When it comes to finding an aquarium or a fish tank, you've got plenty of options, from all sorts of materials, sizes to varying weights - the options are endless.
However, selecting the best aquarium for your fish is a lot harder than it seems. Firstly you'll need to decide what size fish tank you want, although the general rule of thumb is that bigger is usually better, as they'll have more space to roam around.
Secondly, you will have to decide how many fish tank additions you require and how you'll decorate it because let's be honest fish tanks can make colourful and vibrant additions to our homes. The basic aquarium accessories include a filter or a filtration system, an aquarium heater and lighting.
But if you're not quite sure which fish tank to give your money to, we can help, as we've compiled a guide of the best aquariums and the best fish tanks.
And if you have any questions on aquariums or you're not sure what fish tank accessories you'll need for your little buddies, make sure you scroll to the bottom of our guide as we've included an FAQ section on this subject.
The best aquariums and the best fish tanks
Editor's pick
Rrp: £104.34
Although this is only a five-gallon fish tank, it's still by far the best aquarium on the market. The reason it's been awarded that title is largely due to how easy it is to set it up and maintain it, as well as its SmartClean technology. This allows you to change and replace the water in just two minutes, making the maintenance of this tank incredibly straightforward! This is an excellent choice for experienced fish owners as well as beginners.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.38 kg |
| Size | 5 gallons |
| Material | Acrylic |
Best largest tank
If you're looking for a larger tank then this may be the one for you. With this aquarium, Tetra has managed to deliver a high-quality and sizable aquarium for a reasonable price tag. What's especially great about this product is that it's made from scratch-resistant glass, so you don't need to worry about any objects or accessories in the fish tank scratching the glass.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 13 kg |
| Size | 15.9 gallons |
| Material | Glass |
Best for decoration
Many of us make the decision to get fish because they're one of the rare pets that can serve as decoration too. Their tanks and aquariums can be beautiful, with different lights and vibrant accessories, and this fish tank, thanks to its lighting feature certainly can be a great decoration piece. It has three different lighting modes - red, blue and green, all of which can be remotely controlled. Additionally, it also comes with a built-in filtration system and a pretty efficient water circulation pump.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.43 kg |
| Size | 2.64 gallons |
| Material | Acrylic |
Best aquarium for tropical fish
As we previously mentioned, depending on what fish you own you may require an aquarium heater. The great feature about this product is that it's basically a 2-in-1 as it already comes with an aquarium heater, so you won't have to spend more money purchasing one. Aside from having the heater, this aquarium also comes with an integrated filter and LED lights.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.28 kg |
| Size | 15.3 gallons |
| Material | Glass |
Best aquarium for beginners
If you're just getting started with buying and owning fish, then this aquarium may just be the one for you. This is ideal for beginners as it comes with everything you'd need in a starter kit, this includes an internal filter, heater, LED lighting, water conditioner, fish net, fish food and thermometer. Similarly to the previous product, this is best suited for tropical fish.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.74 kg |
| Size | 6.6 gallons |
| Material | Glass |
Best aquarium for Betta fish
Although this may not be the most budget-friendly fish tank out there, it's certainly one of the best. This aquarium is an excellent option for Betta fish owners, this is due to the fact that the filter utilises all three stages including chemical, biological and mechanical. This will guarantee that your Betta fish will have clean and healthy water. We also love its sleek design and coloured LED lights, allowing you to additionally use it as decor.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.62kg |
| Size | 6.1 gallons |
| Material | Glass |
FAQs:
What fish tank size do I need?
To ensure your fish are healthy and thriving, you will need to use one gallon of water per inch of fish. So per inch of fish that you have or would like to purchase, your tank should have or hold one gallon of water.
What happens if a fish tank is too small?
Having a fish tank that is too small can cause several issues, these include your fish becoming aggressive and having stunted growth. Both of these issues can lead to your fish dying.
Which fish tank material is best?
Fish tanks are usually made from two different types of materials - glass and acrylic. There's been plenty of debate over which is better, and the best material for you will be the one that suits your needs the most.
Glass is cheaper than acrylic, it is scratch-resistant and it won't lose its clarity and yellow over time as acrylic will. However, acrylic is much lighter than glass, meaning it's easier to set up and it's impact resistant, so it won't break as easily as glass either. There are also many more acrylic shapes, whereas glass is much more limited.
If you're looking for the most budget-friendly material, then we recommend you go with glass. However, if it's variety you're after and more lightweight material, then you should consider purchasing an acrylic fish tank.
What to read next?
Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.
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