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Home > Fish > 10 Best Acrylic Aquariums in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

10 Best Acrylic Aquariums in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Seasalt Aquarium_JerryWang_Unsplash

According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 15 million American households have fish as pets, with freshwater fish being the most popular. While you’re not going to cuddle with your aquatic friends, having a tank offers health benefits and keeps them in an environment where they can thrive. When shopping for an aquarium, the first thing you’ll notice is the dizzying array of choices. The industry has come a long way from fishbowls.

Traditionally, glass was the material of choice. However, you’ll find products made of acrylic in a broad spectrum of styles and shapes. Our guide includes the features you should look for and detailed reviews to help you choose the best one for you.

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A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
biOrb FLOW LED Acrylic Aquarium biOrb FLOW LED Acrylic Aquarium
  • Attractive design
  • Built-in5-stage filtration
  • Well-made
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Aqueon LED MiniBow Acrylic Aquarium Kit Aqueon LED MiniBow Acrylic Aquarium Kit
  • Clean design
  • All-around 360°viewingviews
  • Easy maintenance
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    SeaClear Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium SeaClear Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium
  • Clean design
  • All-around 360°viewingviews
  • Easy maintenance
  • Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
  • Invisible seams
  • Good-looking design
  • Hidden lights
  • iOrb Tube 35 Acrylic Aquarium iOrb Tube 35 Acrylic Aquarium
  • 5-stage filtration 360° views
  • 360-degree viewing
  • Attractive Unique design
  • The 10 Best Acrylic Aquariums

    1. biOrb FLOW LED Acrylic Aquarium – Best Overall

    biOrb FLOW LED Aquarium

    Capacity: 4 or 8 gallons
    Dimensions: 8.2” L x 11.8” W x 12.4” H (4 gallons)
    Light: LED
    Accessories: Substrate, air stone, air pump, filter, cartridge, water conditioner

    The biOrb FLOW LED Aquarium ticks off many boxes for the best overall acrylic aquarium. It is a good-looking design that provides three sides for viewing. The black trim and top are a brilliant choice that makes it appear classy and well-made— which it is. It includes a 5-stage filtration system and an LED light fixture. It also has an air stone for better gas exchange at the surface.

    However, the kit does not have a heater. Fortunately, one is available that will fit the aquarium. It has a narrow footprint, making placement easy-peasy. It’s an excellent choice for your bedroom or office.

    Pros
    • Attractive design
    • 5-stage filtration
    • Well-made
    • LED Light fixture
    • Air stone for better gas exchange
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • No heater

    2. Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Kit – Best Value

    Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit

    Capacity: 2.5 or 5 gallons
    Dimensions: 11.9” L  xL x 9.8” W x 11.87”5 H (2.5 gallons)
    Light: LED in the hood
    Accessories: Filter, hood, water conditioner, fish food

    The Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit stands out with its clever design that hides the working parts and just lets you enjoy your pets. It allows you to view fish from all sides, which many customers enjoy. It’s our pick for the best acrylic aquarium for the money. The size is right for someone new to the hobby, although there is a larger size available. You can keep a goldfish or two in it with no issues.

    Small tanks mean frequent cleaning. This aquarium makes it a snap with its power filter. On the downside, it does not include a heater. At least the acrylic will insulate it better than glass would.

    Pros
    • Clean design
    • 360° views
    • Easy maintenance
    • Two sizes available
    Cons
    • No heater

    3. SeaClear Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium – Premium Choice

    SeaClear Flat Back Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium

    Capacity: 10–50 gallons
    Dimensions: 36 “ inches L x 12”  inches W x 16” inches L (26 gallons)
    Light: Fluorescent
    Accessories: n/a

    The SeaClear Flat Back Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium catches your eye with its unusual design. That could be a blessing or a curse, depending on where you want to put it. However, the design offers some interesting viewing angles, which we liked. On the downside, it’s not as easy to access the inside, even when feeding your fish. Surprisingly, the light is fluorescent and not LED. It’s also an investment, judging by its price.

    On the positive side, the acrylic is crystal clear, and you feel as if you could put your hand right through it. Overall, we could see this tank in a living room where it could stand in as an attractive focal point.

