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10 Best 10-Gallon Fish Tanks – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Chris Dinesen Rogers

By Chris Dinesen Rogers

goldfish in small aquarium on table

A 10-gallon tank is a good size for individuals new to the hobby of fishkeeping, including children. It teaches one the basic concepts of keeping fish at an affordable price point. It used to be that your only choice was a glass tank. However, acrylic models give you more options for shapes and sizes. Many view aquariums as a piece of décor in addition to a home for pets. You’ll find many choices, from barebones to full-blown kits. Our guide includes everything you need to know, along with reviews of some of our favorite products.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium
  • Affordable
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Standard size
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit
  • Complete kit
  • Value-priced
  • Excellent for beginners
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium
  • Attractive design
  • Adjustable filter
  • Minimalist design
  • Marina 10G LED Aquarium Kit Marina 10G LED Aquarium Kit
  • LED lights
  • Well-made
  • Accessories included
  • Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium
  • Attractive minimalist design
  • Extra accessories
  • Well-made
  • The 10 Best 10-Gallon Fish Tanks

    1. Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium – Best Overall

    Aqueon 10 Gal Black Aquarium

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater, marine
    Dimensions: 25 inches long x 10.5 inches wide x 13 inches high

    If you want a tank, you can’t beat the Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium. The product is only the tank, with no extras thrown into the mix. It’s an excellent choice if it’s all you need and prefer to pick your accessories. Kits are excellent options for beginners who have yet to learn the ropes. Experienced hobbyists often would rather pick their own stuff. It’s our pick for the best overall 10-gallon fish tank.

    The tank is nothing fancy, but that’s okay. It has clear silicone joints and black trim, which is also standard for the industry. It is suitable for freshwater and marine aquariums.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Perfect for beginners
    • Standard size
    Cons
    • Barebones

    2. Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit – Best Value

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater, saltwater
    Dimensions: 88 inches long x 12.75 inches wide x 13.88 inches high

    The Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit may have a higher price tag, but this product includes almost everything you need to get started in the hobby. It includes the hood, filter, heater, water conditioner, thermometer, and a fishnet. The accessories are entry-level quality, but the kit makes it easy to jump into the deep end. It’s our pick for one of the best 10-gallon fish tanks for the money.

    This product is an excellent choice for parents who want to encourage their children to have pets but want to see how involved they’ll get in the hobby. The quick-start guide provides the necessary information to get things off on the right start.

    Pros
    • Complete kit
    • Value-priced
    • Excellent for beginners
    • Sleek design
    Cons
    • Entry-level accessories only

    3. Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter– Premium Choice

    Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Back Filtered Aquarium

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 20 inches long x 14 inches wide x 14 inches high

    The Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter is an interesting concept. It embraces a minimalist design that puts the spotlight on the fish and your setup. That makes the environment more immersive and perhaps boosts the benefits of well-being from gazing into a tank. It also includes a back filter to give you a head start in the hobby, although it ties you into that product for supplies.

    The design is attractive, minimalistic, and super unique. The filter adds to it and can make colorful fish pop against it. It also ties you into supplies from that manufacturer. The other issue is the size. The filter pushes it out of the standard realm, which can make finding other accessories challenging.

    Pros
    • Attractive design
    • Adjustable filter
    • Minimalist design
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Not a standard size

    4. Marina 10G LED Aquarium Kit

    Marina LED Aquarium Kit

    Material: Glass, plastic
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 20 inches long x 10 inches wide x 12 inches high

    The Marina 10G LED Aquarium Kit is another complete package to help beginners get started. The extras are of a decent grade if you’re new to the hobby. The glass tank is a standard size, which is also a plus for buying other accessories to complete your setup. The product is well-made and an excellent value for the price, considering what you get for your money.

    The hood with its LED lights is a welcome addition with a longer lifespan. The filter is adjustable so you can match the flow with the needs of your fish. Overall, it’s a well-made tank with decent accessories.

    Pros
    • Standard size
    • LED lights
    • Well-made
    • Accessories included
    Cons
    • Pricey

    5. Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium

    LIFEGARD Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater, marine
    Dimensions: 20.07 inches long x 9.84 inches wide x 12.6 inches high

    The Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium is another riff on the minimalist design. We understand its popularity since the black trim on many models is distracting. Again, we’re looking at a more immersive setup, which we liked. It’s also encouraging to see more manufacturers thinking outside of the box—literally! The size pushes the limits of the standard dimensions but may still work with some accessories.

    The product includes a light, heater, and filter. They are of decent quality for the price. They also complement the design of the tank and its excellent clarity.

    Pros
    • Attractive minimalist design
    • Extra accessories
    • Well-made
    Cons
    • Non-standard size

    6. GloFish Glass Aquarium Kit

    GLOFISH Glass Aquarium Kit


    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 28 inches long x 8 inches wide x 10 inches high

    The GloFish Glass Aquarium Kit won’t please everyone. However, it capitalizes on the aesthetic qualities of this hobby with its setup. It includes the tank, canopy, and light system. The glow reference in its product name refers to the light options. You can view it in Sunlight or Moonlight Mode. It may seem gimmicky to some, but it can add to the interest in some setups.

    The size is non-standard. This tank is best used on a desktop. The product ties you into the manufacturer’s line because of this trait.

