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Last updated: 2 Aug 2022
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The Best Aquariums

Best Overall
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Diversa Professional Aquarium, 25L
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Runner up
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Marineland Contour 3 Aquarium Kit w/LED Lighting, 13.6L
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Good Choice
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Marina 360 Aquarium with Remote Control LED Lighting, 10 Litre
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Contender
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Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, 19 Litres
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All-round
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Tetra Starter Line LED Fish Tank Complete Set, 54 Litres
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By Editor
Published 2 Aug 2022
Show contents
  • 1 Diversa Professional Aquarium, 25L
  • 2 Marineland Contour 3 Aquarium Kit w/LED Lighting, 13.6L
  • 3 Marina 360 Aquarium with Remote Control LED Lighting, 10 Litre
  • 4 Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, 19 Litres
  • 5 Tetra Starter Line LED Fish Tank Complete Set, 54 Litres

Fish are delightful to look at; the way they glide through the water with their beautiful colours, shapes and sizes can soothe even the most anxious mind. Introduce some plants, lighting and whimsical decor, and you’re bound to have a show-stopper that will appeal to your family, friends, and customers. Check out our favourite picks for the best aquariums available online.

1

Diversa Professional Aquarium, 25L

– Best Overall
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Key Features

 This tank’s dimensions are length: 40 cm, width: 25 cm and height: 25 cm. It weighs about 3.6Kg. This product is ideal for home or office use.

 

THE SCOOP

 This 25L rectangular aquarium comprises float Guardian glass, 3mm thick. It has double silicone joints and safety edges. It includes a free aquarium mat for extra protection (other accessories sold separately). This tank is versatile and can multi-function as a terrarium or paludarium. It has a black silicon seal for leak prevention.

Pros
  • Multi-functional
  • Thick glass
  • Double silicone joints
Cons
  • Sealed with black (not clear) silicone  
2

Marineland Contour 3 Aquarium Kit w/LED Lighting, 13.6L

– Runner up
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Key Features

‎This item is 24.13 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm (L x W x H) and weighs 3.63Kg. The product is beautiful and easy to maintain, making it suitable for home or office use. 

 

THE SCOOP

This 13.6L rectangular aquarium kit comprises glass with rounded corners. It has an adjustable flow filter pump and features Marineland three-stage hidden filtration with a Rite-SizeTM Z Cartridge and Marineland Bio-Foam (included). Its canopy comprises clear sliding glass. It features a hinged LED rail light. The LED lights have a three-way switch that toggles between white and blue, off, and blue-only settings.

Pros
  • Built-in three-stage filtration 
  • Adjustable flow pump
  • LED lights 
Cons
  • The plug is 110V, not compatible in the UK
3

Marina 360 Aquarium with Remote Control LED Lighting, 10 Litre

– Good Choice
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Key Features

This fish tank can sustain cold, temperate, or tropical environments. You can install a heater (sold separately) to support tropical fish.  

THE SCOOP

The cylindrical plastic fish tank features almost 360° views. It has an integrated filtration system and comes with two filter cartridges. The pump circulates water at a steady rate of 150L per hour. This tank has blue, green, red and white remote-controlled LED lights. Its cover and the unit housing the pump, filter, and LED lights are removable for easy maintenance.

Pros
  • 360° viewing 
  • Integrated filtration 
  • Coloured LED lights
  • Removable pump/filter housing
Cons
  • It does not include a heater 
4

Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, 19 Litres

– Contender
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Key Features

 This tank measures 52 x 29.5 x 19cm (L x W x H) and weighs about 5Kg. It requires a power source and is for indoor use only.

 

THE SCOOP

This 19L nano fish tank features etched glass with aluminium trim. It has a built-in mechanical, chemical and biological filtration system. This item also includes activated carbon, foam block and BioMax bio rings. The rectangular tank features an overhanging lighting system that arches above the aquarium with 37 LEDs. The pump and filtration system are in a separate chamber at one end of the aquarium to simplify maintenance. 

