If you’re unfamiliar with what a nano aquarium is, they’re a fish tank with a volume of less than 30 gallons. Most nano aquariums are a great option for aquarists new to fishkeeping or those with limited space. Their small size means they can be placed in even the smallest apartment, while also being relatively easy to maintain.
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Article Summary
- Nano aquariums are fish tanks with a volume of less than 30 gallons and are suitable for beginners or those with limited space.
- Nano aquariums require careful consideration of setup type, fish species, and desired features and accessories.
- Regular maintenance, including daily, weekly/bi-weekly, and monthly tasks, is essential for keeping a healthy nano aquarium.
If you’re thinking of setting up a nano aquarium for your work from home setup or to start your journey as a fish keeper, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve provided everything you need to know about nano tanks, as well as a list of recommendations for the best nano aquarium.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Review Summary
Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit
The amount of equipment you get with this nano aquarium is really handy as you don’t need to go out and purchase anything separately (other than fish and some decor!).
Best All-Rounder: Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit
Out of all the nano aquariums I’ve reviewed, this one is my overall recommendation for most aquarists.
Aqueon’s nano aquarium kit is an excellent choice whether you’re a new or experienced aquarist. It comes with almost everything you need for keeping fish, including a filtering unit, heater, LED light, and a variety of accessories.
GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
A solid choice if you’re on a budget. It comes with almost everything you need to start keeping fish, including an LED light and filter with an adjustable flow pump.
Best on a Budget: GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
This nano aquarium is a solid choice for fishkeepers who want a great tank that doesn’t break the bank.
The Glofish nano tank kit is best suited to fishkeepers on a budget due to its affordability. Iht sports a stylish design and comes with a filter and LED light for convenience.
Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 15 Gallons
It includes practically everything you need to get started for keeping fish, namely a powerful filtration system that comes with biological, chemical, and mechanical filter media.
Editor’s Choice: Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 15 Gallons
My personal favorite nano tank. It’s a little pricier than some of the other aquariums but is of excellent quality as a result.
Fluval’s 15-gallon aquarium would look stunning in any home due to its sleek and modern design. It comes with almost everything you need for keeping fish including a filtration system and LED lamp.
Why Do You Need a Nano Aquarium?
their small size makes them easier to maintain and cheaper to run…
Nano fish tanks are a popular option for many aquarists as their small size makes them easier to maintain and cheaper to run. The equipment needed for a nano fish tank is relatively inexpensive as you won’t need large heaters, lights, and filters like you would in a big aquarium.
Additionally, you don’t need to use as much substrate, aquarium products, or power in a nano tank. Running a fish tank can get pricey, so a small fish tank is a great choice if you want a beautiful aquarium at a fraction of the cost.
ideal for apartments or small living quarters as they can easily fit on a desk or side table…
A nano fish tank is also ideal for apartments or small living quarters as they can easily fit on a desk or side table. You can change their location around as they don’t weigh too much, unlike large fish tanks.
One of the most beneficial features of a nano aquarium is their relatively quick maintenance. While you still need to clean a nano aquarium, water changes are a lot easier. Removing 20% to 30% of water on a 10-gallon tank takes a lot less time than on a 200-gallon one.
How to Choose the Best Nano Aquarium
When you’re looking for a nano aquarium, there are a range of things you need to keep in mind to help you decide the right one for you. These include the type of setup you want, your desired stocking choices, and any features/accessories you want included with the aquarium.
Type Of Setup
Choosing between saltwater and freshwater aquariums and the type of tank you want to run is vital when selecting a nano tank.
Most aquariums are made from glass, but some types (particularly inexpensive brands) are made from acrylic. Acrylic tanks are fine for coldwater and tropical setups, but they’re not recommended for saltwater ones.
The high humidity and synthetic sea salt content in saltwater setups can warp acrylic tanks, which is why you should opt for a glass tank instead.
Fish Species
In addition to the type of tank you want, the species of fish you’d like to fill your aquarium with is also important for picking the best nano aquarium for you. You need to look at the capacity of the nano aquarium to ensure it meets the needs of the fish you plan to stock it with. You should consider stocking nano fish or other small fish species for the best results.
