Best 5 Gallon Tank?

So I have a betta fish in a 2.5 gallon tank, and I'm a beginner, so I've found it hard to maintain that size of a tank, so I want to get a 5 gallon tank. I want to one that does not cost more than 40 dollars. From what I've seen/heard, the best ones are the marina ML90609 Portrait aquarium kit, or the Marina LED 5 gallon aquarium kit. Any other suggestions?

 

I have a superfish but I got it for free on Freecycle (UK only) so I wouldn't necessarily say it's the best but it's pretty useful (comes with feeding flaps and a light and light switch and all that good stuff)

 

Definitely try to get a tank that is long rather than tall or cube shaped. I actually recommend the Fluval Spec V. It is more than you are wanting ($90), but comes with it's own filtration system and a planted tank LED.

 

Definitely try to get a tank that is long rather than tall or cube shaped. I actually recommend the Fluval Spec V. It is more than you are wanting ($90), but comes with it's own filtration system and a planted tank LED.

Ok I will. And yeah that's a little pricey, considering I bought my 36 for $125.

 

Ok I will. And yeah that's a little pricey, considering I bought my 36 for $125.

Did the 36 come with a filter and planted tank LED?

 

Ok I will. And yeah that's a little pricey, considering I bought my 36 for $125.

Well it's because it's a 5 gallon tank with a built in sump. I love it. But I'm sure any 5 gallon tank kit would be a great upgrade for him. The only thing you'd need is an adjustable heater. I reccomend a Hydor heater because they're cheap, adjustable, and mine's 100% accurate.

 

Well it's because it's a 5 gallon tank with a built in sump. I love it. But I'm sure any 5 gallon tank kit would be a great upgrade for him. The only thing you'd need is an adjustable heater. I reccomend a Hydor heater because they're cheap, adjustable, and mine's 100% accurate.

Good to know. Mine isn't adjustable, and although it usually is at 77 degrees, it can dip to 72 at times. I'll have to get that.

Did the 36 come with a filter and planted tank LED?

Lol no only a light, hood and stand. I got it from petco when it was 50 percent off.

 

you could get one used

 

Petco is having their dollar per gallon sale, you can get a 10 gal for $10... (unfortunately the 5gals aren’t included in the sale)

 

I picked up a marina portrait on Craigslist for $20. It is very slender and tall. I haven't set it up yet as I am still not sure what I am going stock it with, likely shrimp.

My other two 5 gallons are the cheapo walmart Aqua Culture one with upgraded hood and filter and another with just an upgraded filter (which houses my betta). The tanks themselves are very well sealed. The filters that come with the kit are a) useless and b) GIGANTIC in size for the tank.

 

Good to know. Mine isn't adjustable, and although it usually is at 77 degrees, it can dip to 72 at times. I'll have to get that.

Yeah definitely. They need a consistent water temp of between 78-80 degrees. I keep mine at 80 because he's near a window and it gets pretty cold here in PA.

 

Petco is having their dollar per gallon sale, you can get a 10 gal for $10... (unfortunately the 5gals aren’t included in the sale)

yeah ik that's such a pain. Never knew they limited that.

I picked up a marina portrait on Craigslist for $20. It is very slender and tall. I haven't set it up yet as I am still not sure what I am going stock it with, likely shrimp.

My other two 5 gallons are the cheapo walmart Aqua Culture one with upgraded hood and filter and another with just an upgraded filter (which houses my betta). The tanks themselves are very well sealed. The filters that come with the kit are a) useless and b) GIGANTIC in size for the tank.

Yeah maybe I should look for one on craigslist. Could I look on ebay too or is craigslists generally better?

Yeah definitely. They need a consistent water temp of between 78-80 degrees. I keep mine at 80 because he's near a window and it gets pretty cold here in PA.

Dang I always thought they only needed 76 degrees.

 

Dang I always thought they only needed 76 degrees.

Nope! But it's okay, I'm sure he'll be fine in that temp for a while. It could lead to health issues down the road, but for a temporary period - not a big deal

 

Nope! But it's okay, I'm sure he'll be fine in that temp for a while. It could lead to health issues down the road, but for a temporary period - not a big deal

Okay. I'll fix that ASAP.

