In this article...
Adding an aquarium to a room can add a touch of beauty, but it can be bulky and heavy.
You might think that having a beautiful fish tank is out of the question if you have limited space in your home, but that’s not the case.
A fish tank coffee table doesn’t just look exquisite, it also saves you space as it’s an aquarium that doubles up as a table. No needing to measure a wall or spaces between furniture to see if you can squeeze in a fish tank!
But coffee table fish tanks aren’t really something you can find at your local pet store, so tracking them down can be hard work. I ran into the same dilemma when I first invested in a coffee table aquarium.
So, to help you narrow down your search and find the best fish tank coffee tables for your home, I’ve compiled a list of some of my top picks. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Best Coffee Tank Tables
Here’s a summary of the coffee tank tables from the list…
Midwest 28 Gallon Aquarium Coffee Table
The Midwest 28 Gallon Tropical Aqua Table is a gorgeous piece of furniture, boasting a stylish and unique octagonal shape.
Top Pick: Midwest 28 Gallon Aquarium Coffee Table
The Midwest 28 Gallon Tropical Aqua Table has a unique octagonal shape that’s bound to be the center of attention in any living room.
It has colour-changing LED lights too, creating a peaceful ambience to soak in when you’re at home relaxing.
Midwest Tropical 670 Aquarium End Table
My top pick if you need a functional, affordable, and high-quality fish tank table is the Midwest Tropical Fountain Aqua End Table Aquarium Tank. Each unit is custom made to order, which adds a personal touch.
Best Value: Midwest Tropical 670 Aquarium End Table
If you’re after a stylish coffee table aquarium that doesn’t take up too much room, the Midwest Tropical Fountain Aqua End Table is a top choice. It has a square shape and compact size, allowing it to fit in small spaces.
It also comes with all the equipment you need for keeping fish, including lights, a filter, and aquatic decor.
Midwest O-100 Aquarium Coffee Table
Another striking aquarium coffee table (and my personal favorite) is the Midwest Tropicals Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table.
Editor’s Choice: Midwest O-100 Aquarium Coffee Table
My personal favorite fish tank coffee table is the Midwest Tropicals Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table Aquarium.
It has a modern octagonal design and sleek appearance, as well as a large capacity (40G) so you can create a slice of nature right in your living room!
Top 3 Fish Tank Coffee Tables
Now here’s the full review of all the fish tank coffee tables in the list….
Midwest 28 Gallon AquaTable Aquarium
The Midwest 28 Gallon Tropical Aqua Table is a gorgeous piece of furniture, boasting a stylish and unique octagonal shape.
Top Pick: Midwest 28 Gallon AquaTable Aquarium
I like that it does what it says on the box and has a 28-gallon capacity, which gives you a lot of stocking ideas.
Personally, I think a single fancy goldfish such as the Oranda would look phenomenal in a fish tank this size. You’re sure to get a comment or two from guests when they see this beautiful glass aquarium coffee table.
Build
The 28-gallon coffee table aquarium has an attractive octagonal shape, with a clear glass top. Each glass surface of the table is scratch resistant so you don’t have to worry about unsightly marks and scuffs.
The aquarium table rests on a jet black pedestal that has integrated LED color-changing lighting, illuminating the entire fish tank to give a cool and shimmery atmosphere.
Gravel
To complement the LED lighting system, the Midwest 28 Gallon Tropical Aqua Table comes with blue glass gravel.
However, the glass top on this coffee table aquarium can slide around easily, so it lacks a bit of security. It’s also hard to hide filter/heater cords, filter pumps, etc., as it doesn’t offer any built-in storage compartments.
Specs
- Weight: 56 lbs
- Capacity: 28 Gallons
- Material: Acrylic and Glass
- Product Dimensions: 40” x 23” x 21”
Pros
- Comes with blue glass gravel
- Octagonal shaped for a creative and unique style
- LED color-changing lights that illuminate from the base of the tank
- Aquarium can hold up to 28 gallons – opens up fish stocking choices
Cons
- Glass top can be a bit unsturdy
- Filter/heater cords, pumps, etc., are hard to hide
Midwest Tropical Fountain Coffee Table Aquarium
My top pick if you need a functional, affordable, and high-quality fish tank table is the Midwest Tropical Fountain Aqua End Table Aquarium Tank. Each unit is custom made to order, which adds a personal touch.
Best Value: Midwest Tropical Fountain Coffee Table Aquarium
Inclusions
It comes with everything you need to start owning fish, including lights, internal filtration system, light blue glass gravel, decor, and more.
It has a square shape and can hold up to 15 gallons of water, so it’s a decent size for a variety of fish species, including guppies, platies, or a single betta.