Don’t go and get a nano tank when you’re planning on putting bigger fish like regal blue tangs into it.
Nano aquariums are any size tank under 30 gallons, but if the fish you want to keep requires a 50-gallon aquarium, then you’ll need to consider upgrading to a larger tank.
NOTE
Housing a fish in a habitat that is too small for them can severely affect their health, often resulting in stunted growth and premature death.
Preferred Features and Accessories
Lastly, keep in mind any features or convenient accessories you want to have in your nano tank. This might include a built-in filtration unit or a heater to regulate the temperature of your aquarium, or an auto top-off device for filling your tank with fresh water when the water level drops. Although you can purchase these types of items separately, it’s a lot more convenient if they’re included with the aquarium.
A lot of starter nano aquarium kits provide you with everything you need, so they’re an ideal choice for new fishkeepers.
What Size Tanks Are Considered Nano?
Tanks that hold less than 30 gallons of water are considered nano. The word “nano” commonly refers to all tank sizes under 30 gallons, but some aquarists and some of my aquatic friends prefer to use the term “pico” for tanks under 10 gallons.
What Nano Tank Size Do I Need?
The size nano tank you choose is entirely up to preference, but make sure the species of fish you plan to stock it with are suitable for a small tank. For example, you don’t want to put a fancy goldfish like the oranda in a 5-gallon tank as they require a lot more space.
TIP
Make sure you check the specific requirements of the fish you want to stock in your nano aquarium. Only select species that are small enough for the size of your tank. This includes their adult size, too.
A lot of fish like clown loaches or common plecos are stocked in nano aquariums as they are small when they are young. However, both these species grow extremely large as they mature and will quickly outgrow small aquariums.
NOTE
Keeping fish in a tank that is too small for them will severely impact their health and happiness, so make sure the species you are thinking of owning are suitable for a nano aquarium.
How Do You Measure a Nano Tank?
If you’re not sure how to work out the amount of gallons your nano tank can hold, then simply measure the length, width, and height of your tank in inches using a tape measure.
Once you have your tank’s dimensions, you can now work out the volume using this calculation (for rectangular tanks): length x width x height divided by 231. For cylinder-shaped tanks, the calculation is as follows: pie x radius squared x height divided by 231.
For example, if your tank size is 16” x 8” x 10”, then it can hold 5 gallons of water.
What Equipment Does a Nano Tank Need?
Filters
A fish tank filter is vital in any aquarium, even a nano one. Filters help aerate and maintain clean water quality by removing leftover food, waste, and other debris. Without a biological filtration device, your aquarium will get dirty quickly and will affect the wellbeing of your fish. If your tank doesn’t have a filter, you should consider getting a 10 gallon or 20 gallon filter. But if you have a smaller tank or low bioload fish, a 5 gallon filter might suffice.
Nano Tank Lights
Aquarium lights are necessary for your nano tank as they help create a natural day and night cycle for your fish. In addition to this, lights are crucial for live plants as they aid with photosynthesis and growth.
Heaters
If you’re planning on owning freshwater or marine fish, then you’ll need a heater on your freshwater nano aquariums to increase and maintain the temperature of your water. Tropical species of fish originate from warm climates, so they require heated water to survive.
Most tropical species need a water temperature between 75 °F and 80 °F. So a heater is a must especially if you live in an area with a cold climate.
Where to Buy a Nano Tank
Nano tanks and small nano aquariums are readily available, so you shouldn’t have much of an issue finding one online or at your local fish store.
How to Care for a Nano Tank
Even though nano tanks are small, they still need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly and have a healthy aquarium environment. Here’s a brief overview of the daily, weekly/bi-weekly, and monthly maintenance you should expect to do when owning a nano tank.
Daily Maintenance
Daily maintenance for your nano tank involves quite a few tasks, but they shouldn’t take too long to complete.
Turn the aquarium lights on and off
A lot of aquarists use an automatic timer, but you can switch them on and off manually at the same times every day. Only leave your lights on for a maximum of 8 to 12 hours to prevent algae growth and stress to your fish.
Feed your tank inhabitants
Only feed your fish as much as they can eat in 2 minutes and remove any leftover food with a net.
