7 Handpicked 15-Gallon Tanks to Keep In Your Home and Office

We understand that not everyone wants a humongous aquarium for catering to their fishkeeping habits. The reasons for the demand of small aquariums are varied – some people can’t afford a space required to host a large aquarium; some have budgetary constraints; others simply prefer the adorable appearance of a small tank. Whatever the reasons are, these small tanks that are around 15 gallons, are hugely popular among aquarists.  And for those of you out there who are looking for a small tank, we have scouted the online market sphere and compiled a list of some of the best 15-gallon tanks. We have included our reviews of the same, alongside what we like and dislike about each of them. So, read through!

Understanding the Functionalities of a 15-Gallon Tank

Many aquarists begin their fishkeeping journey with a 15-gallon tank. As such, many lack the knowledge required for handling these tanks. So, before you go out and buy one for yourself, you need to have an understanding of the functionalities of these tanks.

Although some people consider a 15-gallon tank to be a mid-sized tank, generally they are put in the small tank category. This is actually an ideal size for beginners and rests at a perfect gateway between a 10-gallon and a 20-gallon tank. This is why, it is highly recommended for beginner aquarists.

The additional space that you get in a 15-gallon tank plays a vital role in maintaining the perfect water chemistry and in keeping the water parameters stable. These tanks are also extensively used as quarantine tanks and in fish hospitals for treating sick fish. Besides, they also serve as ideal breeding tanks.

The standard dimensions for a 15-gallon tank is 24x12x12” (60x30x30 cm). It can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. As far as the weights of these tanks are concerned, they usually stand at 20 lbs (9 kg) when empty and around 170 lbs (77 kg) when filled with water and substrate.

Usually, small fish or the juvenile fish are kept in these tanks.  Some of the ideal pets for a 15-gallon tank are as follows:

• Betta
• Dwarf Gourami
• Celestial Pearl Danio
• Guppy
• Neon Tetra
• Golden Dwarf Barb
• Pygmy Corydoras

The Best 15-Gallon Tanks in the Market Available for Purchase

With the basic understanding of how a 15-gallon tank works, it’s time for us to list down some of the best ones in the business. Now, we should tell you beforehand that some of the tanks listed below will be 1-2 gallons less or more in size.

Our idea is to present before you the best tanks in that range. We didn’t want to miss out on a really fantastic tank just because it is a 14-gallon or 16-gallon in size. After all, adding or removing one gallon of space won’t affect the overall functionalities of these small tanks.

The SeaClear Rectangle Aquarium knows how to stand out from the rest due to its unique shape that adds a different dimension to wherever you place it.

Made of acrylic, it is waterproof and shatter-proof, which is a great boon, especially if you have naughty kids in your household, or an over-enthusiastic pet dog or cat. In addition, it also comes with a light fixture.

But, perhaps, the best feature of this tank is its lifetime warranty.

However, if you are expecting a whole kit, then this might not be for you since it won’t come with all additional features such as lighting, filtration, among others. If you want to start from scratch, and want a sturdy, long-lasting tank, and all the other elements from outside, then you can go with it.

What We Like

• Strong built.
• Includes light fixture.
• Waterproof and shatterproof.

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t come with a built-in filtration system.
• Lack of customizable features.

The curved front of Fluval Flex 15 Gallon Aquarium Kit gives it a dapper appearance that elevates the aesthetics of the room that you keep it in. It is clubbed with a black rim on its edges which elevates its beauty even further.  In addition, this design also helps in having a clear view of your aquatic plants and animals.

Probably the strongest feature of this tank is its three-stage filtration system – biological, mechanical, and chemical. It makes sure that that tank water stays healthy round the clock.

Since it comes with a LED lamp, you don’t have to worry about illuminating the tank separately for highlighting the fish and growing plants. You will be able to control the LED lights with a remote control, and can set different colors and effects (such as lightening, faded cloud, etc.) to it.

What We Like

• Additional room for installing heater.
• Chic design.
• Comes with an LED light setting, and a remote controller to control it.
• Highly efficient three-stage filtration system.

What We Don’t Like

• Flimsy hood.
• Since the background is black in color, dark-colored fish will not be highlighted well.
• Difficulty in setting up additional lights.
• Large slits in the intake vent increases the chances of the fish slipping through.

The Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium is a 16-gallon tank, which is slightly larger than the tank size we are discussing here today, but it definitely falls in the same category.  It is a worthy buy since it comes with a pump, a filtration system, and an LED lighting system.

To go into the specifics, the in-built filter is compact by design and customizable by usage.  The submersible pump has dual intakes and a return nozzle which is adjustable by nature.

The 24-hour integrated lighting system features three distinct settings – sparkling blue, bright white, and color enhancing.  What is even better is the fact that it also comes with a 30 minute sunrise and sunset function and a 60 minute moonrise and moonset function. This helps in mimicking the habitat of the fish. Thereby making them feel more at home.

