Best Aquariums iMore 2020

Shopping for a great fish aquarium is no simple task. You have to consider the type of water and fish the tank will be supporting, how much space you have to work with, and what type of equipment will be necessary for upkeep. Once you have these details mapped out, take a look at the excellent options below and decide which will work best for your plans.

For the saltwater beginner: Fluval Evo V Marine Aquarium Kit

Staff Pick

Hoping to build your first saltwater habitat? This 5-gallon aquarium kit comes with a powerful 3-stage filtration system and high-output LED to support coral growth, as well as mechanical, chemical, and biological media. Its small size and simple setup will have your little marine world thriving in no time.

$110 at Amazon

Serious saltwater enthusiasts: SCA 50-Gallon Starfire Aquarium Package

If you're experienced in maintaining a saltwater system, on the other hand, you may be shopping for a more robust, advanced saltwater habitat. The SCA Starfire is a huge 50-gallon aquarium that comes with its own built-in cabinet to house the full plumbing and filtration system that's already included in the package.

$845 at Amazon

Vertical option: MarineLand 5-Gallon Portrait Aquarium Kit

Trying to make your aquarium dreams come true in a small space? Check out this vertical option from MarineLand! The small 5-gallon tank comes with a hidden filter and LED lights. It also provides four sides of viewing to give you better angles of your lovely fish friends.

$59 at Amazon

Beautiful lighting: Coralife Biocube Aquarium

This attractive aquarium setup comes with three different lighting channels so you can find the perfect light range to show off your gorgeous fish. It also comes with a customizable filtration system, allowing you to adapt it to both freshwater and saltwater settings.

$270 at Amazon

Cool modern look: Hygger Horizon 8-Gallon Aquarium Kit

Now this is a cool-looking aquarium! If you'd like something different than the old rectangle tank, here's a modern setup that will look amazing in a trendy home. The curved shape makes for a unique viewing experience and the 3D rock background will make those fish feel like they're loose in the wild.

$119 at Amazon

Best for beginners: Tetra ColorFusion Starter Aquarium Kit

If you're new to aquariums and fish keeping, start with a simple kit like this one from Tetra. The little 3-gallon tank comes with everything you need to set up a simple freshwater habitat, and it has color changing LED lights for an eye-popping viewing experience.

$24 at Amazon

Easiest upkeep: PRUGNA Wall-Hanging Fish Bowl

No time for cleaning out a big tank and maintaining filters or lighting? Consider a beta fish bowl - the easiest of all fish to care for. This water planter/fish bowl from Prugna doubles as a beta fish environment and a lovely decorative piece for the home or office.

$28 at Amazon

Plants included: Tetra 20-Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit

Here's a nice large aquarium that comes with a few extras - artificial plants and a swaying, lifelike anemone to perfect your habitat. Since it also includes a filter kit, LED light, and thermometer, this aquarium kit is all you need to create a beautiful underwater environment.

$130 at Amazon

Start Your Bubbly Adventure

With all these great choices, it won't be long until you're starting a new watery adventure with a brand new aquarium. My favorite is the Fluval Evo V because I've always dreamed of starting my own saltwater aquarium and this is a nice starter kit for beginners. It's also nice and small, so it would fit in my apartment.

If your'e an experienced saltwater expert, then a big advanced saltwater setup like the SCA 50-Gallon Starfire Aquarium is probably in order. This is a serious saltwater tank for serious aquarists. If you're on a tight budget - either for space or money - look at the little Tetra ColorFusion Starter Aquarium for a nice compact aquarium at a low price.

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