Check your tank inhabitants
Make sure you check your fish for any signs of illness or stress. This allows you to act quickly if something is amiss.
Check the water temperature
It’s a good idea to use an aquarium thermometer so you can monitor the temperature of your water.
If you own a saltwater tank, you should also check the salinity of the water.
Empty the protein skimmer collection cup
This only applies if you own a protein skimmer. The collection cup on a protein skimmer can get pretty full and dirty rapidly, so you might need to empty it daily.
Test your aquarium water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH.
If you’ve just started an aquarium, routinely testing your water daily is recommended until the nitrogen cycle is established. Once your water has matured, it’s still important to frequently test your water.
Thoroughly check your aquarium equipment (filtration unit, heater, light, etc)
You should regularly monitor how well your aquarium equipment is running and check for any signs of damage.
Weekly/Bi-Weekly Maintenance
Weekly maintenance for your nano tank involves cleaning the exterior, performing water changes, cleaning your substrate using a gravel vacuum, and checking your aquarium equipment for signs of damage.
To prevent dirt and grime from building up on the outside of your freshwater or saltwater nano aquariums, use a damp cloth each week to wipe the glass. Don’t use any cleaning products or chemicals as they could contaminate your tank water and harm your fish.
Keep in mind that freshwater tanks are easier to maintain than saltwater nano tanks. So you might need to make extra effort when it comes to maintaining your saltwater tanks.
Water Change
Some aquarists prefer to do water changes every couple of weeks, but your stocking choices and tank size largely influence this. When performing a water change, you should aim to change around 25% to 30% of water.
In addition to this, make sure the new water is around the same temperature as your aquarium.
TIP
It’s a good idea to check your filter, heater, and lights frequently to make sure they are all working properly. This allows you to sort out possible issues or faults before it’s too late.
Monthly Maintenance
Monthly maintenance for your nano aquarium involves cleaning your filtration unit, heater, and other types of aquarium equipment. Try to avoid cleaning your filter on the same day as you perform a water change.
Best Nano Aquariums Reviews
Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit
The amount of equipment you get with this nano aquarium is really handy as you don’t need to go out and purchase anything separately (other than fish and some decor!).
Best All-Rounder: Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit
provides you with everything you need to get started for keeping fish…
Aqueon’s nano fish tank is my overall best nano aquarium recommendation as it provides you with everything you need to get started for keeping fish. It includes a QuietFlow 10 power filter that has an integrated LED light that notifies you when you need to replace the media cartridge.
Features
You get a 50-watt preset heater that keeps your aquarium at a consistent 78 °F, as well as a LED lamp to illuminate your fish tank. A fish net, pack of fish food, water conditioner, and stick-on thermometer are all included, too.
The amount of equipment you get with this nano aquarium is really handy as you don’t need to go out and purchase anything separately (other than fish and some decor!).
Design
While all of the accessories you get with Aqueon’s nano aquarium is definitely a highlight of this tank, my favorite feature is its stylish and sleek design. I especially like the tank’s hood and its opening to accommodate the included filter.
The tank is a good size for a variety of fish, including platies, guppies (whether pregnant or not), neon tetras, white cloud minnows, or even an African dwarf frog. As the kit comes with a filtration unit, heater, light, and other accessories, the only thing you’d need to purchase separately are the fish themselves!
However, there are a few issues with Aqueon 10-gallon nano aquariums. For one, the tank itself can leak a bit over time. Secondly, the Aqueon filter unit can be a little noisy and prone to breaking. And lastly, the heater can experience durability problems.
Specs
- Dimensions: 20.2” x 10.5” x 13.3”
- Volume: 10 gallons
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Sleek design
- Includes filter, heater, LED light, and hood
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Tank can leak over time
- Included filtration unit and heater can have durability issues
GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
A solid choice if you’re on a budget. It comes with almost everything you need to start keeping fish, including an LED light and an adjustable flow filter pump.
Best on a Budget: GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
a solid choice if you’re on a budget. It comes with almost everything you need to start keeping fish…
Glofish’s 5-gallon nano fish tank is a solid choice if you’re on a budget. Great for a bunch of guppies. It comes with almost everything you need to start keeping fish, including an LED light and an adjustable flow filter pump.
