7 Best Nano Reef Tanks in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

There is a broad range of nano reef tanks available on the market, and each one has its pros and cons. Nano reef tanks are beautiful and convenient because they allow you to create a beautiful aquatic setup in a small space. Most nano reef tanks are affordable and include kits that are added to the cost to save you money.

Nano reef tanks can be effortlessly created in small spaces, such as work desks and home environments without taking up too much space. Reef tanks do not always have to be big, and you can enjoy having your very own reef tank without having to worry about installing a large aquarium.

We have compiled a list of the best nano reef tanks available on the market while providing you with all the information you need to know about how the specific nano reef tank operates and what it has to offer you.

A Quick Glance At Our Favorites In 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Koller Products Smart Fish Tank	App-controlled Includes supplies Lighting comes in a variety of colors	Check Price
Best Value		Cascade All-in-One Desktop Fish Tank Kit	Affordable High-quality material Includes a filter and lighting	Check Price
Premium Choice		Lifegard Full View Aquarium Kit	Includes all the supplies you need Angled front panel for easy viewing Full-spectrum LED light helps plant growth	Check Price
		Fluval Sea Evo Saltwater Fish Aquarium Kit	3-stage filtration Adjustable lighting Modern appearance	Check Price
		MarineLand Contour Glass Aquarium Kit	Sleek glass design Includes 3-stage filter Daylight and moonlight LED lighting	Check Price

The 7 Best Nano Reef Tanks

Our favorite nano reef tank overall is the Koller Smart Fish Tank because it includes both a filter and lighting, plus an app that allows you to control the tank’s settings from your electronic device. This tank allows you to check its water temperature and control the lighting through an app on your phone (both an Android and iOS app). You can also get notifications from this app to remind you to replace the aquariums filter cartridge or change the water. Altogether, this makes the perfect technology-smart nano reef tank with the inclusion of supplies, so you do not have to worry about buying them separately. There are many different lighting options available, and you do not have to manually turn the light or heater and filter on yourself—you can easily do all these things through the app!

The best nano reef tank for the money is the Cascade Desktop Fish Tank kit. This is a deluxe aquarium setup that includes everything you need to get your nano reef tank set up started. It includes a clear lid, an internal filter, and multiple white and blue LED lights. The tank is made with crystal clear glass which allows you to easily view your fish.

The internal filter systems combine a bio sponge, activated carbon, and poly fiber floss to keep the tank clean and the water clear. It is on the smaller side, which makes it the perfect nano reef tank for desks, however, it is not suitable for larger fish.

Our premium choice is the Lifegard Aquarium Kit. It’s not only a stylish tank that is the perfect structure for nano reef tanks, but it also includes a lot of necessary items. This product might be on the more expensive side but it is worth the price considering it comes with all the essential items you need to start a nano reef tank while being a unique shape that allows you to easily view the inside of your aquarium.

This patented tank features an angled front panel so that you can easily view your nano reef from any angle. Each kit comes with an algae magnet, a heat net, an LED lamp, an LED thermometer, and a submersible filter with a pump. This aquarium kit has everything you need as a beginner to start your nano reef-keeping journey.

This stylish honeycomb-designed tank from Fluval is created to be a saltwater aquarium, which makes it a perfect nano reef tank. It includes a filter compartment and LED light to give this aquarium a modern and stylish appearance. The filter provides this tank with 3-stage filtration—mechanical, biological, and chemical through Fluval filter media.

It also features a multi-functional canopy with a door to easily feed any fish you plan to keep. The LED light is sleek and waterproof and made of high-quality aluminum, with a night and day setting so you can adjust the lighting to provide your reef with realistic day and night lighting.

The MarineLand Contour Aquarium Kit is suitable for saltwater aquariums and features a 5-gallon capacity with rounded corners and sleek glass so that you have a clear view inside of your aquarium. It includes a canopy with bright LED lights that mimic the natural underwater effects of sunlight, while also having blue LED lighting to mimic moonlight which can be turned on during the evening.

