Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks & Aquarium Kits

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5 gallon aquarium kit with filtration and lighting is a great choice for starters who want to keep Betta fish, freshwater shrimps or other small tropical fish. Here are the list of the best 5 gallon fish tanks:

Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank Reviews

Easy to maintain - Editor's Choice
  • adjustable flow filter pump
  • hidden filtration
  • beautiful design and is very easy to maintain
Has Adjustable Flow - high quality
  • easy to set-up
  • quiet filter and has adjustable flow
  • the tank has a very clean, modern look
  • perfect tank for beginner
Beautiful and Neat Tank - Best Value
  • pump is strong, but can be adjusted
  • excellent tank for betta
  • elegant and beautiful
Durable - Good Quality Glass And Thick
  •  Aquarium is suitable for a wide variety of fish.
  • manageable and small and enjoyable aquarium
  • simple and easy to clean
Powerful And Easy To Use - Excellent Quality
  • powerful and attractive design
  • filtration system is excellent
  • good construction quality
Excellent Little Fish Tank - Best Value
  • Clear and durable acrylic tank
  • perfect for bettas and small fish
  • easy to set-up
Excellent And Vibrant - Beginner Friendly
  • arcylic made
  • It's easy to set up and high quality
  • good begginer kit
Very Silent - Great Value
  • easy to set-up and great price
  • great small tank for betta
  • easy to maintain

Highlights

  • Tank: 5 gallon curved glass aquarium
  • Dimensions: 11.8″ L x 11.8″ W x 16.8″ H
  • Lighting: a hinged LED light with daylight, moonlight, and off settings
  • Filtration: a hidden back panel filtration with adjustable flow filter pump
  • CartridgeRite-Size Z Cartridge and Marineland Bio-Foam.

This is a five-gallon curved glass tank with a unique glass canopy which can slide to the back for easy access to the tank for feeding and maintenance. Being fit for setting up an aquascape with a portrait driftwood, this easy-to-assemble kit has a beautiful design and is very easy to maintain.

marineland
marineland-portrait-kit

The lighting and filtration systems of the tank will satisfy both beginners and advanced hobbyists. The LED light includes white LEDs and blue LEDs and can perform daylight and moonlight effects, stimulating the underwater effects of sunlight and relaxing moonlight glow respectively. The light rail can be hinged to the back for easy access to the internal space of the tank for easy setup and maintenance.

Unlike other aquarium kits coming with external filters, the Marineland Portrait kit is built with a back panel filtration system that is stylishly hidden behind the main tank. The entire filtration system is operated by a water pump (included) that keeps the water flow through the filtration system and its internal filter materials for filtering. It uses a Bio-Foam and a Rite-Size Z Cartridge to perform an advanced 3-stage filtration to completely purify the water in all mechanical, chemical and biological aspects.

The kit comes with most things you need for the setup, you will only need to buy a small aquarium heater to maintain the temperature at a safe range for tropical fish if you want to keep this kind of fish.

  • Well-designed curved glass front for better view
  • Small foot-print for placing in many places
  • Easy sliding glass top makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze
  • Back filtration system is a great place for equipment setup
  • Return flow of the filtration system can be adjusted
  • LED light with white and blue modes
  • Glass top protects the light from the moisture from the tank water
  • Easily replace the light with another light if you want
  • The back panel filtration is a little hard to clean.

Pro Tip


The return water flow of the filter can be adjusted to meet the needs of different fish species. This feature is very helpful, especially when you need to keep small fish or Bettas that love gentle water.

Marina LED 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit - Has Adjustable Flow

Highlights

  • Tank: 5 gallon glass aquarium, very clear and long-lasting
  • Dimensions: 16″ L x 8.5″ W x 10.5″ H
  • Filtration: Marina Slim S10 clip-on filter and quick-change filter cartridges
  • Lighting: LED light incorporated into the canopy with natural daylight effect
  • Additives: fish food, Aqua Plus water conditioner, cycle biological supplement, a fish net, an aquarium care guide.

Marina LED aquarium kits are always the best choices of mine because of the quality of these products. The very clear glass tank, powerful filter and other wonderful features from this kit make it ideal for beginners who want to own a small fish tank to get started with the fish keeping hobby.