Light Modes
The aquarium LED light has four different light modes, ranging from a sunlight mode to a moonlight mode. This lets you pick the best atmosphere for your tank. The light is also easy to install as it simply clips onto the edge of your tank.
Design
The best feature of this aquarium is its stunning design. It’s taller than it is in length, which reduces its footprint. If you have limited space, this tank would be perfect as it could be placed on a side table or desk.
As the tank is only 5 gallons, your stocking choices are a little limited compared to some of the larger aquariums featured in this list. However, it would be a decent size for a few small fish species like a pea puffer, a single betta fish, or a small group of chilli rasboras.
Unfortunately, Glofish 5-gallon nano aquariums can have one or two problems. The quality of the tank is not the best, which can cause it to leak water over time. The included filtration unit and LED light are also susceptible to breaking prematurely.
Specs
- Dimensions: 19.3” x 14.1” x 13.5”
- Volume: 5 gallons
- Weight: 16 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Small footprint
- Includes filter and LED light
- Attractive design
Cons
- Included accessories are not the best quality
- Tank can leak over time
Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 15 Gallons
It includes practically everything you need to get started for keeping fish, namely a powerful filtration system that comes with biological, chemical, and mechanical filter media.
Editor’s Choice: Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 15 Gallons
an excellent option if you’re looking for a high-quality tank for your fish…
The Fluval 15-gallon nano aquarium is an excellent option if you’re looking for a high-quality tank for your fish. It includes practically everything you need to get started for keeping fish, namely a powerful filtration system that comes with biological, chemical, and mechanical filter media.
Filter
The filtration unit offers multi-directional 132 GPH (gallons per hour) dual outputs that allow you to alter the water flow rate. To provide your fish with more space to swim, the filtration system is hidden in the rear compartment of the tank.
NOTE
The filtration system can be a hazard to very small fish species, so it’s important to wisely choose what type of fish to put in the tank.
For added convenience, the small aquarium comes with 48 white and 6 RGB (red, blue and green) fully adjustable 2450 lux LEDs to let you create the perfect atmosphere for your fish. The 7500K (Kelvin) LED lamp also encourages growth in live plants, which is great if you want to try your hand at aquascaping.
TIP
There’s a variety of color options and effects to choose from to allow for a lot of creativity. All of these settings can be accessed on the remote control included, which is a nice touch.
Design
The feature I like most about this nano tank is its design, which is both stylish and visually appealing. It has a curved glass front, which makes the aquarium look a lot bigger than it is. There’s also a stylish wrap around the top of the aquarium to neatly hide the waterline of the rear compartment.
This aquarium is large enough for a range of fish, including cardinal tetras, honey gourami, leopard/zebra danios, or a pair of German blue rams. If you want to keep tropical fish, you’ll need to purchase a heater as the kit doesn’t include one.
Despite its positives, there are a couple of issues with this nano tank. The filtration system can be a little noisy and the LED lights can stop working from time to time.
Specs
- Dimensions: 35” x 40” x 30”
- Volume: 15 gallons
- Weight: 20.9 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Stunning design
- Includes built-in filtration system and LED lights
- Adjustable filter flow rate
- Comes with filter media
Cons
- Filtration system can be a little noisy
- LED lights can be a bit unreliable
Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium LED
Solid choice if you need a good-quality nano tank. It sports a stylish hood with integrated LED lighting. The lights come with a 24-hour timer and three independent channels to help you pick the best ambiance for your tank.
Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium LED
The Coralife Biocube 16-gallon aquarium is another solid choice if you need a good-quality nano tank. It’s also great for a reef tank setup. It sports a stylish hood with integrated LED lighting. The lights come with a 24-hour timer and three independent channels to help you pick the best ambiance for your tank.
The best aspect of the Coralife Biocube is its built-in filtration system…
The best aspect of the Coralife Biocube is its built-in filtration system, which is easy to set up. The filter pump for the unit has dual intakes and an adjustable return nozzle so you can change the water flow rate.
Size
Out of all the nano reef tanks I’ve looked at, this nano cube aquarium is the largest in size, so it opens up the doors to more interesting stocking choices. You could create your own nano reef tank setup and keep a range of community species rather than being limited to just a single fish like with smaller tanks.
