The Best 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit for Betta Fish Is…

Last Updated on August 8, 2022

There are a lot of best 5-gallon aquarium kits available on the market for betta fish. Some kits come with everything you need, while others require you to purchase additional items.

There is no doubt that aquariums are one of the most popular hobbies among pet owners. And with good reason! They offer a fascinating and captivating way to watch fish interact and play, while also providing a safe home for these animals.  

However, setting up an ideal aquarium can be a daunting task, particularly if you’re new to the aquarium hobby. That’s why we’ve compiled the ten of the best five-gallon fish tank for bettas!

In this article, we will also discuss some of the factors you should think about when selecting an aquarium kit for your pet. Let’s get started then!

1. Aqueon LED MiniBow Fish Tank Kit

Indoor aquariums are a great choice for both first-time and experienced fish keepers. The Aqueon LED MiniBow Kit with SmartClean Technology are great desktop aquariums that are ideal for your betta and other small fish.

A simple yet compact 5-gallon fish tank, this desktop aquarium includes a clear acrylic tank, LED lights for the hood cover, a filter cartridge, water conditioner, food samples, and a detailed setup guide to help you get started.

Another thing that makes this 5-gallon fish tank unique is its power filter designed with SmartClean Technology which makes water changes easier and quicker in less than 2 minutes. This technology will surely give your betta fish the perfect and healthy aquatic environment!

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Durable acrylic tank
  • Hood with LED lighting system
  • Good filtration system
  • Can be placed in any location

Cons

  • Substandard hood quality
  • LED lights have no night mode
  • Quite pricey

2. GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit

This stylish aquarium includes all the essentials you’ll need to start with keeping fish. GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit includes a curved crescent-shaped acrylic tank that will brighten any room!

Special add-ons such as the black canopy with blue LEDs offer the ideal backdrop for your glowing, colorful fish and a Tetra Whisper Bio-Bag Filter Cartridge to keep your tank clean.

GloFish Aquarium Kit creates high-quality products, such as aquarium kits, lighting, decor, and accessories, which perfectly fit the theme and setting of any aquatic world. Appropriate for various age groups, they sell products that enable every household member to enjoy and fully immerse themselves in a complete aquatic experience!

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Durable tank
  • Energy-efficient led lighting
  • Affordable
  • Ideal for small space

Cons

  • Basic accessories included in the kit
  • No daytime light mode

3. Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit

For those looking for a more advanced lighting system, you may want to check out Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit. This curved glass tank includes a unique glass canopy that can be slid to the back for easy feeding and maintenance, a hidden three-stage filtration system, Marineland Bio-Foam, and an adjustable filter pump.

Marineland portrait glass aquarium also boasts blue and bright white LEDs that are easily accessible to the tank. The white LEDs produce shimmering white lights resembling sunlight’s underwater effect, while the blue LEDs create a tranquil moonlight glow. You can toggle between colors, depending on the time.

Pros

  • White and blue LED light
  • Seamless edges
  • Easy to assemble
  • Good for tall plants due to its portrait size
  • Beginner-friendly

Cons

  • Filter inlets are big and may not be suitable for very small fishes

4. Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit

Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit is a great tank for both beginners and experienced hobbyists, designed for small areas such as countertops and desktops. This five-gallon glass tank has a sleek and contemporary design that merges style and functionality into a single, compact unit.

The Fluval Spec might be a small tank, but surprisingly full-featured with its overhanging lighting unit that consists of 37 powerful energy-efficient led lights, an adjustable circulation pump, a 3-stage filtration system with a pre-filter sponge, and a Fluval activated carbon insert used for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.

In addition, this wonderful aquarium provides illumination, which can let you grow live plants to make your tank look more like a betta’s natural habitat.

Pros

  • Cool design
  • Durable
  • LED lighting system
  • Separate chambers for pump and filtration system

Cons

  • Fragile lid
  • Expensive

5. Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit

Thinking of building a community fish tank? The Tetra Crescent Aquarium Kit may be the perfect tank for you! Tetra has everything you need, no matter your experience level – from a wide choice of quality fish food and equipment to innovative testing kits and decor.

In this seamless, curved aquarium design, you can house up to three tropical fish and place them anywhere in your house – from the kitchen to your bedroom. This fish tank also includes a mechanical filtration system that will help clean your tank and keep your fish healthy.

Hidden inside the cover is a bright LED light that will bring your fish tank to life and will give you a relaxing view.

Pros

  • Acrylic material
  • Durable
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • LED lights have to be clipped inside the hood
  • Insufficient light for growing live plants

6. Aqueon NeoGlow LED Aquarium Kit

Can’t get enough of colorful and bright 5-gallon fish tanks? Aqueon NeoGlow LED Aquarium Kit is another tank on the list that will add fun and color to your room!

