The Best Aquarium Cabinets

The beauty of an aquarium is what makes this hobby so interesting, but did you know that an aquarium cabinet plays an important role in how your overall aquarium setup will work? You cannot simply put a full aquarium on any piece of furniture as the immense weight from the tank could cause it to break. It needs to not only be reinforced but reinforced in the correct places to withstand the load.

The material used to construct the cabinet should also be considered since most wood is prone to rotting if water leaks from the aquarium and onto the surface of the wood. You want to choose an aquarium cabinet that is designed specifically for aquariums because this is the most reliable cabinet to hold your fish and keep them safe.

An aquarium cabinet should be sturdy and large enough to hold your aquarium once it has been filled with water, while the appearance should be appealing to the eye without drawing too much attention away from your aquarium masterpiece. 

We have taken these considerations into account and reviewed some of the best cabinets to hold both small and large aquariums. 

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Aquarium Cabinets

#1 Best Overall: Coralife Designer Biocube Stand 

Our selection as the best overall aquarium cabinet is the Coralife Designer Biocube Stand.

This cabinet is compatible with the Biocube tank range, but it can also hold other types of aquariums with ease. It features a modern design with spacious shelving units with acrylic tinted panels, black handles, rear electrical outlet holes, and elevated stands at the base of the cabinet. 

This aquarium cabinet is made entirely of waterproof materials which makes this product ideal for aquariums as you do not have to worry about potential leaks ruining the cabinet or damaging the wood over time. This aquarium cabinet can hold up to 32 gallons of water, which makes it ideal for both small and medium-sized tanks. However, it is not suitable for larger aquariums.

This product is designed to be easy to assemble. However, some customers have reported that the screws supplied with it were a little small so they swapped them out for larger ones to make the cabinet more sturdy.

Pros and Cons of the Coralife Designer Biocube Stand 

Best Overall

Coralife Designer Biocube Stand

• Compatible with Biocube tanks
• Modern design
• Made from waterproof materials
• Holds up to 32 gallons

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2. Best for Medium-Sized Aquariums: Flipper Harbor Aquarium Stand

For medium-sized aquariums we recommend the Flipper Harbor Aquarium Stand which can hold tanks containing up to 37 gallons.

This aquarium stand comes in a sleek black color and is crafted with laminated particleboard with nickel door handles. It features an inside compartment that can be used for storage purposes, especially if you want to place to store your aquarium accessories such as fishnets, foods, and water treatments. 

These items can be stored on the four shelves (two are adjustable) which are then hidden away behind the cabinet’s doors. Plus, each shelf can hold 25 pounds. 

The only drawback to this product that we could find is that some customers have reported that it can be difficult to assemble because some of the pre-drilled screw holes were not aligned correctly.

Pros and Cons of the Flipper Harbor Aquarium Stand

Best for Medium-Sized Aquariums

Flipper Harbor 29 - 37 Gallon Aquarium Stand

• Made from laminated particleboard
• Suitable for up to 37 gallons
• Inside compartment for storage
• Modern design

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3. Best for Small-Sized Aquariums: Finomenal Aquarium Stand

If you only have a small aquarium then we recommend the Finomenal Aquarium Stand which is suitable for tanks containing up to 20 gallons.

This white-colored aquarium stand is made from high-quality engineered wood which can withstand water damage and be sturdy enough to hold small aquariums up to 20 gallons in size. This solid cabinet not only looks attractive but also has plenty of storage space and functions well as an aquarium cabinet. 

It has an easily accessible and open shelf above the cabinet doors where you can store items that you need to reach for quickly, such as fish food, nets, and water products. Underneath is a compartment with two doors and brass handles where you can store larger items that you want to hide from plain sight such as buckets, siphons, and other aquarium accessories. 

However, this cabinet can be tricky to assemble as customers have reported that the instructions are not clear as they contain only a picture guide.

Pros and Cons of the Finomenal Aquarium Stand

Best for Small-Sized Aquariums

Finomenal Aquarium Stand for 10 to 20 Gallon Tanks

• Made from waterproof material
• Features an open shelf for storage
• Very sturdy
• Can also be used as a terrarium stand

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4. Most Sturdy: Paneled Aquarium Fish Stand

If you’re looking for a really solid, sturdy cabinet for your aquarium then check out the Paneled Aquarium Fish Stand.