Personally, with a tank this size, I’d stock it with a small shoal of harlequins rasboras, a dwarf gourami, and a clown pleco. Not only do these species add a splash of color to your tank, but they also swim at different levels. This means the top, middle, and bottom of your aquarium will always look lively.
Design
Although the design of the Coralife fish tank is appealing, it is a bit bulky and heavy. This means you’ll need a stable surface that can support the weight of the tank when it’s filled with water. As the tank is prone to cracking over time, it’s important you place it on a suitable surface.
The kit also doesn’t come with a heater, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you want to own tropical species of fish.
The built-in filtration system can also make the tank a little difficult to maintain, particularly if it breaks.
Specs
- Dimensions: 15” x 16.8” x 17.5”
- Volume: 16 gallons
- Weight: 30.6 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Built-in filtration system
- Includes aquarium hood with integrated LED lighting
- Visually appealing design
Cons
- Filtration system might be hard to maintain
- Can crack over time
MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
Bright LED lights are provided with the tank. Allowing you to select the perfect setting for your fish. has a lovely portrait design that enables you to place it practically anywhere
MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
It has a lovely portrait design that enables you to place it practically anywhere. The corners are rounded so you can view the tank easily from multiple angles…
Another decent nano tank is MarineLand’s 5-gallon aquarium kit. It has a lovely portrait design that enables you to place it practically anywhere. The corners are rounded so you can view the tank easily from multiple angles.
LED Lights
Bright LED lights are provided with the tank, allowing you to select the perfect setting for your fish. You can choose from two different lighting modes: daylight and moonlight. The fixture is hinged, too, which makes it very easy to set up.
Filter
At the back of the nano tank is a hidden filtration system, which is concealed so the main focus of the aquarium is your fish and decor. Additionally, the stylish sliding glass lid included with the tank offers protection for your fish without drawing attention.
the tank is designed to emphasize its interior…
I think the best feature of MarineLand’s nano aquarium kit is its gorgeous appearance. I especially like how the tank is designed to emphasize its interior (i.e, your fish and decor). Although important, equipment like filters and aquarium hoods aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing devices!
Personally, I’d use this tank to house a single male betta with a handful of live plants and toys for betta. I think the sleek appearance of the aquarium and the vibrant colors of the betta would complement one another beautifully.
The main issue with this MarineLand tank is its filtration system. Not only is the unit prone to leaking due to its design, but it can be difficult to clean and maintain.
One of my smaller gripes with the tank is the unclear assembly instructions it comes with. This can make setting up the aquarium a bit challenging.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11.8” x 11.6” x 17”
- Volume: 5 gallons
- Weight: 16.3 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Comes with built-in filtration system and light
- Includes a stylish glass lid
- Beautiful and unique design
Cons
- Filtration system can leak and be difficult to maintain
- Unclear assembly instructions
Fluval Spec V Nano Tank Fish Kit
A small but stylish tank that’s perfect for countertops or desktops. It has a uniquely slim appearance that would liven up any tiny surface in your home.
Fluval Spec V Nano Tank Fish Kit
a small but stylish tank that’s perfect for countertops or desktops…
If you need a small but stylish tank that’s perfect for countertops or desktops, then Fluval’s 5-gallon aquarium kit is worth taking a closer look at. It has a uniquely slim appearance that would liven up any tiny surface in your home.
Features
You get a lighting system, filter, and an array of filter media with the nano tank. The light consists of 37 LED bulbs that add brightness to your aquarium. To save on space, the filter and pump are located in a separate chamber on the side of the aquarium. The nozzle on the pump can be adjusted so you can change the flow rate.
For convenience, you get activated carbon, bio rings, and a porous foam block. This provides your fish with 3-stage filtration, so you don’t need to purchase additional filter media.
Capacity
The Fluval Spec V aquarium kit is suitable to house a few different types of colorful fish, including a small shoal of neon tetras, a single betta, or a pea puffer. However, the Spec V aquarium kit doesn’t come with a heater, so you’d need to buy one separately to own any of these species.