The powerful and quiet Hang-On-Back filter is the best thing praised by most customers. Its filter cartridges are so efficient in performing biological filtration that removes harmful nitrogenous toxins in the water and provides your fish a clean and healthy house.

Some additives necessary for setting up and maintaining a freshwater fish tank are also included in the product. Aqua Plus water conditioner helps to remove harmful substances like chlorine and heavy metals in the tap water. Cycle Biological supplement helps to remove ammonia and nitrites that may save your fish life in some emergency situations. Besides, the kit also comes with a fish net, thermometer, fish food and a guide for caring your fish.

  • Large open space for gas exchange
  • The power filter is so powerful and quiet
  • Filter flow rate is adjustable to meet small fish’s needs
  • Filter cartridges are worth for the money
  • Very bright LED light can work for live plants
  • Comes with many useful additives.
  • Not include blue light

Pro Tip


The tank features a hinged canopy with pre-drilled holes for feeding and placing the HOB filter and a heater (buy separately). The LED light built in the canopy offers very bright natural daylight to illuminate your fish, plants, and decorations.


The small drawback of the light is that it only offers white light, not blue light. The great thing is that many users reported that the LED light of the kit makes their aquatic plants grow gorgeously. However, I only recommend the light for low light plants.

Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit - Beautiful and neat tank

Highlights

  • Tank: 5 gallon etched-glass tank with aluminum trim.
  • Dimensions: 17.2″ L x 6.3″ W x 10.6″ H.
  • Lighting: overhanging lighting system, consisting of 37 powerful LED lamps.
  • Filter: a built-in filtration system with a powerful circulation pump.
  • Filter media: foam block, activated carbon and BioMax bio rings.

Being designed with special dimensions, the tank requires less space to house and perfectly fit on many desktops, countertops and other space into which normal tanks can’t be placed. By this design, your aquarium will be so similar to a lively nature picture in which fish and aquatic plants can grow normally.

fluval spec 5
fluval-spec-v-aquarium-kit

You can use the tank as a Betta fish tank or for stocking Gourami, small Tetras, small barbs, shrimps, snails and other fish species which can live healthily in a small tank. The powerful lighting system and filtration of the kit will provide the optimum environment for your fish and shrimps to thrive in.

  • Special dimensions make it great for desktops, countertops
  • Very durable tank with aluminum trims
  • Very bright LED light for plant growth
  • Powerful and multi-stage filtration system
  • The output water flow can be adjusted.
  • The cover looks so odd
  • Less open space for gas exchange

Pro Tip


The filtration system of this fish tank is very similar to the Marineland ML90609 portrait aquarium kit. It’s positioned behind the main tank and is powered by a powerful pump that keeps the water constantly circulated and filtered. Moreover, it comes with advanced filter media from Fluval for the most efficient filtration. Foam block for trapping dirty particles; activated carbon for removing chemical toxins, odors, impurities, and discolorations; and BioMax ceramic rings for the best biological filtration.

Highlights

  • Tank: 5 gallon curved corner glass tank
  • Dimensions: 13.75″ L x 8.75″ W x 11″ H
  • Light: LED lighting
  • Filtration: CIF1 Cascade internal filter.

This is a 5 gallon glass tank with a unique design from Penn Plax. The curved glass corners make everything vivid and attractive when looking from the outside of the tank. The lid is made of clear plastic for unobstructed viewing on the top. The lid flexibly hinges on the top back edge making it easy to access to the tank inside for easy setup and maintenance. There is a small open space in the back end of the top for you to install equipment.

An internal filter is also included to keep the water clean and ideal for fish. The cascade filter comes with a black sponge that allows helpful bacteria to colonize on its surface. The light blue control knob on the filter allows you to adjust the flow rate of the water output to meet your aquarium needs.

  • Well-built tank with bent glass
  • Ideal dimensions for keeping fish
  • Easy to handle top
  • Internal filter can contain a small amount of filter media

Pro Tip


The tank is equipped with a clip-on LED lamp above the top on the back edge. The clear plastic top allows light to penetrate and protects the LED light from damages caused by the steam from the tank water simultaneously. This expands the light lifetime and allows you to easily use another LED light fixture if needed.

