The Best 10-Gallon Fish Tanks & Kits (2022)
Getting a new pet fish is always exciting, whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or just dipping your toes into keeping fish.
Just like any other pet, your fish will need a suitable home.
A 10-gallon tank is one of the most popular sizes for keeping smaller fish, as its size means storing and maintaining the tank is easier to do.
But if you’re trying to find a 10-gallon tank for your new fish, how do you separate the best from the rest?
Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you and gathered 7 of the best 10-gallon fish tanks on the market.
Not only that, but we’ve included a buyer’s guide to help you pick the right tank for you, as well as an FAQ section to help answer any questions you might have.
So let’s dive right in, and take a look at some of the best 10-gallon fish tanks available to buy right now!
The 7 Best 10-Gallon Fish Tanks For The Money
1. Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit
Overview
The Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit is a great choice for both beginner and experienced fish-owners alike, and includes a ton of great features.
The convex front pane of the tank gives you a much better view of the inside of your tank, while a discreet back panel keeps the filter and heater out of sight.
The filter in the tank is powerful and has a three-stage filtration system that includes biological, chemical, and mechanical filters that ensure your water quality stays as good as possible.
By far the best feature of this tank is the lighting system.
The white and RGB lights built into the lid can be controlled by a remote to create pretty much any color imaginable.
Not only that, but it also includes some fun special effects like lightning or cloud cover!
What We Like
- With a three-stage filtration system, you’re guaranteed the best water quality possible
- Its multicolored LED lights let you produce all types of fun colors and effects
- The convex front pane gives you a better view of your fish
What Could Be Better
- This tank is on the pricier side of things, even with the extra features it provides
- The panel at the back reduces the space within the tank, cutting down on its capacity
2. Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Starter Kit
Overview
If you’re looking for a tank with everything your fish could need, then this is the tank for you.
The Aqueon Aquarium starter kit comes with all the equipment a fish tank needs, as well as some handy extras that make caring for your fish all the easier.
Its strong-but-quiet filter keeps your water quality high and has a small red LED that flashes when the cartridge needs changing.
Meanwhile, a preset 50W heater will keep your tank at the perfect temperature for most tropical fish.
Add in a fish net, some food, water conditioner, and plenty of other additional features, and this tank has you covered for all your aquarium needs.
What We Like
- The kit includes everything you need for your tank, with high-quality equipment and plenty of extras
- With glass walls all the way around, you can see everything inside your tank
- The tank is incredibly strong and durable
What Could Be Better
- The preset 50W heater might be too hot for some species of fish
- The holes in the filter are big enough that small fish can be sucked in
3. Penn-Plax Curved Corner Glass Fish Tank
Overview
The unusual design of this tank sets it apart from the rest, but in the best possible way.
With its curved edges and a seamless design, you have a completely clear and unobstructed view of the inside of your tank.
Its lid is also clear, allowing you to have a top-down view of your tank as well.
This tank includes a filter, lights, and a mat to rest it on, so you only need to worry about finding a filter.
And with this tank’s great design and high-quality equipment, you can house almost any variety of fish.
What We Like
- This aquarium’s unique curved design offers a seamless and unobstructed view
- The frameless lid is discreet and hinged for ease-of-access
- A whisper-quiet filter runs smoothly but with enough power to keep your tank clean
What Could Be Better
- Not everything is included, and you’ll need to buy a heater separately
- There isn’t a separate power switch for the lights, meaning you have to switch the whole tank off
4. Marina LED Aquarium Kit
Overview
Want a basic tank that has everything you need right out of the box?
The Marina LED Aquarium Kit has got you covered.
Made of strong materials and including everything you need (apart from a heater), this tank is easy to set up and perfect for housing practically any species of fish.
This tank also includes a biological filter that will keep your tank clean without the need for any harmful chemicals.
On top of that, the filter is whisper-quiet and comes with several replacement filter cartridges.
Simple yet effective.
What We Like
- The tempered glass is incredibly tough
- On top of everything else you could need, the kit also includes extra quick-change filter cartridges
- Energy-efficient LEDs are built into the lid and produce a daylight effect
What Could Be Better
- Its black frame and sealant reduces the visibility inside the tank slightly
- While there is a convenient feeding door on the lid, you have to remove the entire top for cleaning
5. Aqua Culture Aquarium Starter Kit
Overview
Another simple tank, this traditional rectangular aquarium is nonetheless a great choice for all your fish tank needs.
The Aqua Culture Aquarium Starter Kit is ideal for someone just starting out as a fish owner, and comes with a starter guide to help you ensure your fish are getting the care they need.
Not only that, but it also includes fish food, an eco-friendly charcoal filter, and LED lighting that can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch.
What We Like
- This simple tank is perfect for beginners due to its simplicity and easy setup
- The charcoal filter is a great natural alternative to artificial filters
- With a fish care guide and fish food included, this tank is good for novice aquarists taking care of their first fish
What Could Be Better
- For its simplicity this tank is on the more expensive side of things
- The lights aren’t strong enough to support living plants in the tank
6. All Glass Fish Tank
Overview
A more simple tank with a great value to match, this tank does its job and does it well.
Its sturdy frame and hood keep it secure without any risk of leaks, while remaining lightweight and easy to transport when empty.
Its rectangular shape and wide dimensions mean that your fish will have plenty of space to move around, and its sturdy lid has built-in fluorescent bulbs and a feeding door for ease of access.
Something to bear in mind is that a water filter isn’t included, so you’ll need to pick one up separately.