Build
The aquatic coffee table is made from cell-cast scratch resistant acrylic and has a stark black finish on the base, which looks stunning. While it’s not as long as some of the other coffee table aquariums I’ve reviewed, it’s an ideal option for a small living room where space is limited.
Other Features
My only gripe with this aquarium coffee table is the mediocre fish tank equipment it includes. The filtration system is a little small for the capacity of the tank and the lights lack power to light the entire aquarium.
This could be easily rectified by purchasing a higher quality filter and light separately.
Other than those two small issues, I think the aquarium coffee table is a lovely addition to any house.
Specs
- Weight: 56 lbs
- Capacity: 15 Gallons
- Materials: Acrylic and Glass
- Product Dimensions: 15.5” x 15.5” x 20”
Pros
- Stunning design
- Scratch resistant
- Comes with aquarium equipment and supplies
- Square shape and compact size makes it ideal for small spaces
Cons
- Aquatic equipment included isn’t the best quality
Midwest Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table Aquarium
Another striking aquarium coffee table (and my personal favorite) is the Midwest Tropicals Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table.
Editor’s Choice: Midwest Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table Aquarium
Like the one I reviewed above, it’s octagonal shaped but has a much larger capacity.
Capacity
As it can hold up to 40 gallons of water, it allows you to really get creative with stocking choices.
A couple of fancy goldfish or a large school of neon tetras would be my personal stocking choices for a tank this size.
Complete the look with a lush forest of live plants and you’ll have a slice of nature right in the comfort of your living room.
Build
The aquarium table has a refined glass top and a black acrylic pedestal, giving it a polished finish. It has an LED lighting system too that lights the tank from the bottom so you can sit back and immerse yourself in aquatic heaven.
Inclusions
Included with this 40-gallon octagonal shaped fish tank coffee table are all the tools and equipment you need for keeping fish, such as light blue glass gravel, two-stage filter pump, decorative plants, and an extension cord.
Filter
Despite its positives, the Midwest Tropicals Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table doesn’t come with the most functional fish tank filter. It might be a good idea to invest in a more powerful filtration system to keep the aquarium clean.
Specs
- Weight: 90 lbs
- Capacity: 40 Gallons
- Material: Glass and Acrylic
- Product Dimensions: 30” x 30” x 16”
Pros
- Large capacity (40G)
- Octagonal shaped for an interesting design
- Comes with filtration system, pumps, lighting, gravel, and decorative plants
Cons
- Included filter isn’t the best quality
What’s a Fish Tank Coffee Table?
Fish tank coffee tables are exactly what their name suggests – it’s a coffee table that has an aquarium built into it!
Things to Consider
Before you invest in a fish tank coffee table, there are a lot of things you need to consider to help you determine whether one is a good fit for your home.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what you’ll need to keep in mind before you purchase a fish tank coffee table.
Cost
Coffee table fish tanks are normally quite expensive, especially if you opt for larger and more spacious models.
They’re a lot pricier than regular tanks, so bear this in mind before you invest in one.
Durability
As coffee table fish tanks are designed to hold live animals, durability is an important factor. You don’t want to return home one day to find water, glass, and fish scattered across your floor.
TIP
When selecting this type of furniture or sourcing materials to build a DIY one, make sure the materials are of a high standard. The unit should look and feel sturdy.
Material and DIY
Aquarium coffee tables are normally made out of glass or acrylic, or a combination of both. Either provides you with a clear view of your fish, in addition to being durable and sturdy.
Wooden coffee table fish tanks are also resilient and secure. Using a wooden frame makes the tank more robust as it protects the corners.
DIY
Alternatively, you could build a DIY coffee table fish tank by building a wooden frame around a regular aquarium, then finishing it off with a glass or acrylic cover. Even if you’re not the best at DIY, it’s still a relatively simple task!
Here’s a cool video of a DIY coffee table aquarium
Design and Style
Coffee table fish tanks come in all shapes and styles, including square, hexagonal, rectangular, and even octagonal.
There’s not much difference regarding the design of an aquarium coffee table other than personal preference.
Size
Another aspect you’ll need to consider is the size of the coffee table aquarium. If your house has limited space, you probably don’t want an 80-gallon aquarium table in the middle of your home!
A fish tank end table or unit with a smaller capacity might be a better option, allowing you to enjoy the experience of fishkeeping without sacrificing space.
Cleaning
All tanks need regular maintenance, whether you own a 5-gallon or a 500-gallon. Coffee table fish tanks are no exception to this rule.
You should aim to clean the interior around once a week.
You’ll need to clean your aquarium and fish tank tools (including filter, lighting system, heater, substrate) on a regular basis to keep it fully functional.
NOTE
Although filters will help keep the aquarium water chemistry stable, they’re not a substitute to water changes.
