The aquarium market has a lot to offer. The individual requirements, however, vary when it comes to different hobbyists, seasonal aquarists, and professionals. The aquariums that are developed in market today come in multiple shapes, sizes, and designs. An aquarium’s size can be anywhere between 15 gallons to 50 gallons in the market. The larger-sized aquariums are normally custom-made for special occasions.
In this article, we will only be targeting the 15-gallon fish tanks. Falling in-between the 10-gallon and 20-gallon range, a 15-gallon fish tank is still considered a small aquarium. In our opinion, a 15-gallon aquarium will always serve as a better beginner aquarium than a 10-gallon tank.
The 15-gallon fish tank, too, comes in multiple shapes and designs. From traditional, column, rectangle to sphere, there are just so many options to choose from. This article will serve as the ultimate buying guide for your 15 gallon fish tank kit. After this, we assure you that you will have no problem going about your purchase even as a beginner.
Most importantly, we will be linking you with our ultimate list of best 15 gallon fish tanks in the market – so you have all the variety to choose from.
There are multiple reasons as to why you may need a 15 gallon fish tank. From top of the list, a 15 gallon aquarium is the ideal choice for beginners. Some people will suggest the 10-gallon tank as the right choice. However, we believe that a 15-gallon fish tank offers more tolerance with water chemistry. If you don’t know this already, the larger the tank is, the easier it is to keep the water inside the tank stable. So, if you are just starting out on your hobby, it would be best for you to begin with a 15 gallon aquarium.
If you have a small office or an apartment, a 15 gallon aquarium can be a fine choice for such a space as well because of the size of these tanks. Moreover, this tank will also make the perfect size for a breeding setup for fish keepers, planning to level up their aquarist game!
Proving as a useful addition for even the experienced aquarists, a 15-galllon fish tank can be utilized as a go-to tank for emergency purposes. For instance, if you are an aquarist and one or more of your fish get sick, just put them in the 15-gallon tank until they’re fully healed. If you need to take them to a ichthyologist, just get the fish in the tank and you’re good to go.
An aquarium, regardless of its size or shape, serves as a great addition to your living/office area. Whether you want to up your room-aesthetics game or woo your guests now, that’s up to you.
How to choose the best 15 -allon Fish Tank
If you have decided to buy a 15 gallon fish tank then you should also know that choosing an aquarium is always a delicate task. It is delicate, primarily because if you end up making a mistake during your purchase, you are going to regret it. It will cost you time, effort, money, and ultimately cause frustration – and that’s not a pleasant feeling.
It’s normal to find yourself surrounded with interesting offers and promotions about aquariums – the heating, lighting, filtration, and what not. However, many a time, an aquarium kit may have a major flaw and you may not even know about it.
Therefore, we advise you to stay up-to-date with the following elements before finalizing your purchase:
Gallery/Lighting
Your aquarium comes with a gallery that should always have two compulsory characteristics. An easy and complete access to the content of the aquarium and allowing lighting of the aquarium. The gallery of an aquarium is the core component of your setup. It is near-to-impossible to change it once you’ve bought the aquarium.
Therefore, you have got to make sure that the aquarium you are getting, provides easy, hassle-free, and fast access to the content of the aquarium. You don’t want to get stuck or worry about opening your aquarium, or accessing its content. Secondly, the lighting must be extra-ordinary.
Some aquariums may come with sub-standard light bulbs, providing poor, expensive, and insufficient lighting. Your aquarium plants will need enough light to grow. Therefore, the quantity and quality of light must match the volume of your tank. Sufficient neon lights, in this regard, should do the job just fine.
Filtration
An aquarium filter will eliminate the organic waste that pollutes the water. Having a filter in the aquarium will allow you to only change 15% water in the aquarium per week. Without a filter, you will have to change the water every single day to keep it clean. That is how important a filter is.
The filters that are spread as a suction net under the aquarium sand should be avoided. They are moderately effective but they tend to clog. The small internal filters should also be avoided since they aren’t too effective.