 

I have the Marina 5 gallon led kit. I use it as a qt tank. I think it would be a great tank for a betta. I am very happy with it. I do use a stronger filter for qt, but I think the filter it comes with has less flow, which would be great for a betta.

 

I have the Marina 5 gallon led kit. I use it as a qt tank. I think it would be a great tank for a betta. I am very happy with it. I do use a stronger filter for qt, but I think the filter it comes with has less flow, which would be great for a betta.

Awesome. I just figured out I have a 50 dollar visa gift card, so I’ll only have to pay 20 dollars for it.

 

walmart aqua coulture kits are pretty good for the price. I have one in the 10 gallon. Only thing left you need is a heater.
A basic 5 gallon kit is just under $30-https://
Top fin, Aqeon, and Marineland also have good kits. I would stay with the basic 5 gallon dimmensions, as they are perfect for bettas.

 

walmart aqua coulture kits are pretty good for the price. I have one in the 10 gallon. Only thing left you need is a heater.
A basic 5 gallon kit is just under $30-https://
Top fin, Aqeon, and Marineland also have good kits. I would stay with the basic 5 gallon dimmensions, as they are perfect for bettas.

One problem I've found with the WalMart kits is glass lids don't fit them. Also the lights they come with are just stock LEDs that can't really grow anything. Filters also tend to be underpowered but that's not a bad thing for a betta tank.

 

walmart aqua coulture kits are pretty good for the price. I have one in the 10 gallon. Only thing left you need is a heater.
A basic 5 gallon kit is just under $30-https://
Top fin, Aqeon, and Marineland also have good kits. I would stay with the basic 5 gallon dimmensions, as they are perfect for bettas.

I’ll have to check it out then. Thank you.

 

I have the top fin 5.5g tank I got from PetSmart for $30ish. I'm surprised at how much I like it and my male betta is very happy in it

 

Forgot to add, here is a photo of it set up.

 

I have the top fin 5.5g tank I got from PetSmart for $30ish. I'm surprised at how much I like it and my male betta is very happy in it

I’ll have to check and see if mine has it.

Forgot to add, here is a photo of it set up.

Nice setup.

 

There are quite a few options, but it depends on what kind of overall quality you're after. Granted, it's a brand new setup but there's always great deals used. I've found that my cube nano tanks are just plain easier to scape and work with in that sense. Acrylic and plastic scratch kinda easily and over time haze and distort. I have a Fluval spec 5, and really like it but admittedly scaping it can be awkward at times due to it's narrow nature. I like the Current USA Solo Aquarium, those are nice. Imagitarium makes the Pro Delux 3.7G which is obviously smaller than 5G but are decent for the money.

Probably the cheapest way to go would be to get either the AquaCulture starter kit at walmart for around $30, or go to a local thrift store or secondhand store and get your own 5G for ~$5 or so. eBay carries the Finnex lights which are nice and you could build your own filter setup. I've pretty much done all the above at different times and it normally works out to be about the same cost in the end. Good luck

 

One problem I've found with the WalMart kits is glass lids don't fit them. Also the lights they come with are just stock LEDs that can't really grow anything. Filters also tend to be underpowered but that's not a bad thing for a betta tank.

If your walmart carries Aqua Culture brand 10 gallon tanks, they are rebranded Aqueon. The Aqueon glass lids on drsfosterandsmith do fit. I have several. The tanks around here are $14.88 new and the lids on fosters is about $9. I'd just get a cheap Aquaneat led from ebay for a few bucks and that can grow plants.

 

There are quite a few options, but it depends on what kind of overall quality you're after. Granted, it's a brand new setup but there's always great deals used. I've found that my cube nano tanks are just plain easier to scape and work with in that sense. Acrylic and plastic scratch kinda easily and over time haze and distort. I have a Fluval spec 5, and really like it but admittedly scaping it can be awkward at times due to it's narrow nature. I like the Current USA Solo Aquarium, those are nice. Imagitarium makes the Pro Delux 3.7G which is obviously smaller than 5G but are decent for the money.

