Keeping a pet in the house might be too much work. You have to feed them, clean after them, and care for them every day. Hence, in addition to house chores and work, you are kept busy with the animals you keep at home. However, the amount of love and satisfaction they bring to our lives is enough to consider the efforts worth it. The delight of keeping a pet is what makes us continue to love them, even when they are quite a pain in terms of maintenance and care.
There can be a lot of reasons as to why we get a pet, especially a fish. Taking care of a fish or a lot of them can be quite therapeutic to the mind and body. Moreover, they require the least amount of maintenance and care. All you need to do is feed them and clean their tank. Yet, even doing that sometimes is too much work, especially if we are kept busy and occupied by other things such as work or school. When you leave them to their own devices, they can starve, swim in their own dirt, or worse, die. You might just come home one day and find them dead, which is one of the biggest nightmares of pet owners.
If you want to have the tank cleaned even without you having to maintain it, a self-cleaning tank can help solve the problem. It helps you lessen the commitment and maintenance if you are a busybody and leave you only gazing at the majesty of your tank. Self-cleaning tanks have proven to be quite useful and essential for both the owner and the pet itself.
Cheap & Good | Our Favorite | Customers Choice | |
 |  |  | |
Product | biOrb Classic Aquarium | Back to the Roots Water Garden | ECO-Cycle Aquaponics Indoor Garden System |
Size | 13 x 13 x 13.2 inches | 13.4 x 13.4 x 9.5 inches | 25 x 13 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4 to 16 gallons | 3 gallons | 20 gallons |
Weight | 6.6 lbs | 6.35 lbs | 17 lbs |
Color | black | white | black |
Our Rating | |||
Why should I choose a Self-Cleaning Fish Tank?
There can be a number of reasons out there. For a pet owner, the most important thing in keeping animals within your care is maintaining them. If you are one of those people who does not like to make too much fuss when it comes to keeping a pet, getting a shelter that can clean up after them is a dream come true. Lucky for us, it is made possible by self-cleaning fish tanks.
They make the work easier for us pet owners and fish enthusiasts. Getting a normal aquarium alone may not be enough for busy owners. Plus, kids who love taking care of fish but are not that responsible to keep animals will find delight in this. Adults can easily leave them to get their own fish pets without them having to take much of a responsibility. Parents who are scared for the well-being of their kids and their pets will find self-cleaning fish tanks quite useful in this regard.
Normal fish tanks can easily get dirty, especially if there are a lot of fish in them. Hence, it requires quite a lot of cleaning and almost frequently. To avoid such dirty work, why not get a self-cleaning fish tank? They can get the work done without you breaking any sweat or even operating them. They are great for saving time and effort, plus reserving your energy for more important transactions and activities. Self-cleaning fish tanks are also great for the environment, especially kids who would like to explore the beauty of the underwater world. You can take the magic in your very own aquarium, without having to worry about cleaning it yourself.
The best Self-Cleaning Fish Tanks in 2023
The following are the best self-cleaning fish tanks in 2023, according to our review:
1st Back to the Roots Water Garden
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.4 x 13.4 x 9.5 inches
- Weight: 6.35 lbs
- Size: 3 gallons
- Color: white
- Lighting: none
- Comes With: organic seeds, water pump, Growstones, natural water conditioners, fish food, and a coupon for a Betta fish
The product Back to the Roots Water Garden, Mini Aquaponic Ecosystem, Self-Cleaning Fish Tank That Can Grow Food, provides a great gardening project for the family, especially the kids. It is a self-cleaning fish tank that comes with organic seeds, a water pump, some Growstones, fish food, water conditioners, and a special coupon for a Betta fish. This package is truly worth your money! Aside from that, it allows pet owners to have a water garden with organic plants inside the tank, so you won’t just get a home for your fish, you’ll get a garden too.
It is easy to install with convenience, where the organic seeds can grow just after ten days. You will also find delight in the fact that the fish waste serves as fertilizer for the plants in it. These plants will in turn provide a fresh and clean environment for our little sea creatures. There is also a money-back guarantee from the manufacturers. For an organic shelter for your pets, this product is perfect for you!
