals make great pets as they are aesthetically pleasing. Much like watching the twinkling of permanent Christmas lights on a home, these fish will sparkle in your tank.
How large is your home and budget for the tank, as well what material will it be constructed from (e.g., acrylic vs glass)?
These are just a few questions before making an important decision like choosing between one type or style over another that could ultimately affect how long the best fish tanks last.
Fish Tank Size

When choosing the right size of fish tank for your home aquarium, it is important that you consider what type of fish and how many fish will live in your tank prior to purchasing it.
Will you need a large fish tank, freshwater tank, or small fish tanks?
A small 1-2 gallon freshwater or saltwater nano tank can make an excellent starter pet project while larger 10 to 50+ gallon fish tanks are good options if space at your is ample.
As a beginner, it’s best to start with a small fish tank such as a 5-gallon tank. This size is perfect for new fish owners because they can easily maintain their pet and enjoy its company without worrying about harming them or having too little space! Smaller tanks vary between sizes of five gallons up through ten. Any larger than this will require more care in order not only to keep your aquatic pets healthy but increased maintenance and room for error presents itself.
Acrylic vs Glass Fish Tanks
Which material you choose for your home fish tank is can be a personal preference, but each has its own benefits when it comes to an acrylic fish tank versus a glass aquarium tank. Some people swear by acrylic tanks because they are stronger and less prone to scratches than glass tanks. Glass tanks, on the other hand, are easier to keep clean as fingerprints and smudges are not as noticeable as on an acrylic tank.
The glass aquarium has been around for quite some time and is one of the most popular tanks out there. They’re scratch-resistant, and lightweight compared to acrylic fish tanks. The obvious weakness of glass is that it is fragile, but most tanks now come with tempered glass.

You may think that the weight issue would be an advantage to acrylic aquariums, but they are not light either. Acrylic fish tanks are more scratch-resistant than glass tanks and offer a higher clarity level than glass due to their increased thickness.
Fish Tank Features Not to Overlook
Aquarium Filter – The best fish tank will always include a good filtration system. The filter is an important part of your aquarium and should be chosen carefully as it eliminates fish waste. A three stage filtration system is best but for most fish tanks, the wrong filter can mean that your fish are swimming in their own waste or that the water is not being properly circulated. This is especially true for large fish tanks. Some tanks come with a built-in filtration system but can be purchased separately. For beginner fish keepers, consider an aquarium starter kit that comes with everything a large tank or small tank needs for a healthy environment.
Aquarium Heater – Aquarium heaters keep the aquarium water (Avoid tap water) at a set temperature, which is important for both tropical and cold-water fish.
Built-in lights – Depending on the fish and If you’re keeping plants in the fish tank, the lighting should be considered as well. The best fish tanks will include lighting built into the LED hood to improve the environment of the tank and to mimic real-world sunlight that your fish have been accustomed to in nature.
No matter what type of tank you choose to purchase, make sure that it has your desired features and other options such as a heater and filter before making the purchase. Also, understand any other special care or maintenance requirements for your particular tank based on the fish species you choose for their new fish tank home.
Best Fish Tank Benefits
A home aquarium is not just fun and stimulating, it’s also good for your mental health. Fish are great because they reduce stress by lowering blood pressure while providing an absolutely calming effect with each movement in the tank. Tropical fish are an example of how calm and relaxed a fish tank can be.
The sound of water filters through pipes or gurgles out from beneath a surface rocks gently; you can’t help but feel at peace!
Fish are absolutely beautiful to look at, and bringing them into your home can help you become more relaxed, creative, and inspired. All of the little details that go into creating an aquarium will keep your mind busy for days as you try to figure out just how to make it work for what type of fish you have.
Aquarium pets are the perfect solution for those who do not want noisy, messy alternative pets that require a lot of time and attention. Even though they may take some getting used to at first due to their more tranquil nature, once you set up an aquarium routine with your new aquatic pet in mind it becomes easier every day.
Best Fish Tank Reviews
Now that you know the basics of fish tanks, it’s time to decide which tank is best for you and your new fish friends. There are a variety of different tanks on the market, so be sure to read our best fish tank review to get a better understanding of the best fish tank for you.
Fluval Flex 9 and 15 Gallon Model

The Fluval Flex fish tank is the perfect starter fish tank for those who want to get started with fishkeeping in their home.
We reviewed a variety of aquariums and found that the Fluval Flex 9 gallon and 10-gallon tanks are great for beginners and perfect for plant lovers. It has an elegant design with curves on both sides, which makes it look bigger than other tanks without sacrificing space in a room. Being modern makes this fish tank, not only stand out in its shape but there are also some useful equipment features such as LED lighting and a built-in filter system.
The fish aquarium itself would be a perfect planted aquarium for tropical fish or keeping aggressive fish separate from your more calm fish species. Both the 9 and 15-gallon aquarium tanks offer a robust filtration system, aquarium lighting with an LED hood that creates a healthy environment for two or three fish at a time, depending on their size. Be sure to still use a good water conditioner to ensure your fish friends will thrive and keep your fish happy.