This fish tank features a glass aquarium material, a blue LED light, decorative plants, and multi-colored gravel that will fill your betta’s home with colors. Additional accessories with the kit are QuietFlow power filtration, filter cartridge, thermometer, fish food, and water conditioner to make tap water safe for your pet.

Fishkeeping will surely be fun with Aqueon NeoGlow. Who knows? You may become a fish expert in no time!

Pros

  • Black background
  • Available in different colors and shapes
  • Colorful
  • Comes with aquarium plants

Cons

  • Edge sealants could chip

7. Fluval Chi II Aquarium Set

Searching for a simple yet sophisticated design that could bring your mind at peace? Then the Fluval Chi II might be the one you’re looking for!

This portrait fish tank perfectly balances sight and sound, creating a calming and unique spiritual experience. With its filter and top-mounted fountain LED, you can hear the smooth sound of trickling water flowing down and illuminating with the aquarium water.

The continuous water flow on the top cube will make you feel like you are one with nature and help to oxygenate the water. You can also opt to add plant decors on top of the fountain LED to add more aesthetics to your fish tank.

Pros

  • Elegant design
  • Top-mounted fountain LED
  • Continuous water flow
  • Removable cover

Cons

  • Weak light for plant growth
  • Small lid opening

8. Fluval Sea Evo V Fish Tank Kit

The third Fluval brand on the list of the best 5-gallon aquarium is the Fluval Sea Evo. A modern-looking aquarium, Fluval Sea Evo is not just known for its look but also its features.

This fish tank has ultra-bright LED lights that can be adjusted to day and night mode to help with optimal plant growth.

Another cool feature this tank has is its honeycomb stylish design on the side of the aquarium. This is to hide its powerful 3-stage water filtration that works to keep the best water quality in your aquarium.

Pros

  • Day and night mode LED lights
  • Aluminum waterproof casing
  • Durable

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Few accessories

9. PENN-PLAX Aquarium Kit

The PENN-PLAX Aquarium Kit is a great tank to introduce to beginners. This five-gallon tank is very convenient if you only have a small space at home with its simple design.

While it has limited space, PENN-PLAX doesn’t compromise its functionality which comes with a glass tank, a clip-on filter, an extra filter cartridge, and a silver LED light that is attached to the lid.

This fish tank is also safe if you have kids around as it features two curved corners at the front.

Pros

  • Curved front corners
  • Powerful filter
  • LED lighting system

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Not too bright LED
  • Plastic lid

10. Koller Products Aquarium Starter Kit

Koller Aquarium Kit looks like glass at first glance, but this trendy design is built with impact-resistant plastic material. This starter kit is a fun and rewarding aquarium that will get you started with the fish hobby.

Keep your stress levels at bay as you and your family enjoy the dazzling light shows of this tank. Its unique and multi-colored LED highlights the beauty of your fish and ranges from white, blue, green, amber, aqua, purple, and red.

Safe to use for your tropical fish or any small fish, other accessories that come with the Koller fish tank are a powerful filter that cleans and purifies tank water and a filter cartridge.

Pros

  • 7 LED lights
  • Lighter than other tanks
  • Beginner-friendly

Cons

  • Gets dirty pretty quickly
  • Loud filter

Fish Tank Equipment

A fish tank is a great way to keep your pets happy and healthy. However, to make sure that your fish tank is set up correctly and that the water is clean, you will need some fish tank equipment. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important items:

Filter

If you’re considering adding a filter to your fish tank, there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of filter, the tank size, and how often it should be cleaned all depend on the fish species and the environment you’re trying to create.

A filter is essential for keeping your tank clean and healthy, especially for tanks this size, as toxins tend to build up quicker in small volumes of water.

Look for a filter that can handle high and low water levels and remove harmful chemicals and bacteria.

Heater

Keeping a tropical fish such as bettas requires keeping a heater in your tank. Heaters can provide the perfect temperature for your fish which ideally ranges from 75-80°F.

Some have timers, so you know when to change the heat, while others are simply on/off switches. They also come in various sizes and styles to fit any need or budget, so make sure to choose one that is best for a 5-gallon tank.

Lighting system

The best lighting system for a betta fish tank mimics the natural light of day.

Most people use fluorescent tubes to create artificial light. This type of lighting will work, but it’s not as good as sunlight because it doesn’t provide the same spectrum of colors and can cause algae growth inside glass walls.