Pros
- Easy and convenient
- Organic
- Great accessories
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- May be susceptible to damage
2nd EcoQubeC Aquarium’s Desktop Betta Fish Tank
Specifications
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches
- Weight: 6.44 lbs
- Size: 1.5 gallons
- Color: Black
- Lighting: LED
- Comes With: Clear acrylic aquarium with filter, activated carbon bag, hydroponic growing medium sponge, basil seeds, LED color changing light, power cord, and adapter
For a healthy ecosystem, pet owners will not go wrong with EcoQubeC Aquarium. It is organic and supports a healthy and safe environment for the fish. It is low maintenance because it guarantees a self-cleaning operation with a self-sustained ecosystem in its midst. What’s more, it is practical and will delight those who are saving money and want their money’s worth with its one-year warranty program. This includes free replacements whenever you need it when it breaks within that time period. It even includes LED lights and remote control and is equipped with an aquaponics filter. It is also relatively easy to set up.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Low maintenance
- Natural Aquarium filter
- Customizable
Cons
- Susceptible to damage
- May require maintenance
3rd biOrb Flow Aquarium
Specifications
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 14.75 inches
- Weight: 7 lbs
- Size: 8 gallons
- Color: Black
- Lighting: LED
- Comes With: biOrb 12V Transformer, biOrb Air Pump, 8 Gal Acrylic Aquarium, Airstone, Ceramic Media 900 grams/2 pounds, Beneficial Bacteria liquid 5ml, Water Conditioner 5ml, Filter cartridge, Standard LED light unit
This flow aquarium from biOrb is made out of acrylic material, which means that it is stronger and considerably lighter. It is ten times stronger than the classic glass material with 50% more lightness, and a 93% rating for transparency. It comes in black color and can hold up to eight gallons of water. Its package inclusions are also quite complete, and all that you need for the setup. It also comes with an LED light, so you can observe the tank even at night time. It also performs the five stages of filtration, which include biological, chemical, mechanical, water stabilization, then oxygenation.
What’s more, it has a low power voltage since it uses only 12 volts.
Pros
- Strong and light
- Great water filtration
- Low voltage
- Complete inclusions
- Low maintenance
Cons
- May be harmful to some kinds of fish
- May have a faulty filter
- Can be noisy
4th biOrb Classic Aquarium
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 13.2 inches
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Size: 4 to 16 gallons
- Color: black
- Lighting: LED
- Comes With: biOrb Air Pump, biOrb 12V Transformer, 4 Gal Acrylic Aquarium, Ceramic Media 1 pound / 450 grams, Airstone, Water Conditioners 5 ml, Filter cartridge, Beneficial Bacteria liquid 5 ml, Standard LED light unit – small
Pet owners who also like the flare of having an aesthetically pleasing shelter for their animals with a touch of organic support, this classic aquarium from biOrb is a must. It comes in a round design with a silver color to match a sophisticated taste. It is made out of acrylic, so homeowners can be guaranteed a strong yet light aquarium. This self-cleaning fish tank also comes with an LED lighting that is long-lasting and one that uses low voltage that can be plugged in directly with the air pump, hence only one power outlet will be needed for the aquarium setup. The strong filtration provided, on the other hand, is also low maintenance and provides a healthy environment for our fish friends.
Pros
- Great filter
- Long-lasting LED lighting
- Low-voltage usage
Cons
- Loud pump
- Quite expensive
5th AquaSprouts Garden
Specifications
- Dimensions: 28 x 8 x 17 inches
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Size: 10 gallons
- Color: black
- Lighting: none
- Comes With: AquaSprouts Garden aquarium, light bar, pump, timer, grow media, resources, and support
This water garden tank is a great shelter for your little pets. It comes in black, with a considerably large size enough to contain ten gallons of water. The aquarium is designed with a modern touch, with no tools required for setup. You can easily place it anywhere in the room as well, as it matches in design. Furthermore, it is equipped with a removable light bar so you can put any indoor light to add up to the brightness of the water. The kit also includes a submersible 9.5 watts or a 120 volts per hour pump. It also comes with a 24-hour timer that users can set for a 15-minute interval. There is also a one-year warranty for all of the equipment.