    Pros
    • Interesting viewing angles
    • Crystal-clear acrylic
    • Many sizes available
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Difficult to access

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    4. Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit

    Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit

    Capacity: 3 or 5  gallons
    Dimensions: 16.6” L x 11.2” W x 13.2” H (5 gallons)
    Light: LED
    Accessories: Light, filter, cartridge

    The Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit is an affordable option for children and adults alike who want to test the waters of owning fish. It includes all the basics to get you started. The design highlights the fish with invisible seams and a curved front. Granted, not everyone will like that feature. It also has a hidden light, so the LEDs are unobtrusive. There is an opening to feed your fish but, surprisingly, no cover.

    This product is clearly marketed for beginners. The filter is fine but not great. However, it’s a decent option if you don’t want to spend a lot of cash.

    Pros
    • Invisible seams
    • Good-looking design
    • Hidden lights
    Cons
    • No heater
    • No lid

    5. iOrb Tube Acrylic Aquarium

    iOrb Tube 35 Aquarium

    Capacity: 4 or 9 gallons
    Dimensions: 14.6” L x 14.6”W x 17.3” H (9 gallons)
    Light: LED or MCR
    Accessories: Filter, starter bacteria, water conditioner

    The iOrb Tube 35 Aquarium is expensive at first glance until you start looking under the hood. The cylinder shape illustrates one clear advantage that this material has over glass— 360-degree viewing. The product is well-made with the pet owner in mind. It has mechanical and biological components in its filtration system, which makes the best out of what little water it contains.

    The kit comes with a light and water conditioner. The addition of the starter bacteria was a welcome surprise. It’s not an ideal beginner tank, but it still has all the bells and whistles to make your fish happy.

    Pros
    • 5-stage filtration
    • 360-degree viewing
    • Unique design
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Expensive

    6. GloFish Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit

    GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit

    Capacity: 3–20 gallons
    Dimensions: 11.3” L x 16.6”W x 6.71” H (5 gallons)
    Light: LED
    Accessories: Filter, light, filter, cartridge, gravel, plants

    You get a lot for your money with the GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit. From the blue LED lights to the fluorescent-colored gravel, the name says it all. It would probably work with iridescent fish, but that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The design is attractive with a seamless viewing area. The black accents are also a nice touch.

    The included accessories were a bit over the top and probably unnecessary for most. While the tank is decent, the hood is poorly made.

    Pros
    • Seamless view
    • Slightly tinted glass
    Cons
    • Flimsy lid
    • Wild colors won’t suit everyone

    7. biOrb Life Aquarium with MCR

    biOrb Life 30 Aquarium with MCR

    Capacity: 4–16 gallons
    Dimensions: 16.5” L x 15.4” W x 17.3” H (8 gallons)
    Light: LED or MCR
    Accessories: Filter, rocks

    The biOrb Life 30 Aquarium with MCR has a futuristic design that you may or may not love. The viewing is excellent and practically seamless. It doesn’t have a typical hood and light. Instead, there is a central hole on the top. It’s well-made with quality construction. The only gripe we had was that the included rocks and corners of the tank are hard to clean. Fortunately, it has a 5-stage filter.

    You can get it with an LED light or an MCR model. The latter ups the functionality with 16 presets and the ability to set day-night cycles.

    Pros
    • Seamless design
    • Well-made
    • 360° views
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Hard-to-clean corners

    8. Back to the Roots Water Garden, Self-Cleaning Fish Tank

    Back to the Roots Water Garden, Self-Cleaning Fish Tank

    Capacity: 3 gallons
    Dimensions: 13.4” L x 13.4” W x 9.5” H
    Light: n/a
    Accessories: Seeds, water conditioner, growstone medium

    The Back to the Roots Water Garden Self-Cleaning Fish Tank is an excellent solution for keeping your aquarium’s water clean and virtually takes care of itself. The top is a plant container that is fed by the nitrates produced in the water via the nitrogen cycle. That makes it more than just a fish tank. It’s also an educational tool that can teach your children vital biology lessons.

    The fun thing about this product is that it can grow microgreens for you to use. That takes its value to a whole new level.

    Pros
    • Ingenious design
    • Multi-functional
    • Less maintenance
    Cons
    • Room for one fish only
    • Pricey

    9. biOrb Cube Acrylic Aquarium with LED

    biOrb Cube 30 Aquarium with LED

    Capacity: 8 or 16 gallons
    Dimensions: 12.6” L x 12.6” W x 13.6” H (8 gallons)
    Light: LED or MCR
    Accessories: Filter, cartridge, transformer, gravel, water conditioner, starter bacteria

    The biOrb Cube 30 Aquarium with LED shakes things up with an unusual design that will make an attractive addition to a room with minimalist decor. It’s not for everyone, but it shows the versatility of acrylic tanks in a unique way. The shape provides all-around viewing, which is indeed a strong selling point. It comes in three trim choices: transparent, white, and black.