Pros
  • Built-in filtration system 
  • Includes LED lighting
  • Features thick glass
Cons
  • Non-removable filter
  • Wide filter grid

 

5

Tetra Starter Line LED Fish Tank Complete Set, 54 Litres

– All-round
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Key Features

 This fish tank is for indoor use only, with clean water not exceeding 35°C. The tank is roughly 62 x 33 x 37cm (L x W x H), has a capacity of 54L, and weighs 8.16Kg.  

THE SCOOP

This rectangular aquarium has 6mm thick glass and makes an excellent starter set. It has a plastic lid with an easy-opening feeding flap and LED lighting. It comes with two Tetra EasyCrystal filter replacement cartridges, one container of TetraMin staple food, and one Tetra AquaSafe water conditioner. This tank is ideal for tropical fish and has a 75W heater set to 25° Celsius.

 

Pros
  • Includes heater and filters
  • Comes with lid and LED lights
  • Features thick glass
Cons
  • Lighting clips lack durability 

Buying Guide:

Establishing a balanced habitat for your fish can feel daunting. Before taking the plunge and investing in an aquarium, you’ll need to consider some essential factors.

 

  • Type: The fish species you want will determine the type of aquarium you need. If you are keeping marine fish, a salt-water habitat requires a lot of space. Freshwater fish are less demanding and are tolerant of smaller aquariums. They are usually the better option for novice fish keepers.
  • Temperature: Certain fish require special conditions. Do your fish prefer cold, temperate or tropical environments? Research what is ideal for your fish species. Depending on your location, consider if you may need other accessories like a heater which can help regulate the water temperature. 
  • Inhabitants: Think about who you’re putting in the tank. Some fish can become very large as they age. Choose a tank that can accommodate their adult size. Others like to jump, so consider a tank with a cover for them. Outside of fish, aquariums can house other types of residents. If you intend to get crayfish, you will need a sturdy lid for these masters of escape.
  • Acrylic or glass: Both options have their advantages. Acrylic tanks are lighter and facilitate scratch removal and curvy panels. Glass tanks are UV proof (won’t yellow), scratch-resistant and have no visual distortion.
  • Maintenance: Ensure you select a tank that allows access to the pump and filters. These need regular cleaning as they maintain the balance of your tank’s health and biodiversity. With fish, there is such a thing as too clean. Maintain your aquarium according to the manufacturer's instructions and avoid harsh cleaners. You may notice fingerprints or smudges on the outside glass; use a mild glass or window cleaner (like vinegar). Avoid ones with loud fragrances and spray the cleaner onto a cloth instead of the aquarium.

 

FAQ

Q: What are nano aquariums?

A: Nano aquariums are small aquariums used for housing smaller-sized organisms. These include small plant species, smaller breeds of fish, like Zebra Danios or designer fish bred for their miniature size, such as Panda Guppies. Nano aquariums are less than 35L, and their small size is perfect for anyone who wants an aquarium but has limited space.    Nano aquariums are more affordable than their bigger counterparts. They require fewer materials and take a short time to set up. They are also not as labour intensive as there is less maintenance. Nano aquariums are ideal starter tanks for beginners.   

Q: What is the difference between aquariums and terrariums?

A: Aquariums house living marine or freshwater plants and/or animals. Aquariums can have glass or acrylic walls with waterproof silicone seals to hold large quantities of water. Terrariums comprise glass or plastic walls. They house living plants and/or small land animals, including rodents, reptiles, arachnids, worms and insects.   Some tanks can handle a combination of these environments. They comprise both aquatic and terrestrial features. Paludariums, from ‘palus’, the Latin word for swamp, are perfect for those who wish to have a large diversity of water and terrestrial life in the same enclosure. They can house amphibians, reptiles, insects or even birds.

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By Editor
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