Fluval Edge 6 Gallon Fish Tank - Powerful and easy to use

Highlights

  • Tank: 6 gallon sealed glass aquarium
  • Dimensions: 17″ W x 14.3″ D x 13.7″ H
  • Available colors: black, silver, white
  • Light: 21 LED bulbs—18 white 7600K and 3 deep blue bulbs with 3 switches
  • Filter: Fluval power filter with CycleguardTM
  • Additives: Nutrafin Cycle and Nutrafin Aquaplus water treatments.

This visually interesting and easily managed tank is perfect for office tables or small apartments. The creative design makes it look bigger than its actual capacity – 6 gallons (23 liters). When being full of water, the tank gives the feel of having no air at its top that offers great viewing from any angle including top and bottom that you can’t see in traditional rectangle aquariums.

LED_Lights_1._V402122869_._SL500_

Lighting and filtration system

The LED light includes 21 LED bulbs (18 white and 3 blue) which offer both daylight and nightlight settings. The very bright daylight establishes an ideal environment for growing plants.

  • Creative and attractive design
  • Excellent filtration system
  • Great lighting system with daylight and nightlight
  • Too small open space for gas exchange
  • Not good for Betta fish

Pro Tip


The filtration system is a Hang-On-Back filter stylishly hidden in a plastic box behind the main tank. The filter features a CycleguardTM multi-stage filtration system that is very efficient in keeping the water clean and clear for a healthy and beautiful aquarium. The flow rate can be adjusted to fit the needs of small fish.

Tetra Crescent 5  Gallon Acrylic Aquarium Kit - Excellent little fish tank

Highlights

  • Tank: a seamless contemporary 5 gallon acrylic aquarium
  • Dimensions: 16.6″ L x 11.2″ W x 13.2″ H
  • Lighting: energy efficient hidden LEDs offer bright white lighting
  • Filtration: Tetra Whisper® internal filter and cartridge.

It features a hinged-style plastic lid which allows accessing to the tank easily for quick setup and maintenance. It comes with a bright white LED light and an internal filtration system to keep the tank run. It is ideal for setting up a planted tank with the kit. The seamless acrylic view accompanied with the bright white LED lighting will show off your entire aquarium theme and brighten up any space where the tank is placed.

  • Clear and durable acrylic tank
  • Compact design for placing in small places
  • The lid isn’t clear
  • The filter isn’t very efficient

Pro Tip


If you don’t like glass tanks, this five-gallon acrylic aquarium kit is the best choice for you. Being manufactured by the leader in underwater wonder – Tetra® USA, the Tetra Crescent acrylic aquarium kit will bring the nature into your office, living room, bedroom or any room with its very seamless and stylish look.

Highlights

  • Tank: a clear acrylic aquarium with curved front and a plastic canopy, 5 gallons
  • Dimensions: 15″ W x 9″ D x 14.5″ H
  • Lighting: detachable overhead blue LED light
  • Filtration: Whisper(R) internal filtration and medium Whisper® Bio-Bag® cartridge.

The best fish you could keep in this tank are different types of Glofish including Zebrafish, Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), Tiger Barb (Puntius tetrazona) Glofish. They come in a variety of colors from green, orange, pink, red, blue, and purple for you to choose. The blue LED light from this kit will provide perfect lighting for your GloFish(R) to brighten up both the aquarium and your interior decor.

  • Clear and durable acrylic tank
  • Blue LED light is great for Glofish
  • Compact design for placing in small places
  • The lid isn’t clear
  • The filter isn’t very efficient

Pro Tip


If you are planning to stock your new aquarium with GloFish, this clear plastic aquarium kit is the best choice for you. The aquarium and its supplies are specially designed to bring out the beauty of Glofish. The filtration system keeps your fish healthy and the special LED light is intended to enhance the fluorescent lighting from Glofish.

Highlights

  • Tank: an acrylic fish tank, 5-gal
  • Dimensions: 14.2″ L x 10″ W x 11.5″ H
  • Light: 7-color LED lighting included in the hood
  • Filtration: Superclean 10 internal power filter and cartridge.