FAQs
Best Material for Fish Tank Coffee Table
The best materials for a fish tank and aquarium coffee table is either tempered glass or acrylic.
These materials are clear so you can easily view your fish, as well as robust enough to withstand the weight of the water.
An aquarium table with a glass cover is a little sturdier than an acrylic one, but acrylic tanks and aquarium coffee tables are less likely to shatter or hurt you if you knock into them.
Are Fish Tank Coffee Tables Safe?
Whether fish tank coffee tables are safe really depends on the construction and quality of the table.
The majority of commercial coffee table aquariums are made from thick glass or acrylic, making them highly robust.
That said, you still need to be careful around a fish tank table. Units that are made entirely out of glass might not be the best pick for homes with small children and large pets as they could crack or even shatter if bumped into.
Reinforcement
An aquarium coffee table with a reinforced or wooden frame and corners might be a better option as it’s more resilient to heavy handling.
Additionally, coffee table aquariums are low to the floor, so they could be damaged by balls/toys, feet, or cleaning equipment like vacuums and mops.
If you knock something into a coffee table aquarium or fall into it, it could break or cause serious injury to someone.
Benefits of Having a Fish Tank Coffee Table
Although there are some downsides to owning a coffee table aquarium, there are also a lot of benefits.
One of the biggest advantages is its space-saving design, which allows you to own a fish tank even if your home has limited space.
Display
Another benefit is that a coffee table aquarium is a much more unique and creative way to keep fish than a standard tank.
It’s sure to be a real showstopper in any room, and you can even match your tank’s aquascape with the style of your living room.
What Fish to Keep in a Fish Tank Coffee Table?
The type of fish you can keep in a fish tank coffee table depends on the size and capacity of the coffee table aquarium.
As a general rule of thumb, each gallon of water can accommodate one inch of fish.
So, a 20-gallon fish tank aquarium table should be suitable for 20 inches of fish. When you decide to stock your fish tank table, remember to go by the adult size of the fish – Some species are very small when young but can quickly grow into giants. Make sure to get a proper filter for a 20 gallon tank as well.
If you want a smaller tank for display, try checking out biocubes or nanocubes.
Where to Put Fish Tank Coffee Tables
Where you put a fish tank table is entirely up to you, but you might want to consider placing it in the room you spend the most time in.
That way you’ll get the most out of the aquarium coffee table, both for practical reasons and viewing pleasure.
Maintenance
Just like a normal aquarium, a fish tank table needs regular maintenance to keep everything in working order.
This includes frequent water changes, checking over aquarium equipment for damage, and feeding of the fish.
Water Parameters
You’ll also want to keep a close eye on the health of your fish and the parameters of your water.
Maintaining an aquarium coffee table can be a bit more time consuming than a regular tank, especially if there’s no easy way to access fish tank equipment such as filters, heaters, lighting system, etc.
How Often to Clean Coffee Table Fish Tanks
The size of the aquarium coffee table and the type of fish you own will influence how often you need to clean the tank. Most aquarists perform weekly or bi-weekly water changes of around 25%.
NOTE
However, if your tank is overstocked or the fish you own have heavy bioloads, you might need to change your tank water more often.
How to Clean Fish Tank Coffee Table
Depending on the style and design of your aquarium coffee table, how you clean it will differ. If your fish tank table has a glass or acrylic top, remove it when you want to perform a water change.
Use a siphon (I’d recommend using an auto-siphon so you don’t accidentally ingest dirty tank water!) to easily transfer the old tank water into a bucket. Once you’ve taken out the desired amount of water, refill the tank with fresh dechlorinated water.
You can wipe down the top of the coffee table with a cloth and some clean water.
TIP
I’d avoid using soap or cleaning products around the tank as they might contaminate your aquarium water and harm your aquatic pets.
Final Thoughts
Top Pick
While all the fish tank coffee tables I’ve looked at have many great features, I think the best one overall is the Midwest Tropical Fountain Aqua End Table Aquarium Tank.
It’s made from durable and scratch resistant acrylic, which is just what you need in a coffee table fish tank. I like that it has a space-saving design but can still hold a hefty amount of water (15 G!).
Everything you need to start keeping fish is included with the unit too, such as filters, lighting, decorative plants, and gravel.
Editor’s Choice and Best Value
My other two recommendations are the Long Octagon Aqua Coffee Table Aquarium and Midwest 28 Gallon Tropical AquaTable Aquarium Octagon.
Share Your Thoughts!
I hope I helped you find the best fish tank coffee table for your house. Which one is your favorite? Be sure to leave a comment or two to let me know! Have you already decided on fish to put in your coffee table aquarium?
If you’re having a hard time choosing the right species of fish or aquarium equipment to go with your new fish tank coffee table, take a look at our other guides.