Exterior filters are excellent in our opinion. However, they do require a small piece of furniture just outside the aquarium to hide. Also, the flow rate of your filter must also match the size of your aquarium.
Aquarium Aerator
An aquarium aerator or a bubbler in your aquarium is a very useful device. You don’t have to use them 24/7. However, a bubbler, also known as an air stone, will add beneficial bubbles and air to your aquarium water. These bubbles will in turn oxygenate the water, go up, and pop on the surface. It will help to improve the life-quality inside your aquarium for plants, fish, and other creatures.
You’ve got to make sure that the 15 gallon tank you are going for has the right volume as advertised. A standard 15 gallon tall aquarium will have 24 x 10 x 18 inches dimensions. They do come in different sizes and shapes so that’s something you will have to check yourself. A standard 15 gallon aquarium will have 24 x 12 x 12 inches.
Similarly, an empty tank would weigh around 20 lbs. and when filled with water, this 15 gallon tank will weigh around 170 lbs.
Heater
Heating is something to look out for if you want to keep tropical fish in your aquarium. These fish are more colorful and diverse than freshwater fish. The desired water temperature in such a case should be around 25 degrees Celsius.
Floor
If you don’t want to place a live plant in your aquarium, you may skip on this part.
However, if you want to place live plants, you must have a good soil/floor support. The soil will usually have a sand surface with 0.25 to 0.5 mm particle size. To be more precise, the soil bed can have an aqua base or a homemade mixture of clay, clay soil, and sand. Between the layers, you may place a plastic net and it will prevent the nutrient layers from rising.
General Information that Aquarists should know about a 15-Gallon Aquarium
Buying an aquarium comes with a plethora of opportunities to include a never-ending series of accessories to your setup. There are a couple of things that an aquarist should buy at the same time as the aquarium. For instance, a neon tube that will adapt to your collection, a landing net to catch fish, a thermometer to check the temperature, a water conditioner, a mechanical timer for lighting scene, nitrites, nitrates, pH and hardness tests, and more.
These are a few things that can benefit most beginners and keep them ready for all kinds of situations. Similarly, after your aquarium is on, you will have to think about buying live and floating plants for your aquarium – fish can use it as an alternative food if you forget to feed them.
The front of the aquarium can have small plants, a tree or two in the middle, etc. The plants must be compatible with the pH of your water. Your fish must be living in the correct water temperature. You will also have to consider how many fish you are going to keep in your aquarium without crowding it too much, and the list goes on. It’s a never-ending situation. And it’s fun.
Our favorite 15-Gallon Fish Tanks in 2023
When it comes to purchasing an aquarium, it is natural for an inexperienced person to get lost while exploring through the plethora of options available in the market. So, we’ve put together a diverse list that comprises of the best aquariums in the 15-gallon department. Let’s begin!
Lighting: Bright White/Sparking Blue and Color Enhancing LEDs
Comes With: Integrated timer, LEDs, Filtration chamber, Quiet submersible pump, and more!
This Biocube Aquarium by Coralife Store is hands down the best 15 gallon fish tank deal you can get your hands on. The best part; it isn’t just an aquarium – it’s a complete 15 gallon fish tank kit!
It comes with bright white LEDs for daytime, sparkling blue moon glows for nighttime, integrated 24-hour timer with three independent channels, and more!
Moreover, it has a compact and customizable built-in filtration system that’s easy to set up and maintain, a quiet submersible pump, and an adjustable return nozzle. Whether you are a beginner looking to avoid extra-exploration for your aquarium shopping or a full-time aquarist, this 15-gallon aquarium should have you drooling.
Pros
Comes with all the useful components.
Easy to setup
Looks amazing
Cons
It doesn’t include a heater – but you won’t need it unless you’re planning on keeping tropical fish.
Lighting: Equipped with a long-lasting, low voltage standard LED Light
Comes With: Acrylic body, 5 stage filtration setup, low voltage 12V Transformer, LED Lighting, and filter cartridge, air pump, water conditioner 5 ml, biological booster liquid and a 12-month guarantee!
