By Jaron Hudson | [email protected] | December 22, 2025

Choosing an Aquarium

You want an aquarium, but which one should you go with? Here is a simple guide for choosing the best aquarium for your needs.

Step 1: Choose What Kind of Animals You Want to Keep

There are four main types of aquariums. Each will need different equipment and maintenance.

Step 2: Choose Where You Want The TANK

Once you've decided what kind of animals you want to keep, you should decide where you want to put your aquarium. Wherever you choose, make sure that there is a nearby electrical outlet and a solid level surface that can support the weight of your tank. Before putting in water, make sure there is enough room between the wall and the tank to accommodate all the equipment you want to use (some equipment may hang off the back of the tank). Avoid excessive ambient light as it can promote algae.

Here is a list of popular places to put a tank, and tanks that fit well in those locations.

On a counter or desk?

A small aquarium on your desk at work, at home, or on the kitchen counter can be an excellent conversation starter and a great option for people with limited space. Many small tanks work well in these spaces.

• Fluval Liv Aquarium
• Lifegard All-in-one Betta Aquarium
• Lifegard Clear Glass Aquariums
• Lifegard Ultra Crystal Clear Aquariums

In a small room against the wall?

These tanks are small and can usually be installed by a single person. You can also buy them with stands, so they can stand alone against a wall without needing a surface to set them on.

• Coralife BioCube Aquariums
• JBJ Nano-Cube Aquariums
• JBJ Rimless Flat Panel Aquariums

In a large room against the wall?

• Red Sea Reefer Aquariums
• Fiji Cube Aquariums

Other than aquariums such as the Red Sea Reefers and Fiji Cube Aquariums, which can be shipped directly from the manufacturer, it's best to buy drilled aquariums locally (they're not good online products because shipping will cost much more than the product). We carry the necessary plumbing, filtration, and sumps for use with these tanks.

As a room divider?

Many people use an aquarium as a room divider or peninsula, with both sides viewable. For these applications, a peninsula-style aquarium is ideal.

• Lifegard Crystal Aquarium w/ Side Filter

Step 3: Choose Where You Want The EQUIPMENT

There are three main types of aquariums based on where the equipment is kept.

Standard Aquariums

Standard aquariums are simple glass boxes. All equipment must hang on the back of the aquarium. This design works well for small aquariums with simple equipment, but as you add more equipment, the tank can look cluttered. Once the tank gets large enough, you won’t be able to find equipment that fits. Most people start with standard aquariums, which are excellent for beginners. We recommend a different aquarium style for any tank over 100 gallons.

• Lifegard Clear Glass Aquariums
• Lifegard Ultra Crystal Clear Aquariums

All-In-One Aquariums

All-in-one aquariums have a built-in filtration compartment that hides the aquarium equipment. Some also have a lid with integrated lighting. This style lets you maintain a clean-looking display while using larger, more effective equipment. Most all-in-one aquariums are less than 50 gallons.

• Coralife BioCube Aquariums
• JBJ Nano Cube Aquariums
• JBJ Rimless Flat Panel Aquariums

Drilled Aquariums

Drilled aquariums have holes drilled in the back or bottom of the aquarium along with an overflow box (also known as a weir). These tanks are designed to have filtration underneath the aquarium using a sump filter or Nu-Clear Canister Filter. This is the best option for large aquariums over 100 gallons.

• Red Sea Reefer Aquariums
• Fiji Cube Aquariums

Other than aquariums such as the Red Sea Reefers and Fiji Cube Aquariums, which can be shipped directly from the manufacturer, drilled aquariums are best purchased locally (they're not a good internet product because the shipping will cost much more than the product). We carry the necessary plumbing, filtration, and sumps for use with these tanks.