Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank – 15 Products Reviewed

A 5-gallon fish tank can be a great addition to your home. They come in a variety of stylish designs and are perfect for small spaces.

So, 5-gallon tanks are among the most popular sizes and can be great for certain tiny fish species. They’re also small enough that you don’t have to worry about them taking up all your living space!

If you’re searching for a list of Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank, read on! In this blog post, I’ll be reviewing some of the best 5-gallon tanks on the market and giving you a buying guide to help you choose the right one for you. 

I will also provide some recommendations for the best tanks on the market. So, whether you are a beginner or experienced fish keeper, read on for all the information you need to make the right purchase!

5 Gallon Fish Tank Dimensions

The minimum size of an aquarium to house fish should be five gallons. Any smaller and you’ll have trouble keeping a stable cycle, not giving your stock enough room for swimming or breeding purposes – even the tiniest creatures need space!

A typical 5-gallon fish tank has the dimension of 16″ x 8″ x 10″! That means the tank has 16 inches of length, 8 inches of width, and 10 inches of height. (Get the aquarium volume calculator!)

However, the weight of a 5-gallon tank is around 7lbs, and its filled-weight is approximately 62lbs!

How To Select The Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank

Numerous aquariums in the 5-gallon size range were investigated and reviewed. 

There are a plethora of aquariums to choose from when shopping for one online. So, how did I come to my decision? It all came down to the following criteria in order.

Design Of An Aquarium

The layout of a 5-gallon fish tank is critical, especially if you plan on keeping more than one species. Presentation is vital, especially for aquariums that will be displayed on desktops or tables. 

A desktop aquarium can be viewed most effectively from three angles. A 5-gallon fish tank’s peninsula design is the most popular. So, I’ll keep an eye out for this design in the final product.

Filtration

Because you won’t have to buy a separate fish tank filter if your 5-gallon tank has a filtration system, you’ll save time and money. The better, the fewer water changes you have to make and the longer your tank stays clean with a sound filtration system. 

 If the filtration system does not function effectively or is very inexpensive and poorly constructed, it can cause problems with the water quality in your tank. Poor filtration leads to the presence of ammonia and nitrite in the water, which can ultimately result in the death of your fish.

Read also: Best Filter For 5 Gallon Tank: Review And Buying Guide

Lighting

Aquarium plants necessitate an aquarium kit with lights that can provide that light. Having plants in our aquarium will not only make it more pleasant for our future fish residents but will also help stabilize our nitrogen cycle. 

To avoid problems with evaporation from overheating, You can look for LED lights that are integrated into the lid.

If you plan for a reef tank, it would have enough light to support simple low-light corals like Zoanthids and mushroom corals if it were only 5 gallons in size.

Price

You will look for a 5-gallon tank that’s both affordable and well-equipped. 

To get the most enjoyment out of your purchase, the best value on my list will have an appealing price that is neither prohibitively expensive nor filled with subpar products.

Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank – Top Five Picks Reviewed With Pros And Cons

Marineland Portrait Glass Kit (Editor’s Choice)

---

---

The Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit is a 5-gallon aquarium with a sleek design, rounded corners, and a clear glass canopy that allows viewing from multiple angles.

This five-gallon tank is perfect for beginners! It’s small, compact, and easy to keep clean. 

The portrait shape can be placed anywhere in your house since it doesn’t take up much space (especially compared with other tanks).

Plus, you’ll have room enough inside this fantastic little device that houses one Betta or two less Animated Fish – what do YOU think about adding some new friends into the mix?

The three-stage filtration system with mechanical, chemical, and biological filters offered by the Marineland Portrait is ideal for aquarium use. The hidden nature of its design enhances your viewing experience while maintaining cleanliness in water that can be seen from every side or corner!

Marineland’s incredible lighting system will allow you to create a variety of moods and effects with just two LED lights. You can have shimmering sunlight or moonlit glow, depending on your preference! In addition, the high-tech color spectrum provides ample light for keeping a few live plants in an aquarium.

Koller Products Aquarium Kit  (Most Affordable)

---

---

The Koller 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is the perfect starter package for anyone looking to get their feet wet in the world of fish keeping. This complete aquarium kit comes with everything you need to keep your fish happy, healthy, and thriving.

The Koller 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit includes a sturdy, transparent plastic tank with a stylish black stand. It also has an energy-efficient LED light that provides seven color options and can be set to rotate through all of them or remain on one color setting.

The tank itself is made of impact-resistant plastic, providing leak-proof assurance, unlike glass tanks glued together with silicone. However, this one-piece tank puts to rest any worries or concerns about possible leaks.

It features crystal clear clarity so good that most think it’s glass.

With its unique shape, this stylish aquarium can be viewed from multiple angles anywhere in the room. All you need to add are fish and plants!

Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit (Premium Choice)

---

---

Looking for a stylish and functional aquarium that won’t take up too much space? Look no further than the Fluval Spec Freshwater Aquarium Kit.

The Fluval SPEC Freshwater Aquarium Kit is a compact, modern aquarium designed to bring the beauty of nature into your home. This 5-gallon etched glass aquarium with aluminum trim is perfect for desktop or countertop use and comes with a powerful circulation pump. 

It comes equipped with an overhanging lighting system made up of 37 powerful LED lamps that arches above and provide brilliant illumination! So, this popular nano aquarium series boasts a robust 20% brighter lighting performance for noticeably bolder fish colors and plant growth.

Fluval’s SPEC does not disappoint where filtration is concerned either, boasting a powerful 3-stage system with oversized mechanical, chemical and biological media for unparalleled water clarity. However, the pump and filtration system is located in a separate chamber for easy maintenance.

The Fluval SPEC Freshwater Aquarium Kit is a great starter kit for anyone looking to get into the hobby of fish keeping. It includes everything you need to get started, including all the necessary filter media!

Marina LED Aquarium Kit (Best Mid Range)

---

---

When we think about aquariums, the Marina LED Aquarium Kit is one that comes to mind. Of course, it’s famous for its beauty and benefits like any other type – but what makes it stand apart?

The glass tank provides peace-of-mind due in part to its durability (you won’t have worries about breaking or exploding) while also giving your fish plenty of light with their own special kind of illumination system!

This Marina LED Aquarium Kit is perfect for first-time fish tank owners. It comes with a 5-gallon glass aquarium, adjustable LED lighting, a clip-on filter, and all the necessary accessories.

The aquarium’s transparent design allows you to watch your fish swim in their new home, while the included filter keeps the water clean and clear.

The 3-stage filtration system of this aquarium will keep your water as clear and clean as possible. It features an all-in-one filter kit that provides excellent biological, chemical, mechanical (biomechanical) cleansing for your fish!

Tetra Aquarium Kit (Best Acrylic Kit)

---

---

The fishkeeping community has relied on the Tetra name for years. From food and equipment to decor, they’ve got it all!

The Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit is a great starter aquarium. It’s easy to set up and maintain, and it comes with everything you need to create the ideal underwater environment for small tropical fish.

The acrylic aquarium kit comes with a Tetra Whisper Internal Power Filter and bright white energy-efficient LED lights hidden inside the low-profile black cover. This sleek and modern aquarium is ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, offices, and more!

There is no better place than Tetra when you want to give your fish tank a light boost. The 16 LED lights of this aquarium kit are environmentally friendly and create an ethereal shimmer in the water, so they’re not too bright or distracting!

Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank – Next 10 Fantastic Products In The Rally

GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit Fish Tank 

The GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit is the perfect way to start your journey into the world of owning an aquarium.

It comes with everything you need to get started, including a seamless, crescent-shaped tank.

It also comes with a hood and light for easy viewing, plus Tetra Whisper Bio-Bag Filter Cartridge that keeps water clean and clear to enjoy watching your new pets swim around!

You’ll also be able to add your own decorations and plants!

So, this 5-gallon kit includes all essentials needed for a healthy environment for your new GloFish fluorescent fish! 

You’ll love how easy it is to set up this beautiful aquarium with its seamless design and black hood. It looks great in any room or office space. Plus, it’s small enough that you can easily move it if necessary without worrying about spilling water everywhere.

GloFish Portrait Aquarium Kit Fish Tank

Looking for a new and exciting way to experience fishkeeping?

The GloFish Portrait Aquarium Kit Fish Tank is the perfect way to add some excitement to your home. 

This 5-gallon kit comes with all the essentials you need to get started, including a curved-corner, glass tank, Tetra Hidden Filtration with an adjustable flow filter pump, and GloFish Cycle Light with four modes.

With its four lighting modes – sunlight mode, moonlight mode, midnight mode, and twilight mode – you can create any mood you want in your aquarium. And don’t forget about the Glo! 

This kit comes complete with colorful GloFish gravel, plants, and décor that will really make your aquarium stand out.

Penn Plax Water-Word Vertex Aquarium Kit

Do you want to own an aquarium but don’t have the space?

The Penn-Plax Water-Word VERTEX Desktop Aquarium Kit is perfect for small or unused spaces. It’s great for beginners and contains almost everything you need!

With this kit, you can enjoy a beautiful fish tank in your home without taking up too much space. You won’t find another product like it on the market today.

Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit

Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit is the perfect aquarium for anyone looking for a unique and unobstructed viewing experience on all sides.

The curved glass design is frameless and seamless in front, making it the perfect choice for those who want an amazing view of their fish from any angle.

This 5-gallon fish tank is made with the highest quality glass for durability and clarity. It also utilizes 3 piece construction with seamless rounded front corners, making it one of the most stylish and modern aquariums on the market today.

