Best Aquariums (Fish Tanks)

The GloFish NV33823 is a little on the expensive side but, looking at the overall package, the price is very much justifiable. To go with the sizable 20-gallon aquarium, the package includes an LED hood, Tetra mini UL heater, Tetra Whisper 20 filter (with an included cartridge), the company's GloFish 13-inch LED light stick, one GloFish yellow anemone, two plant multipacks, some fish food, and a water conditioner sample. Also, the kit comes with a set-up guide.

The LED hood, shining blue, will transform the aquarium's appearance, making it vibrant and more saturated. Likewise, the 13-inch LED light stick will also add a pop of color to the fish tank, creating quite a presentation. Of course, the Tetra mini UL heater will prove quite useful as well, letting you keep the water temperature between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The GloFish yellow anemone and two plant multipacks, on the other hand, will provide a neon display that makes the aquarium look like a natural habitat.

Construction-wise, the model is made from acrylic, metal, and plastic, making the tank quite durable. That being said, the acrylic scratches quite easily, somewhat ruining the aquarium's otherwise presentable appearance. Still, you'll have a hard time finding a more complete package than the GloFish NV33823.

The MarineLand ML90609 is a different aquarium, different in a way that's good though. With its rounded corners and transparent glass canopy, the model lets you observe what's happening inside the tank from multiple angles. To add more, the sliding canopy enables easy access to the aquarium.

Fish tanks with integrated filtration systems are a dime a dozen nowadays. But they're seldom quite as impressive as the advanced 3-stage system that this aquarium comes armed with. Employing Rite-Size Z Cartridge, Marineland Bio-Foam, and an adjustable flow filter pump, this 3-stage arrangement keeps the ecosystem as clean as a whistle. What's even more impressive or, at the very least, more interesting is that this filtration system is hidden from sight, improving aquarium viewing.

Then again, one could argue that the best part is not the filtration system but the tank's LED setup. Go with the bright white LEDs and you'll be creating a shimmering sunlight effect. Stick with blue LEDs and you'll be producing a stunning moonlit glow. Switching between daylight and moonlight settings, you can make the aquarium look nothing like most fish tanks that you see within this price bracket. Plus, the fish should also appreciate the occasional lighting change.

The Aqueon NeoGlow is an excellent affordable starter kit. With this kit, you can set up a functional and good-looking aquarium without any prior experience whatsoever. Aside from the fish tank, the kit comes packing a QuietFlow™ power filtration (including the required cartridge), a heater, a low-profile hood with blue LED lighting, a few decorative plants, multi-colored gravel, fish food, black background, and some water care samples.

Using the low-profile hood with blue LED lights, the model showcases the bright colors inside the aquarium. At the same time, the coordinated multi-colored gravel and decorative plants make sure that what the LED lights are highlighting does not look bland and boring. In the same vein, the aquarium includes orange fluorescent silicone, making the bottom visible at night (especially against the black background).

The heater's where things get a little dicey. Because it is preset, you won't be able to adjust the temperature inside the tank. That said, the temperature at which it is preset accommodates most fish species, so unless you go with something particularly tropical, the temperature will be fine. Last but not least, the aquarium comes outfitted with non-slip feet on the bottom, making even uneven surfaces (apologies) acceptable.

The Koller Products AQ15005 is a little less presentable than the previous fish tanks but also quite a bit more practical. First, the model's made from impact-resistant plastic, which's a lot more robust and durable than even the strongest glass. But, because the plastic is 100% transparent and does not distort the view, most people will think that this is a glass aquarium at first (and maybe even second) glance. Moreover, the one-piece construction makes the tank even more resilient. While glass aquariums usually glue multiple pieces with silicone, the subject fish tank lets you use it without worrying about potential leaks.

Apart from that, the hood that this model incorporates can be tilted upward so that the moisture can drip back into the aquarium. This way, you can access this tank and feed the fish without removing the hood and without water dripping all over the place.

Even so, the energy-efficient LED lighting might just take the proverbial cake, with 7 bright color selections that illuminate the aquarium with daylight white, red, blue, green, purple, amber, or aqua. The tank even includes a filtration system and a cartridge. It is a little noisy though, so we're only giving the Koller Products AQ15005 partial credit here.

The Aqueon 100528607 is the most barebones and, due to that, the most basic package within this lineup. With this one, you receive nothing but an aquarium. What we're saying is that you'll have to purchase a filtration system, a heater, and non-essentials like LED lights, a hood, decorative plants, and whatever else you may want separately. Naturally, the price reflects this approach as well, with the model being a lot less expensive than the aquariums that come with all of these things.

The aquarium's quite alright though. The glass is somewhat impact-resistant, meaning that we would not recommend dropping it but the tank should survive an accidental hit without cracking. Adding to its advantages, the one-piece center-braced frame eliminates glass bowing. The clean silicone edges make its outline always visible but they're also quite sharp, so make sure you place it where kids cannot access the tank. Sweetening an already sweet pot, the aquarium comes equipped with reliable black silicone seals, protecting it from leaking.

Closing the review, the tank is compatible with drip loops. Again, they're not included in the package, but we would recommend buying one anyway. With it, you can organise the wires from items like heaters, LED lights, etc.