What We Like
- The hood is strong and sturdy, with two bright fluorescent bulbs built in
- At just 13 pounds, this tank is much lighter than other tanks on this list
- Its simple but effective design is reflected by the affordable price
What Could Be Better
- Its large lid makes it more difficult to store
- A filtration system isn’t included and you’ll need to purchase one separately
7. GloFish Aquarium Kit
Overview
The GloFish fish tank is mostly intended for tropical fish, and it includes plenty of features to help your fish look their best.
Its mix of blue and white LEDs cast a fluorescent glow on the bright colors of tropical fish, as well as on aquarium gravel and the included plastic plants.
Speaking of what’s included, this kit provides you with everything you need to set up a fully-functioning aquarium.
The powerful 50W heater will keep your water at the temperature tropical fish need, while its Tetra Whisper filter is as quiet as it is efficient.
The GloFish Aquarium Kit is the perfect tank for anyone looking to house tropical fish in a high-quality tank without any hassle.
What We Like
- This kit provides everything you need for your tank, including a heater, filter, lights, fish food, and water conditioner
- Its 50W heater keeps the water at the right temperature for tropical fish, and you can monitor the temperature with the included thermometer
- This kit also includes brightly-colored plastic plants that glow under the blue and white LEDs
What Could Be Better
- Its dim fluorescent lights are intended to illuminate tropical fish, so darker-colored fish may be harder to see
- The thin plastic lid is a bit flimsy
What To Look For In A 10-Gallon Fish Tank
When you’re picking out your tank, there are a few things to consider to make sure you’re getting the right tank for you.
Here are some things to bear in mind when choosing your fish tank.
Size
The dimensions of a fish tank can vary, even if they hold the same capacity of water.
Depending on the dimensions of the tank you might find it difficult to find a good place to keep it.
You also need to factor in other parts of the tank, such as the lid and any equipment, that might make the tank inconvenient to store.
Additionally, your fish should be given a good amount of space in all directions.
If your tank is too short or narrow, your fish might not be able to move around as much as they need to.
Most fish also need a hide or shelter that they can go into, as spending too much time directly in sight or under the lights of the tank can be distressing for your fish.
If the tank is too small for an appropriate shelter it can cause your fish a lot of stress.
Shape
The shape of the aquarium can also be a factor.
While most fish tanks (especially small, 10-gallon tanks) are a traditional rectangle, some tanks like the Fluval Flex and the Penn-Plax Curved Corner tank, have curved sides that are a departure from the norm.
Not only do these give you better visibility of the inside of the tank, but it also means that the water currents inside your fish tank are able to flow better.
You should never get a bowl-shaped tank for your fish.
These have poor filtration and often lead to a buildup of CO2 and harmful chemicals that are harmful to your fish.
Equipment Included
A lot of kits, included many on this list, come with everything you need to set up your tank.
However, this isn’t always the case; tanks like the Penn-Plax Curved Glass and the All Glass aquarium kit don’t provide everything your tank needs such as a heater or water filter.
This can be an issue as finding the suitable equipment for your tank can be difficult, and finding and purchasing the right equipment separately can be frustrating.
If you’re a beginner looking for their first tank, finding a tank with everything you need already included (such as the Aqueon Aquarium or GloFish starter kits) might be the better choice, as you’ll have everything you need without the hassle of finding compatible equipment separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Fish Can I Keep In A 10-Gallon Tank?
As a general rule of thumb, your tank should contain 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish you’ll be housing.
Using this guideline, you can easily house multiple small fish in a single tank.
That said, don’t think that housing 10 small fish in a single tank will work out.
Even if you stick to the rule of a gallon per inch, keeping lots of fish in one tank is an easy way to leave your fish cramped for space, especially if you don’t factor in the space taken up by lights, the filter, and other equipment in the tank itself.
Additionally, some species of fish require more space to live comfortably, and there are even species that need to be housed individually.
This could be due to the fish being territorial, if they grow in size, or simply just because they enjoy having more room.
If you’re keeping small fish such as tetras or guppies, you should only keep a maximum of 4-5 in a 10-gallon tank.
For larger and/or more territorial species, one or two fish should be the limit.
What Does My Fish Tank Need?
Depending on the species of fish you’re keeping in your tank, you might need some specialist kit for your fish tank.
However, there are some things that are absolutely necessary to include in your aquarium.
Your tank will need to include lights, a filter, substrate, and some decorations for your fish to hide behind or under.
Most fish will also need a heater; tropical fish in particular need to be kept in warmer water, and many freshwater fish will also need to have the water above an ambient temperature.
You should always check what conditions and requirements your fish need in their tank, making sure that you know exactly what you should be including based on the species you’ll be housing.
How Do You Maintain A Fish Tank?
After your tank is fully set up and cycled and you’ve introduced your fish, you need to make sure you take good care of the tank.
If you don’t maintain your tank regularly, your fish can become sick or even die.
You should check the pH of the water in your tank on a regular basis, as even a small change in the acidity can have disastrous effects on your fish’s health.
Most aquarium test kits will have ways to monitor the pH of your tank, so you can keep a close eye on the conditions inside the tank.
Temperature is also important to monitor, so you should use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature within the tank is appropriate for your fish.
Another thing you need to keep an eye on is the waste inside your tank.
Just like any other animal, your fish will produce waste. Over time, this can build up and affect the water quality.
If you notice the water in your fish tank becoming cloudy, or if there is visible waste floating around, you need to give your tank a clean.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: these 7 of the best 10-gallon fish tanks out there!
All of these tanks are great options regardless of experience or skill level, and all of their pros far outweigh any cons they might have.
With the wide range of options available, you’re guaranteed to find a fish tank that’s perfect for you and your fish.
So whether you’re a beginner fish owner looking for a tank for your first fish, or an experienced aquarist who simply wants to expand their collection, any one of these tanks are a perfect pick.
Now all you have to do is choose one!
