Setting up a tropical fish tank can be hard! Different fish will thrive in different conditions and, with such a diverse range of species, it's important to do a bit of research to ensure a healthy environment.
In this article, we'll discuss tank size, temperature and style, as well as heating, lighting and filtration systems. Along with a ranking of the 10 best tropical fish tanks in the UK on Amazon and Argos, you're sure to find one that suits your needs.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of tropical fish tanks available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Monster Shop | 2 Tetra | 3 ![]() Superfish | 4 ![]() Ciano | 5 ![]() Aqua One | 6 ![]() Aqua One | 7 ![]() allpondsolutions | 8 ![]() MarineLand | 9 ![]() Diversa | 10 ![]() Superfish |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Large Fish Tank | 105 L Starter Line Fish Tank | Start 30 Aquarium Tropical | Black Aqua 60 LED Tropical Glass Aquarium | Oak Aquarium Fish Tanks | Horizon Aquarium Fish Tank & Cabinet | Nano Tropical Ultra Clear Glass Aquarium Fish Tank | Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit | Professional Fish Tank | Qubiq Aquarium |
Features | An Extra Large 300 Litre Capacity With All the Necessary Accessories Included | A Complete Starter Kit From a Leading Brand | A Small Tank That’s Perfect for Those on a Budget | A Quiet Filter System That’s Ideal for Bedrooms | Complete Cabinet Setup in Light Oak, Grey or White | A Sleek, All-Black Cabinet to Tie In With Modern Home Decor | Keep an Eye on Water Temperature With the Inbuilt LCD Thermometer Screen | Unique Rectangular Tank With Hidden Filtration System | A Large Capacity Tank for a Bargain Price | Minimalist Design With Discreet Lighting and Filtration |
Price | £699.99 | £125.00 | £59.99 | £104.99 | £499.99 | £349.99 | £71.49 | £78.28 | £369.95 | £77.49 |
Capacity | 300 litres | 105 litres | 25 litres | 58 litres | 145 litres | 130 litres | 12 litres | 23 litres | 240 litres | 30 litres |
Accessories Included | Cabinet, filter, air pump, lighting, 300W heater, 25kg bag of gravel, decorations | Food, heater, lighting, in tank filtration system, water conditioner | Lighting, thermometer, heater, fish net, 2 x water treatments, food | Filter, lighting, heater | Heater, cabinet, lighting, filter | Lighting, filter, heater, cabinet | Filter, thermometer, lighting | Lighting, hidden filter | Lighting, stand | Lighting, filter |
Dimensions | 70 x 120 x 39 cm | 48 x 76 x 37 cm | - | 60 x 30 x 33.5 cm | 81 x 38 x 55 cm | 92 x 36 x 42 cm | 30 x 20 x 32.5cm | 30 x 29.5 x 43.3 cm | 120 x 40 x 50 cm | 32 x 32 x 42.5 cm |
Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Square | Tall | Rectangular | Square |
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The most important feature of a tropical fish tank is the heater. Tropical species need a water temperature of around 25 - 27°C in order to stay happy and healthy, so without a heater, your tank won't be a tropical tank at all.
You could always shop for a heater separately to convert a freshwater tank into a tropical one, but a tank with a heater included will be more convenient and cost-effective. Other useful accessories to look for are filters, lighting and thermometers. These are must-haves if you want to create the best environment for your fish. Plus, they'll make monitoring and cleaning the tank much easier!
Keep them satisfied with the Best Fish Food!
As well as maintaining an adequate temperature, choosing a tank with plenty of space is also incredibly important. Depending on the size of the species, the required space will vary, so it's always important to research your desired species first.
As a general rule, you should aim for a minimum of 2 litres of water per fish so that they have plenty of space to move and grow. As well as giving your fish more space, larger tanks are usually easier to clean.
It's a common misconception that smaller tanks are easier to maintain, but if a tank is too small, the filtration system will cycle the water much faster than it would in a larger aquarium. A higher volume of water means less frequent cleaning, so keep that in mind if you only have a few hours a week to devote to maintenance.
We've ranked the Best Fish Tank Filters to help keep the water clean and clear.
Rectangular tanks are the most common, with plenty of floorspace for ornaments and plants. The greater length means that tanks are also great for your fish, as they provide more space for them to swim horizontally. Since most fish swim back and forth rather than up and down, this shape allows them to make the most of the tank's volume.
If you're not planning on keeping too many fish or are hoping to house a single species, a tall tank may catch your eye. Tall tanks provide a unique look, but the horizontal swimming length will be significantly shorter. Even so, a few small fish could live happily in a tall tank. Plus, they're ideal for aquascaping as it allows tall plants more space to grow.
Square tanks are typically the smallest on the market, making them the best option if you have restricted space. Bear in mind that if you choose a square tank, the fish will have limited room for movement. So it's important to remember the 2 litres per fish rule to ensure you don't overpopulate the tank with obtrusive plants or decorations.
Decorate to perfection with our Best Fish Tank Ornaments!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£699.99
Capacity | 300 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Cabinet, filter, air pump, lighting, 300W heater, 25kg bag of gravel, decorations |
Dimensions | 70 x 120 x 39 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£125.00
Capacity | 105 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Food, heater, lighting, in tank filtration system, water conditioner |
Dimensions | 48 x 76 x 37 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£59.99
Capacity | 25 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Lighting, thermometer, heater, fish net, 2 x water treatments, food |
Dimensions | - |
Shape | Rectangular |
£104.99
Capacity | 58 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Filter, lighting, heater |
Dimensions | 60 x 30 x 33.5 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£499.99
Capacity | 145 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Heater, cabinet, lighting, filter |
Dimensions | 81 x 38 x 55 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£349.99
Capacity | 130 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Lighting, filter, heater, cabinet |
Dimensions | 92 x 36 x 42 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£71.49
Capacity | 12 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Filter, thermometer, lighting |
Dimensions | 30 x 20 x 32.5cm |
Shape | Square |
£78.28
Capacity | 23 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Lighting, hidden filter |
Dimensions | 30 x 29.5 x 43.3 cm |
Shape | Tall |
£369.95
Capacity | 240 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Lighting, stand |
Dimensions | 120 x 40 x 50 cm |
Shape | Rectangular |
£77.49
Capacity | 30 litres |
---|---|
Accessories Included | Lighting, filter |
Dimensions | 32 x 32 x 42.5 cm |
Shape | Square |
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
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