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The world of acrylic aquariums is an increasingly growing market and for good reason.
They are comparably new when compared to classic glass, but they provide some benefits that you cannot ignore. No matter whether you are a seasoned fish keeper or a novice hobbyist, there’s likely an acrylic fish tank that makes sense for you.
Now let’s dive right in to explore the most reliable acrylic aquariums. We also list the pros and cons of each option, so you can make the right buying decision.
Benefits of Using Acrylic Aquariums
In different ways, using acrylic for your aquariums brings a range of benefits you may not get from glass alternatives.
Weight: Firstly, when used for an aquarium, acrylic is not as heavy as glass. In fact, the glass version often weighs 4 to 10 times as much as acrylic tanks. You’ll love your choice of acrylic as a novice as you try out different locations for your tank. Just ensure you first remove the water and decorations, it will be much simpler to move around.
Resistance to force: Acrylic is a far stronger material than glass. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to break or crack a tank of this type accidentally.
Durability and strength: Another way in which acrylic is stronger is that it doesn’t need to be as thick to support the same water volume as glass does. Therefore, if you have a 55-gallon aquarium, you’ll see that the glass in the glass tank is much thicker than its acrylic tank.
Overflow system drilling: In spite of the strength of acrylic, you can drill through it so that you can set up an overflow system. You can’t do that with glass.
Scratch repair: If an acrylic aquarium is scratched, repairing the damage is much simpler than repairing scratched glass. You can have a great acrylic polishing kit from different places, and it’s no trouble to get rid of the scratch that’s on the outside of the tank. Remember that don’t use it for scratches on the inside of the aquarium, as the cleaning chemicals used by these kits can release a toxic residue that makes the tank unfit for marine life.
Light refraction: Haven’t you seen that the water sometimes changes how you observe things? This is because the water refracts or bends light. Nevertheless, acrylic has nearly the same index of refraction as light, so the bending of the light is very small even behind a curved shape. In practical terms, while the refraction may change your opinion of the location of the fish, you still can watch the true color and size of the fish.
Meanwhile, with glass, you can get distortions related to the true color and size of your fish.
Clarity: This depends on the sort of acrylic you buy, but the ideal acrylic tank will offer an incredibly clear view. This is far more evident in large aquariums. The larger amount of water your aquarium captures, the thicker your glass needs to be. And thick glass might make it difficult to see things inside the aquarium.
In the meantime, high-grade acrylic can make you see feel as if the container is invisible. Plus, you will not have any issues with the passage of time. It will not turn yellow or break down, even if it’s exposed to sunlight for a long period of time.
Form and shape: It is far easier to mold acrylic than glass. This means you will be no longer constrained in your choice of aquarium shape. If you want something completely different from a box-like or bow-shaped aquarium, then you should go with acrylic.
Top 6 Best Acrylic Aquariums
1. SeaClear Acrylic Fish Tank 15 Gallon Hexagon
The SeaClear acrylic aquarium includes reflectors and electrical light fixtures in the kit, making it easy for you to put the tank in use.
The hexagon design creates a special look, particularly in a such small aquarium. You can watch your fish and aquatic life from any angle with ease. Besides, the unit can be a starter kit or an aquarium to decorate any room.
The acrylic material choice complements the hexagon design. Every corner is seamless and there is not a metal frame on the kit, all contributing to the aesthetic appeal of the tank.
You can keep freshwater or marine fish in this tank to your liking. Moreover, you can have some options for customizing your setup.
Pros
- Provide fixtures and reflectors
- Offer a great viewing experience
- Easy to move around
Cons
- Not include a filter and a heater
2. biOrb Cube 30 Aquarium
The biOrb Cube acrylic aquarium comes available in black, white, or clear accents, and two different light fixture options. It stays on a raised base and includes a built-in canopy with a feeding window. The base and canopy are also available in various colors.
The tank is built with a 5-stage filtration system with filter media and LED lighting. You can select a multicolor LED light with remote-controlled colors and brightness or a bright white ED with an on/off switch. The manufacturer claims that the added filter media has a surface area similar to that of a soccer field.
BiOrb items are produced to receive accessories and replacement parts from every part of the biOrb line, thus seeking replacements for things is easy through biOrb. That means it is challenging to customize filtration or other products for this aquarium.
Pros
- Come available in 8 or 16 gallons
- Three accent color options
- Two LED lighting options
- 5-stage filtration system
Cons
- High price
- Hard to customize
- The canopy cannot be removed.
3. GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
This acrylic aquarium is a cost-effective tank kit available in 3 and 5-gallon sizes. The smaller one has a half-moon shape, while the bigger one offers curved front and portrait shape options.
The Glofish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank covers a blue LED strip light installed in the hood and a filter with filter cartridges. The blue light is created specifically to improve the colors of your fish. The hood also has a feeding window for easy access.
This aquarium is sleek and small enough for some small spaces such as countertops and apartments.
Pros
- Two sizes and two shapes
- Seamless design
- Built-in blue LED light helps highlight the color of your fish
- Provide a filter and filter cartridges
Cons
- Too small for different types of fish
- Expensive to replace the light
- The low-flow filter is too weak for excellent filtration
4. Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
The Tetra Crescent acrylic aquarium is a cost-effective and high-quality item from a reliable brand. The tank can hold 5 gallons of water and has an appealing curved-front appearance.
The kit consists of a hinged hood, LED light with a bright white bulb, a great internal filter with your first cartridges, and an aquarium setup instruction. The light is installed into the back, low-profile tank hood.
The small size and special shape of this aquarium make it ideal for small spaces, such as dorms and apartments. Although the tank is built with a curved front, it does not have visual distortion as it is made from acrylic material.
Pros
- Made with invisible seams
- Include a hinged hood, internal filter, and filter cartridge
- Easy-access feeding window
- LED light fixture with bulbs built into the hood
Cons
- Too small for different types of fish
- The light might not be replaced.
5. Imagitarium Hexagonal Aquarium
The Imagitarium Hexagonal Aquarium comes in a 1.7-gallon hexagonal shape. The tank is tall, narrow, and seamless.
In this acrylic aquarium kit, there is a removable hood with a feeding window, a filter and filter cartridge, and a built-in LED light. Notably, the LED light is remote-controlled and has a lot of light colors. It can be set to operate for 2 hours, 4 hours, or even continuously.
Because of its small size, the filter cartridge will need frequent replacement and the aquarium require water changes regularly, based on the type and quantity of fish in the tank.
Pros
- Seamless design
- Built-in LED light
- Include a removable hood and a feeding window
Cons
- Only available in one size
The filter flow might be too strong for some fish and invertebrates.
6. R&J Enterprises Combination Acrylic Aquarium Set
This rimless acrylic aquarium is constructed with a built-in sump that contains three compartments. It can be used for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums. With top-quality acrylic, the R&J tank will give you as excellent performance as you expect.
In addition, it comes equipped with a 364 GPH pump, Bio Balls, Filter sponges, and LED light. Plus, this all-in-one aquarium includes amazing built-in filtration will all necessary accessories.
Pros
- Manufactured with the integrated type of filtering
- Roomy back area for filtering
- Provide LED lighting system, filter sponges, Biography rounds, and 364 GPH pump
Cons
- Quite a high price
7. Tetra ColorFusion Acrylic Aquarium
This is a small acrylic tank made for small spaces. Its half-moon shape enables you to observe a 180-degree view of your tank. Besides, it includes a color-changing light disc with a bubbler that will generate various effects to keep the show going.
The starter kit brings everything you need for its installation. The setting up process is simple and the guide include is also easy to understand.
A bubbling disc is added to the aquarium, automatically cycling via an array of LED color lights to produce the effects. The filtration system within the aquarium helps keep your water clear of any debris and dust. Plus, this acrylic aquarium provides an air pump inside that drives the filter and the bubbling disc to simplify the system as much as possible.
Pros
- Unique shape and design
- A color-changing light and a bubbler
- Offer a 180-degree panoramic view
- The clear top lid has a hole for easy feeding.
Cons
- Not proper for large spaces
Our Suggested Picks for Best Acrylic Aquariums
| # | Product Name | Image | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeaClear Acrylic Fish Tank 15 Gallon Hexagon |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 2 | biOrb Cube 30 Aquarium |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 3 | GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 4 | Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 5 | Imagitarium Hexagonal Aquarium |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 6 | R&J Enterprises Combination Acrylic Aquarium Set |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 7 | Tetra ColorFusion Acrylic Aquarium |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
Acrylic has been more and more common, and picking an acrylic aquarium will be a smart choice. They are durable, lightweight, and can replace glass tanks for multiple applications.
Choosing an acrylic aquarium can be nerve-breaking as you want to ensure you purchase the right tank the first time around, so those reviews might help your narrow down your search to the best options.
Remember to weigh the pros and cons carefully before pulling the trigger.