This biOrb classic acrylic aquarium is an excellent 15 – 16-gallon fish tank – even okay for keeping advanced species of fish. If you are looking for a saltwater setup, this biOrb aquarium can be a natural choice.
Like other biOrb products, this aquarium too, comes with a 5-step filtration setup – providing clean water that is oxygenated as it flows back up the bubble tube to repeat the cycle. When it comes to design, it has a standard long-lasting LED light and a modern spherical look. The light, air pump, and the transformer are backed up by 12-month guarantee.
Our editors believe that this is the 2nd best 15 gallon aquarium you can get your hands on – our 1st choice being the Biocube aquarium.
Lighting: Multi-color remote controlled LED lighting with sixteen preset colors and brightness controls
Comes With: Acrylic Aquarium, 5-stage filtration, led lighting, contemporary design, filter cartridge, biOrb 12V transformer, water conditioner, beneficial bacteria liquid, and more!
We’re ranking this aquarium on third position only because the design of this fish tank isn’t traditional. In fact, we believe this biOrb aquarium packs the features of any ideal 15 gallon tall aquarium. It should be the ideal choice if you are looking for style and efficiency. It has a portrait-shaped design with seamless edging in glossy black, white, or transparent – it comes in three colors.
It comes with an excellent kit containing all your go-to filtration media. Any excess waste is collected and held in a filter cartridge at the base of the BiOrb.
The maintenance is breezy. All you will need to do is replace your cartridge every four weeks and change a third of the water. The pump and light do not pull much voltage either. This aquarium is a great choice if you need a smaller fish tank!
Lighting: Equipped with energy-efficient soft start LED lamp
Comes With: Aquaclear 30 filter, 100W heater, outside thermometer, water conditioner, biological additive, back-filter, and fish food.
This Fluval Vista 15 gallon aquarium features a beautiful panoramic design, an easy-feeding door, and offers breezy maintenance. It is an overall ideal choice for hobbyists who are looking for excellent aesthetics, simple maintenance, and a complete kit package.
The energy-efficient soft start LED lamp mimics the sun naturally by coming on slowly to avoid startling the fish. The manufacturers, Fluval Vista, recommend this aquarium for freshwater mainly.
The front of the aquarium is bowed and the front corners are round-shaped – giving the aquarium a very attractive look. Map your requirements onto this aquarium kit and see if it works for you. If it does, feel free to get this baby.
Pros
Quiet filter
Beautiful design for a glass aquarium.
Includes heater
Bottom plastic frame – no leveling mat for floor needed
Hinged feeding door at the front
Cons
No aquarium-gravel included.
The rear glass is clear – some aquarists don’t prefer that.
The LED light can be too close to the water at times.
Lighting: Equipped with 12” light fixture in hexagonal design
Comes With: Reflector, light fixture, and acrylic body
If you are somebody who likes to define your choice by quality, then this should be a great fish tank. However, please know that this aquarium comes with a light fixture that makes you apply a fluorescent bulb – which is not really ideal. However, this combo aquarium comes with a reflector, a light fixture, and it weighs half than a glass aquarium.
It’s more impact resistant and a safer choice if you have children and pets in the house. Moreover, its hexagon shape is a tranquil design.
Get this aquarium and you won’t believe how your decorations, environment, and fish will pop.
Pros
The acrylic is super clear
The aquarium is very light
Stable temperature
Absence of edges – modern look
Cons
The light fixture is not the best one – you may have to use an LED fixture instead.
Lighting: Brilliant illumination with fully adjustable 2450 lux LEDs
Comes With: Multistage filtration, contemporary design, and an integrated remote sensor
The Fluval 15 gallon flex freshwater kit has brilliant illumination. Plus, the quiet and multistage filtration is phenomenal. The aquarium has convenient features and a contemporary design – guaranteed to go with most interiors. The aquarium precisely has 48 white and 6 RGB fully adjustable 2450 lux LEDs that you can use to promote your plant’s growth – the 7500K LED lamp in specific.
