There are fish tanks out there that are so big, it would make your eyes water. However, not everyone is blessed with ample amounts of space to place such a large aquarium. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy being a fish owner since there are plenty of smaller tanks on the market. If you are looking for the best 5-gallon fish tank to get you started then we have some great picks for you.
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What Are The Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks?
The market is packed with stunning fish tanks with a 5-gallon capacity. A quick Google search will yield thousands of results, but you want to make sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck. If you’re keen to find the best 5-gallon aquarium, we are confident that these are among the elite.
Lifegard Aquatics R800200 5 Gallon Aquarium
With a sloped front glass panel, this is a 5 gallon aquarium that boasts a modern and sleek look. If you want something that will stand out and be a feature then this design element coupled with the chic black framework will certainly help you to achieve that.
The R800200 fish tank measures 14 x 14 x 10 inches making it ideal for keeping on a desk or a small cabinet in your living space. What’s great is that this fish tank comes with everything you need to get started. If you’re a new aquarist then the LED lighting and high-powered filter will make setting up so much simpler.
The aquarium requires very little maintenance aside from the regular cleaning and water changes that are expected with managing any aquarium and is suitable for both saltwater and freshwater species.
Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
This is one of the best selling 5 gallon fish tanks on the market at the moment and comes with everything you need to get set up. With a tall, slimline design, the Marineland aquarium is perfect for tight spaces where you want to create a striking aquatic display.
The fish tank boasts a hidden filtration system so there are no eye sores, just your stunning fish but knowing that the filter is included is excellent. Being high powered and featuring 3 stages, you can feel confident that it will perform as expected keeping the water clean and suitable for the fish.
This aquarium also comes with LED lights that have a choice of two settings. Moonlight mode casts a gentle blue light across the tank mimicking the light of the moon while the white light mode plays the part of the sun.
The all-in-one kit is very easy to assemble and benefits from a removable glass canopy that allows for easy and pain-free maintenance.
GloFish Aquarium Kit 5 Gallons
This stunning 5 gallon fish tank has a sleek design that would make an incredible centerpiece in any room. What’s more, the crescent shaped front panel is a nice change from the norm and enhances your viewing experience.
The GloFish aquarium comes with all the important accessories including a filter cartridge and blue LED lighting. What really makes this aquarium stand out from the rest is that it features a handy feeding hole so you can feed your fish without having to remove the entire lid.
Rather than being made from glass, which is a very delicate material, the GloFish aquarium is crafted from high-quality plastic which is both durable and reliable.
DaToo 5 Gallon Aquarium Betta Fish Tank
Now, while this fish tank is marketed as a betta fish tank, we should point out that betta fish are not suitable for people just starting out with fish keeping. These animals require a more experienced level of care and, according to PETA, these fish are largely mistreated and require much more detailed care.
However, whether you are an advanced fish keeper looking to house betta fish or just starting out and want to use this tank for other species, it has a lot of benefits. For example, this DaToo fish tank comes with its own filtration system as well as LED lighting. While it is evident that this is standard with a lot of starter kits, this one stands out from the crowd thanks to the whisper quiet, high powered, adjustable filter.
The aquarium benefits from low iron glass which is remarkably clear and gives you an amazing view of the fish inside the tank from all angles. What’s more, since this tank measures just 13.8 x 8.7 x 8.7 inches, it is ideal for very compact spaces.
Hygger 5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kits
For anyone who likes something a little more unusual looking, this stunning tank from Hygger is ideal. It boasts a very unique design and yet this doesn’t come at the sacrifice of practical features. The arc-shaped kit comes with 3.2 watt LED lighting as well as a 5 watt filtration system. All of the ‘business’ end is hidden so that your viewing experience won’t be compromised.
This fish tank features ulta white glass which is much clearer and also comes with a bottom plate so that it can be more stable when placed on any surface. The water pump operates silently and has two outlet options; rainwater or duck’s mouth. What’s more, it consumes low energy and is super reliable.
The Hygger fish tank starter kit has smooth edges so is easy to move from one spot to another and with a footprint of just 16.5 inches x 9 inches, it won’t take up masses of space. The height is slightly more than other aquariums at a little over 12 inches.
How Big Is A 5 Gallon Fish Tank?
It may seem like an innate question because after all, a 5 gallon fish tank is going to be, well, 5 gallons. But that refers to the amount of water you can fit inside and doesn’t give you much of an idea of the dimensions of the fish tank.
For people who want something that can easily fit on their desk or a small table in the living room or bedroom, a 5 gallon tank is ideal. These tanks may vary where dimensions are concerned but on average will be around 16 inches x 8 inches x 10 inches.