Probably the cheapest way to go would be to get either the AquaCulture starter kit at walmart for around $30, or go to a local thrift store or secondhand store and get your own 5G for ~$5 or so. eBay carries the Finnex lights which are nice and you could build your own filter setup. I've pretty much done all the above at different times and it normally works out to be about the same cost in the end. Good luck

Thanks for the info

 

HI there. Any recommendations for good five gallon tanks?

 

Depends what your looking for. Plain glass rectangle tank. Acrylic. Fluval flex type. Many different styles and price ranges.

 

I mean, its a 5 gallon. How fancy do you want it? An Aqueon 5 gallon from Petco or Petsmart is $12 bucks. I have a number of them and wouldnt buy anything else.

 

Can also get a 5 gal starter kit from petsmart for $34, comes with all but the heater. Petco has some acryllic 5g's and up for $40+. Can also get the 5 gallon kit from walmart for around $30....lots of options and prices for that size range out there

 

The 5 gallon kit from Petsmart isn't bad, but I have to say the lid is flimsy and the LED lights are underwhelming.

I personally like a good glass tank and a sturdy lid, but I'm not sure there are any makers out there doing both. I tried hunting down an Economy Lid (screw-in light bulb type) for my two new Petsmart kit 5s, and it doesn't seem like they are being made anymore. I really like those types of lids, I bought one new and got one used at a garage sale.

The Fluval kits seem really nice, but that price tag is a bit jarring. I want one but am not sure I can justify it.

 

I would get a glass 5.5 gallon (Petco/Petsmart/Wal-mart). I have an 'acrylic' 5 gallon tank and it's pretty flimsy and you always have to worry about scratching. My 46 gallon is a true acrylic tank and I don't have as many concerns and it also seems to not be as porous as the smaller tanks I have (I also have a 6.6 gallon bookshelf). If Petco is having their dollar sale, you can get a 10 gallon aquarium for cheaper than the 5.5 gallon.

 

You also could try online. eBay, walmart, or Amazon, garage sales, and swop and sells like Facebook has. I also did an search online for Aquarius clubs near me. They are great for getting cheap used stuff.

 

The 5 gallon kit from Petsmart isn't bad, but I have to say the lid is flimsy and the LED lights are underwhelming.

I personally like a good glass tank and a sturdy lid, but I'm not sure there are any makers out there doing both. I tried hunting down an Economy Lid (screw-in light bulb type) for my two new Petsmart kit 5s, and it doesn't seem like they are being made anymore. I really like those types of lids, I bought one new and got one used at a garage sale.

The Fluval kits seem really nice, but that price tag is a bit jarring. I want one but am not sure I can justify it.

Yeah, definitely agree, a 2nd LED bar on Petsmarts 5.5g would be excellent! Lid might be flimsy, given me no problems so far, sleek look

 

The wife has had great success with this one:



The light has grown or at least kept alive any plant she throws in there and she pays no attention to requirements in that regard. You'll need to add a heater, but everything else is there. The filtration is solid though it does create some current in the little tank. It is also pretty. She had a betta in there, but it died and now she has a Scarlet Badis and a school of ChilI Rasboras.

 

Hey I just got a Fluval Spev V its more on the expensive side but its a great tank. The filtration system is great and the lighting is good for growing plants. The pump has an adjustable flow with a movable tip so you can point the flow in a certain position. I currently have my Half-moon King betta in there and hes loving it and thriving, I turned down the flow so it doesn't stress out my betta. It doesn't come with a heater but I do live in a tropical area so my I didn't need a heater but I do recommend getting one if u live in colder areas.

Here is a link to the tank I have.

 

I plan on buying a 5 gallon tank off Amazon and making it exclusively for a Betta.

I want to know what is the best tank for this purpose?

I have heard this one is:



Has 4.2 out of 5 and has 1,100 reviews.

Seems this is the "go to" and it IS cheaper than the ones in store. Just curious if there are better or cheaper options?