These problems can be solved by using an incandescent bulb or a LED bulb with blue lights, which will mimic natural daylight and won’t produce heat as other bulbs do.

Substrate and decors

Betta fish are low maintenance but need an aquarium with clear sides to see their surroundings, rocks, and plants for hiding places, and some driftwood to provide them with extra oxygen.

These fish do not require any special substrates, but it is recommended that you use a sand substrate to prevent ich from developing.

Cleaning tools

Cleaning tools are very important to keep your betta’s environment clean and safe. Some tools that can be found in a cleaning kit include scrubbers, nets, buckets, and scrapers.

Scrubbers help remove algae from rocks and other surfaces, while a fish net can scoop up debris or fish waste from the bottom of the tank without disturbing any plants or decorations.

Some other popular items include algae scrapers for removing unsightly green film on glass surfaces, tweezers for reaching into tight spaces to remove dirt and scouring pads for scrubbing hard-to-reach places like corners.

Air pump

Aquarium air pumps are an essential part of any fish tank, and for good reason. They help to oxygenate and circulate water to keep your fish alive.

Before getting an air pump, remember to consider the type of filter your tank uses, the size of your tank, and the power requirements.

Test kits

Aquarium test kits can be used to check the water quality in an aquarium. These kits typically come with instructions on how to use them and what they measure and how often they should be checked.

The tests may include measures for pH levels, ammonia levels, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Test results will vary depending on which type of test is being taken. Some tests may need to be done over time until enough data is collected for an accurate reading, while others may only require one measurement per week or month.

In addition, these tests can tell you if your tank needs more cleaning or maintenance and can be easily bought at your local pet stores or online.

FAQs About Fish Tanks

Fish tank on a countertop

When it comes to buying a fish tank, there are a lot of questions that people have. Here are some of the most common questions and answers you may want to know:

Should I get a fish tank kit or just the tank only?

This is a question that many people are faced with. The answer depends on what you plan to do with the fish tank and how much money you want to spend.

If you’re going for an elaborate setup and have some extra cash to spare, go ahead and buy the kit. You’ll save time trying to find all the pieces separately, which can be difficult if it’s your first time setting up a fish tank.

However, if you don’t mind hunting around for everything individually, then buying the tank only would be the preferred choice. The challenge of customizing your tank might be daunting but could be extremely fun.

What is the dimension of a 5-gallon fish tank?

A typical 5-gallon aquarium is 16 × 8 × 10 inches, weighing 7 pounds. However, many of these aquariums do not have these dimensions, especially those unique and design-based tanks.

What kind of fish should I get for a 5-gallon tank?

When choosing the right fish for your 5-gallon tank, there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of fish you choose will depend on the size of your tank, the kind of water you have, and your personal preferences.  

Here are some types of fish that typically thrive in smaller tanks:

  • betta fish
  • goldfish
  • corydoras catfish
  • dwarf gouramis
  • mollies
  • guppies

How many fish can I have in a 5-gallon tank?

If you’re thinking of keeping two bettas in a 5-gallon tank, you may want to abandon that thought. Bettas are more aggressive towards each other, especially males, so it would be best not to take that risk.

The general rule for fish keeping is one inch of fish per one gallon of water. This means you can stock up to 4-6 small fish in a 5-gallon fish tank. However, since bettas are territorial and aggressive, it is best to keep only a few fish – and a friendly one – to be housed with a betta.

Is a 5-gallon fish tank good for a betta fish?

A common misconception about bettas is that they can live in tight and small spaces such as fish bowls. Although they can survive in this environment, if you have the means to get a larger tank, then please do so.

A five-gallon fish tank is generally the smallest size available for bettas, so it’s important to be sure that the tank has enough space for them to swim around. Bettas thrive more when they have adequate space to explore aside from having a clean and well-maintained fish tank.

What are the advantages of 5-gallon fish tanks?

There are a variety of reasons to choose a 5-gallon fish tank.

  • First, they’re ideal for beginner fish keepers.
  • Second, they’re popular among experienced hobbyists because of their low price and small size.
  • Third, they’re versatile – you can use them for freshwater or saltwater fish.
  • Fourth, they’re easy to clean and maintain.
  • Fifth, they make great starter tanks for kids who are interested in aquatics.

Verdict

Among the lists of aquariums, the best 5-gallon fish tank is the:

Fish tanks can be a great addition to any room in the house. They provide a calming and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after work.

A 5-gallon fish tank is a great option for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, easy-to-use aquarium. The small size makes it perfect for various locations in your home, and the low price tag means it’s affordable for any budget.

If you’re interested in adding some fish to your life, a 5-gallon tank is a great way to get started!