A special Grow media is also provided for the aquarium, which serves as the support and an alternative for traditional gardening soils for the plants. It traps food waste as well as fish waste and is very healthy for pets. A step-by-step resource and support guide for setup is also included, where you can see details of the warranty and how to contact the manufacturers should the product face any damage.
Pros
- Natural aquarium
- Self-cleaning with plants
- Adjustable drain extenders for a quiet water flow
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Cheap materials
- May require more maintenance
6th ECO-Cycle Aquaponics Indoor Garden System
Specifications
- Dimensions: 25 x 13 x 10 inches
- Weight: 17 lbs
- Size: 20 gallons
- Color: black
- Lighting: LED
- Comes With: Fishtank, instruction manual, LED light
An indoor garden is made possible for your fish friends with this ECO-Cycle Aquaponics Indoor Garden System with LED Light Upgrade. It can contain up to 20 gallons of water, which also comes with an LED light for your water’s brightness. It weighs about 17 pounds, with an instruction manual for an easy setup. It is made out of plastic and metal, with a closed-loop system that allows plants to grow inside. The fish fertilizes the plants, while the plants get fertilized by the fish waste. It is a healthy ecosystem that uses aquaponics in its system. It is very ideal for kids who want to grow their own plants and take care of their own fish.
Pros
- Programmable LED lights to help with plant growth
- Great customer service
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Inadequate instructions
7th As Seen On TV 56028 My Fun Fish Tank
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 10 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Size: 0.5 gallons
- Color: white
- Lighting: LED
- Comes With: My fun Fish Tank, riverbed stones, 1 white LED light, 1 aquatic plant
This self-cleaning aquarium is from the manufacturer As Seen On TV. It is small, with only 1 pound in weight, and can hold only 0.5 gallons of water, making it a perfect fish tank for little kids who are in awe of sea creatures. It is very organic, as it comes with an aquatic plant for you to set up. It is a delight for little kids, especially in the effort of teaching them how to grow plants and care for their pets. It is also equipped with a white LED light for viewing at night, which can also serve as a perfect companion and a night light for little kids. The disposal tube will automatically filter the dirty water once new water is added up. What’s more, it is very low-maintenance, so the owner is given not much responsibility at all when it comes to regular cleaning.
Pros
- Low-maintenance
- Perfect for kids
- Oxygenates and cleans water
Cons
- Too small
How do I choose the best Self-Cleaning Fish Tank?
If this is your first time trying out this kind of fish tank, you need guidance on how to find one. If you have tried purchasing one before and failed in doing so, this guide will help you make it right the next time. Choosing only the best product with enough considerations for its ability is certainly a must to save money and time. If you love fish as much as we do, making the right decisions for their well-being is something that we must do. Hence, here are some of the things to consider in choosing the best self-cleaning fish tank out there:
Aquarium Materials
The materials for the aquarium must, of course, be safe enough for the fish. It should also be of quality so as not to forsake the health of the fish. As pet owners, we worry a lot about their well-being. For this reason, considering the quality, safety, and choice of what to put in the aquarium must be a priority. The self-cleaning tank must go well with the other materials in the aquarium. Furthermore, you should be able to pick out only the best materials possible. Even if you are running out of budget, be sure to choose cheap yet quality material for the aquarium. Moreover, if you are thinking of purchasing an aquarium, make sure that is it equipped and made out of great material.
Size
The space of your aquarium must be able to hold the number of fish you are going to place in it. It should give your pets plenty of room to swim up and about so as not to make them feel constricted. A small aquarium may also cause a shortage of oxygen, therefore resulting in the death of your pets. Make sure to get the right size for the number of pets you want to live in it. The aquarium is the abode of the fish so, like your home, it should be sufficient enough for them. A constricted space may also cause the fish to be bored, therefore generating fewer activities for the sea creatures.