Its 3-stage powerful filtration process is further powered by an oversized mechanical foam, carbon, and biological media.
When it comes to its design, the unique curved front creates the illusion of a larger aquatic environment. Making it a modern addition for any present home or office environment.
Pros
Attractive tank
Easy to clean
Quiet filter
Cons
The flow nozzles from the pump are on the same side as the feeding hole.
Lighting: Equipped with a convenient LED system – light touch with Day & Night Illumination
Comes With: A fully integrated LED lighting system, circulation pump with nozzle, BioMax insert, activated carbon insert, low-voltage transformer, and glass construction
Do not mistake this aquarium for the previous Fluval Flex aquarium by Hagen – this one’s pretty different. Our favorite part about this aquarium is that it comes with this beautiful and convenient day & night lighting option.
The Fluval Sea EVO fish aquarium packs the same features as any larger-sized tank whilst providing you with the ability to place it on any countertop. It comes with a 3-step filtration process with oversized chemical, mechanical, and biological media.
The easy-feed door, the beautiful design and fully integrated 14000K LED on this small fish tank makes this kit an ideal choice. If you can further add the Fluval heater and protein skimmer to your order, that’ll even solve your water temperature problems.
Pros
Comes with a brilliant day & night lighting option
Comes With: Just the aquarium – hexagonal design adds depth, increased luminosity because its acrylic
So, this one is another hexagonal aquarium we wanted to add to our collection. This isn’t a very high-end fish tank. However, the built-in background and design that it comes with adds to its greater luminosity.
It is an acrylic tank and that makes it 40% brighter, 20% stronger, and 50% lighter than most glass aquariums out there. The measurement from the flat center of one panel to the flat center on the opposite side of it is 15 inches.
If you are looking for something outside of the traditional, this qualifies as a nice candidate.
Pros
It comes with a lifetime warranty in case of leakage.
It’s made from the highest-quality finest cell acrylic.
Lighting: Color Fusion Universal Color Changing LED
Comes With: one UL heater, one Tetra Whisper 20 filter, LED, two wonderland plant multipacks, and one blooming white anemone
This Tetra ColorFusion aquarium is just what you need if you are setting up an aquarium specifically for aesthetic pleasure. Its beautiful universal color changing LED will sweep you off your feet. It is excellent. It makes your fish look good. It makes your plant look good. And as a result, it makes your room look amazing!
This aquarium is perfect for an aquarist looking for an appealing fish tank with a vibrant scenery. It’s also great if you are looking to break into this hobby.
All you need is a fish gravel and care items, and the rest is included in this kit! The anemones and decor plants it comes with will provide your fish with a place to hide and relax.
Pros
It is hands-down one of the best looking 15 gallon fish tank in the market!
Comes with a handful of accessories.
Cons
You’ll need to buy a gravel and care items to keep it going.
As we explained earlier, a 15-gallon tank is an ideal choice to go with if you are a beginner and trying to break into this hobby. Dwarf Corydoras, Barbs, Tetras, Guppies, Danios, and Platy Fish are some go-to choices for a 15-gallon tank. You see, as long as you are getting small, peaceful 1-2 inches fish for your tank, everything should be a breeze.
How big is a 15-Gallon Fish Tank?
A 15-gallon tank should normally have a standard dimension as 24 x 12 x 12 inches with 170lbs. weight when filled with water. Similarly, a 15-gallon tall tank, with emphasis on the term ‘tall’ falls anywhere around 20 x 10 x 18 inches and that too adds up around 170lbs. when filled.
What Pet Fish live the longest? Here are some Tips:
Among the freshwater fish, it’s the goldfish that lives the longest. In a healthy, proper environment, these fish can live even up to 15 years.
Similarly, a Goliath Tigerfish with sharp teeth and the ability to attack humans is one of the most difficult fish to keep – we’d advise you to avoid that one unless you are up for some adventures. Zebra Danios, Mollies, Tetras, Goldfish, and Guppies, etc. are some of the easiest fish to take care of.
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