According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 15 million American households have fish as pets, with freshwater fish being the most popular. While you’re not going to cuddle with your aquatic friends, having a tank offers health benefits and keeps them in an environment where they can thrive. When shopping for an aquarium, the first thing you’ll notice is the dizzying array of choices. The industry has come a long way from fishbowls.
Traditionally, glass was the material of choice. However, you’ll find products made of acrylic in a broad spectrum of styles and shapes. Our guide includes the features you should look for and detailed reviews to help you choose the best one for you.
A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
biOrb FLOW LED Acrylic Aquarium
Attractive design
Built-in5-stage filtration
Well-made
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Best Value
Aqueon LED MiniBow Acrylic Aquarium Kit
Clean design
All-around 360°viewingviews
Easy maintenance
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Premium Choice
SeaClear Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium
Clean design
All-around 360°viewingviews
Easy maintenance
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Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
Invisible seams
Good-looking design
Hidden lights
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iOrb Tube 35 Acrylic Aquarium
5-stage filtration 360° views
360-degree viewing
Attractive Unique design
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The 10 Best Acrylic Aquariums
The biOrb FLOW LED Aquarium ticks off many boxes for the best overall acrylic aquarium. It’s a good-looking design that provides three sides for viewing. The black trim and top are a brilliant choice that makes it appear classy and well-made— which it is. It includes a 5-stage filtration system and an LED light fixture. It also has an air stone for better gas exchange at the surface.
Capacity: 4 or 8 gallons
Dimensions: 8.2” L x 11.8” W x 12.4” H (4 gallons)
Light: LED
Accessories: Substrate, air stone, air pump, filter, cartridge, water conditioner
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However, the kit doesn’t have a heater. Fortunately, one is available that will fit the aquarium. It has a narrow footprint, making placement easy-peasy. It’s an excellent choice for your bedroom or office.
Pros
Attractive design
5-stage filtration
Well-made
LED Light fixture
Air stone for better gas exchange
Cons
Pricey
No heater
The Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit stands out with its clever design that hides the working parts and just lets you enjoy your pets. It allows you to view fish from all sides, which many customers enjoy. It’s our pick for the best acrylic aquarium for the money. The size is right for someone new to the hobby, although there is a larger size available. You can keep a goldfish or two in it with no issues.
Attractive design
5-stage filtration
Well-made
LED Light fixture
Air stone for better gas exchange
- Attractive design
- 5-stage filtration
- Well-made
- LED Light fixture
- Air stone for better gas exchange
Pricey
No heater
- Pricey
- No heater
Capacity: 2.5 or 5 gallons
Dimensions: 11.9” L xL x 9.8” W x 11.87”5 H (2.5 gallons)
Light: LED in the hood
Accessories: Filter, hood, water conditioner, fish food
Small tanks mean frequent cleaning. This aquarium makes it a snap with its power filter. On the downside, it doesn’t include a heater. At least the acrylic will insulate it better than glass would.
Pros
Clean design
360° views
Easy maintenance
Two sizes available
Cons
No heater
The SeaClear Flat Back Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium catches your eye with its unusual design. That could be a blessing or a curse, depending on where you want to put it. However, the design offers some interesting viewing angles, which we liked. On the downside, it’s not as easy to access the inside, even when feeding your fish. Surprisingly, the light is fluorescent and not LED. It’s also an investment, judging by its price.
Clean design
360° views
Easy maintenance
Two sizes available
- Clean design
- 360° views
- Easy maintenance
- Two sizes available
No heater
- No heater
Capacity: 10–50 gallons
Dimensions: 36 “ inches L x 12” inches W x 16” inches L (26 gallons)
Light: Fluorescent
Accessories: n/a
On the positive side, the acrylic is crystal clear, and you feel as if you could put your hand right through it. Overall, we could see this tank in a living room where it could stand in as an attractive focal point.
Pros
Interesting viewing angles
Crystal-clear acrylic
Many sizes available
Cons
Expensive
Difficult to access
Interesting viewing angles
Crystal-clear acrylic
Many sizes available
- Interesting viewing angles
- Crystal-clear acrylic
- Many sizes available
Expensive
Difficult to access
- Expensive
- Difficult to access
It covers all you need to know about the ideal tank setup, tank size, substrate, ornaments, plants, and so much more!
The Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit is an affordable option for children and adults alike who want to test the waters of owning fish. It includes all the basics to get you started. The design highlights the fish with invisible seams and a curved front. Granted, not everyone will like that feature. It also has a hidden light, so the LEDs are unobtrusive. There is an opening to feed your fish but, surprisingly, no cover.
Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
Dimensions: 16.6” L x 11.2” W x 13.2” H (5 gallons)
Light: LED
Accessories: Light, filter, cartridge
This product is clearly marketed for beginners. The filter is fine but not great. However, it’s a decent option if you don’t want to spend a lot of cash.