The biggest downfall of Fluval’s V Spec nano aquariums is their poor filtration system. Unfortunately, the filter and pump of the Fluval Spec V aquarium are not very powerful and can malfunction frequently.
Specs
- Dimensions: 17.2” x 10.6” x 6.3”
- Volume: 5 gallons
- Weight: 15.5 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Unique slim design
- Comes with lighting and filtration system
- Includes a variety of filter media
Cons
- Filter lacks power and durability
MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit
It comes with bright white and blue energy efficient LED lights that have a 3-way toggle switch, as well as a 3-stage hidden filtration chamber. This system keeps your tank water clean without drawing attention away from the rest of your aquarium.
MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit
If you’ve thought about diving into aquascaping, MarineLand’s 3-gallon tank would make a lovely aquarium. It comes with a bright white and blue energy efficient LED lighting system that has a 3-way toggle switch, as well as a 3-stage hidden filtration chamber.
comes with a bright white and blue energy efficient LED lighting system that has a 3-way toggle switch, as well as a 3-stage hidden filtration chamber…
This three stage filtration system keeps your tank water clean without drawing attention away from the rest of your aquarium. An array of accessories are provided with the tank, such as filter media cartridges and a stylish glass canopy. The latter has a sliding door to make it easy to access the interior of the aquarium.
Easy to Install
Although some nano tank kits can be difficult to assemble, this isn’t the case with MarineLand’s aquarium. It’s simple to put together and maintain. However, the filtration chamber can be a little fiddly to clean or replace if it malfunctions.
Design
Like many MarineLand tanks, the Contour model is visually appealing in terms of appearance. It has curved glass corners so you can view the tank easily from all angles, as well as a stylish bottom stand.
Size
This is a bit small aquarium to house most species of fish, so your stocking choices are very limited compared to the other aquariums I’ve reviewed. Personally, I’d use a tank this size for live plants or a small colony of cherry shrimp. Bear in mind that you’d need to buy a heater for keeping cherry shrimp as the MarineLand kit doesn’t come with a unit.
My main gripe with this tank is its poor-quality filter, which can be prone to breaking. The chamber itself is also quite small and cannot hold a large amount of filter media
Pros
- Attractive design
- Built-in filter
- Includes stylish glass canopy and lighting system
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Filter can be faulty and hard to clean
- Filtration chamber is a little small
Tetra GloFish 3 Gallon Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
It boasts a modern cube-shaped design with an acrylic base, alongside a plastic top cover. The kit is equipped with a filtering device that keeps your aquarium water clean, as well as a clip-on light.
Tetra GloFish 3 Gallon Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
Another nano tank that’s great for aquascaping is Tetra’s GloFish 3-gallon aquarium kit. It boasts a modern cube-shaped design with an acrylic base, alongside a plastic top cover.
The kit is equipped with a filtering device that keeps your aquarium water clean…
The kit is equipped with a filtering device that keeps your aquarium water clean, as well as a clip-on light. One filter media cartridge is provided for convenience, too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a heater, so you’d need to purchase one separately to keep tropical species.
Size
While 3 gallons might be a little too nano for most species of fish, this tank would be suitable for small shrimp and live aquatic plants. Its small footprint means you can position it almost anywhere, so it would make for a lovely tabletop centrepiece.
Similar to MarineLand’s tank, the Tetra Glofish enclosure is a bit too nano for many types of fish. However, it would be a good option to house live aquatic plants or a small colony of cherry shrimp. Alternatively, you could use it to breed brine shrimp to feed to your fish.
Although the quality of the tank itself is good, the accessories included with the kit can be a bit flimsy. Both the light and filtering device can break after a short period of time.
Specs
- Dimensions: 10.5” x 10” x 10”
- Volume: 3 gallons
- Weight: 4.41 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Unique and stylish appearance
- Small footprint
- Includes media, filter, and light
Cons
- Accessories are not the best quality
It’s inspired by Feng Shu and is designed to create the perfect balance of sight and sound. The nano aquarium comes with a powerful filtering device to keep your tank clean
Hagen Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit
Similar to the other Fluval nano aquarium featured in this list, the Chi model is a stunning nano tank. It’s inspired by Feng Shu and is designed to create the perfect balance of sight and sound. For this reason, the tank combines a relaxing sound and motion of bubbling water with lighting using a device that is positioned at the top of the aquarium.
designed to create the perfect balance of sight and sound…
These sounds and the vibrant lighting helps create a soothing and calming atmosphere. The nano aquarium comes with a powerful filtering device to keep your tank clean. You also get filter media with the kit, which is handy.
