10 Best Aquarium Starter Kits 2025: According to Reviews | Chewy

The 10 Best Aquarium Starter Kits

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How we created this aquarium starter kit list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best aquarium starter kit.
We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best aquarium starter kits.

Key aquarium starter kit considerations

Filtration System

Lighting

Tank Size

Water Quality Testing

1
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal
Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal

Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit, Black, 5-gal

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
128
$72.99Chewy Price
($14.60/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.5/5
Great

Lighting

4.4/5
Great

Tank Size

4.5/5
Great

Water Quality Testing

4.4/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Acrylic, Plastic

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Goldfish
2
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal
Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal

Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit, White, 9-gal

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
52
$116.99Chewy Price
($13.00/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.5/5
Great

Lighting

4.6/5
Excellent

Tank Size

4.7/5
Excellent

Water Quality Testing

4.5/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

9-gal

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Discus
3
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
140
$74.49Chewy Price
($14.90/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.2/5
Great

Lighting

4.2/5
Great

Tank Size

4.1/5
Great

Water Quality Testing

4.0/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Betta, Tropical Freshwater
4
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal
Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal

Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit, 10-gal

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
138
$93.86Chewy Price
($9.39/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.2/5
Great

Lighting

4.1/5
Great

Tank Size

4.3/5
Great

Water Quality Testing

4.1/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

10-gal

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
5
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
60
$124.99Chewy Price
($25.00/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.5/5
Great

Lighting

4.3/5
Great

Tank Size

4.7/5
Excellent

Water Quality Testing

4.2/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
6
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal
Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Marina iGlo 5G Aquarium Kit, 5-gal

Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
16
$80.48Chewy Price
($16.10/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.1/5
Great

Lighting

4.0/5
Great

Tank Size

4.1/5
Great

Water Quality Testing

4.1/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Discus
7
Zoo Med Betta Habitat Kit, 3-gal

Zoo Med Betta Habitat Kit, 3-gal

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
4
$70.54Chewy Price
($23.52/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.4/5
Great

Lighting

4.1/5
Great

Tank Size

4.4/5
Great

Water Quality Testing

4.4/5
Great

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

3-gal

Fish Type

Betta
8
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal

Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Rimless Aquarium with HOF-1 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
1
$186.90Chewy Price
($37.38/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.6/5
Excellent

Lighting

4.6/5
Excellent

Tank Size

4.6/5
Excellent

Water Quality Testing

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass, Plastic

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
9
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal
Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal

Lifegard CRYSTAL Beveled Edge Low Iron Aquarium with Built in Back Filter, 5-mm, 4-gal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
1
$155.89Chewy Price
($38.98/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.6/5
Excellent

Lighting

4.6/5
Excellent

Tank Size

4.6/5
Excellent

Water Quality Testing

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass, Foam

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

4-gal

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
10
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal
Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal

Lifegard Clear Glass Rimless Aquarium with HOF-2 Hang On Filter, 5-mm, 5-gal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
1
$127.73Chewy Price
($25.55/gl)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Filtration System

4.6/5
Excellent

Lighting

4.6/5
Excellent

Tank Size

4.6/5
Excellent

Water Quality Testing

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium starter kit right for my pet?

Material

Glass, Plastic

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Capacity (Max)

5-gal

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater