10 Best Goldfish Tanks That You Need to Bring Home Today

Goldfish are probably the most well-known aquatic pets in the world. People have been petting them for centuries now. Their popularity is so sky-rocketing that even a non-fish aquarist will name them if you ask them to name an aquatic pet. So, naturally, the demand for them is also high, which means that there is always a hunt for the best Goldfish tank. This is what we are going to breakdown today in our article. So, let’s get into it.  

Things to Remember Before Buying a Gold Fish Tank

Before we list out the best goldfish tanks, you need to understand the key aspects you need to keep in mind before heading out to buy your tank.

Size of the Tank

Goldfish have a comparatively longer lifespan than most other freshwater aquarium fish. Although different variants of Goldfish can grow to different sizes, most of them can reach 12” (30 cm) throughout their lifetime. This means that they would need a large tank in their adulthood.

Now, you have two options in front of you. You need to decide whether you want to start with a large tank from the beginning or gradually increase the size of the tank as your pet grows. Ideally, a 20-gallon tank will suffice for 1-2 Goldfish. A large tank would mean fewer water replacements and less maintenance, and more space and freedom for your pet. Some Goldfish would demand even larger tanks, such as a 50-gallon tank (Comet Goldfish) or even a 75-gallon tank (Shubunkin Goldfish).

In addition, try to make sure that you go for a rectangular-shaped tank since that would facilitate better swimming options for them.

Type of Material

Whether you go for an acrylic or glass tank is again completely up to you since both of them bring their pros and cons.

Acrylics are light-weight and easy to manage. They are also more tolerant of scratches, especially if you have kids at home. They also don’t leak over time as their bonding process is very impressive. The seams in these tanks are also practically invisible, and they are able to retain heat better than glass tanks.  However, as time passes, they will get cloudy and have a brownish/yellowish tint to them.

On the other hand, glass tanks are heavy and more delicate to scratch, but they never discolor or cloud over time and remain the same throughout their lifetime.

Filtration

Goldfish are one of the messiest fish out there, producing a considerable amount of wastes on a regular basis. This calls for a high-quality filter that will help remove the wastes, clear up toxins, and aerate the tank water.

Go for a three-stage filtration system – biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration.

Lighting

Goldfish are not very fussy about their choice of lights and generally get satisfied with a low light setting. So, you don’t have to go out there and arrange for some fancy lighting system. Just pick some simple low power LED lights for their aquarium.

At the same time, we also understand that it is also important for you to make your tank aesthetically appealing, and lights play a major role in enhancing the beauty of your tank and in making the contents of your aquarium visible. Low profile LED lights provide adequate light in illuminating the interiors of the tank as well as in stimulating growth of the aquatic plants.

Best Goldfish Tanks You Need to Buy

Now that you have a fair idea of the things to remember before buying a Goldfish tank, let us give you our recommendations for the best ones available in the market.

Featuring a high-end modern bow-front design, this 45-gallon Fluval Premium Bow Front Aquarium Kit provides a great view for you. You can watch the graceful swimming patterns of your Goldfish in a spectacular way. 

The C4 filter provides a 5-step filtration system to keep the tank water healthy. In addition, the kit also includes fish food and everything you need for water treatment. The bonuses also include a thermometer to keep a track of the temperature of the tank water round-the-clock, a net, and a care guide. 

The low-profile LED lights generate 1470 lumens which is suitable for planted aquariums

What We Like

• Chic design.
• Suitable for aquatic plants.
• 5-Step filtration system.
• Care guide included.
• Provides thermometer and net.
• Fish food and water treatments included in the package.

What We Don’t Like

• Not recommended for small space.
• A bit expensive.

A rather small and cosy tank, the Aqua Culture 10 Gallon Aquarium is ideal for your pet in their infantry stage. For those of you who are struggling to accommodate a large aquarium in your house or office room, this works perfectly.

In addition, it is also budget-friendly and its simple-build also makes it easier to care for and maintain.  Having said that, it is susceptible to cracks and is not built for long-term usage.  If you are petting a small Goldfish on a temporary basis, we do recommend this.

What We Like

• One of the sturdier small acrylic Goldfish tanks in the market.
• Budget-friendly.
• Suitable for small spaces.

What We Don’t Like

• Easy to crack.
• Nor built for long-term usage.

Extremely user-friendly, the Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit 20H is highly recommended for a tropical pet such as Goldfish since it comes with a heater of its own that can keep the temperature of the tank at 78° F (25° C). Its pre-installed filter also excels in cleaning the tank water in a span of just one single day.

Furthermore, it is also equipped with aesthetically appealing LED lights that make the tank look extremely relaxing and impressive. An interesting aspect about this tank is that the LED PRO power filter comes with a red LED light that serves as a reminder of when to replace the cartridge.

The only aspects that could be seen as drawbacks are its lid which is not waterproof and its tiny opening which makes it extremely difficult to feed the fish.

What We Like

• Comes with pre-installed LED lights.
• Comes with pre-installed heater.
• A highly functional filtration system.
• Economical.

What We Don’t Like

• The tiny opening on the lid makes it difficult to feed the fish.
• Tank hood is not waterproof.

One of the larger Goldfish tanks on our list, the Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium 57L provides ample space to your fish to swim around and move freely in the tank, thereby creating a stress-free environment.  

It also features a highly-elaborate lighting system that consists of 15 different colors alongside a white light and a dimmer switch to control them. Its multi-stage filtration system allows you to keep a heater, UV sterilizer, and an additional filter.

However, its pump requires a lot of maintenance so as to avoid a situation where the airflow gets slowed down in the tank. The delicate nature of its black plastic back makes it vulnerable to scratches.

What We Like

• Innovative LED lamp provides radiant illumination.
• Multi-directional 132 GPH dual outputs.
• Modern-built contributes to its aesthetic appeal.
• Efficient filtration ensures healthy water quality.

What We Don’t Like

• The filter demands frequent cleaning.
• The black plastic back is more susceptible to wear and tear.

It might a bit costly than others, but the Marina LED 20 Gallon Aquarium Tank comes with everything that you would need to set your Goldfish tank.

Its well-designed lid is equipped with a radiant LED lighting system and its filtration system comes with a bunch of filter cartridges and a clip-on filter. And it doesn’t even end there! You will also be provided with a water conditioner and biological supplements to facilitate the cycling of your tank.

To help you with the installation process, it comes with a complete care guide, which makes setting up of the tank even more user-friendly than ever. Besides, you will also get a fish net and fish food when you buy this product.

All you need to do is add substrate, décor (as per your desire), and your Goldfish.

What We Like

• Highly suitable for beginners.
• Illuminative lighting system.
• Quiet and adaptive filtration system.
• Provides fish food and a fish net.
• User-friendly installation.
• Sturdy.

What We Don’t Like

• Absence of a hinged lid will force you to remove the entire lid to clean it.
• No cover on the lid for the feeding area.

Although it comes in various size variants that range from 15-50 gallons, the 40-gallon tank size is the most suitable one. The SeaClear Acrylic 40 Gallon Aquarium is easy to move around due to its light-weight body and is clearer than even some of the regular glass aquariums, which is a lot for an acrylic aquarium.

It also comes with three distinct background options for you to choose from. Unfortunately, it will provide a filter on its own, and you have to buy it separately. However, it does come with a lighting fixture and a reflector.

What We Like

• Its round corners ensure safety.
• Sturdy.
• Lightweight.
• No visible water line marks.
• Lifetime warranty.

What We Don’t Like

• LED lights not included, only comes with the light fixture.
• No filtration system included.
• Quality of tank lid could have been better.

The Aqua Culture 29 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit is one of the most visually-appealing Goldfish tanks in the market in today’s times. This tank is known for its wider space, which is a great boon for your aquatic pets.

It comes with an unobtrusive hood which is built specifically for creating a daytime glow, thereby mimicking a natural environment in your aquarium.

