7 Best Saltwater Aquariums in 2024 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

You want to get a saltwater aquarium, but you are not sure which option is best for you. You probably know that this type of ecosystem is more fragile than a freshwater aquarium, more expensive to maintain and that you will have to be conscientious in its maintenance. But you also know that if you take care of this unique ecosystem, you will be rewarded every day with a magnificent view of a real miniature ocean!

To help you get your new marine aquarium, we’ve scoured the reviews to bring you our top picks for the best saltwater aquariums this year. Keep reading to determine which saltwater tank will best suit your lifestyle.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit	Perfect kit to start a saltwater aquarium Comes with a heater and thermometer Hood has a built-in LED light that beautifully illuminates your fish	Check Price
Best Value		Tetra Water Wonders Black Aquarium Kit	Easy to install and clean Compact aquarium perfect for small spaces Light is bright and you can adjust its height	Check Price
Premium Choice		SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set	Acrylic is less prone to chipping or cracking than glass Can be used for saltwater or freshwater Elegant design	Check Price
		Hygger Horizon LED Glass Aquarium Kit	Original and avant-garde design Hidden filter slot Cute decorative 3D rockery mountain background integrated	Check Price
		Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium	Built-in 24-hour timer Sleek and beautiful design Customizable filtration	Check Price

The 7 Best Saltwater Aquariums

Aqueon’s LED Fish Aquarium is the best overall option to help you start a small saltwater aquarium. This kit comes with everything you need to accommodate your fish, including a 10-gallon glass tank, quiet filter, LED hood, 50W heater, water conditioner, and even a thermometer. Cleaning is made easy with the LED indicator built into the filter, which flashes when you need to change the cartridge. Please note, however, that the LED light cannot be replaced when burnt out. Also, the included filter is very basic, so you’ll probably need to add some aquatic plants for a natural, organic second filter option.

If you don’t have a lot of space and only one small fish to put in your saltwater aquarium, then the Tetra Water Wonders is an option that gives you good value for money. This cute little aquarium includes everything you need: a transparent cover, a filtration unit, an integrated and raised LED light, and a sturdy black base. The Tetra Water is also very easy to install and clean. Once the tank is filled and plugged in, all you need to do is add the substrate, some aquatic plants, and your colorful fish. In addition, you will not be disturbed by its noise, because the filter is particularly quiet.

However, be aware that since it is made of plastic, the Tetra Water is not as strong as glass or acrylic tanks. Also, the LED light tends to fade over time, and since parts of this tank are not replaceable, you may need to get a new aquarium. The good news is that this model comes with a one-year warranty.

The SeaClear Aquarium is our premium choice due to its large capacity (up to 40 gallons), sleek design, and robust material. Indeed, the walls of this tank are made of acrylic, which, in addition to improving the visibility of your marine ecosystem, gives it greater solidity. Acrylic is also lighter than glass while being 17 times stronger. The SeaClear tank comes with a hood and a built-in 24-inch fixture, but no bulb. If you are not satisfied with the lighting, you could exchange the fixture with a more efficient LED light. However, one irritating downside to this tank is that the fused top has separate openings, making it difficult to clean the tank walls.

The Hygger Horizon tank is a real favorite in terms of its unique and trendy design! In addition to the 18W colorful LED lighting, one of the main appeals of this aquarium is that it comes with a built-in background of rocks, which perfectly mimics underwater depths. However, these fake rocks are not detachable and take away space from the tank. So, although it says 8-gallon capacity, the actual capacity is only about 6 gallons, or even less if you add stones and other decorations.

The built-in filter concept is a nifty feature as it helps hide it from view. However, this filter is quite coarse, which limits its ability to filter out fine debris. In addition, it is difficult to find replacement cartridges when the filter needs to be replaced. Finally, the major drawback of this aquarium in our opinion is that it is impossible to put small fish under two inches in it, at the risk of them being sucked in by the filter.

The Coralife LED BioCube is another model that has all the essentials to get started. However, this option is more expensive due to its modern, sleek design and innovative accessories. Indeed, the Coralife LED BioCube comes with a silent submersible pump that is connected to the integrated filtration system. It is also customizable and easy to clean.

Moreover, this 32-gallon glass tank has a temperature control system and fans included inside the system to cool the water from the heat of the LED lights. Also, the built-in 24-hour timer allows you to configure different types of LED lighting (bright white, blue, and multi-color) depending on the time of day. However, the lighting system tends to become less efficient over time, and the tank can chip fairly easily on impact.

The Fluval Edge 2.0 Fit 12 Gallon Glass Aquarium will make a stylish and contemporary addition to your living room, office, or bedroom. This kit with a LED lighting system that reproduces natural sunlight is easy to install, but its elegant design has a significant drawback. Indeed, the absence of a hood and the LED light directly on top of the aquarium makes cleaning more difficult. However, the adjustable-flow filtration system and touch-switch lighting are attractive features that appeal to users because of their convenience.

The GloFish aquarium is a beautiful 5-gallon glass tank that will brighten up any dark corner of your home, thanks to its fluorescent LED lighting system. Your tropical fish will never have looked so vibrant! This kit also includes a filter cartridge to keep the water crystal clear. However, some users have noticed that the tank tends to leak on one of the back corners, and the filter pump, while quiet, isn’t as efficient as other models in this price range.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Saltwater Aquarium

Tips for Setting Up Your Saltwater Aquarium

The saltwater aquarium makes it possible to create underwater landscapes very different from those of freshwater aquariums. In addition to brightly colored fish with a wide variety of shapes, the saltwater aquarium can accommodate many other marine animals, such as seahorses, corals, shrimps, and other marine crustaceans.

Here are some tips for choosing and setting up your saltwater aquarium correctly:

Types of Saltwater Aquariums

There are several types of saltwater aquariums:

Size

Choosing the right size for your saltwater tank is essential, as it will allow you to put the right number of fish, corals, aquatic plants, and other objects in it. In general, it takes a minimum of 20 gallons, although nano-sized fish-only aquariums exist.

However, you should be aware that maintaining a large saltwater marine ecosystem is always easier than maintaining a small one. Indeed, the fragile balance of a small saltwater ecosystem is more difficult to maintain.

Specific Equipment

Of course, a seawater aquarium contains saltwater, the salt of which is dosed at a very precise concentration, which is 33 g/L. For the first filling of water and subsequent water changes, you will need specific equipment to make this salty water: a reverse osmosis water filter system to purify tap water, a sea salt mix, and a hydrometer to check the salt content of the water.

Allot Time for Setup

You can’t decide on a whim to set up a saltwater aquarium, as it requires a lot of patience, time, and prior knowledge. While a freshwater aquarium requires about 3 weeks to a month to settle the fish in after the tank is filled, this time is extended by several weeks or even months for a saltwater aquarium.

Indeed, the ecosystem of this type of aquarium takes longer to regulate itself and the water parameters need more time to reach the delicate balance necessary for the survival of your marine species.

Conclusion

Maintaining a saltwater aquarium isn’t as easy as having a freshwater tank, but the challenge of caring for a mini marine ecosystem is extremely rewarding. If you want to start with a less demanding challenge, opt for the Aqueon LED Fish Starter Kit, as it contains all the essentials for setting up a small saltwater aquarium.

However, if you have experience and enough space, the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set premium option should appeal to you. But whatever your choice, do not hesitate to seek advice from aquarists if you have any doubts about the installation of your saltwater aquarium. Your future exotic fish and other aquatic friends will thank you!

• Related Read: 15 Rare Saltwater Fish (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit By: Jerry Wang, Unsplash