Looking to buy a 20-gallon aquarium but don’t know where to start? You are not alone.
Since you landed on this page, you’ve probably realized that there are more 20-gallon aquariums than you initially thought.
What brand? Do you start with a modestly priced model or choose a high-end brand like the aqua one?
We’ve put together this list of we like 20-gallon (75-liter) aquariums. Each aquarium can be purchased online and delivered directly to your home. This list does not contain every 20-gallon model available, only the ones we like.
Marina LED Aquarium Kit
The Marina 20 US gallon aquarium is an absolute beauty.
It comes with everything you need to get started and has excellent support, and sound Marina is a trusted name in the aquarium world.
- Thin filter – quick and easy to clean and replace
- LED Lighting – One of the tank’s most significant selling points
- Temperature Gauge – A simple strip that sticks to the aquarium
- Nutrafin Max Food – Food the fish love
- Marina Care Guide – Basic instructions on how to care for and maintain your new fish
Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit
This starter kit is an excellent option for beginning aquarium owners. It is relatively easy to set up and use.
In addition, this aquarium is equipped with an Aqueon QuietFlow filter that provides four-stage filtration. This ensures crystal clear water for healthy, thriving fish.
The LED system provides white light to illuminate your tank, and the kit comes with all sorts of small samples you may need. The Aqueon team has thought of everything a beginner might need. They’ve also included a handy filter with a patent-pending LED that will tell you the perfect time to change the cartridge!
This kit includes the following items
- 20 gallon glass tank (24-1/4″ x 12-1/2″ x 16-3/4″) Made In USA – Wisconsin
- LED lighting
- Quiet Flow Pro filtration with a medium cartridge
- 100-watt heater that will keep your water at a constant 78 degrees
- Premium quality fish food
- Water treatment
- Small fishnet
- Thermometer
BIO LED Marineland wheel
This kit comes with everything you could need to start your 20-gallon aquarium adventure.
You can choose from three lighting styles, from daylight to cool moonlight.
It can work as a freshwater or saltwater tank, although the built-in lights will prevent coral growth if you choose saltwater.
The main features of the Marineland 20-gallon aquarium are
- Designed for easy access to feed and maintain your fish
- Low energy and mercury-free LED lights
- 3 LED settings – Night mode – Day mode – Blue light mode
- Penguin® BIO-Wheel® filtration system
- Lifetime warranty
Tetra Twenty Gallon Aquarium Kit
This is one of the coolest 20-gallon aquariums available. Tetra is well known in the aquarium world for its reliable quality and great products.
This tank has a Whisper filtration system to keep your water clean through a three-stage process: filtration activated carbon and Biofoam.
In addition, the ColorFusion model will cycle through different lighting colors or let you choose just one to light your aquarium.
All Tetra aquariums are made in the USA to the highest possible standards. The Whisper filter is a must for those who have aquariums in their room and have trouble sleeping. Everything you need to get started is included with your tank.
- Integrated LED light in the hood.
- Quiet filter
- Water treatment
- TetraMin food
- Digital thermometer
- Four artificial plants that your fish will love
- Tetra Mini water heater
- Artificial wood floor mat
- Small fishnet
Fluval Vista Aquarium Kit
This kit is also slightly off the 20-gallon to 23-gallon mark, but its continuous-sweep design makes it one of the most famous tanks.
This slow build-up minimizes the initial light shock of the day for your fish.
The tank also comes with a heater and thermometer and is recommended for freshwater use only.
Fluval 20-gallon fish tanks in the 20-gallon size are an excellent choice for new aquarists. Easier to maintain than smaller tanks, 20-gallon fish tanks offer enough space for various interesting fish species.
Maintaining consistent water quality in a 20-gallon aquarium is often easier than in a smaller tank. These tanks come in a range of shapes and designs, which means you can choose a tank that easily fits into the space you have for your home aquarium.
