In the world of fish care, finding an aquarium to suit your needs comes with its own challenges. In the quest to find the best fish tanks there are different roads to uptake. There are many options and ways to treat your fish, and there is no absolute right answer. Everything is relative to you and your fish’s specific needs.
Best small fish tank
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A glass aquarium kit with a sleek design and curved corners. Best choice for beginners thanks to its filtration and lighting system.
- Aesthetic and good looking
- All-rounder kit with anything you need
- Filter is silent and powerful
- Well build glass instead of plastic
- Not suitable for plants that require much light
However, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a product to uphold a standard quality of tanks. You can’t really just buy a cheap 5 gallon fish tank and call it a day. There is a lot of effort and research that needs to be put on so your fish won’t suffer the consequences.
Our team is dedicated to doing that research for you and learn through trial and error the qualities of each product we review. During that research, we stumbled across the Marineland Contour.
Walls Material | Glass |
Shape | Cube with round corners |
Color | Clear/black |
Style | Modern/Cube |
Size Options | 3 / 5 Gallon |
Light | Rail Light |
Filter | Marineland Rite-Size Z Filter |
Heater | No |
Air Pump | Yes |
Lid | Yes |
Accessories/Decor | No |
Require aquarium stand | Yes |
Ideal For | Freshwater and saltwater |
Extras | Daylight/moonlight LED light settings |
Marineland Contour Overview
Out of many small fish tanks, there’s one that ought to catch your attention. Whether you just want cool fish tanks or fish tanks that just do the job, Marineland Contour is the way to go. We looked through many nano aquariums and out of many this seemed like a perfect choice for people that are just getting started in fish care.
This kit comes with basically most of what you need when you’re setting up a freshwater aquarium for the first time, so you won’t need to make extra purchases. It’s a good economic and can’t-go-wrong-with choice. The Marineland aquariums series comes with several products to fit into different conditions.
Below you’ll find our reviews of the Marineland Contour 3, The Marineland Contour 5 as well as a comparison with the Marineland Portrait. Each of these serves its own purpose and although they might have similar qualities, the difference is made by different use scenarios.
What’s in the box?
All these kits come with most things you’d need.
- Marineland Contour 5 and 3 gals: This aquarium kit includes a three-stage Marineland hidden filtration system featuring an adjustable flow filter pump, EED, sliding glass canopy, and Marineland Bio-Foam.
- Marineland Portrait: The kit includes Marineland’s 3-stage hidden filtration with a Rite-Size Z Cartridge, Marineland Bio-Foam, and an adjustable flow filter pump.
Marineland Contour 3 Gallon
If you’re looking for a really small aquarium that can fit in the tightest places of your home you’re in luck. Even though not the best option for bigger fish or a load of them, if you’re looking for a small and light option for one of your Bettas or Betta fry until they grow, this is the way to go. You have more stocking options than that, choose the best fish for 3 gallon tank as they can do better and live longer in such a small size.
Obviously, the main thing you get in the box is the aquarium itself. It’s nice and sturdy with a secure lid that is definitely child/pet proof and is easy to operate when feeding your fish. This tank is one of the smallest tanks you can get, so make sure to treat it as such. Be mindful of the size to gallon ratio and check on your fish from time to time to make sure everything is okay.
Fortunately, there’s a filter in the box and a good one too. It’s silent so that’s one less thing to worry about. It might be a little bit too strong, and if that’s the case you can always pull the end of the filter off so the water will leak outside instead.
Getting fish for the first time might be time-consuming but expensive as well. So the more things you get in the box the better, especially if they do their job right.
As for the lighting, these aren’t the brightest lights you’ll ever see. However, they do just great with low light plants but maybe aren’t the best choice if you’re looking to grow plants with higher needs. However, if necessary the tank has plenty of space if you want to upgrade the lighting.
Overall this tank suits immediate needs and won’t have a problem housing a small fish or fry Bettas until they grow enough to upgrade to a bigger tank. It’s a good tank that’s easy to maintain and it can fit in tons of spaces and an especially good choice if you want to keep fish but don’t really have the time for it. It’s a minimal effort choice that will look really good as well.
Marineland Contour 3 dimensions: 9.5 x 10 x 10 inches (LxWxH)
Marineland Contour 5 Gallon
This 5 gallon fish tank is the solid choice for most. It’s a solid, well-made product that will surprise with its quality and surpass expectations. It’s got a sleek design and curved corners that make it look really classy and show off the mastery of the built.
A 5-gallon aquarium might not seem big, but it’s exactly the recommended size to hold Bettas and it’ll be a good long-lasting home for them. Other fish for 5 gallon tank can be a great addition to Marineland Contour 5 Gallon.
There’s a hidden compartment that doesn’t really take up much swimming space for your fish but allows for supplementary filter equipment besides the one that the box includes. However the compartment isn’t appropriate for a heater, so you’ll have to put the latter somewhere not visible in the primary part of your aquarium.
The filter is silent as well and they seem to have nailed the power on this one and it has flexible settings as well to suit any type of need.
As for the lighting, it consists of white and blue LED’s meaning you can keep them on all the time without disturbing the fish. It won’t have a problem with low-light plants and might only need an upgrade if you think of putting plants that require more light. However, the glass lid adds to lighting so everything will be super easy to handle.
Overall this tank fulfills most requirements of you or your fish with little to no compromise. It’s one of the best 5-gallon fish tanks for Betta and a great option in several circumstances.
Marineland Contour 5 dimensions: 11.75 x 11.75 x 16.75 inches (LxWxH)
Marineland Portrait vs Contour
The company in question makes great products, and they might be confusing to choose from at times. The Marineland Portrait 5 gallon glass led aquarium kit, is an amazing alternative to the Marineland Contour and checks all boxes making it one of the best small fish tanks in the market.