    The manufacturer goes the extra mile with the accessories, including starter bacteria to jumpstart conditioning the water. We appreciated the 2-year warranty that shows the company stands behind its products.

    Pros
    • 5-stage filtration
    • 2-year warranty
    • 3 trim choices
    Cons
    • Unusual shape

    10. WUPYI Acrylic Mini Fish Tank

    WUPYI Acrylic Mini Fish Tank

    Capacity: 0.4 gallons
    Dimensions: 5” L x 3” W x 7” H
    Light: LED
    Accessories: Light, pump, filter

    The WUPYI Acrylic Mini Fish Tank is more of a novelty than anything else. It is a tiny version of what an aquarium should look like. Unfortunately, that’s as far as it goes. There is barely enough room for even one fish. It’s like putting one in a fishbowl with a light on top. However, there is a filter that makes it a bit more bearable for a feeder goldfish to live. Interestingly, it uses a USB port for its power source.

    Its compact size makes it an option for an office. However, it’s not the best choice for beginners. The conditions of the small water volume will fluctuate too much.

    Pros
    • Three light options
    • USB power source
    Cons
    • Too small for fish
    • Expensive for size

    divider-fishBuyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Acrylic Aquarium

    It used to be you’d have a choice of either a rectangular or square tank. Many products had standard sizes, making it easy to customize your setup. Things have changed with the advent of acrylic. You’ll notice that aquariums have become more decorative and have broken the mold on the classic shapes. No longer is it just a glass tank on a wrought iron stand.

    Consequently, you’ll find products that are outside of the typical dimensions. That’s one reason why you’ll see aquariums sold in kits in addition to just the tank. Today’s options include proprietary designs, which often tie you to a single manufacturer’s product line. That means it’s essential to scrutinize the entire product and all the accessories. Things to consider include:

    • Type
    • Material
    • Shape and size
    • Access
    • Accessories.

    Type

    By type, we mean the kind of fish you can keep in the tank. Most products are geared toward either tropical freshwater species or goldfish. One of the vexing issues with acrylic is that it can scratch. Therefore, a saltwater setup is probably not the best choice with this material.

    Material

    Acrylic offers several advantages over glass. It is moldable, which explains the vast array of products you’ll see. That puts aesthetics at the forefront. Design is a factor that you may not have considered as much with glass tanks. If you are looking for something different, this material is for you. Another standout benefit is that it’s lightweight. Even a smaller glass tank is going to weigh a lot.

    Acrylic Aquarium_KarlMuscat_Unsplash
    Image Credit: Karl Muscat, Unsplash

    On the downside, acrylic is more expensive than glass. You’ll notice it right away when you start comparison shopping. While glass can chip and crack, acrylic can scratch. That makes paying attention to the cleaning tools you use essential to avoid marring the surface. It’s also a factor when handling these tanks if they’re small enough to carry to a sink.

    Shape and Size

    Shape and size are where acrylic shines. You’ll find many more choices when it comes to these features. Often, manufacturers will design products for better viewing. That can make your aquarium a focal point in a room where everyone can enjoy it. You’ll also see a broader range of sizes, even some non-standard ones. That’s a good thing if you have a specific place you want to put an aquarium but limited space.

    Of course, that also means you’ll find attractive products suitable for an office or living room. Fish tanks are no longer limited to just a child’s bedroom. The varying sizes can offer more choices for enthusiasts in the hobby.

    Access

    We suggest checking how easy it is to access the tank once you have it in place. The different shapes you’ll find in some products may have fewer ways to get inside the tank and clean it. Make sure the opening is big enough for your hand and any tools you’ll use. Keep it in mind when deciding where you want to place the aquarium, too.

    Accessories

    We mentioned the rise of aquarium kits, particularly with these products. We suggest checking to see what’s included with your purchase. , bearing in mind the non-standard sizes you’ll likely find. Sometimes, manufacturers skimp on the accessories they include. Buying an acrylic tank just because it advertises having everything you need isn’t always the best value. Inevitably, you’ll replace some of them.

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    Conclusion

    After going through our many reviews, the biOrb FLOW LED Aquarium swam to the head of the class as our top pick. On the other hand, the Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit is ideal for anyone wanting the best value. If you’re just getting started in this hobby, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Even experienced fish keepers use some of these tanks for their pet fish.


    Featured Image Credit: Jerry Wang, Unsplash

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