    Pros
    • Interesting design
    • Tied into the manufacturer’s line
    Cons

    7. Penn-Plax Aquasphere Tank

    Penn-Plax AquaSphere 360 Large Bowl-Shaped Aquarium

    Material: Acrylic, plastic
    Aquarium type: Freshwater, marine
    Dimensions: 28 inches long x 8 inches wide x 10 inches high

    The Penn-Plax Aquasphere Tank is different from many 10-gallon aquariums. It’s round to give you a 360-degree view of your fish. It has a light with three LED colors, which gives it a modern look. It also includes skimmers, making it appropriate for marine setups. It is made of acrylic, which gives it its unique shape. We like it, even though it pushes the boundaries.

    It’s pricey, which isn’t unexpected, given what it is and its accessories. It’s also an acrylic product, which often means a more expensive item.

    Pros
    • Attractive design
    • Skimmers for saltwater setups
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Scratches easily

    8. Penn-Plax Water-World Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit

    Penn-Plax Water-World Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 13.75 inches long x 13.75 inches wide x 13.75 inches high

    The Penn-Plax Water-World Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit starts off on the right foot with an attractive aquarium, albeit in a non-standard size. That can limit the fish and other inhabitants that can live in it. The manufacturer bills it as a desktop model, which is a good thing because of its size. It includes a filter, but it’s obtrusive. It also comes with a thermometer but no heater.

    Nevertheless, the goodies are appreciated since it may be challenging to find comparable products. The manufacturer markets it for beginners who can get the best use out of it.

    Pros
    • Attractive design
    • Skimmers for saltwater setups
    Cons
    • Limited suitability
    • Pricey
    • Unsightly filter

    9. LAQUAL 10 Gallon Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank

    LAQUAL 10 Gallon Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank

    Material: Glass
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 12 inches long x 10.5 inches wide x 20 inches high

    The LAQUAL 10 Gallon Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank is an unconventional product, starting with its size. It breaks the mold for the standard dimensions. It includes extra goodies but limits them to cleaning supplies and a net cover but no light. The glass is clear with solid construction. The manufacturer goes the extra mile with a 1-year replacement and satisfaction guarantee.

    The tank without a light is an issue. That’s a shame since it’s a well-made product. However, it’s a good choice if you have a small space to fill with an aquarium.

    Pros
    • Extra accessories
    • 1-year free replacement
    • Satisfaction Guarantee
    Cons
    • Non-standard size

    10. AquaSprouts Garden Self-Sustaining Desktop Aquarium Aquaponics Ecosystem

    AquaSprouts Garden Self-Sustaining Desktop Aquaponics

    Material: Polypropylene, plastic
    Aquarium type: Freshwater
    Dimensions: 28 inches long x 8 inches wide x 10 inches high

    The AquaSprouts Garden Self-Sustaining Desktop Aquarium Aquaponics Ecosystem sells a concept and a science lesson. The water in a tank goes through the nitrogen cycle, producing nitrates that are plant food. This product runs with this fact to create a plant environment. We like the multi-purpose use of this model. It includes the framework for a 10-gallon tank but not the aquarium. However, it’s still worth a look.

    The self-contained nature of the ecosystem makes your aquarium more efficient. We think it’s an excellent teaching tool for children as well.

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Teaching opportunity
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Small

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank

    Fish tanks are something of a misnomer since many hobbyists use them for other pets. They offer several advantages. They retain heat and contain the mess. You can securely house many animals in them, making them versatile products. Things have evolved within the industry. You’ll find standard-sized tanks and other shapes that have aesthetic appeal. Things to consider when looking for a tank include the following:

    • Material
    • Aquarium type
    • Dimensions

    Material

    Glass has been the material of choice for fish tanks for decades. It offers several benefits, starting with its clarity. You can see the occupants of your aquarium clearly. The material is neutral and doesn’t react with other substances. It’s also easy to clean to maintain these qualities. The glaring downside is its fragility. Glass can get nicked or broken, both of which render the tank useless. It’s also heavy.

    Acrylic is a new option that has found a niche in several pet markets. It’s lighter than glass, without the same risk of breaking. However, it’s also softer, which can affect how you clean it and what tools you can use. You’ll find products made with this material in varied shapes, which can make them more attractive in some settings. However, it’s often more expensive and can scratch easily.

    person using a net to catch or transfer fish in aquarium tank
    Image By: Sergiy Akhundov, Shutterstock

    Aquarium Type

    Most products are suitable for freshwater setups because of the neutral nature of the materials. Glass is also suitable for marine aquariums for the same reason. If you want to set up a saltwater tank, we recommend verifying its suitability for these conditions if it isn’t specified in the product description.

    Dimensions

    Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. You also have your aquarium, substrate, and other accessories that add to the total weight. That comes to roughly 111 pounds for a glass tank. You’ll also need a stand. These products come in standard sizes. The dimensions for a 10-gallon aquarium are 20 inches long x 10 inches wide x 12 inches high. Non-standard products will make finding a suitable stand difficult.

    divider1-goldfish-new

    Conclusion

    Based on our reviews, the Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium is our pick for the best overall product. It is affordable without any unnecessary bells and whistles. The Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit is the other end of the spectrum, with its complement of accessories to help beginners get their feet wet. The price is affordable when you consider what you get for your buck. Regardless of your budget, though, any of these 10-gallon tanks are a decent choice. You just have to pick which one works best for you and the space you have at home!

    See Also: 


    Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

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