But aside from being compact enough for small spaces, 5-gallon aquariums are also ideal for entry-level fish enthusiasts who don’t want to yet commit to something larger. These tanks provide you with a way to get used to keeping fish and limit the amount of work required. Moreover, since these tanks are designed to house between four and six fish, you won’t have to worry about complex communities and aggression between species.
Things To Consider When Buying A 5 Gallon Fish Tank
While a 5-gallon tank may be far less high maintenance and much smaller than other options, that isn’t to say that there aren’t a few things to think about before you commit to buying.
Filters
Fish tanks need filters, there is no getting away from this; they keep the water clean and are critical to the survival of the fish.
When choosing your 5 gallon fish tank, you should think about whether you would prefer an all-in-one tank which has filters, lighting, and everything else built in or a tank that requires you to complete the setup. For people just starting out, an all-in-one is generally the best option. What’s more, since everything is compact within the tank, they are also great if you’re looking to place an aquarium in a smaller space.
Saltwater or Freshwater
Before you head down to the local pet store to buy some fish for your tank, you need to think about the type of aquarium you will set up. Saltwater tanks are for marine fish that live in the ocean whereas freshwater tanks are set up for fish that live in rivers, streams, and other bodies of unsalted water.
Putting a saltwater fish into freshwater or vice versa will kill the fish as the conditions simply aren’t right for them. And the death would be very unpleasant; saltwater fish in freshwater will absorb the water into their skin which would eradicate the salt content. Over time, they would bloat and eventually die; it’s not pleasant for the animal and should never be done.
So, you have to decide which you prefer. A freshwater tank is far easier to set up and maintain compared to a saltwater setup. However, the type of fish that you can keep in a freshwater aquarium are generally less colorful which gives the saltwater tank the upper hand where aesthetics are concerned.
Setting Up And Maintaining Your Fish Tank
Assuming that you have found your favorite 5-gallon tank and have selected the type of fish you would like to keep in it, you’ll now need to get everything set up before any animals can begin living here.
We will assume that you have chosen to go for a standalone tank and will be buying separate equipment to create a bespoke setup. If you’ve opted for an all-in-one kit then getting started will be much simpler.
At the most basic level, you will need a lid, filter, lighting, and a heater. But even once these things are in place, you cannot head out and buy your fish straight away. It is important to allow the tank to go through the cycling process which will ensure that it is suitable for detoxifying the fish waste. This can be a long process and can take up to six weeks.
This may be frustrating because you will want to see your tank come to life as soon as possible but there are ways you can speed it up. Planting live plants in the aquarium will vastly speed up the cycling process but even in such cases, you will need to test the condition of the water as if the nitrate levels soar too high, this will quickly kill any fish that you put in. If you do choose to include live plants in the tank, it is essential to find the right substrate that will help the plants to thrive. Decorative gravel is OK for fake plants, but will not sustain life for real ones.
Another important part of the setup should include an outlet timer. This will allow you to set the lights and forget about them. Otherwise, you will find yourself having to remember to do this and it isn’t difficult to forget.
In addition to this, you will need to maintain your tank and while keeping a 5-gallon tank is generally less hassle than something larger, you will need to commit some time to caring for it. Each week you will need to change 20% of the water in order to keep it clean and healthy for your fish. You should avoid emptying the tank entirely and replacing the water since this won’t be suitable for the fish and it isn’t unheard of for an entire community to die after a total water change.
FAQs
How many fancy guppies can I put in a 5-gallon tank?
As a general rule, you should put one 1 inch fish per one gallon of water. However, the fewer fish you can place in one tank, the better as they need enough room to move around freely and not get in one another’s way. In the case of fancy guppies, we would not recommend keeping more than 5 together in a 5-gallon tank.
Is it cruel to keep Bettas in small tanks?
It is not a good idea to keep any fish in a tank that is too small for them. There are horror stories of people keeping bettas in a vase or small cup and this is not OK. The rule of one fish per gallon of water remains with bettas but this species may feel threatened if it is forced to spend time in a cramped tank with rival fish.
What can I put in a 5-gallon tank?
It isn’t just fish and plants that you can keep in your 5-gallon aquarium; there are multiple options if you want to create something a little different. For example, a lot of people choose to keep things like cherry shrimp and snails in their small tanks. Crayfish and dwarf frogs are also popular choices.
Conclusion
Setting up a beautiful aquarium is a lot of fun but if you are limited on space then those huge fish tanks you see in the media simply won’t fit. But all is not lost, a compact 5-gallon fish tank is a great alternative and provides you with a smaller aquarium that won’t take over a room. What’s more, if you are just getting started with fish keeping, these tanks are far less high maintenance and require no complex knowledge to manage.
The internet is littered with all-in-one kits and tank-only 5 gallon aquariums and this can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed, but our top picks are sure to give you food for thought.