It also includes a 3-stage hidden filtration system with an adjustable flow pump so you can control the speed and flow of the filter, without having a filter inside of the water which would otherwise take away tank space.

The Coralife Biocube aquarium kit features a programmable hinge top hood with a 24-hour timer connected to bright white and blue color-enhancing LED lights. This lighting allows you to see your reef better while providing it with a 30-minute gradual sunrise or sunset feature for the evening, and a moonrise effect for nighttime so that you do not disturb your reef tanks inhabitants by turning on a bright light.

This aquarium kit also features an integrated back wall filtration system to hold biological, mechanical, and chemical filter media. The back wall chamber includes a submersible pump with dual intakes and adjustable return nozzles so you can control the flow of the filter system.

This nano tank from LANDEN is a low-iron rimless tank with a compact design. The filtration system is behind the tank and contains three different chambers, so you have the option of choosing what type of filter media you want to place in each chamber to provide either mechanical, biological, or chemical filtration.

There is also a place for a skimmer in one of the chambers and each chamber is large enough to fit a large amount of filter media. The tank itself is simple yet stylish, however, it does not include a lot of the supplies that other tank kits on our list do.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Nano Reef Tank

What Is a Nano Reef Tank? How Does It Work?

Nano reef tanks are conveniently-sized aquaria, meaning that they are not too big. This enables you to enjoy the benefits of owning and creating a saltwater environment using a very small fish tank. They do not take up much space and you get to enjoy the view of a reef tank from a smaller perspective.

Nano reef tanks are generally considered to be tanks that can hold less than 30 gallons of water. There are a lot of different options to choose from and not each reef tank is created equal. Some nano reef tank setups include lighting and filters, which save you from having to purchase those items separately, and in return, save you money.

This type of tank provides a natural, yet small saltwater environment for reefs to flourish, and you also have the option of adding tank inhabitants such as saltwater fish and invertebrates if the size allows it.

What To Look for When Choosing a Nano Reef Tank

Nano reef tanks come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and brands, so it can be difficult to choose the right nano tank for you. The components of the nano kits can vary greatly, so it is best to choose one that includes all the items you need while being the perfect size and shape to fit into the environment it will be kept.

These are the main factors to consider when choosing the right nano reef tank:

The shape and size

The size plays a role in the number of coral reefs, saltwater plants, and live inhabitants you can keep in the tank. If you plan to keep a specific species of fish in your nano reef tank, then it is important to first consider their minimum tank size requirement before making a purchase. The shape of the tank is usually up to you because it depends on the area you want to place the tank in, and how you want to position the reefs and plants.

The lighting system

Lighting is a key element to growing plants and being able to see the environment you have created in your nano reef tank. If you do not want to spend additional money on the right type of light for your nano reef tank, then it is best to choose one that already includes lighting, usually on the hood of the tank.

The filtration system

A lot of nano reef tanks will include a filtration system in the kit. However, you want to ensure that the filter is strong enough to efficiently remove waste and keep the nano reef tank clean. This is another important consideration to keep in mind if you plan to keep fish or invertebrates in the tank. If the filter is not strong enough or inefficient at keeping the nano reef tank clean, then the waste build-up can harm your fish and corals. Having a good filtration system does not mean that you will not have to do water changes and other tank maintenance, though.

The price and components

The majority of nano reef tanks come with all the necessary components, which saves you the hassle and money from having to buy them separately. These components are vital to the health and success of your reef tank, but they can be expensive to purchase separately, and you may have a difficult time finding the right-sized items to fit into your nano reef tank. It is always a bonus to find a nano reef tank that comes with the components you need to set up the tank.

Conclusion

While we love all of the above nano tank options, our top pick overall is the Koller smart fish tank as it integrates advanced technology and convenience into reef-keeping. Our next favorite pick is the Lifegard full view aquarium because this kit includes all the essential items you need to start your very own nano reef tank as a beginner.

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Featured Image Credit: PDPics, Pixabay