9 Best 5-Gallon Fish Tanks in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
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If you are interested in a spare hospital tank for your fish, a setup in a limited space, or just a small aquarium in general, a 5-gallon fish tank might be worth considering.
Here are reviews of products that we feel are contenders for the best 5-gallon fish tank. Let’s get right to it!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024
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Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit |
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Marina LED Aquarium Kit |
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Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit |
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GloFish Aquarium Kit with Blue LED light |
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Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit |
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The 9 Best 5-Gallon Fish Tanks
Please note that a veterinarian has reviewed these products, but the selections are the author’s, not the veterinarian’s. If you are new to fishkeeping, a 5-gallon aquarium might prove difficult to properly maintain. Starting with something like a 30-gallon tank might be better, as it would also provide you with more stocking options.
1. Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit
If you are looking for a nice looking 5-gallon fish tank, the Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit is a decent option to consider for several different reasons. Let’s go over all of the features and aspects that come with this option so you can know just a little bit more about it.
Filtration
The Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit comes with a decent filtration unit. It features an advanced 3-stage filtration system located behind a black filtration panel. This filter engages in all three major types of filtration: mechanical, biological, and chemical. It also comes with all the media that you need to get started.
This filter is more than powerful enough to turn over the water in the tank several times every hour. It also has an adjustable flow rate, so you can match the flow to the needs of your aquarium inhabitants.
We do like how the filter is located behind a blacked out panel because it helps preserve the nice look of this particular 5-gallon aquarium.
Lighting
The Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit comes with an LED light bar for illumination and some plant growth. It features both white and blue LED lights.
The white lights are great for the daytime and plant growth, while the blue lights are awesome for some slight nighttime moonlight simulation. It’s a great way for your plants and fish to feel at home!
Access
This aquarium is fairly easy to access. It comes with a hinged lid, to which the light is attached. All you have to do is open the top up like a lid, and you have access to the interior of the aquarium. At the same time, this also makes it fairly easy to gain access to the filter for easy maintenance.
Look & Build
This aquarium looks quite nice, in our opinion. Its rectangular shape with clear sides and corners offers an unparalleled view of the interior. Everything that can be clear in this aquarium is, which is something that we like.
- All-in-one kit
- Good lighting system
- Advanced filtration
- Looks sleek
- Easy to access and maintain
- Not the most durable around
2. Marina LED Aquarium Kit
The Marina LED Aquarium Kit is one of our favorite 5-gallon tanks. It comes with pretty much everything you need to get going.
It includes water conditioner, fish food, and a biological agent to start cycling the aquarium. It even includes a fish net for soft-finned fish, as well as a fish care guide.
Lighting
This aquarium comes with an integrated LED light system. It is small and not that powerful, but it’s more than enough for a 5-gallon tank.
The light is integrated into the canopy for easy access, and it is on a hinge too. This gives you a great long-lasting daytime light effect. It’s good for plants that don’t need too much light
Filtration
This kit comes with a clip-on filter. The filter and all of the media come included, which is convenient. We like this filter variation because it does not take up room inside of the aquarium, thus saving space for your fish. It is a very efficient 3-stage filtration unit.
The cartridges are quick-change cartridges, which helps make maintenance much easier. The filter itself has more than enough power to process the water in the tank several times per hour, plus it engages in all three major types of filtration.
Size & Build
This is a 5-gallon tank that measures 16″L x 8″W x 10″H, making it ideal for a small space like a small shelf, table, or nightstand.
We do like how the Marina LED Aquarium Kit is made of real glass. Some people like acrylic, but we like the sleek and classy look that real glass brings to the table.
- Aesthetic look
- Durable glass build
- Convenient filter with easy change cartridges
- Daytime LED light system included
- Convenient hood
- No nighttime light
- No adjustable flow
- Glass aquariums can be heavier than alternatives
3. Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
The Tetra Crescent Kit has a neat shape, is fairly durable, and comes with pretty much everything needed to get started.
Filtration
This filter has whisper-quiet 3-stage filtration. It engages in mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration for really clean and clear water. It is a very quiet filter, something which we can all appreciate.
The cartridges for the media are very easy to change, which is a big bonus, plus the filter itself can turn over the water in this 5-gallon tank several times per hour.
The filter is located in the rear behind a panel so that the aquarium still looks really nice. It uses superior activated carbon, a great mechanical filter, and really advanced biological filtration for some of the cleanest water around.
Lighting
This kit comes with an environmentally friendly 16-bulb LED light. The light is durable and easy to use, and it will easily light up the whole aquarium for a nice daytime shine. Illumination is not a problem here.
The Build
Some people do like how the Tetra Crescent is an acrylic tank. Yes, most say it does not look as nice as glass, but it is extremely durable, doesn’t scratch easily, and is lightweight too. The fact that the aquarium wall, the front, is curved helps add some depth and a sleek look to things.
It is definitely a nice-looking aquarium in our opinion, but nice things can also be durable. The aquarium itself is an ideal size for small shelves, tables, or study desks.
