Rimless fish tanks are the ultimate choice for aquarists after a visually striking aquarium for their fish to call home. This seamless aquarium style is braceless, which gives the illusion that water is spilling over the edges. However, it can be a struggle to find rimless tanks as they are not commonly available at pet stores due to them being less popular (and more expensive!) than standard glass tanks.
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That’s why I’ve created a list with some of the best rimless aquariums on the market, from the very small to the very large. There’s sure to be the rimless fish tank of your dreams here, so let’s get started straight away!
Article Summary
- Rimless aquariums are a popular choice among aquarists who seek visually striking and elegant fish tanks because they lack the traditional braces around the top edges, which results in a clean and seamless appearance.
- We listed aquariums varying in size, from 2 gallons to 66 gallons, catering to different needs and preferences of fishkeepers.
- Rimless tanks can be more expensive than traditional rimmed tanks due to the use of higher clarity glass and additional supports.
On to the Reviews…
PENN PLAX Water-World Radius Desktop Nano Aquarium Kit
If you’re new to aquarium keeping and want a beautiful rimless tank that includes everything you need to begin your fish keeping journey, the PENN-PLAX Water-World Radius Desktop Nano Aquarium Kit is the right choice for you.
Top Pick: PENN PLAX Water-World Radius Desktop Nano Aquarium Kit
One of the best rimless aquariums is the Penn-Plax Water-World Radius Desktop Nano Aquarium due to its stunning design and wide range of accessories. It’s constructed out of ⅛-inch thick bent glass, which looks crystal clear and high quality.
It has curved corners at the front, too, which allows you to view your aquatic pets easily from all angles. The tank is 10 gallons in volume, so it’s a good option for African dwarf frogs, shrimp, betta fish, guppies, and other nano fish.
This 10 gallon rimless aquarium comes with everything you need to start keeping fish, including a fully submersible filter with a flow rate of 70 GPH, a carbon filter cartridge, and a bio-sponge.
You also get a clear glass lid (ideal for fish that like to jump!), leveling mat, LED light, and mounting clips.
The only downsides of this rimless glass tank are the noisy filter and low-quality light it comes with. Unfortunately, the lamp doesn’t feature an on/off switch (you need to unplug it to turn it off) and has a flimsy neck. It also isn’t very bright.
It might be best to use a separate light for this tank, especially if you want to grow aquatic plants.
However, the high-quality craftsmanship of the tank itself more than makes up for the minor flaws of the accessories.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 10 Gallons
- Dimensions: 17.75” x 11.75” x 12.63”
Pros
- Stunning design
- Made from high-quality bent glass
- Comes with a range of accessories like a leveling mat, lid, and filter
Cons
- Filter and light aren’t the best quality
Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
The Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit is a good option for aquarists on a budget as it’s an all-in-one-kit that includes a 5-gallon rimless aquarium with a portrait design, a built-in filtration system, and LED light at an affordable cost.
Best Value: Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
The Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit is the best rimless aquarium if you’re on a budget due to its affordable price and good selection of accessories. It has a unique portrait build, which looks gorgeous and is also ideal for small spaces – you could place it on a desk or a kitchen counter!
It has rounded corners and includes a few extras like a sliding glass canopy (to keep your fish secure), LED lighting system with daylight and moonlight settings, and a hidden filter compartment at the back.
I really like the latter as it offers multi-stage filtration without being an eyesore in your tank, which improves its aesthetic appeal.
This frameless aquarium is 5 gallons in volume, so it’s a solid choice for tiny fish like betta fish, chili rasboras, and endler’s livebearers.
Unfortunately, the back filter compartment can be difficult to maintain and the included light isn’t strong enough for growing plants that need a lot of light. The rounded corners also make viewing your fish from the side difficult due to the portrait design of the tank.
However, I still think this tank is great value for money if you don’t plan on growing light-hungry plant species and don’t mind the slight extra work involved with cleaning the filter.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 5 Gallons
- Dimensions: 9.5” x 9.5” x 14”
Pros
- Features a built-in filter
- Beautiful aquarium with a portrait design
- Comes with a glass canopy and an LED light
Cons
- LED light isn’t very strong
- Filter compartment is hard to clean
SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless Aquariums Pnp System
Featuring a low-iron glass construction, the SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless Aquariums Pnp System is an excellent option for tank owners looking for a high-quality and large rimless glass aquarium.
Editor’s Choice: SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless Aquariums Pnp System
Although considerably pricier than the other rimless fish tanks I’ve reviewed, the SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless Aquariums Pnp System is an excellent investment if you want a spacious and stunning rimless aquarium.
The aquarium is made from low-iron 10mm thick glass, so it has no green tint, unlike aquariums constructed from clear glass. The aquarium features a built-in overflow and includes a return pump, protein skimmer, bio balls, and all the necessary tools needed for setting up the tank.
