While there are so many of us that love the idea of having a fish tank, so many people find the idea challenging simply due to a space issue. When we think of fish tanks, we think of large glass boxes filled with water that either need to go on an expensive pedestal or use up valuable surface space on our counters or tables.
However, this needn’t be the case since one of the latest types of fish tank released, known as a ‘nano aquarium’, are available right now. These are small aquariums, typically no larger than 15 gallons, that have been designed to fit into all kinds of locations.
This way, you can find the tank that best suits the space you’re looking to fill, all while retaining the space you want to use. However, due to the popularity of these tanks, there are now so many out there to choose from that it’s hard to know which is the best.
Thankfully, we’ve done all the hard work for you by searching far and wide and then narrowing down our favorites to just five of the best. We’ve taken everything into account including the quality, performance, and extras of each tank, as well as the final price; ultimately helping you to find the best deal.
Contents
1. Fluval Flex 57 – 15 Gallon Nano Glass
The first nano aquarium we’ve chosen is actually one of the largest, measuring in at an impressive 15 gallons, despite none of the dimensions exceeding 50cm. This particular model has been designed with a handy cube shape, which means you’ll be able to position it anywhere you want, even if that’s subtly into a corner.
However, what we really love about this tank is the curved glass front. Since this tank is smaller than your conventional fish tank, typically it would be hard to admire your fish with ease. Nevertheless, the curved design of this tank means you’ll have a much wider depth of view.
Couple this with the 7500K LED lamp that’s built into the tank, and you’ll be able to see just how beautiful all your fish and in-tank plants are. This is easily one of the brightest tanks out there. Furthermore, this tank comes with a powerful filtration system to help keep it clean.
This is a three-stage system with provides the best clarity and cleanliness of your water, all without having to worry about cleaning it too regularly. However, please note that the filter/pump is pre-set, and doesn’t have multiple settings, so make sure your fish can manage it.
All in all, this is a really cool tank, and although it’s a little pricey than other tanks, it does come with everything you could possibly need for the best fish-keeping experience.
PROS
- Comes with a built-in 6500K LED light for lighting up your tank
- The integrated three-stage filtration system
- Beautifully curved front for maximum visibility into the tank
- Simple cube design to fit into any area of your house
CONS
- A little bit more pricey than other fish tanks
- Cannot adjust the power settings on the filter pump
2. MarineLand ML90609 Portrait
As a second, option we’ve chosen a MarineLand tank, this time hitting the 5-gallon mark which does make it slightly bigger than the other tanks we’ve listed here. However, thanks to this tank’s portrait design, it’s still incredibly easy to set it up anywhere you want it.
As with all MarineLand tanks, this one comes with the leading three-stage filter system and water pump that ensures your tank stays clean for longer and your fish stay happy and unstressed. This pump is subtly hidden in the back panel, so it doesn’t ruin the aesthetics of your tank.
You’ll also have a built-in light that comes with your tank. This light is capable of producing both white and blue lights, depending on what time of day it is, and how you want your tank to look. What’s more, this light is also on a hinge, so you can easily access your tank for feeding and cleaning without having to tank everything apart.
We really love this tank, and we’re sure you will too. There’s really nothing bad to say, and it’s easy to see why MarineLand has successfully been in the fish tank industry for over 40 years.
PROS
- Portrait design so it can fit in anywhere and everywhere
- Sturdy and reliable build that feels secure
- Comes with a hinged LED light capable of producing white and blue light
- Comes with a hidden three-stage filter and pump to keep your tank clean
CONS
- None!
3. Cobalt Aquatics Microvue3 20 Aquarium Kit
If you’re looking for a nano fish tank that’s a little bit smaller than some of the other tanks here, measuring in around the 5.3-gallon mark, but is handy and subtle enough to be set up anywhere, the Cobalt tank could be the ideal choice you’ve been looking for.
This particular comes with everything you need for the full fish experience straight out of the box, including a Clear Vue 20 internal filter and a 6w mini LED lamp, allowing you to fully enjoy your tank at all hours of the day.
In terms of size, this model is pretty much square, measuring in just over 10 x 10 x 12 inches, making it ideal for setting up on any kind of flat surface, tabletop, or corner, saving you a ton of space while still enjoying all the benefits of keeping fish.
This is easily one of our favorite tanks, and it doesn’t really get better than this. The tank is great for keeping all kinds of fish and plants, even bettas because the pump is powerful, but not too powerful that it impedes your fish’s movements and causes stress.
In short, if you’re looking for a great fish tank that does exactly what it’s supposed to do with minimal effort, it doesn’t get better than the Cobalt tank.
PROS
- Comes with a built-in Clear Cue 20 filter to keep your water clean and circulating
- An affordable price tag suitable for all budgets
- Small square design that’s suitable for any room, home or office
- Suitable for keeping any type of aquarium fish or plant
CONS
- None!
4. MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit with Rail Light
Next up, we’ve chosen this awesome little tank from MarineLand, one of the most popular US fish tank manufacturers available today. This is a super stylish tank that’s sure to breathe new life into wherever you install it and promises to bring more joy into your everyday life.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of this tank is the built-in rail light. This sits above the tank and above the water, which provides you with a lot more visibility of the tank contents, ultimately producing a much more natural feel that looks fantastic.
What’s more, there are two light settings; daylight and moonlight, so your tank can look great at all hours of the day! Since this is a MarineLand 3-gallon tank, it also comes with their leading three-stage filtration system.
This ensures your tank stays clean for longer, and your fish can live happy lives in a clean environment. Despite all these handy features, this tank remains incredibly easy to use and set up, and it’s ideal for beginners, children, and expert fish keepers alike.
While there are a few aspects of the tank which let it down, such as the plastic cover on the back panel being a bit flimsy and brittle (so be careful while you’re moving it), this tank comes at such a great price, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular tanks available today!
PROS
- Comes with a built-in three-stage filtration system
- The ideal tank for fish keepers of all experience levels
- Integrated multi-mode LED light
- Small, convenient square design for easy setup anywhere at home or work
CONS
- The casing on the back panel is not the highest quality
- Doesn’t come with a heater or temperature control
5. Penn Plax Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit
As the title suggests, the Penn Plax aquarium fish tank is a specially-designed tank that’s aimed at desktop owners who want to bring a bit of spark, entertainment, and joy to their desktops, tables, or any other kind of work surface.
This unique model is the most affordable entry on today’s list and is typically aimed toward novice fish keepers since it helps you look after fish easily but doesn’t complicate things with unnecessary features. This is a simple, no-frills-attached option.
Since this is a kit, it comes with everything you need. This includes the tank itself, a hang-on filter, a fishnet, and even a thermometer, meaning you can use this for freshwater fish, and tropical, but you’ll need to buy your own heater in order to keep the latter.
Measuring in at 2.7-gallons, we love the fact this tank comes with curved corners, rather than pointed. This makes it incredibly easy to clean your tank when you get around to it, ensuring your tank stays in tip-top condition, and your fish have happy lives.
PROS
- A super-quiet filter that causes no distraction to your everyday life
- Nano design measuring in at 2.7-gallons; ideal for desktops
- Comes with everything you need to get started keeping fish
- Curved glass for the best viewing experience
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a heater for tropical fish
Summary
As you can see, if you’re looking for a nano tank, a small and subtle aquarium that gives you all the benefits of looking after fish without having to take up too much room in your home or office, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from.
Any of the five tanks we’ve listed above make ideal choices, regardless of how experienced you are in keeping fish and what kind of quality you’re looking for, so simply pick the one that best suits you and get ready to enjoy your new favorite pet!