 

Hi! I'm on my way to work but I chose a different one because that one is very attractive but it's TALL and Bettas prefer WIDE (side to side). Also you're not really getting 5 gallons because the partition for the filtration comes out of the fish's swimming space. Same with Fluval Spec and Petsmart knockoffs (which are NICE but same problem). The Petsmart 3.5 Betta tank is REALLY nice but too small. I had all three and returned them. But the 3.5 was nice when my fish was a baby.

For ME, the "best" 5.5 gallon is the old school (like, from Petco) not a kit. But you have to add your own hood, light, filter etc.

Bettas come up to the surface for air so the long distance is not as easy for them as something a bit shorter. Now, both of mine are all OVER the place in a 20L and a 10 gallon but they have no choice and one is a juvenile LOL. But I have plants on top for resting areas.

That being said I bought a Penn Plax curved rimless kit because I wanted something a bit larger and found this one....although I use my own filters and light. . I bought the 7.5 gallon but it comes in smaller and larger sizes. I'm VERY happy with it.

There's nothing "wrong" with the kit components. The filter is fine but has carbon and I don't use carbon. Not sure if you need that attachment for the impeller to work (haven't tried it yet substituting media). The light is fine but people complain about it. It's enough to see perfectly well, just maybe not great for plants. That's how kits work. You get a nice tank but the components may not be super-great. But this one (and I'm sure the Marineland) is fine. People complain that the lid is plastic-y but I prefer it to the glass tops. You don't have to be all worried about damage.

Also you need LOW FLOW for Bettas since they're not strong swimmers and you have to hand feed them without the food and the fish being blown all over the place...and I'm not sure about that one but you can always hack filters to make them work to your specifications. Usually.

Regardless what you chose I recommend a simple sponge filter connected to an air pump. That's the Betta way. You need a check valve to prevent back siphoning and a flow control valve added to your hose. I use silicone hose SO MUCH BETTER than the standard one. Fits everything TIGHT but easy to connect.

Here's a complete thread discussion on exactly that topic/comparison where I laid out all the pros and cons for me...to someone shopping around like you! He ended up getting the Penn Plax.

Also consider your substrate. I tried sand for one of mine and he was swimming around covered in sand (I thought he got ICK) because his former owner gave him to me in a tank with a PLECO and CORY so every time they made a mess he wore it LOL. But it would probably be fine after I gave the other fish away but he's on Stratum now. Which severly drops PH so get something that works with your TAP water. Probably something inert, I'd recommend.Or water changes will be a nightmare. Also please allow a month to cycle your new tank the fishless way. If you have aquariums now you can use your existing media to jump start it. OR you have to keep him in a container and do water changes every 2-3 days or so. You could keep him in a large 1-2 gallon "bowl" but why go through all that drama instead of just waiting to cycle first.

LOL said "on my way to work" but still typed a wall of text!

Help - Best Aquarium To House Betta Fish?

 

I like my fluval spec v. It is a good shape for bettas. The filter may be a bit strong so you might need a baffle.

 

I have this same tank (actually I have the previous model which is pretty much the same). Because it is tall rather than long, it does make it a bit trickier to decorate and clean. The filter compartment is also not easy to clean because of how narrow the space is. But overall I'm happy with this tank. The filter flow can easily be altered with a sponge, the lid is aesthetically pleasing and covers the tank well. The light is not amazing but so far my plants have been doing fine (most have actually grown quite a bit). I do really like how the filter is hidden, overall this is a really good looking tank. But yes, it isn't really a 5 gallon tank, maybe closer to 4.

 

Hi! I'm on my way to work but I chose a different one because that one is very attractive but it's TALL and Bettas prefer WIDE (side to side). Also you're not really getting 5 gallons because the partition for the filtration comes out of the fish's swimming space. Same with Fluval Spec and Petsmart knockoffs (which are NICE but same problem). The Petsmart 3.5 Betta tank is REALLY nice but too small. I had all three and returned them. But the 3.5 was nice when my fish was a baby.

For ME, the "best" 5.5 gallon is the old school (like, from Petco) not a kit. But you have to add your own hood, light, filter etc.