This black aquarium stand is sturdy and can hold aquariums up to 29 gallons in size. It includes a hinged door that opens to reveal a storage space for your aquarium cleaning supplies with a clean and modern look. It can easily be fitted against a wall and has been designed to balance the weight of aquariums without toppling over or bending underneath the weight of a fully filled-up aquarium. 

The bottom panels are reversible and the main material is engineered wood which is able to withstand water damage while being a strong and durable material.

However, the main drawback to this product is that it does not contain any storage shelves in the storage area. Plus, customers have reported that some of the pre-drilled holes are not aligned correctly.

Pros and Cons of the Paneled Aquarium Fish Stand

Most Sturdy

Paneled Aquarium Fish Stand

• Clean and modern look
• Made from engineered wood
• Reversible bottom panels
• Easy to assemble

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Choosing the Best Aquarium Cabinet: What to Look For

When purchasing an aquarium cabinet to hold your fish tank, there are various factors to consider so that you can make an informed purchase. Aquarium cabinets come in a range of different colors, sizes, and with specific storage compartments that may appeal to different aquarium hobbyists. 

Let’s take a look at the key components to look for when choosing the right cabinet to hold your aquarium:

Size

The size of the cabinet is exceptionally important to consider when choosing the right aquarium cabinet to hold your tank. You want to ensure that the aquarium cabinet can hold the maximum weight of the tank you want to place on top of it once the tank has been filled with water and aquarium decorations such as stones, plants, and ornaments. Keep in mind that even the sturdiest-looking cabinets may bend or break under the weight of an aquarium if it has not been tailored towards the size of the aquarium.

You also want to make sure that the span of the cabinet is large enough that the edges of the tank do not overlap as this can cause the weight of the tank to become unbalanced. The size of the tank should always be shorter than the width and length of the aquarium cabinet. 

Material

The main reason that there are specialized “aquarium cabinets” on the market is that not any cabinet will suffice as a surface for your aquarium to be placed on. Most wooden surfaces will begin the rot if it comes into contact with water, which is inevitable if you have an aquarium placed on top. There are different types of wood used to create aquarium cabinets, with some being stronger and more water-resistant than others. 

Storage Space

A reason most aquarium keepers choose a cabinet to hold their aquariums rather than an aquarium stand is to have access to storage space that can be enclosed. This storage space can be an easily-accessible place to store your aquarium accessories such as nets, fish food, water products, and water-changing materials. So instead of having these items out (which can ruin the aesthetics of an aquarium), you can have these items stored away without having to find a separate place away from your aquarium to keep these items. 

The Different Types of Aquarium Cabinets: Pros and Cons Compared

When it comes to choosing the right aquarium cabinet, you will first need to look at the different types available. The main difference between the aquarium cabinets will be the material it is constructed from. 

Here are the three different types of aquarium cabinets and their pros and cons:

• Wooden Cabinets: This is the sturdiest and more expensive type of aquarium cabinet you can get, but it is also prone to water damage if it is constructed of a more delicate wood, such as particleboard. Most wooden aquarium cabinets will be treated with waterproof paint or coating, but it is still ideal to choose a cabinet that contains water-resistant wood. 
• Metal Cabinets: This is one of the cheaper styles of aquarium cabinets and is usually bulkier and heavier than other cabinets. They are usually sturdy and can hold the weight of large aquariums quite well, but if certain parts of the metal cabinet come into contact with water frequently, it can cause the metal to rust over time. 
• Byproduct Cabinets: This is a wood byproduct aquarium cabinet that is constructed with fiberboard or pressed board as substitutes. It is cheaper than standard wooden aquarium cabinets, however, the quality is slightly lower because it is made of cheap wood that is not usually very sturdy or water-resistant. If byproduct wooden cabinets do not come predrilled, there is a risk that drilling into it will expose the middle layers of the wood to moisture that will cause it to swell and weaken. 

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