When reviewing these products, it was somewhat difficult to distinguish them, and we didn’t find any major difference between them. We came to the conclusion that both options are viable to any fish owner and the main difference isn’t a deal-breaker at all.
When it comes to pricing, there’s not much to compare, a 5 to 10 dollar difference is irrelevant. When you get the boxes, everything is pretty much the same, you get the lights, the filter, the tank, power adapter, and such with no obvious difference.
However, you’ll notice the difference in edges and design. There’s some sort of class that’s more apparent in the build of Contour, but that might just be my personal taste so keep in mind to check the design to see which one you like best.
The main difference lies in lighting. The wattage and number of LED are the same, but the layout changes. There’s a flatter and wider light on the Portrait and a more narrow and rounded system on the Contour. That means a slightly better light distribution and easier in the eyes.
In the end, we recommend going with the one that’s easily available to you because the changes between the both aren’t as deciding for there to be a better product overall.
Features of Marineland Contour
The Marineland Contour is an excellent tank for both novice and seasoned Betta keepers. You’ll also receive a filter and lighting system in the box. Our team after testing the product came up with several things you need to keep in mind before you make your purchase. Below you’ll see all you need to know for this tank in order for you to make the right choice for your fish.
The Tank
The Marineland Contour 5 Gallon warms the recommended tank size for Bettas, which is 5 gallons. In addition, the tank itself is exceptionally well-made. The tank’s curves around the corners give it a great sense of sophistication, and you can tell it’s well-made.
The design is easy on the eyes and can fit in well in any setup with no problem. It’s got a glass lid which gives it such a nice touch considering in most tanks it’s plastic.
Filtration System and Pump
The extra space for the filter is fantastic. Because there’s some spare room, you may utilize it to add more filter media if you like. You also won’t have to bother about replacing the filter on this tank. It has changeable settings and your fish won’t have any issues with it.
You’ll have crystal clear water in no time with mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.
LED Lighting System
The lights are the main attraction to the Contour tank. The rail light in this aquarium allows for simple access to the lights while delivering adequate lighting. It has two settings that imitate daylight and moonlight providing the perfect lighting regardless of the time. Together with the timer, you can automate this process with no problem.
Price
Although we want our fish to live in the greatest possible home, not everyone has limitless funds to adjust to any price point in the market. Usually, a low price comes with drawbacks but when it comes to this kit, you don’t have to compromise on quality. There’s no greater pleasure for a fish-caretaker than knowing your fish have a strong and safe home at a fair price, and you haven’t spent a fortune in the process.
Design
The aquarium’s overall appearance is one of its strongest selling features. When it comes to sheer appearance, Marineland has beaten any cube aquarium kit, and the results are stunning. The glass, which is an extremely significant aspect of this aquarium, is high quality, giving the tank a certain elegance that isn’t present on plastic tanks. Your cherished fish will stand out in this aquarium, and they’ll be basically -fishing- (pun intended) for compliments.
Alternatives
We have already told you a lot about Marineland Contour. However, we don’t want to deprive you of other alternatives. This way, you can make an informed decision and find a suitable aquarium for your needs.
Fluval Spec V
Compact design
Durable etched glass
Water flow adjustment
High quality LED light
The Fluval Spec V is the way to go if you don’t want a larger tank and prefer a clean, professional appearance. It comes with everything you need and is styled in a sleek form that’s ideal for spaces with a clean look.
It’s not heavy at all, at 5 gallons, so you won’t have to go shopping for stands, and it’ll be easy to carry if you like to change things up in your interior often. Overall it’s a nice tank with decent equipment that is likely to be a favorite.
Fluval Flex
Proper filtration system
Flexpad remote control
Nice sleek design
Sufficient lighting
However, if you’re searching for something comparable but larger. Fluval Flex is your best shot. The size and design are the primary differences between this and the Marineland Contour. It also comes with all of the necessary components, including LED lighting and a three-stage filtration system.
The Flex has a lot of style, and it fits in most environments, especially in modern ones because of its unusual shape. Aside from its appearance, this tank has a larger capacity and can hold more fish or provide more open space for your single fish to swim in. Overall, it’s a fantastic option that is devoid of flaws in every category, requiring no compromises.
Marineland Portrait
Silent Filter
Seamless edges
Sleek design
Extra space
Last but not least, the Marineland Portrait aquarium. It’s an excellent tank for both new and seasoned fish-keepers. You’ll also get a filter and lighting system in addition to the tank that is just as good as the ones we talked about for the Contour.
The unboxing experience is basically the same and most features are apparent here as well. It’s got such a similar form factor and built that we recommend getting whichever is available to you, for there are no compromises in whichever choice you make.
Conclusion
As for our last words, we need to emphasize the fact that all the options above are viable and suitable depending on your own situation. The Marineland Contour is one of the best 5-gallon fish tanks for Betta and one of the best fish tanks overall. It’s got its own pros and cons and isn’t a wrong option under any circumstance.
Best small fish tank
ON SALE! | Check Price | |
Check Price |
A glass aquarium kit with a sleek design and curved corners. Best choice for beginners thanks to its filtration and lighting system.
- Aesthetic and good looking
- All-rounder kit with anything you need
- Filter is silent and powerful
- Well build glass instead of plastic
- Not suitable for plants that require much light
Make sure to have your ideas clear in your head of what you want and what your fish need so your choice can be as clear as possible. We assure you, you’ll be beyond satisfied with any of the products mentioned above and you can be sure they’ll last quite a while. In the end, your choice is yours to make, and we were glad to contribute to a home for your cherished fish.