The best aquariums and fish tanks to hold your new family pet

The best aquariums and fish tanks UK

by motherandbaby |
Updated on

Introducing some new scaly members to the family? You're going to be on the hunt for the perfect aquatic palace for your fish to call home.

Whether you're looking to upgrade for more space or this is your first aquarium hunting experience we've got you covered.

With so much on offer in the world of fish tanks, from varying materials to weight and sizes, and endless options it can be hard to know what's best for your new pet. Deciding what size you're after is the best first step, take into consideration how many fish you have and the space you have in your home, although the general rule of thumb is bigger is usually better.

It doesn't end with a fish tank, the accessories are just as important and the kids will love this part! Your aquarium doesn't have to be boring, after all, it can work as decor too. Make it colourful and vibrant with decorations and LED lights, don't forget about aquarium accessories you could also need like a filtration system or an aquarium heater for tropical fish.

We've compiled a guide to the best aquariums and fish tanks available to buy in the UK, to help you find the perfect home for your new fish friends.

The best aquariums and fish tanks UK

Aqueon LED MiniBowu2122 Kit

Rrp: £119.58

Price: £10.00
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Although this is only a five-gallon fish tank, it's still by far the best aquarium on the market. The reason it's been awarded that title is largely due to how easy it is to set it up and maintain it, as well as its SmartClean technology. This allows you to change and replace the water in just two minutes, making the maintenance of this tank incredibly straightforward! This is an excellent choice for experienced fish owners as well as beginners.

Specifications:

Weight – 2.38 kg

Size – 5 gallons

Material – acrylic

If you're looking for a larger tank, then this may be the one for you. With this aquarium, Tetra has managed to deliver a high-quality and sizable aquarium for a reasonable price tag. What's especially great about this product is that it's made from scratch-resistant glass, so you don't need to worry about any objects or accessories in the fish tank scratching the glass.

Specifications:

Weight – 13kg

Size – 15.9 gallons

Material – glass

Many of us make the decision to get fish because they're one of the rare pets that can serve as decoration too. Their tanks and aquariums can be beautiful, with different lights and vibrant accessories, and this fish tank, thanks to its lighting feature certainly can be a great decoration piece. It has three different lighting modes - red, blue and green, all of which can be remotely controlled. Additionally, it also comes with a built-in filtration system and a pretty efficient water circulation pump.

Specifications:

Weight – 2.43 kg

Size – 2.64 gallons

Material – acrylic

As we previously mentioned, depending on what fish you own you may require an aquarium heater. The great feature about this product is that it's basically a 2-in-1 as it already comes with an aquarium heater, so you won't have to spend more money purchasing one. Aside from having the heater, this aquarium also comes with an integrated filter and LED lights.

Specifications:

Weight – 9.28 kg

Size – 15.3 gallons

Material – glass

If you're just getting started with buying and owning fish, then this aquarium may just be the one for you. This is ideal for beginners as it comes with everything you'd need in a starter kit, this includes an internal filter, heater, LED lighting, water conditioner, fish net, fish food and thermometer. Similarly to the previous product, this is best suited for tropical fish.

Specifications:

Weight – 5.74

Size – 6.6 gallons

Material – glass

Fluval Edge 23 Litre Desktop Aquarium
Price: £259.99

Although this may not be the most budget-friendly fish tank out there, it's certainly one of the best. This aquarium is an excellent option for Betta fish owners, this is due to the fact that the filter utilises all three stages including chemical, biological and mechanical. This will guarantee that your Betta fish will have clean and healthy water. We also love its sleek design and coloured LED lights, allowing you to additionally use it as decor.

Specifications:

Weight – 8.62 kg

Size – 6.1 gallons

Material – glass

This Spongebob Squarepants Aquarium Kit by Penn Plax is a fun aquarium with accessories to make it extra special. The aquarium also has a three-x magnified feeding area to allow you to watch closely when your fish are eating.

Specifications:

Size – 3.3 gallons

Material – acrylic

This Ciano Nexus Diamond Glass Aquarium offers a modern and stylish diamond shape, ideal for any home or office. Perfect for holding one or two fish this small aquarium makes the perfect table centrepiece.

Specifications:

Size – 3 gallons

Material – glass

Aqua One is a leading supplier of quality aquariums and accessories that not only deliver the best possible environment for fish but also add style and elegance to your home. This gorgeous oak cabinet and tank is perfect if you want your fish tank to stand out in your home and work as great décor too. The tank itself features an easy to clean internal filter which helps to maintain perfect water quality for healthy happy fish, with a heater also to maintain a constant temperature always.

Specifications:

Size – 24.2 gallons

Material – glass tank with oak parquet cabinet

Marina Decorative Aquarium Gravel, 450 g
Price: £2.49

What fish tank size do I need?

To ensure your fish are healthy and thriving, you will need to use one gallon of water per inch of fish. So per inch of fish that you have or would like to purchase, your tank should have or hold one gallon of water.

What happens if a fish tank is too small?

Having a fish tank that is too small can cause several issues, these include your fish becoming aggressive and having stunted growth. Both of these issues can lead to your fish dying.

Which fish tank material is best?

Fish tanks are usually made from two different types of materials - glass and acrylic. There's been plenty of debate over which is better, and the best material for you will be the one that suits your needs the most.

Glass:

  • Cheaper

  • Scratch-resistant

  • Will not yellow over time

Acrylic:

  • Lighter

  • Impact-resistant

  • An array of shapes and sizes

If you're looking for the most budget-friendly material, then we recommend you go with glass. However, if it's variety you're after and more lightweight material, then you should consider purchasing an acrylic fish tank.

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