Aqueon LED MiniBow Kit

The Aqueon LED MiniBow Kit is easy to set up and maintain a low-maintenance fish tank. It’s great for first-time and experienced fishkeepers of all ages.

With its sleek design, it will look good in any room of your home or office. Plus, the smart, clean technology makes water changes quick and simple so you can spend more time enjoying your pet instead of cleaning their habitat.

Hygger 5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Hygger 5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit is perfect for anyone just starting out in the fishkeeping hobby. With an ultra-white glass tank, this starter kit is sure to brighten up any room. 

The hidden filter design also ensures that your aquarium stays clean and looks great.

This 5-gallon kit is easy to use and comes with everything you need to get started. You’ll love the vibrant colors of the LED lighting, and the water pump ensures that your fish will have plenty of oxygen.

With this starter kit, you can create a beautiful underwater landscape in your very own home. The sleek design is perfect for any room, and it’s easy to keep clean. So make your aquarium dreams a reality today!

No products found.

MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit

Looking for a sleek and modern aquarium kit?

The Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is perfect for anyone who wants a stylish and easy-to-use aquarium. 

This aquarium kit comes with bright white LEDs that create a shimmering sunlight effect and blue LEDs that produce a moonlit glow. 

The hinged LED rail light and sliding glass canopy make it easy to access your fish and plants.

You won’t find another aquarium like this on the market today – it’s not just a fantastic product but also an incredible experience you can have every day of your life. 

Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit

The Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit is the perfect balance of sight and sound. With its 17 powerful LED lights and permanent up light, your fish will be swimming in a gentle glow. Plus, the powerful filtration will keep your water sparkling and healthy.

This sleek 5-gallon glass aquarium is perfect for any fish-lover looking to add some life to their home. It’s easy to set up and even easier to maintain, so you can spend more time enjoying your new aquatic friends.

Aquatop Pisces Moden Bullet-Shaped Glass Aquarium 

The AquaTop Pisces Bullet Shape 5-Gallon Glass Aquarium features seamless curved corners.

Each unit includes an innovative and unique multi-stage internal filter box system which comes complete with a submersible pump and an easy-change drop-in filter cartridge filled with premium activated carbon and ceramic rings for biological filtration.

Includes a super bright touch-sensitive 8.2W LED light complete with a moonlight setting and a tank lid with mounting clips.

These space-saving desktop aquariums are perfect for fresh or saltwater setups. 

LANDEN Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank (Tank Only)

Looking for an aquarium that will make your home décor pop? Look no further than the LANDEN Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank.

This tank is made of 5mm thick, high light transmittance, and low iron glass, making it 91% transparent.

The bezel-less design offers a broad vision that will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.

The LANDEN Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank is the perfect device for anyone who wants to do more with their tank. It’s packed with features that make everyday life easier, more entertaining, and more productive.

My Suggested Fish For A 5-Gallon Tank

Betta

Guppy

Chili Rasbora

Scarlet Badis

Pygmy Corydoras

Harlequin Rasbora

Dwarf Pea Puffer

Neon Tetra

Clown Killifish

Celestial Pearl Danio

Endler’s Livebearer

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Sparkling Gourami

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Ember Tetra

How Many Fish

A few simple rules will aid in estimation. The “one inch per gallon” guideline means no fish larger than 5 inches in a 5-gallon aquarium! But this is a rough estimate.

4 to 6 tiny species from the list above can fit in a 5-gallon aquarium!

Other things impact stocking capacity. For example, 6-8 fish can be housed in a 5-gallon tank if the fish does not exceed 1.5 inches and the aquarium is thickly planted. But, of course, the filtering system must also function properly!

My 5-gallon aquarium has five neon tetras, one betta, and two snails. All of them are still together!

Read also: How Many Fish Per Gallon – The Ultimate Stocking Guide

Setting Up A 5-Gallon Aquarium

If you never have set up a fish tank before, it can be pretty simple or more difficult depending on what type of filter and capacity you need. The first thing to do is read through the instructions that come with yours, as every brand will require slightly different procedures for setting up their tanks. 

Make sure everything has been appropriately cleaned beforehand! There are plenty of YouTube videos available if needed but ensure they’re relatable!

Read Also: Best Heater For 5 Gallon Tank Review: Everything You Need To Know

Wrapping Up

5-gallon fish tanks are a great way to get started keeping fish. They come in kits with all of the accessories your new pet needs, so it’s easy and affordable!

The more equipment there is included when you purchase this type of tank, the happier they’ll be, too (although if I’m honest, an aquarist might prefer buying their own).

Always ensure that any tank used for housing aquatic creatures has enough room, though – remember these animals require plenty of space to be happy even though they don’t grow much during adulthood.