Bettas come up to the surface for air so the long distance is not as easy for them as something a bit shorter. Now, both of mine are all OVER the place in a 20L and a 10 gallon but they have no choice and one is a juvenile LOL. But I have plants on top for resting areas.

That being said I bought a Penn Plax curved rimless kit because I wanted something a bit larger and found this one....although I use my own filters and light. . I bought the 7.5 gallon but it comes in smaller and larger sizes. I'm VERY happy with it.

There's nothing "wrong" with the kit components. The filter is fine but has carbon and I don't use carbon. Not sure if you need that attachment for the impeller to work (haven't tried it yet substituting media). The light is fine but people complain about it. It's enough to see perfectly well, just maybe not great for plants. That's how kits work. You get a nice tank but the components may not be super-great. But this one (and I'm sure the Marineland) is fine. People complain that the lid is plastic-y but I prefer it to the glass tops. You don't have to be all worried about damage.

Also you need LOW FLOW for Bettas since they're not strong swimmers and you have to hand feed them without the food and the fish being blown all over the place...and I'm not sure about that one but you can always hack filters to make them work to your specifications. Usually.

Regardless what you chose I recommend a simple sponge filter connected to an air pump. That's the Betta way. You need a check valve to prevent back siphoning and a flow control valve added to your hose. I use silicone hose SO MUCH BETTER than the standard one. Fits everything TIGHT but easy to connect.

Here's a complete thread discussion on exactly that topic/comparison where I laid out all the pros and cons for me...to someone shopping around like you! He ended up getting the Penn Plax.

Also consider your substrate. I tried sand for one of mine and he was swimming around covered in sand (I thought he got ICK) because his former owner gave him to me in a tank with a PLECO and CORY so every time they made a mess he wore it LOL. But it would probably be fine after I gave the other fish away but he's on Stratum now. Which severly drops PH so get something that works with your TAP water. Probably something inert, I'd recommend.Or water changes will be a nightmare. Also please allow a month to cycle your new tank the fishless way. If you have aquariums now you can use your existing media to jump start it. OR you have to keep him in a container and do water changes every 2-3 days or so. You could keep him in a large 1-2 gallon "bowl" but why go through all that drama instead of just waiting to cycle first.

LOL said "on my way to work" but still typed a wall of text!

Help - Best Aquarium To House Betta Fish?

Hmm, I do like that Penn Plax, but the more I look around at these special brands you can't find in stores I'm realizing you're really only paying more for the "look".

The petco tanks are...meh. The only brand I like is Aqueon there. They only really give you two choices. It's Imagitarium or Aqueon. My 10 gallon is an Aqueon LED kit. The basic filter they gave me, still works, and has such low flow I did at one point keep a betta in it no problem. I DO have the room for another 10 gallon, but I'd rather not have two 10 gallons to deal with and I'd rather not pay more money than I have to. I'm kind of on a budget.

I'm thinking my best bet is to buy the Aqueon 5.5 gallon kit. It has a good filter (and if it's too strong I'll just keep it as a backup filter and buy a different one) and is the same quality tank that Petco sells separate.

By the time I buy the tank, the hood, filter, heater, so on...so on. Gonna be well over $100. While if I get the kit, I only have to buy the heater because it includes the lighting, the filter, so on. I already have food, water conditioner, so on. I have an entire cabinet filled with supplies and various foods.

So for me I have a few options.

"Build" my own tank. Which will cost me well over $120. Which is fine, I just don't think it's really worth it.

Buy the 5.5 gallon kit, which is around $53 for the kit, and another $10 once I get the heater. Already have substrate but will likely buy new substrate. That is around $70 before fish which will be around $90 and I'm done. Not counting any plants, extras, so on I decide to get, but this still seems cheaper.

I could also order one off amazon, but my issue is that all these tanks serve basically the same purpose as the ones in store. The MarineLand I wanted, upon further inspection, has a flimsy lid, and has a light that is "too bright". Another lady said the filter HAS to be modified for a betta and as you mentioned, it is tall instead of wide. Which, I did notice and think about.

So I find little issues with every tank kit I'm looking at, which you mentioned.

So might as well buy the cheapest kit that has no major issues, and build off that.