Size
As the aquarium can only hold 5 gallons of water, your stocking options are a little sparse as most species require larger aquariums. However, the tank would be a decent size for a single betta or pea puffer. The tank doesn’t come with a heater, so you’d need to purchase one separately if you want to keep either of these species of fish.
One of the biggest downsides of this nano aquarium lies in its combined filter and light unit. While impressive, it can be difficult to replace and maintain the device. For example, if the filter component of the unit stops working, then the entire device needs to be replaced even if the light is still functioning.
Specs
- Dimensions: 14.4” x 14.4” x 17.5
- Volume: 5 gallons
- Weight: 6.56 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Stunning design
- Bubbling motion and sound unit
- Comes with a range of accessories
Cons
- Can be frustrating to maintain due to combined filter and light unit
Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium
An adequate option if you’re looking for a small tank as it comes with a variety of accessories. It has a 45° precision cut ‘beveled edge’ that’s bonded with clear silicone which is practically invisible.
Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium
Lifegard’s nano aquarium is an adequate option if you’re looking for a small tank as it comes with a variety of accessories. It has a 45° precision cut ‘beveled edge’ that’s bonded with clear silicone which is practically invisible.
an adequate option if you’re looking for a small tank as it comes with a variety of accessories…
With the aquarium, you get a filtering unit with a submersible pump. A range of media like bio balls, activated carbon, and a sponge pad are also included. The flow on the filtering unit can also be adjusted, too. There is also a filter compartment to make the filtration unit hidden out of view to improve the overall look of the aquarium.
Size
Compared to the other aquariums in this list, the Lifegard Aquatic Crystal tank is one of the smallest as it can only hold 4.14 gallons. Unfortunately, a lot of fish species need more than this, so your stocking options are rather limited. However, you could use the tank to house live plants or a small colony of dwarf shrimp.
One of the main drawbacks of this nano aquarium is its filtering device, which can lack power and be a little noisy. As the tank only comes with media and a filtering unit, you’d need to purchase additional equipment like a heater and lamp. This obviously drives up the overall cost, so if you’re looking for a more beginner-friendly aquarium, the other options in this list might be a better choice.
Specs
- Dimensions: 13” x 10” x 9”
- Volume: 4.14 gallons
- Weight: 11.6 lbs
- Material: Glass
Pros
- Includes filtering unit and media
- Appealing design
- Hidden filter compartment at back of tank
Cons
- Filtering device can lack power and be a bit noisy
- Doesn’t come with a heater or lamp
Conclusion
After considering all the options our top picks were…
After looking at an array of nano aquariums, I think one of the best nano tanks for both new and experienced aquarists is the Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit. It comes with almost everything you need to get started as it includes a light, filtering unit, heater, and a wide range of accessories.
The design of the tank is sleek and modern, making it the perfect addition to any home. It even features a hood to protect your fish from escaping.
However, the tank can leak water over time and can have problems with its filtering unit.
Great Alternatives
If Aqueon’s nano tank doesn’t seem like the right match for you, then I also recommend the GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank and Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 15 Gallons. The former is extremely affordable, so it’s worth picking up if you’re on a budget.
Best on a Budget
It sports an attractive and unique design, as well as a small footprint to make it ideal for houses with limited space. A filtration unit and light are included with the aquarium, too.
Unfortunately, both the quality and the included accessories can experience some durability issues.
Editor’s Choice
The Fluval 15-gallon tank is my personal favorite as it is exceptionally high quality. It has a filtration system that is completely adjustable and packed with media.
It also includes a powerful LED lamp that helps encourage plant growth in live plants. The lighting modes for the lamp can be accessed on the provided external remote control for convenience.
Despite its highlights, the filtration unit can be a little noisy and LED lights can develop faults.
Thanks for reading my review, and I hope you now have found the nano aquarium for your fishy friends.
