The Best Betta Fish Tanks

Bettas are colorful, brilliant fish that are easy to handle and make excellent starter pets. Most people believe that bettas prefer to live in small enclosed places like vases and bowls, but in reality, they prefer large tanks with much more open swimming space. 

Because of their often aggressive disposition, many people keep them alone, which is another reason why tiny tanks are so popular. While novelty fish tanks like as small bowls are available, we do not recommend keeping fish in these tanks since they are just too little.

It is not recommended to use less than five gallons. In this comprehensive introduction to betta fish tanks, we go over exactly what constitutes a good tank before going through the most popular tanks on the market right now.

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Betta Fish Tanks

#1 Best Overall: Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit

After plenty of research, we’ve found that the ultimate tank for your betta fish is the Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit.

Fluval is a popular name when it comes to fish products. They make filters, among other items to make your betta happy and healthy. This aquarium comes in a 3-D cube design that gives you 360-degree views of your aquatic friend. 

While there are plenty of tanks on the market, this one takes the top spot because of the crystal clear glass design that is situated on top of a pedestal. This makes the tank look like it’s suspended in air, defying gravity. 

There are also LED lights included that have daylight and moonlight features. The white light setting is best used during the day and the blue should be turned on in the evening hours. Also, included with the aquarium is a filter with three water treatments to ensure your betta is swimming in clean and healthy water.

However, customers have reported that it is difficult to find replacement parts for the LED lights if the bulbs go out

Pros and Cons of the Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit

Overall Best

FLUVAL Chi Aquarium Kit

• 3-D cube design to make viewing easy
• Mounted on pedestal
• LED lights included with daylight and moonlight features
• Hidden filter included

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2. Best for Small Spaces: Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium

We know how important it is to have a tank that’s at least five gallons but that’s not realistic for everyone. If you require a smaller tank then consider the Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium which is three gallons. 

We chose this tank due to its unique design. Similar to our overall favorite choice, the cube design of this tank makes it appear as if it’s floating. Because of its smaller size, it is slightly more affordable, usually priced at around $40. 

There is a beautiful Moai head in the center of the tank that gives your betta something to swim around. It comes with a filter that is hidden, so as not to disrupt the overall aesthetic of the aquarium. The filter also provides three-stage filtration. 

It has a LED light that hangs overhead. It’s made with a lower voltage that is energy-efficient, while still providing plenty of illumination for your viewing pleasure. It’s important to note that this Tetra tank doesn’t come with a heater, which could be seen as a downfall if you live in a colder state. 

Pros and Cons of the Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium

Best for Small Spaces

Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium

• Comes with a beautiful Moai head
• The hidden filter provides three-stage filtration
• Features a built-in overhead LED light
• The smaller size makes it more affordable

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3. Best Starter Kit: Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit

If you don’t have any fish, it’s so much easier to get a starter kit tank. The Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit has everything you need to get going!

This tank comes with an energy-saving low-profile hood which has a serving door in the front and breakout areas in the back for all of the fish tank accessories. It also has cool white LEDs for continuous lighting.

This aquarium also features a QuietFlow heater that is equipped with a red LED light that flashes when it’s time to change the filter. Plus, it has a 50W pre-set heater that is great for keeping the water at the perfect temperature for your fish.

One of the reasons this tank makes our list is that it includes everything you need to get started. It comes with: filter, built-in heater, thermometer, hood, fish food, fishnet, LED lighting.

The only drawback to this product is that some customers have reported that the hood is made from thin plastic that is not very durable.

Pros and Cons of the Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit

Best Starter Kit

Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit

• Comes with everything you need
• Rectangular-shaped tank gives the fish plenty of space
• Comes cool white LEDs for continuous lighting
• Comes with an energy-saving low-profile hood

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

To make a suitable home for your fish, you’ll need to set up your fish tank and finish a full cycle, just like any other tank. It will also need a heater and a filter, which we’ll discuss in further detail later. 

Bettas prefer to hide and relax in a variety of places, so add living plants like java moss and java fern, as well as pebbles and tunnels. 

You have complete control over the substrate you choose; you may use sand or fine pebbles. Because the Bettas’ fins are so fragile, avoid any substrate with harsh sharp edges. Let’s take a look at the other things you’ll want to consider when buying a betta tank. 