Pros
Invisible seams
Good-looking design
Hidden lights
Cons
No heater
No lid
- iOrb Tube 35 Acrylic Aquarium
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Capacity: 4 or 9 gallons
Dimensions: 14.6” L x 14.6”W x 17.3” H (9 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, starter bacteria, water conditioner
The iOrb Tube 35 Aquarium is expensive at first glance until you start looking under the hood. The cylinder shape illustrates one clear advantage that this material has over glass— 360-degree viewing. The product is well-made with the pet owner in mind. It has mechanical and biological components in its filtration system, which makes the best out of what little water it contains.
Invisible seams
Good-looking design
Hidden lights
- Invisible seams
- Good-looking design
- Hidden lights
No heater
No lid
- No heater
- No lid
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Capacity: 4 or 9 gallons
Dimensions: 14.6” L x 14.6”W x 17.3” H (9 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, starter bacteria, water conditioner
The kit comes with a light and water conditioner. The addition of the starter bacteria was a welcome surprise. It’s not an ideal beginner tank, but it still has all the bells and whistles to make your fish happy.
Pros
5-stage filtration
360-degree viewing
Unique design
Cons
Pricey
Expensive
You get a lot for your money with the GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit. From the blue LED lights to the fluorescent-colored gravel, the name says it all. It would probably work with iridescent fish, but that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The design is attractive with a seamless viewing area. The black accents are also a nice touch.
5-stage filtration
360-degree viewing
Unique design
- 5-stage filtration
- 360-degree viewing
- Unique design
Pricey
Expensive
- Pricey
- Expensive
Capacity: 3–20 gallons
Dimensions: 11.3” L x 16.6”W x 6.71” H (5 gallons)
Light: LED
Accessories: Filter, light, filter, cartridge, gravel, plants
The included accessories were a bit over the top and probably unnecessary for most. While the tank is decent, the hood is poorly made.
Pros
Seamless view
Slightly tinted glass
Cons
Flimsy lid
Wild colors won’t suit everyone
- biOrb Life 30 Aquarium with MCR
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Capacity: 4–16 gallons
Dimensions: 16.5” L x 15.4” W x 17.3” H (8 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, rocks
The biOrb Life 30 Aquarium with MCR has a futuristic design that you may or may not love. The viewing is excellent and practically seamless. It doesn’t have a typical hood and light. Instead, there is a central hole on the top. It’s well-made with quality construction. The only gripe we had was that the included rocks and corners of the tank are hard to clean. Fortunately, it has a 5-stage filter.
Seamless view
Slightly tinted glass
- Seamless view
- Slightly tinted glass
Flimsy lid
Wild colors won’t suit everyone
- Flimsy lid
- Wild colors won’t suit everyone
Capacity: 4–16 gallons
Dimensions: 16.5” L x 15.4” W x 17.3” H (8 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, rocks
You can get it with an LED light or an MCR model. The latter ups the functionality with 16 presets and the ability to set day-night cycles.
Pros
Seamless design
Well-made
360° views
Cons
Expensive
Hard-to-clean corners
- Back to the Roots Water Garden, Self-Cleaning Fish Tank
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Capacity: 3 gallons
Dimensions: 13.4” L x 13.4” W x 9.5” H
Light: n/a
Accessories: Seeds, water conditioner, growstone medium
The Back to the Roots Water Garden Self-Cleaning Fish Tank is an excellent solution for keeping your aquarium’s water clean and virtually takes care of itself. The top is a plant container that is fed by the nitrates produced in the water via the nitrogen cycle. That makes it more than just a fish tank. It’s also an educational tool that can teach your children vital biology lessons.
Seamless design
Well-made
360° views
- Seamless design
- Well-made
- 360° views
Expensive
Hard-to-clean corners
- Expensive
- Hard-to-clean corners
Capacity: 3 gallons
Dimensions: 13.4” L x 13.4” W x 9.5” H
Light: n/a
Accessories: Seeds, water conditioner, growstone medium
The fun thing about this product is that it can grow microgreens for you to use. That takes its value to a whole new level.
Pros
Ingenious design
Multi-functional
Less maintenance
Cons
Room for one fish only
Pricey
- biOrb Cube 30 Acrylic Aquarium with LED
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Capacity: 8 or 16 gallons
Dimensions: 12.6” L x 12.6” W x 13.6” H (8 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, cartridge, transformer, gravel, water conditioner, starter bacteria
The biOrb Cube 30 Aquarium with LED shakes things up with an unusual design that will make an attractive addition to a room with minimalist decor. It’s not for everyone, but it shows the versatility of acrylic tanks in a unique way. The shape provides all-around viewing, which is indeed a strong selling point. It comes in three trim choices: transparent, white, and black.