Best of all, it comes with a sturdy cabinet that will have no trouble holding the weight of the aquarium – you can also use it as storage for all your aquarium supplies.
However, it’s worth noting that if you have limited space or are looking for something more budget-friendly, this rimless fish tank might not be the best option for you.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 66 Gallons
- Dimensions: 32” x 24” x 20”
Pros
- Made from low-iron glass
- Includes a spacious cabinet
- Comes with a return pump and built-in overflow system
Cons
- High cost
Ultum Nature Systems Ultra Clear Rimless Tanks
This rimless nano tank is made from crystal-clear diamant glass that’s strengthened with high-quality silicone to increase its durability. Although only 3 gallons in volume, it’s a solid choice for shrimp or owners of fishless planted tanks.
Ultum Nature Systems Ultra Clear Rimless Tanks
Ultum Nature Systems Ultra Clear Rimless Tanks (3N) is a 3-gallon rimless tank that features 45-degree mitered edges and a diamant glass construction that has a whopping 91% clarity!
Some rimless setups don’t offer as high as clarity, so this is an excellent feature of this tank.
It’s reinforced with high-quality German silicone and has a laser etched logo. Although it’s not a complete kit as it doesn’t come with any accessories, if you’re in the market for a stunning nano rimless tank, this aquarium is the right choice for you.
However, this tank can only hold 3 gallons of water, which is too small for most species of fish. That being said, it’s a good option for dwarf shrimp or if you want to create an aquatic masterpiece without fish.
In addition, the aquarium comes in bigger tank sizes if you’re looking for something larger.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 3 Gallons
- Dimensions: 12.2” x 7.48” x 7.48”
Pros
- Mitered edge design
- Made from ultra-clear diamant glass
- Reinforced with high-quality German silicone for durability
Cons
- Too small for most species of fish (but other sizes available)
LIFEGARD Low Iron Ultra Clear Crystal Aquarium
This low-iron rimless glass tank is a good choice if you’re looking for an aquarium complete kit as it includes a built-in filter, bottom drain, and filter media.
LIFEGARD Low Iron Ultra Clear Crystal Aquarium
Next up is the LIFEGARD Aquatics Crystal Aquarium, which boasts a rimless design, beveled edges, and striking low-iron glass craftsmanship.
It features a built-in side filter that has direct jet flow pumps to effectively remove debris from your aquarium tank water. There is also a bottom plug/drain on the base of the aquarium to increase water circulation and flow, as well as make maintenance easier.
It has a capacity of 24 gallons (other sizes are also available), which makes it suitable for a good range of freshwater or saltwater fish species like a single oranda goldfish or pair of clownfish.
In addition, this rimless aquarium kit also comes with a bottom insulation pad, bio balls, sponge filter media, and carbon filter media.
Unfortunately, the filter area on this rimless fish tank is very small, which makes upgrading it difficult.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 24 Gallons
- Dimensions: 24” x 15” x 16”
Pros
- Low-iron glass
- Comes with a built-in filter and other accessories
- Drain on base of tank to increase water flow and circulation
Cons
- Filter area is very small
LANDEN Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank
This 2-gallon rimless aquarium is made from low-iron glass, making it both stunning and crystal-clear.
LANDEN Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank
Another one of the best rimless fish tanks is this one from LANDEN, which features a landscape design and quality low-iron glass construction that’s stunning and ultra clear.
It has a bezel-less design, too, which enhances your viewing pleasure. It also has smooth glue joints, which is a mark of high quality.
The aquarium comes with a free leveling mat so you can place it on a surface without damaging it.
My main gripe with this rimless aquarium is its fragileness. Although beautiful, the glass aquarium is very delicate and can be easily broken, so you need to be extra careful when handling it.
In addition, the rimless fish tank is only 2 gallons in volume, so your stocking choices are limited. However, the company also sells bigger tanks if you’re looking for larger rimless aquariums.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 2 Gallons
- Dimensions: 7.87” x 7.87” x 7.87”
Pros
- Smooth glue joints
- Low-iron glass construction
- Comes with a free leveling mat
Cons
- Easily broken due to fragile construction
Serene 13 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit
The Serene 13 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit includes a stunning frameless tank, LED wireless light, mat, and audio controller.
Serene 13 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit
If you’re in the market today for a rimless tank kit, you can’t go wrong with the Serene 13 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit. The package includes a gorgeous 13-gallon rimless low-iron glass aquarium, leveling mat, advanced wireless LED light, and an audio controller.
The LED light is my favorite feature of this rimless glass aquarium as it’s completely wireless and comes with a handy controller. It allows you to change the color, brightness, and lighting cycle. You can also create your own custom scenes to really let your inner creativity run wild!
The only minor downside of this rimless fish tank is that it doesn’t come with a filter, despite being labeled as a starter kit. You’ll need to purchase a fish tank filter separately.