Lighting
Lights are great when designing an aquarium. Even in the dark, you can observe the movements of the fish, and they make great company for the night when you are about to go to sleep. The light inside it can also serve as a night light for you, so you do not feel alone in the room or in the house itself. For this reason, you also need to consider the lighting in the tank. Good lighting can either make or break the aesthetic of the aquarium. Furthermore, such a selection of lighting can significantly affect also the well-being of the fish. You can get something bright, but be careful in its wiring and energy consumption.
Shape
The shape of the aquarium is an important factor to consider. A circular or a rectangular shape will depend on your preference, but the essentials must be considered as well. A circular one may be better suited for one or two sea creatures, but a rectangular shape may be well suited for more. Rectangular shapes are more popular, and they can withhold a lot of creatures at once. They also provide great space for the fish so they can swim back and forth to their heart’s content. Furthermore, the shape is a great contribution to the design of the room. There are a lot of shapes available apart from circular or rectangular shapes, so you can experiment with a lot of them. However, sophisticated ones may do more harm to the fish than to your aesthetic, so consider that factor as well.
Quality
Of course, the first thing to consider when picking out a tank or an aquarium is the quality. It would be a waste to get one that will easily leak or break, which would be a headache to prevent, especially if no one is at home. You might just end up finding your fish or pets dead on the floor. The quality must be safeguarded, so if you are thinking of getting yourself a self-cleaning tank, choose one that will not leak or break after a short time. It should also be able to withstand the weight of the water.
Find a good quality material for your tanks such as glass or acrylic. Glass materials are cheap and scratch-resistant, while aquariums made out of acrylic are lighter and stronger.
Price
For everyone who likes to keep pets for companionship or as a hobby, practicality is a must as well. In this economy, the budget should be kept tight and followed so as not to overdo expenses. When choosing the best quality self-cleaning tank, you should consider its price as well. There are products and brands out there that are cheap yet of quality. However, there are also those who promise quality but are too expensive. Being smart about what you should choose in terms of your price range is a must when keeping pets in the house. Who knows, you might even get duped at getting an expensive yet low-quality one.
Warranty
To make sure that you are given utmost care and support as a customer, consider getting a product that promises a great time warranty in case it breaks down due to quality. It is a great strategy to ensure that you get your money’s worth. The warranty of the product that you want to purchase must help you get a trial and error on the tank that you like. Furthermore, the company must also honor such promises as well. If you are thinking about getting a tank, check its warranty offer as well so you do not get cheated out of its quality.
Do self-cleaning aquariums need to be cleaned?
Self-cleaning fish tanks and aquariums require little to no maintenance. Hence, they can go on even without you cleaning them up. The plants will help clean the environment, plus the water filter will dispose of the dirty water. Self-cleaning aquariums come with different parts that ensure automatic cleaning, so you do not have to worry about cleaning them. Depending on the product, you might need to clean it every once in a while if there is any excess dirt. They are prone to algae growth, so you may have to clean them to get rid of such. All in all, however, you do not really need to clean them at all.
What are self-cleaning Fish Tank Types?
There are two types of self-cleaning Fish Tanks:
Gravity-based Aquarium
One type of self-cleaning fish tank is the gravity-based aquarium. This type of self-cleaning tank makes use of a pump to filter the dirty water from the clean ones when you add them. Owners simply have to add in new water and the dirty water will automatically be disposed of. This does not harm the fish, however, if you are worried about that. Some of its pros are that it is convenient, low-maintenance, and healthy. However, they might be susceptible to toxin build-up and algae growth, especially in small tanks.
Water Garden
Another type is the water garden. It is a tank that makes plants clean the water. Plants are grown in the garden where it serves as the absorbents of fish waste, therefore safely cleaning the water. It is great for the ecosystem and environment of the little fish. Plus, it is great training for small kids who are starting to care for organisms. It is also quite sustainable as well, in terms of keeping the environment naturally cared for. However, some of its disadvantages are algae growth, thorough cleaning difficulties, and unstable water parameters.