- Great filtration system
- Durable acrylic build
- Aesthetically appealing
- Includes an LED lighting system
- No variable light modes
- No adjustable flow rate
4. GloFish Aquarium Kit with Blue LED light
The GloFish Aquarium Kit might be to your liking for several different reasons. While some look great during the day, this one looks its best at night! It’s a nice 5-gallon fish tank for those who appreciate a glow-in-the-dark feature.
Lighting
The LED light system included here is definitely unique. It is a blue-light glow-in-the-dark LED lighting system. It is not the best for the daytime because it is blue light, so it does not simulate sunlight very well.
However, the blue light is ideal for recreating a soft moonlight glow, plus it will make everything in the aquarium glow in the dark too. It definitely looks very neat when the blue lights are on.
Filtration
This kit comes with a pretty standard yet useful three-stage filtration system. It is not the biggest or best filter out there, but it does engage in all three major types of filtration to ensure crystal clear and clean water on a daily basis.
It comes with most of the filtration media already included. It also does turn over the water in the tank several times per hour, which is always a good sign.
Look & Build
This tank has a curved front, which helps add some depth and a neat look to the aquarium. It makes it look bigger than it really is. People usually refer to this shaped aquarium as a crescent aquarium.
The clear plastic canopy and clear walls let you get many vantage points on your fish. The fact that this thing is made of acrylic is a bonus for many. It looks nice, it is extremely durable, lightweight, and will last for years to come.
- Three-stage filter
- Glow-in-the-dark blue LED lights
- Durable acrylic build: impact and scratch resistant
- Cool shape—looks big
- Ideal size for small spaces
- No daytime light option
5. Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit
A sleek looking option, the Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit is 5 gallons in size, comes with pretty much everything you need to get started, and makes a good choice for a study or office.
The Look & Build
Many people really like this aquarium because it offers a great view of the interior. The walls of this aquarium, except for one side wall, are all clear, which lets you see everything going on in the interior. It’s a really sleek and professional-looking option, great for any office or desk.
It is made of etched glass, which is durable and nice looking. The Fluval Spec V measures 17.2″L x 10.6″H x 6.3″W, making it ideal for most spaces. The glass itself is fairly tough, which is another bonus.
Filtration
This aquarium kit comes with a powerful advanced three-stage filter. It comes with a foam block, bio rings, and activated carbon included with the package, so it does cover all three major types of filtration. The filter can turn over the water in this 5-gallon tank several times per hour for some very clean water.
Also, the filter is located behind a blacked-out panel on a side wall, thus maintaining a very nice look. The output for the filter comes with an adjustable nozzle that can be adjusted for flow amount and direction.
Lighting
The Fluval Spec V kit comes with a hood that features a 37-bulb LED lighting system. This is great for providing this 5-gallon tank with maximum illumination on a daily basis.
It is good for fish and for plants too. The light is fitted on an easy-to-remove hood, making maintenance and access to the aquarium’s interior very easy.
- Good filtration system
- Adjustable flow
- Good daytime LED light system
- Convenient hood
- Easy access to the interior
- Fairly durable
- Looks very modern and sleek
- No nighttime light option
- Filter may not be the most efficient
The API Panaview Aquarium Kit looks nice and has a good filter and an interesting lighting unit.
Look & Build
The look of this aquarium is very pleasing indeed. It has a rounded front so you can see inside from all three sides. The panoramic view is definitely really cool. The front and sides of this aquarium have no seams, which makes it look great.
This is an acrylic aquarium, which means that it is very durable, lightweight, and scratch/impact resistant. It comes in at 14.2″L x 10″W x 11.5″H, making it ideal for virtually any small space.
Lighting
While it is not the best for daytime lighting and plant growth, it definitely has a neat lighting system. It comes with a seven-color LED light: amber, aqua, blue, green, purple, red, and white.
It illuminates the fish and plants in the tank and gives them a really cool colorful glow. The light is located on the interior of the hood, which is very easy to take off for easy access and quick maintenance.
Filtration
This aquarium kit comes with a great three-stage SUPERCLEAN 10 filter with a bio-chem filter, and it also engages in mechanical filtration.
The filter is located behind a blacked-out panel to help maintain the charm and great look of this 5-gallon tank. It has a flow rate of 45 gallons per hour, which is very impressive, and it is efficient and really does a great job.
- Awesome filter
- Neat lighting system; colorful
- Looks very nice, panoramic view
- Durable seamless acrylic build
- Easy access, good hood
- Ideal size for most spaces
- Lights are not very strong
7. Fluval Chi II Aquarium Set
If you want a neat-looking and relaxing 5-gallon aquarium, the Fluval Chi II Aquarium Set is certainly a good option to keep in mind.
Look & Build
This is a glass aquarium, which is something we really like. It looks simply stunning, and its elegant shape makes it a great choice for any professional and casual setting. It looks really nice in yoga studios, meditation centers, healing places, and other such locations.