This tank was made for people who love their fish! If you want to keep them healthy and happy, this is the perfect setup. You can control water flow as well as adjust LED lights in order to show off your beautiful fish tank decor and friendly fish pals.
This product offers three levels of filtration: mechanical, chemical, and biological which ensure optimal water quality at each stage making sure that no type of creature gets sick from toxins build up due to lack of hygiene and poor water quality.
Pros:
- Advanced Filtration Built-in
- Modern Curves and Elegant Design
- Remote Controlled Flex Pad
- Adjustable Water Flow Feature
- LED Lighting for Plant Growth and Fish Health
- Best Affordable Starter Fish Tank
Cons:
- Smaller Size Creates A More Cramped Space
Coralife Biocube 32

A beautiful and productive reef tank is a great addition to any home. These tanks require more maintenance than other types of aquariums, but they make up for it in return with their unique look that can be hard to find elsewhere!
The Coralife LED Biocube aquarium comes equipped with everything you need except fish food. The fish lover’s dream has come true. The LED light fixtures in this fish tank are much more natural and they don’t emit harsh blue light like older fish tank lights.

The beauty of this tank is that it not only provides impressive lighting but also offers a built-in filtration system that can be customized to any level you desire.
The submersible pump is another nifty feature that means you won’t have an annoying noise or discharge from your fish tank when on standby mode.
This fish tank is perfect for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. The Coralife Biocube 32 is also a great choice for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of space because it includes a built-in hood to make the most out of any tabletop or counter area.
Pros:
- Tank Fan For Cooling
- Temperature Control
- Adjustable Light Control
- Noise-free submersible pump
- Built-in Filteration
- Sleek and Durable Stylish Design
Cons:
- Poor or no Warranty
- Increased Tank Maintenance
Marineland 5 Gallon Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit

The sleek and modern design of this 5-gallon tank will make it a great addition to your home or office. The clear glass canopy allows you to view angles from multiple positions, while the LED light above provides natural lighting no matter what time of day.
The Marineland Portrait fish tank is a great small aquarium that you can use if your space is limited, but still want the look of an entire setup. You could call it a “corner” tank because it’s so portable and will fit in any corner nicely and keep fish healthy!

In fact, this contour glass aquarium kit comes with hyphen filtration too which makes the aquarium lower maintenance while also looking good from all angles (pun intended).
Marineland has been around since 1961 when they first introduced their patented design called The Glass Advantage® – meaning high performance without sacrificing beauty or ease-of-maintenance. So, it’s no surprise they’re still trucking along and making great products for anyone looking to add a tank to their bedroom, home office, or both.
Pros:
- Sun and Moon Modes
- Modern Look and Feel
- Fits in Small Areas
- Easy to Clean
- Low-Profile Filter System
Cons:
- Pump Can Be Noisy
- Not Suitable For Small Species
Fluval Spec V

This beautiful and elegant tank is perfect for anyone who wants to have a mystical underwater world thrive in an aquarium.
With its 37 LED lights, you can enjoy watching your fish swim around while they glow in their own natural colors thanks to the soothing light from these aquatic LEDs. This also includes an etched glass bottom with durable construction as well as a 3-stage filter system that makes sure all water conditions are stable.

This will ensure healthy plant growth too. We recommend adding some macroalgae if possible since it looks amazing against those blues or greens when grown correctly if choosing this fish tank.
Pros:
- Hood and LED lights Included
- Built-In 3-stage filter
- Adjustable H2o Flow
- Strong Etched Glass
Cons:
- Needs Heater Space
Fluval Edge Aquarium

When it comes to the best fish tanks, with their 3D cuboid shape and stainless steel finish, the Fluval Edge, like the Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium, is a trendy tank that’s sure to impress. Unlike regular tanks you see on shelves today, this one has an elegant look thanks in part to its sophisticated pedestal which gives it a floating effect as it hovers above the fish tank stand.
The tank itself is very wide and offers built-in filter media and a clever 3-stage system that includes chemical filtration. This includes mechanical, chemical, and biological media trays to eliminate waste build-up within the aquarium. The filter also has an adjustable flow which you can control by rotating the dial located on top of the unit. If aesthetics matter to you then this tank will turn heads with its modern sleek finish as opposed to larger tanks.

In addition to the great features mentioned above, the tank has a built-in LED lighting system that simulates natural daylight. This not only looks great but also helps to create an ideal environment for your fish and plants. The light can be easily adjusted to provide different intensities depending on your needs. Whether you want to show off fish tank decorations with its blue LED light or highlight your beautiful tank inhabitants this tank can do just that.
The LEDs can also help grow live plants in your tank for a truly immersive fish tank experience but is also acceptable to use artificial plants if that is more your style.
Pros:
- Non-tradition Style
- Quiet Pump
- Built-in Fish Lights
- Streamlined Filtration
Cons:
- Can Be Hard To Manuever Due To Smaller Size
Summing Up The Best Fish Tanks
Choosing the right fish tank for your home can be a daunting task. This is not only because there are so many options available, but also because it’s hard to know what factors you should consider when making this important decision. To make things easier we’ve compiled some of the most helpful tips and tricks that will help simplify and shorten the process and get you on your way to finding the best fish tank option for you and your family. Taking in these considerations, you will be on your way to enjoying your new fish tank along with your fish pets.