Also an acrylic fish tank; however, it has a different design with flat back and rounded front. The special construction makes it resistant to impact and more durable than glass tanks. The clear acrylic and rounded front offer a crystal clear view without any obstruction.

API Panaview aquarium kit features

API Panaview aquarium kit features

The Superclean 10 internal power filter features a flow rate of 45 GPH (gallons per hour) which works with the Bio-Chem Zorb 10 filter cartridge to clean and purify the tank. The filter is very easy to maintain, just cleans it once a week and sometimes changes the cartridge to keep the filtration efficiency.

  • Great design
  • Clear acrylic for unobstructed view
  • Easy to use and handle.
  • So weak filtration system
  • The LED light doesn’t last long
  • Not durable.

Pro Tip


The tank comes with a black canopy with LED light included which can offer seven colors (amber, aqua, blue, green, purple, red, and white) to illuminate your aquarium’s inhabitants.

Some Stocking Ideas For A 5 Gallon Fish Tank

betta-and-cory-catfish-in-a-2.5-gallon-aquarium

It’s recommended that let’s start with a 20 gallon aquarium kit stocking freshwater fish if you are a beginner. If your stocking options are minimal or you are only interested in small fish tanks, you can minimize the fish living healthily in the tank.

A 5 gallon one should only be used to create enough environment for small fish like cory catfish or one male Betta. A shrimp tank is also a good choice because freshwater shrimps can live well with this small-sized tank.

You will have to ensure that the water is at the proper pH level, your fish are the proper kinds, they can live together, and numerous other topics. Keep in mind that small tanks are easy to change their environments than the larger ones, so they will cost time and money for the maintaining.

It is even harder for a small saltwater tank that requires a great deal of setup and maintenance. Many experts recommend that for a saltwater environment, the tank should be no smaller than a 30 gallon fish tank and it’s perfect for starting with a 55 gallon fish tank.

How To Set Up And Maintain A 5 Gallon Fish Tank

5-gallon-fish-tank

First of all, you should prepare all equipment for the setup. If you buy an aquarium kit, some equipment is already included and you only need to buy deficient ones.

Following are essential things you will need for the process:

Now you have got essential things needed for the setup. In order to prepare your tank, you’ll need to clean it with tap water without using any soap or chemical. You’ll also need to clean the filter, decor, and gravel to ensure that all contaminants that are potentially dangerous to your fish are removed.

After all preparation steps, go to my full guide for setting up a freshwater fish tank to know how to get started the work. After all setup and cycle steps, buy some fish and/or shrimps and acclimate them to the new tank in the right way. You should buy your fish finally after everything is ready and only buy a few fish for the first time.

To keep your tank clean and clear and your fish healthy, you need to know how to change aquarium water in the right way. This is the very important work every hobbyist has to do every week to keep their tank healthy. Besides,  you should sometimes clean/change filter media and clean your filter to help it work with the most efficiency.

Top Editor's Choice on 5 Gallon Fish Tank Kit

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1 thought on “Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks & Aquarium Kits”

  1. Have the 5-gal Tetra Crescent tank for two Bettas, a Mr. and Mrs., believe it or not, but have been searching for an under-gravel filtration system to fit such a bizarre configuration of a tank. Have written Tetra, just received a dumb e-mail link reply that goes nowhere, and am looking for the under-gravel to filter the food that falls to the bottom and just ferments. The Whisper filter that comes with the tank is Okey Dokey, but the floating log tends to gravitate towards the current it creates and when Alpha – the male – blows his bubble nest, the return tends to dump right into his nest through the air hole in the floaty log. Thought the under-gravel might allow some filtration without that happening. Have not completely set up the tank yet – the pump in the male’s Back-to-the-Roots tank failed and in waiting for the replacement to arrive, transferred the male to the Crescent tank. I thought, “What the heck, might as well see if he and the Mrs. (Zeta) can get along in a bigger tank,” and amazingly, they seem to be tolerating each other. Thinking I might make the co-habitat semi-permanent if I can get it set up properly. Thanks –

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