The glass itself is fairly durable, but the best quality is its awesome look. It’s a cool option because all four sides are clear for a great view from 360 degrees. Serenity is a word we would use to describe the Fluval Chi II Aquarium Set. It does come with a good lid, so no cats can get to the inside!
Lighting
This aquarium comes with a nice 17-bulb LED light set for great daytime illumination and for decent plant growth.
The lights are good for a few fish and smaller plants. What is cool is that there’s a light facing upward for a soft glow and some nice contrast too.
Filtration
This kit comes with efficient three-stage filtration. The filter is located at the top center of the tank, built right into the middle of the hood.
It is a very efficient filter, one with a cool rock waterfall look and that trickling noise that some people really like. It comes with all three major types of filtration and is very easy to maintain.
- Very nice look
- Four clear walls
- Neat waterfall filter
- Fairly good lighting system
- Good durability
- Decent size
- Filter is not the most efficient
- No nighttime lighting option
8. Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kit
The Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kit is a very simple aquarium starter kit that comes with everything you need for a small population of fish.
Filtration
The kit comes with an integrated semi-submerged filter. This engages in all three major types of filtration, it is easy to maintain, and it barely takes up any space in the water. It is integrated right into the aquarium hood for ease of use and maintenance.
Look & Build
What we like about the Aqueon LED MiniBow Kit is that it features four clear walls for an unobstructed view from any angle. It definitely looks very nice.
This is an acrylic tank, making it very durable and scratch resistant too. When it comes down to it, the look of this aquarium is stunning, plus it is small enough to fit into virtually any space.
Lighting
This kit comes with a very sleek, low-profile, energy-efficient LED lighting system. It is not too bright, but more than good enough for a few fish and plants that do not require too much light.
- Decent filter, space friendly
- Cool lighting system
- Good size for small spaces
- Four clear walls
- Easy to access and maintain
- Fairly durable
- Filter is not the most powerful
- No nighttime light option
9. Marineland Nook Aquarium Kit
The Marineland Nook Aquarium Kit might be our final option on this list, but it is definitely not the worst!
Lighting
This kit comes with a cool energy-efficient LED lighting system. No, it’s not the brightest, but more than good enough for a few small fish and plants. It is integrated right into the hood for easy access, stability, and durability.
Build & Look
This tank is made out of extremely durable acrylic to ensure that it will last for a very long time to come. It features a curved front with a panoramic view, which provides you with great and stunning visuals every single time. The aquarium is of an ideal size for most small areas.
Filtration
The Marineland Nook Kit comes with a good three-stage filtration unit integrated into the back. It is hidden behind a blacked-out panel so you can’t see the hardware.
It is very efficient, has an adjustable flow rate, and it works great.
- Durable acrylic
- Nice panoramic view with curved front
- Decent LED lighting system; energy efficient
- Decent filtration system
- Adjustable flow
- Lights are not very strong
- No nighttime light option
5-Gallon Aquascape Tips
If you have a 5-gallon aquarium, it means that you have a fairly small tank with very limited room to work with.
Here are some great 5-gallon fish tank aquascape tips so you can make the most out of the limited space at your disposal.
Plant Growth Rate
One of the most important things to pay attention to here is the type of plants you want to put in the aquarium, specifically in terms of the growth rate.
It is recommended to get aquarium plants with slow growth rates, so they don’t grow too fast, and therefore require minimal maintenance.
Plant Size
On that same note, you do also want to pay attention to what maximum size your aquarium plants will grow to.
In a 5-gallon tank, you really don’t have much room, so smaller plants are the ideal way to go.
Placement
Speaking of aquarium plants, another big aquascaping tip here has to do with their placement. The largest plants should be placed at the rear, with the smallest plants at the front.
This will help create the impression of a larger space, and it won’t cause big plants to eat up valuable real estate. Carpeting plants are always good plants for small aquariums.
FAQ
Should I Get a 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit or Just the Tank?
This depends on what your needs are and how much money you are looking to spend.
On the one hand, getting the tank alone is great if you have enough cash to purchase all accessories separately, especially if you want to customize your setup and get very specific lights, filters, and all of that other stuff.
On the other hand, this way is usually not all that cost effective. If you want to make life a lot easier, you don’t want to spend too much cash, you aren’t too picky about the specific equipment you get, or you have kids that want a fish, then by all means, go for an all-in-one kit.
How Many Betta Fish Can I Put in a 5-Gallon Tank?
You can only put one single betta fish in a 5-gallon fish tank.
Does a 5-Gallon Fish Tank Need a Filter?
Yes, a 5-gallon tank needs a filter. In fact, most would agree that you actually need a better filter for a smaller tank than for a larger one.
Things like ammonia will build up faster in a smaller tank compared to a larger tank, and therefore, it also requires a high-quality filter to keep that ammonia down, as well as other unwanted substances.
Conclusion
We hope that our reviews have been able to help you find the right 5-gallon tank. The Marineland Portrait is our top pick, but there are a lot of different options out there, including the ones on this list. We hope that this article has given you a better idea of what to expect when shopping for a small aquarium.
Featured Image Credit: Ja Crispy, Shutterstock