Ingenious design
Multi-functional
Less maintenance
- Ingenious design
- Multi-functional
- Less maintenance
Room for one fish only
Pricey
- Room for one fish only
- Pricey
Capacity: 8 or 16 gallons
Dimensions: 12.6” L x 12.6” W x 13.6” H (8 gallons)
Light: LED or MCR
Accessories: Filter, cartridge, transformer, gravel, water conditioner, starter bacteria
The manufacturer goes the extra mile with the accessories, including starter bacteria to jumpstart conditioning the water. We appreciated the 2-year warranty that shows the company stands behind its products.
Pros
5-stage filtration
2-year warranty
3 trim choices
Cons
Unusual shape
- WUPYI Acrylic Mini Fish Tank
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Capacity: 0.4 gallons
Dimensions: 5” L x 3” W x 7” H
Light: LED
Accessories: Light, pump, filter
The WUPYI Acrylic Mini Fish Tank is more of a novelty than anything else. It is a tiny version of what an aquarium should look like. Unfortunately, that’s as far as it goes. There is barely enough room for even one fish. It’s like putting one in a fishbowl with a light on top. However, there is a filter that makes it a bit more bearable for a feeder goldfish to live. Interestingly, it uses a USB port for its power source.
5-stage filtration
2-year warranty
3 trim choices
- 5-stage filtration
- 2-year warranty
- 3 trim choices
Unusual shape
- Unusual shape
Capacity: 0.4 gallons
Dimensions: 5” L x 3” W x 7” H
Light: LED
Accessories: Light, pump, filter
Its compact size makes it an option for an office. However, it’s not the best choice for beginners. The conditions of the small water volume will fluctuate too much.
Pros
Three light options
USB power source
Cons
Too small for fish
Expensive for size
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Acrylic Aquarium
It used to be you’d have a choice of either a rectangular or square tank. Many products had standard sizes, making it easy to customize your setup. Things have changed with the advent of acrylic. You’ll notice that aquariums have become more decorative and have broken the mold on the classic shapes. No longer is it just a glass tank on a wrought iron stand.
Three light options
USB power source
- Three light options
- USB power source
Too small for fish
Expensive for size
- Too small for fish
- Expensive for size
Consequently, you’ll find products that are outside of the typical dimensions. That’s one reason why you’ll see aquariums sold in kits in addition to just the tank. Today’s options include proprietary designs, which often tie you to a single manufacturer’s product line. That means it’s essential to scrutinize the entire product and all the accessories. Things to consider include:
Type
Material
Shape and size
Access
Accessories.
Type
By type, we mean the kind of fish you can keep in the tank. Most products are geared toward either tropical freshwater species or goldfish. One of the vexing issues with acrylic is that it can scratch. Therefore, a saltwater setup is probably not the best choice with this material.
- Type
- Material
- Shape and size
- Access
- Accessories.
Material
Acrylic offers several advantages over glass. It is moldable, which explains the vast array of products you’ll see. That puts aesthetics at the forefront. Design is a factor that you may not have considered as much with glass tanks. If you are looking for something different, this material is for you. Another standout benefit is that it’s lightweight. Even a smaller glass tank is going to weigh a lot.
On the downside, acrylic is more expensive than glass. You’ll notice it right away when you start comparison shopping. While glass can chip and crack, acrylic can scratch. That makes paying attention to the cleaning tools you use essential to avoid marring the surface. It’s also a factor when handling these tanks if they’re small enough to carry to a sink.
Shape and Size
Shape and size are where acrylic shines. You’ll find many more choices when it comes to these features. Often, manufacturers will design products for better viewing. That can make your aquarium a focal point in a room where everyone can enjoy it. You’ll also see a broader range of sizes, even some non-standard ones. That’s a good thing if you have a specific place you want to put an aquarium but limited space.
Of course, that also means you’ll find attractive products suitable for an office or living room. Fish tanks are no longer limited to just a child’s bedroom. The varying sizes can offer more choices for enthusiasts in the hobby.
Access
We suggest checking how easy it is to access the tank once you have it in place. The different shapes you’ll find in some products may have fewer ways to get inside the tank and clean it. Make sure the opening is big enough for your hand and any tools you’ll use. Keep it in mind when deciding where you want to place the aquarium, too.
Accessories
We mentioned the rise of aquarium kits, particularly with these products. We suggest checking to see what’s included with your purchase. , bearing in mind the non-standard sizes you’ll likely find. Sometimes, manufacturers skimp on the accessories they include. Buying an acrylic tank just because it advertises having everything you need isn’t always the best value. Inevitably, you’ll replace some of them.
Conclusion
After going through our many reviews, the biOrb FLOW LED Aquarium swam to the head of the class as our top pick. On the other hand, the Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit is ideal for anyone wanting the best value. If you’re just getting started in this hobby, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Even experienced fish keepers use some of these tanks for their pet fish.
Featured Image Credit: Jerry Wang, Unsplash