Buyer’s Guide
Choosing a tank
Before choosing a 20-gallon aqua tank for your home, think carefully about where you will set up the aquarium. This will determine the shape of the tank that is best for you. Remember, you don’t have to stick to traditional rectangular aquariums. You can also choose a tall aquarium to fit into a narrow space. Some 20-gallon tanks are curved, so you can have even more flexibility in choosing the perfect tank for your home.
There are 20-gallon aquariums made of glass and acrylic. Acrylic is a much lighter type of plastic than glass and can be used to make aquariums in a much wider range of shapes than glass. The main Cons with acrylic is that it scratches easily, whereas glass is scratch resistant. Acrylic tanks are also generally more expensive than glass tanks.
Installation
Many 20-gallon aquariums come in a complete kit that contains everything you’ll need to set up the tank and begin your life as a proud aquarium owner. If you purchase a 20-gallon aquarium kit, follow the instructions to set up your aquarium.
If you purchase a stand-alone 20-gallon aquarium, you will also need to buy support equipment before you can use the aquarium. Essential support items include a proper filtration system, appropriate lighting, and a water heater. Tropical fish thrive in temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees Centigrade, so you will need a heater that can provide this amount of heat.
In addition, to support equipment, you will probably also want some accessories for your 20-gallon aquarium. For example, you’ll need gravel to line the bottom of the tank, plants to help clean the water and provide oxygen to your fish, and ornaments to create an interesting environment.
Before setting up your aquarium, it’s a good idea to rinse out everything you plan to put inside, including the gravel. Use plain water without soap or detergent – these are toxic to fish.
Once all your equipment is clean, put the gravel in the tank. Use a plate or saucer to weigh out the gravel, then pour water over the plate or saucer until the tank is about one-third full. Next, hook up the overhead lines and other equipment, and arrange the ornaments and plants in your tank in a way that is pleasing to the eye.
You must leave the tank for three days before adding fish. During this time, the chlorine in the water will naturally break down, leaving the water safe for your fish.
Which fish?
Twenty-gallon aquariums are good homes for freshwater fish like guppies, platies, and neon tetras. You can also add bottom-feeding fish like cory catfish and bristlenose catfish. These fish are pretty hardy, and beginners, including children, can handle them.
If you choose to fill your tank with colorful neon tetras, be sure to purchase at least five or six individuals, as these fish are most comfortable in the company of their kind. Neon Grouse live in the schools of thousands of fish in the wild.
Avoid choosing too large or aggressive fish for your 20-gallon aquarium. Some people try to keep tiger barbs in 20-gallon tanks, but these aggressive fish can pinch the fins of other species. They are only suitable for tanks of 30 gallons or more.
Keep it clean
To keep your fish healthy, you’ll need to keep your aquarium clean and make sure the water quality stays high enough at all times. Before adding fish to the tank, it’s a good idea to use test strips to check the pH and nitrogen levels of the water. Make sure that the test results match the conditions of the fish you have chosen. You will need to repeat these tests regularly.
Once your aquarium is set up and your fish swim happily, you can begin your regular maintenance program. About once every two weeks, you should replace about 10-15% of the water in the tank to keep it clean. You should also vacuum the gravel to remove uneaten food scraps and other waste. Rinse your filter inserts and clean the sides of the aquarium with filter floss.
Simply watching your fish feed can be an excellent way to check the health of your aquarium. Watch for changes in behavior, such as aggression, floating, or fish swimming sideways. This can indicate health problems resulting from sub-optimal conditions in your tank. Also, be sure to count your fish – if some die and go unnoticed, they can decay quickly, causing nitrite levels to spike.
By paying close attention to your 20-gallon aquarium, you can be sure that it will provide a healthy environment for your fish to thrive. This tank size is perfect for beginners, including children, to get their first taste of aquarium keeping. Choose your tank today so you can begin the fun task of choosing which fish to fill it with.
Final Thoughts
We liked the Marina 20 gallon – it’s a solid tank with lots of extras. If you decide to go with this tank, we recommend contacting us to confirm the model of the tank (US or EU) as you may need to purchase a power adapter.