Tank Size

Because they’re native to Asia’s gardens and shallow waterways, it’s a common misconception that they just require small tanks. One reason small bowls are undesirable is that you won’t be able to keep the water conditions consistent, allowing ammonia spikes to occur quickly. 

Putting your betta in at least five gallons, or more if feasible, will give them additional swimming room as well as make your aquarium more aesthetically appealing. Bettas come in a variety of types, including the iconic crowntail betta, and many of them need plenty of space to swim around.  

Some species demand more room, so do your homework on the kind you intend to maintain. If you’re only keeping one, a 10-gallon tank is a good size. This gives them adequate space, the water quality should remain steady, and it will require less care than a smaller five-gallon aquarium.

Filtration

Another widespread misunderstanding about housing bettas stems from the assumption that because they live in shallow waters, the water must be unclean and so they can withstand living in dirty tank water. 

This is incorrect; their native home is part of a big bio-diverse ecosystem, and the water is safe and highly oxygenated thanks to the presence of several plants. Bettas can breathe from the air. This permits them to leap from one pool of water to another until they reach a bigger body of water in their native environment.

Some individuals believe that it doesn’t matter how big their aquarium is as long as they can breathe. For them, breathing air should only be a transient remedy. 

They require an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which a filter will supply. If you don’t want to use a filter, ensure you do a partial water exchange of 40% of their tank water every few days. 

A concern with using a lot of filters is that they might generate a water flow that is too harsh for bettas. Adding a sponge or a cloth to the output will immediately resolve this.

LED Lighting

Bettas are stunning fish, so you’ll want to be able to watch them any time you want. The best choice is to use bright LED illumination. They’re energy-efficient and help to highlight your Betta’s vibrant colors. 

Bettas require a consistent day and night cycle. Selecting a tank with daylight and moon lighting is a terrific method to keep your fish healthy while also allowing you to see it at all hours of the day and night.

Style

Because we all know how gorgeous bettas are, you’ll want to honor your fish by keeping it in a similarly stunning tank. The greatest experience comes from having a tank with several unobstructed viewing angles. 

It’s critical to prioritize your fish’s health at all times. You should not choose a tank because it appears to just look cool. You must ensure that your Bbtta will be able to flourish in its new surroundings.

What Temperature is Best?

A heater is not included in most betta fish tanks, even those that claim to be a full beginner kit. If you live in a region that is warmer all year, this shouldn’t be an issue. But, if you live in an area where the temperature fluctuates during the winter, this is a major problem.

Betta fish are native to the tropics. They enjoy water that is warm. Their tanks can not be below 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The optimal temperature is between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Since betta fish require a high level of warmth, particularly if you live in a cold climate, a heater for your tank is extremely essential to keep your fish comfortable, healthy, and content all year.

The Different Types of Betta Fish Tanks: Pros and Cons Compared

There are several types of fish tanks that can house betta fish. Let’s take a deeper look at each of them, along with their advantages and downfalls. 

Freshwater Tropical Aquariums

Beginner fish keepers should feel quite comfortable starting with a freshwater tropical aquarium. With this style of tank, there are a few extra variables, but nothing too strenuous.

The temperature in freshwater tanks can range from 72 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. This form of freshwater aquarium certainly has new difficulties that must be handled, such as heating and temperature range maintenance.

Breeder Tank

Breeder tanks are usually a little smaller and shallower than ordinary fish tanks. This is because, during spawning, the fish may need to swiftly reach the surface of the water, which they can accomplish readily in shallower water. 

They usually feature a covered filter to prevent the fish from being damaged by the filter while in the tank, as well as plastic “traps” that may be placed into the tank.

Large Tanks

Fish tanks are often composed of acrylic or glass, but bigger ones are typically made of high-strength acrylic to resist the water pressure as well as all of the technology required to keep the tank running smoothly and the fish safe. 

Larger tanks, on the other hand, require more elements, such as lighting, filtration, and a heater, depending on the type of fish contained in the aquarium. Many big fish tanks include a cover that houses the lights while also preventing fish from leaping out. A huge fish tank provides ample space to create a complete ecosystem for the fish, including floor material, plants, and other objects for the fish to hide.

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