What We Like

• Sturdy.
• User-friendly set up.
• Features three chambers at the back for placing equipment.
• Integrated and customizable lighting system that mimics the natural habitat of aquatic pets.
• Efficient filtration system.

What We Don’t Like

• The built-in fan is a bit loud.
• LEDs aren’t strong enough for ensuring the growth of high-demanding aquatic plants.
• Difficulty in cleaning certain areas.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Fluval Evo Aquarium All in One Kit is a bit smaller than the rest of the tanks in here, having a capacity of 13.5 gallons. But with a brand like Fluval under its tag, you are rest assured that you will get quality product from it.

Shaped as an old-school rectangular tank clubbed with a dash of modernity, it really appeals to a vast majority of tank-buyers who prefer a glimpse of both traditional and new-age style in their aquarium. It also features an aluminium casing that is waterproof and features a glass build alongside a cover.

If you are specifically looking for a saltwater tank, this tank is apt since it features an 11,000K high-output LED light that can help in coral growth, which is one of the essential elements of a saltwater tank.

We wish its lid was more secured and it came with a protein skimmer. But hey, you can’t have it all in one. Other than that, we definitely think it’s a top-notch 15-gallon tank.

What We Like

• 11,000K high-output LED light for coral growth.
• Perfect blend of old-school and new-school design.
• Sturdy.

What We Don’t Like

• Absence of protein skimmer.
• Quality of lid could have been better.

Next up on our best 15-gallon tanks list is the Aqueon LED Aquarium Starter Kit Column Black 15 Gallon that features a cutting-edge futuristic design in a column style. This black model features a fluorescent light hood along with a T5 light which illuminates the interiors of the tank and highlights the pets and plants you keep in them.

For your easy access, it comes with a setup guide which ensures you get complete support with a step-by-step guide. One aspect of this tall aquarium that might be a bit difficult to handle is its weight, standing at 27.7 lbs (12.5 kg), which is a bit heavier in comparison to most other 15-gallon tanks, but we do think that it is pretty much manageable.

Add to that, the quiet filtration system ensures that you and your fish don’t have to deal with the unnecessary noise. The feeding space located at the frontal portion of the hood makes feeding extremely convenient.

Coming to the drawbacks, we think that crafting of the silicon falls more on the low quality side. The same goes for the seams of the glass, which could have been way better than how they are in the tank.

What We Like

• Unique, modern design.
• Fluorescent hood alongside a T5 light ensures growth of aquatic plants.
• Convenient feeding door.

What We Don’t Like

• Needs improvement in seams of glass and silicon finish.

One look at the SeaClear 15 Gallon Deluxe Hexagon Acrylic Aquarium and you will realize why it is so immensely popular, especially among those who are looking for a 15-gallon tank as a decorative tool in the interiors of their homes and offices. Featuring a hexagonal design, it ensures that you get a clear view of your aquatic pets and plants from multiple angles, giving a 360° field of vision.

It also comes with a 12” (30 cm) light fixture and a reflector. For those who want to avoid a heavy glass tank, this tank is highly recommended since this acrylic tank is lightweight yet sturdy, which makes moving it easy. Being made of acrylic, it is also less vulnerable to scratches, which is always an added bonus.

Not to mention the brand SeaClear comes with a great reputation amongst aquarists. So, you can expect quality products from them.

What We Like

• Allows you to choose from three distinct background options.
• Scratch-resistant.
• Rounded corners ensure safety.

What We Don’t Like

• Since the main opening is a bit small, feeding your fish can be a slightly inconvenient.
• Difficulty in cleaning as it doesn’t feature a lid.
• No LED lights included; only features the lighting fixture.

The BiOrb Classic 60 Aquarium 16 Gallons is known for its round-shaped body that is bound to turn heads when you keep it in your vicinity. Its economical shape also doesn’t demand a lot of space to be kept around while not compromising with the looks of the tank.

It features an LED lighting system along with an on/off switch and a box-filter that makes sure the tank water remains crystal clear. Besides, the ceramic media that it comes with, helps in performing dual functions of both biological filtration as well as aquascaping.

The air-powered filter is connected to the air pump through an air hose that is integrated with a non-return valve. On the other hand, the lights and aerator are connected to the power supply through a 12V transformer.

What We Like

• Dual-functioning ceramic media.
• The LED light unit.
• Box filtration system.
• Doesn’t take up a lot of space.

What We Don’t Like

• Rounded tanks can restrict the movements of fish, so it is only recommended for tiny fish.
• Loud pump.

Summary

A 15-gallon tank is a great way to kickstart your fishkeeping experience with. It provides a perfect balance between a small and a mid-sized tank, and is pretty easy to maintain.  In addition, they would help you prepare in hosting a larger tank in the future.  With our recommendations and help, we are certain that picking a 15-gallon tank would be a cakewalk for you. So, keep all of the aforementioned points in mind and take your pick!

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