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 13 Gallons
- Dimensions: Not Specified
Pros
- Low-iron glass design
- Comes with a free mat to protect your furniture
- Includes wireless LED lighting with an audio controller
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a fish tank filter
JBJ Rimless Desktop 6 Gallon Curved Glass Aquarium
The JBJ Rimless Desktop 6 Gallon Curved Glass Aquarium features a low-iron glass construction and raised base. It also comes with a light and built-in filter.
JBJ Rimless Desktop 6 Gallon Curved Glass Aquarium
The last fish tank featured in this best rimless aquarium reviews guide is the JBJ Rimless Desktop 6 Gallon Curved Glass Aquarium.
It sports a low-iron glass construction and has a raised pedestal base, which removes the need of a level mat to protect your furniture. It offers 3-stage filtration via a built-in compartment, allowing you to keep your tank clean with ease.
The tank comes with filter media cartridges and an LED light that features 2 different lighting channels.
However, the filter and light included with this tank aren’t the best quality, so you may wish to purchase these two items separately
Specs
- Material: Glass
- Volume: 6 Gallons
- Dimensions: 14” x 27” x 13”
Pros
- Includes a filter and light
- Made from low-iron glass
- Comes with a raised pedestal base
Cons
- Light and filter aren’t the best
Rimless vs Regular Aquariums
Compared to regular tanks, rimless aquariums have no braces as they use a thicker glass back and sides. This gives them a crisper, smoother appearance.
Standard aquariums, however, have supporting glass bars around the top edges to provide support to the weight of the fish tank. They look quite unsightly and are normally used with a tank hood or cover to disguise them.
What Is a Rimless Aquarium?
A rimless fish tank has no braces, unlike most other freshwater and saltwater tanks. It is visually stunning and provides a cleaner, more elegant, seamless fish tank. In addition, many rimless aquariums use low-iron glass instead of standard glass, the former of which looks more aesthetically pleasing.
Standard glass aquariums are cheaper but they have a green hue that can look unsightly.
Why Are Rimless Tanks More Expensive?
Rimless setups are more expensive than other saltwater and freshwater tanks as they use higher clarity glass and have extra supports on the back and sides to hold up the weight of the tank.
Why Buy a Rimless Aquarium?
The main reason to buy a rimless fish tank is for aesthetic purposes. Rimless aquariums look spectacular and give the illusion that the water line is spilling over the edges – a planted tank that is also rimless is particularly stunning.
What Are the Benefits of Rimless Aquariums?
While standard tanks are relatively inexpensive and can look gorgeous, not everyone enjoys the green tint of regular clear glass. Rimless aquariums are normally made from high-quality and low-iron glass, which doesn’t have an unsightly green hue.
Another benefit of rimless tanks is that they look breathtaking as they don’t use braces, which gives them beautifully thin and smooth edges.
However, as these styles of tanks are braceless, they cannot be used with a tank hood. This can be a problem if you have fish that are prone to escaping or jumping like betta.
Instead, you’ll need to use netting or a sliding glass canopy to keep your fish safe, but this removes the clean and modern aesthetic of rimmed tanks.
How Thick Should the Glass Be for a Rimless Aquarium?
The glass pieces on rimless aquariums should be at least 10 mm (ideally 12 mm) thick for safety and durability.
What Is the Best Glass Thickness for a Rimless Aquarium?
Most rimless aquariums have varying glass thickness. And the best glass thickness for rimless aquariums is 12 mm, but 10 mm will also suffice.
Do Rimless Tanks Leak?
Rimless tanks can leak, but they aren’t more prone to leaking than any other style of tank. Over time, the silicone joints holding the tank together can weaken, which can lead to leaking.
Poor-quality tanks and old tanks are most at risk of leaking, which is why you should always purchase aquariums made from high-quality and sturdy glass.
TIP
If your tank is over 10 years old, it may be worth resealing it or purchasing a new tank to be on the safe side.
What Do You Put Under a Rimless Aquarium?
You should place a nano foam leveling mat underneath your rimless tank to keep the tank balanced and protect the surface it is resting on.
Are Rimless Aquariums Worth It?
Rimless tanks are worth it if you want a high-quality and visually striking tank that will last you for many years. However, if you’re looking for something cheaper or just want a practical tank for your fish, a standard tank is a perfectly good alternative.
- Curved front edges
- Made from high-quality bent glass
- Comes with an assortment of accessories
- Unique portrait design
- Includes a light and glass lid
- Comes with a built-in filter compartment
- Comes with a cabinet
- Low-iron glass construction
- Includes a return pump and a built-in overflow
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helped you select the best rimless aquarium and gave you some useful insight on what to look for in this style of fish tank.
Which tank is your favorite on this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts on our social media platforms. Be sure to share this post with your friends and family too!
If you’re searching for more aquarium product reviews or fish care guides, take a look at our other articles.