For all those of you who can’t keep an aquarium in the bedroom due to the loud noise of the filter, there is good news for you since this tank is equipped with a quiet filtration system.

It is also easy on your pocket since it provides energy-efficient LED lights. However, if you are hosting aquatic plants in your tank, then these lights might not suffice for their growth. Another drawback of this tank is its poorly-stylized hood.

What We Like

• Unobtrusive hood helps in forming a natural daytime sheen.
• Integrated design enables easy replacements of filter cartridges and feeding.
• Comes with energy-efficient LED lighting system.
• Noise-less filtration system.

What We Don’t Like

• Not suitable if you plan to host aquatic plants in your tank.
• Quality of tank lid could have been better.

Known for its durability, the Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit comes with pre-installed heater that helps maintain an optimal temperature in your tank (78° F/25° C). This glass aquarium is one of the rare Goldfish tanks you will find in the market that is scratch-resistant.

The LED lights that are provided by the tank provide a natural daylight effect. It also features noise-less filters, keeping in mind the comfort of both you and your fish. In addition, it comes with artificial plants that provide the much-needed shelter to them, thereby keeping their stress on check.

One thing that you need to provide from your end is a firm solid base as this tank gets quite heavy after being filled with water and substrate. Besides, we were not very impressed with the flimsy hood.

What We Like

• Whisper filter ensures noise-free service despite providing strong water flow.
• Long-lasting.
• Comes with a LED lighting system that provides a daytime natural look.
• Scratch-resistant.
• Cost-effective.

What We Don’t Like

• Difficult to move around; heavyweight.
• Flimsy hood.

Another Goldfish tank that is suitable only in the earlier stages of your pet, the MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit is a small, concise tank that you can use to temporarily host your pet until they grow up.  

Made with an inlet at the right-hand side of the divider, this tank features a surface skimmer too. The curved edges of the tank definitely add a different dimension to the tank. It also comes with a lighting system that has two settings and a glass lid that slides open, giving it a very futuristic look.

The pump is also adjustable and you are free to set it at a speed that will aerate the air while not interfering with the movement of your fish.

The vertical shape of the tank, however, does go against our recommended rectangular-shaped tank since it lessens the space for your fish to swim. Cleaning the tank is a bit difficult due to the horizontal supports that come with sharp edges.  

What We Like

• Cost-effective.
• Blue LEDs provide natural moonlight setting.
• White LEDs provide a glistening light in the tank.
• Adjustable pump.

What We Don’t Like

• Difficult to clean
• Vertical shape of the tank restricts the movement of your fish, so recommended for only small Goldfish variant or fish in their infantry stage.

Ideal for beginners who want to start with a small Goldfish tank, the Aqueon Fish Tank Aquarium LED Kit is a 10-gallon glass aquarium that is equipped with 10 LED PRO power filters that uses medium cartridges, a 50 W heater, a stick-on thermometer, a fish net, and a water conditioner. This means that you don’t have to run around buying for every small item for setting up your first Goldfish tank.

In addition, you will also get premium fish food and an unobtrusive LED full hood. The heater maintains the temperature of the tank water at 78° F (25° C), which is ideal for most tropical aquatic species. As such, you can also keep other fish that have a similar temperature demand.

On the downside, the constant vibration of the filter can be quite irritating. Another aspect which we really don’t like is that the temperature can’t be lowered, so make sure the type of Goldfish you are rearing has a temperature demand of at least 78° F (25° C).

What We Like

• LED PRO power filter with red LED light.
• Setup guide included.
• Unobtrusive full hood.
• LED light flashes to signal cartridge replacement.

What We Don’t Like

• Temperature of the tank can’t be lowered.
• Constant vibration from the tank filter.

Summary

We understand how precious your aquatic pet is to you, and it is your responsibility to provide it with the most natural-looking environment so that it thrives healthily. We are certain these ten handpicked Goldfish tanks will help you in picking the dream house for it.  Remember, it is not always the looks, but the functionality of your tank that should dictate your final choice. So, make your pick and enjoy your time with these golden angels.

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