Setting up an entire aquaponics system can be quite daunting. Such a system’s numerous requirements can be quite expensive, especially if one makes the wrong purchase decisions. This problem is further compounded by the multiple manufacturers who promote their aquaponics products as the best in the market. If you are looking for a new aquarium fish tank for your aquaponics project or want to upgrade the one you have, our in-depth guide will help you figure out the five best makes you can get in the market today.

Best Aquaponics Aquarium Fish Tanks

 

Koller Products PanaView 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit

Pros

• Multi-colored lighting
• Sturdy, high-quality plastic build
• High purification rate

Cons

• Subpar heater and filter
• Unit comes without a lighting power cord
• Does not work well when filled all the way

The Koller Products PanaView 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is a well-designed, energy-efficient aquaponics tank easily recognizable from its dazzling 7-color illumination. If you value aesthetics over everything else, you will probably not find a more appealing aquarium kit than this one. The kit can be lit in red, purple, amber, aqua, green, blue, or daylight white.

The Koller Products PanaView 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit comes with a sufficiently powerful water filter that can clean and purify water at a rate of 45 gallons every hour. This purification effectively gets rid of toxic gases, odors, heavy metals, and discoloration. The kit is made using high-quality, impact-resistant plastic with impressively good clarity that almost matches glass. Additionally, the unit’s single-piece construction design results in excellent sturdiness and durability.

If you plan on acquiring an aquarium kit for aesthetic appeal, the Koller Products PanaView 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is among the best makes you can get in the market today. The only minor misgiving is the somewhat subpar filter and heater quality, which may require you to get replacements after a while.

 

Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Pros

• Excellent water heater
• Relatively cheap
• Excellent filtration system

Cons

• Sealant is not strong enough
• Build quality is not premium

The Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit features a low-profile full hood design and white LED lighting to bring your entire aquaponics project to life. The unit uses a QuietFlow filter system that flashes to alert a user when the filter cartridge needs to be changed. Besides, the inbuilt water heater keeps the aquarium temperature at a constant 78 degrees, which is ideal for most fish varieties.

The unit’s 20-gallon capacity is large enough for most non-commercial aquaponics projects. The Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit also comes with additional accessories such as a fishnet, water conditioner, and stick-on thermometer. The unit is ideal for numerous types of fish, including platies, mollies, bloodfin tetras, cherry barbs, and white cloud mountain minnows.

If you need a relatively cheap aquarium kit, you should consider the Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit. It’s functional, well-priced, and large enough. However, its build quality is noticeably lower than models that use the single-piece design.

 

Tetra ColorFusion 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit

Pros

• Highly customizable
• Numerous accessories
• Excellent multiple color LED lighting
• Great build quality

Cons

• Noisy operation
• Substandard filter that clogs easily

The Tetra ColorFusion 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit is a highly customizable fish tank that lets the user choose multiple lighting colors. Each color cycle can be paused to maximize the effect it creates. The manufacturer also includes anemones that sway along with the filter’s current and gives the fish a hiding place. Every unit comes with a white anemone, Wonderland plant packs. Color Fusion LED, water filter, water heater, and an aquarium hood.

The Tetra ColorFusion 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit is built using scratch-resistant glass for durability and sturdiness. Additionally, the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on the product. If you are looking for a well-built, made-in-the-USA aquarium tank, this model should undoubtedly be on your shortlist.

 

Landen 20 Gallon Rimless Aquarium Tank

Pros

• Compact size
• Glass construction enhances sturdiness
• Amazing clarity

Cons

• Silicone quality is not the best
• Small size may be limiting for some people

The Landen 20 Gallon Rimless Aquarium Tank is made using 6-millimeter low iron glass with more than 91% transparency for an immersive experience. The unit comes with a nanofoam leveling mat in the package. The Landen tank feels quite premium quality-wise, even if it uses separate pieces of glass glued together using silicone rimming.

If you are looking for a compact, elegant, and well-built aquarium tank, look no further than the Landen 20 Gallon Rimless Aquarium Tank.

 

Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium

Pros

• Excellent packaging
• Good-quality glass construction
• Center-braced frame reduces glass bowing

Cons

• Price is not very pocket-friendly
• Not as sturdy as single-piece tanks

The Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium is an all-glass fish tank that comes in a wide range of sizes and styles. Larger sizes come with a center-braced, single-piece frame that prevents glass bowing. Additionally, buyers can choose between the black and oak trims for further compatibility with the tank’s environment.

The Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium can be used for both marine and freshwater applications. Buyers can also choose between black and clear silicone. If you are looking for a multi-purpose tank that comes in numerous sizes and styles, then the Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium is among the best models to consider.

What to Look for When Buying an Aquarium for Aquaponics

An aquarium can mean the difference between a smooth-running aquaponics project and a disastrous one. Factors such as breakages, non-functional filters, and poor clarity can all affect your aquaponics project. What, then, should you look for when buying an aquarium? We have rounded up the six most important aspects to consider before making your purchase to ensure that you do not regret your buying decision.

Quality

An aquarium’s quality is arguably its most important attribute. Factors such as build material, joinery, and manufacturing processes all determine a tank’s quality. You would not want to end up with an aquarium that wobbles or, worse, breaks when filled with water. To start with, a good aquarium should be fully waterproof. This means that no water should escape the tank through the walls, floor, or edges.

Secondly, the tank should be made from durable, clear materials. The most common ones include fiberglass, glass, and food-grade plastic. Glass is marginally clearer than plastic, but with modern-day manufacturing tech, the difference is almost indiscernible. You also need to ensure that the material used in the tank’s construction does not contain harmful materials that might dissolve into the water and harm your precious fish. If you intend to purchase a tank made from separate pieces of glass or plastic, you will need to ensure that the silicone used on the edges is top-notch. The last quality-related aspect to consider involves the light-blocking capacity of the plastic or glass—too much sunlight results in the rapid development of algae, which is bad for your fish.

Easy to Use

Typically, aquariums come with numerous accessories such as water heaters, purifiers, thermometers, and water conditioners. While all these are good and contribute to the well-being of life in the aquarium, it is vital to ensure that they do not impede the tank’s ease of use. You should easily operate every part of the aquarium without having to seek professional assistance. If your aquarium has features that require overly complicated operation procedures, your plants and fish could quickly die if you miss out on one or several steps.

Size

If you have shopped around for an aquarium, you have probably noticed that they come in different sizes. This is an essential factor to consider because the tank’s size largely determines the fish in an aquarium. If you intend to keep small-sized fish such as the ornamental variety, then a small or medium-sized tank will be perfect for you.

However, if you intend to have large fish (mostly the edible ones), you will require a significantly large aquarium. While ornamental fish can be comfortably reared in a 10-gallon fish, varieties such as Tilapia might require tanks with capacities of 150 gallons or more. Additionally, a large tank helps maintain pH and temperature levels better than a smaller one. Generally, a large aquarium is always better than a small one if you are not limited by space.

Easy to Assemble

Have you ever purchased something and could not make head or tail of its assembly? Some appliances are so overly complicated that one can easily consider throwing them in the attic in frustration. When it comes to aquariums, it is better to have an easy-to-assemble model for two reasons. You do not want to spend hours trying to figure out how to put together an aquarium. Secondly, suppose you ever need to relocate and need to take your aquarium with you. In that case, an easy-to-assemble model will save you the money you would otherwise have spent paying a professional.

Value for Money

An aquarium’s value for money is tied to several factors, the price being the most important. When considering any model, it is important to choose one whose price reflects its quality, durability, features, and looks. Do not go for overly cheap models that might have quality-related compromises.

Additionally, ensure that any highly priced models actually offer sufficient value to guarantee the price. With good value for money, you will never regret spending your money on an aquarium.

Shape

It is very easy to overlook an aquarium’s shape when deciding on the one to buy. However, the shape is almost as important as many other factors on this list. Usually, square or rectangle aquariums work correctly due to the space limitations of house walls being straight and corners being angled corners. However, if you are willing to experiment with something different, oval or circular aquariums are better than the conventionally shaped ones.

A circular or oval tank allows better water circulation in the aquarium, resulting in better water quality and improved well-being of the fish and plants. Additionally, circular aquariums allow fish to swim against the filter current easily. The easier circulation of water also results in an easier and faster gaseous exchange between water and air.

If you choose a square or rectangular aquarium, ensure that it has rounded edges to enhance water circulation, without which waste would accumulate in a single point.

Summary

Watching fish graciously swim in a well-lit aquarium is undoubtedly among the most pleasant sights. Considering the factors mentioned above, you can easily get an excellent aquarium for your household, be it for ornamental fish or those meant for eating. Hopefully, the list of the five best models has made it easier to make the purchase decision.