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Best Saltwater Aquarium Kit

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Published:  February 20th, 2022

A saltwater aquarium kit lets you create a gorgeous tank without much hassle – they contain everything you need to get started. Read on to find out which saltwater aquarium kits made our list of the best ones on the market!

Aquariums can be a beautiful addition to any home and a rewarding hobby. For basic setups, a small freshwater aquarium works best. But if you want something more advanced – with exotic and attractive fish – saltwater aquariums will be perfect. But where do you start to get a thriving, gorgeous saltwater aquarium? The easiest and most practical way to start your journey into saltwater aquaristics is to opt for a saltwater aquarium kit. These usually contain everything you need to get started – and make your job so much easier.

Take a look at our selection of the best saltwater aquarium kits and find one that will provide the aquarium experience that you have always envisioned.

1. Editor’s Choice: Fluval Sea Evo V Aquarium Kit

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Fluval’s modern and elaborate aquarium kit design has everything you need to get started the right way. The EVO V saltwater kit is a professional design that covers all the basics and gives you and your fish a big head start. The 5-gallon (19 liters) glass aquarium is perfect for saltwater fish and features a multifunctional canopy door for easy access and easy feeding. The aquarium is encased in a sleek, elegant, and unobtrusive aluminum casing, which protects it from accidents. Also, a nifty overhead LED lighting will make everything accented and easily adjustable to your flora and fauna’s preference. Fluval made sure that this kit came equipped with a powerful 3 stage filtration system that boasts mechanical, chemical, and biological filter media. The powerful filtration is hidden behind an attractive honeycomb casing. Here’s all you need to begin your long aquarium journey!

Pros

  • Modern and sleek design
  • Great overhead light
  • Powerful filtration
  • No visible components

Cons

  • Just one size

2. Runner Up: Tetra 55 Gallon Aquarium Kit

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Small aquariums simply won’t cut it for a proper marine experience and ambiance. A tiny aquarium is good for just one or two fish, but when you want something better, this Tetra 55-gallon tank is superb. It is perfect for numerous fish of different breeds and provides you with ideal possibilities for temperature regulation. The aquarium’s edges are protected with aluminum casing, and on top are two wide easy-access hatches. This is a great kit for beginner aquarium enthusiasts, as it is packed full of crucial components. A powerful WPF 60 filter ensures good water filtration, while a 200W heater helps you with the temperature regulation. With the included digital thermometer you can always keep it at optimal values. Alongside great LED lighting, and a few other important items, this aquarium kit is ideal for a quick and no-hassle setup.

Pros

  • All the basics included
  • Sleek and minimalistic design
  • Great size

Cons

  • The filter could be better

3. Customer’s Choice: MarineLand Portrait Glass Aquarium Kit

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Sometimes it is great to break away from the classic aquarium setups and try a different layout. This portrait-styled aquarium is a great option. Positioned vertically, MarineLand’s unique design has everything needed for the basics, while offering a modern and innovative look. Its special curved edges offer a uniform look at the entirety of the aquarium and its contents. On top is a sliding glass canopy that offers easy access without obstructing the view from the top. Hinged LED lighting will also ensure that you have perfect visibility at all times. You can also choose from daylight and moonlight settings – blue and white LEDs will create unique settings for each one. This saltwater aquarium kit also comes with an advanced 3 stage filtration system that is cunningly hidden out of sight so it won’t mar the overall look of your aquarium.

Pros

  • Hidden powerful filtration
  • Unique curved glass edges
  • Conserves space

Cons

  • Small size

4. Best Acrylic: SeaClear Aquarium Combo Set

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If you thought that aquariums are exclusively made from glass, you were wrong. This unique acrylic aquarium is much clearer than glass, which makes it easy to maintain and ensures a perfect view of all your fish. This acrylic aquarium is also 17 times stronger than the usual glass ones, which minimizes the threat of accidents and spills. It also has a decent capacity of 50 gallons in a horizontal setting, allowing you to get creative with the aquarium setting and the choice of fish. The kit comes with a reflector and an electrical 24” light fixture for the ultimate lighting. Acrylic also provides plenty of designing options, so you can choose from a variety of shapes, including the classic rectangle, a hexagon, or a curved edge “bowfront”. Different capacities are also available. One drawback here is that you’ll have to find a reliable filtration system separately.

Pros

  • Plenty of size and shape choices
  • Much clearer than glass
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • No filter included

5. Best for Kids: Koller Products Aquarium Kit

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The love of aquariums and exotic fish can begin from an early age. Thanks to this kids-friendly design, your teens can now take a shot at building up their very own aquarium setting. Koller offers a basic and thorough aquarium kit with certain details that are aimed specifically at younger users. Most notably, it is made from crystal clear impact-resistant plastic, which prevents accidental breaks that can happen with glass. It is also a one-piece tank, which dispenses with vulnerable seams and makes leaks a thing of the past. To make things easier for young and beginner users, a powerful filtration system is included. The powerful internal filter can purify water at a rate of 45 gallons per hour. Also included is a reliable LED lighting system that offers 7 dazzling colors to match the taste of every newfound saltwater tank enthusiast. And thanks to the aquarium’s small size, this kit is ideal for your child’s room!

Pros

  • One-piece tank
  • Durable
  • Great for beginners and teens
  • Perfect for tiny homes and rooms

Cons

  • Could be sturdier

6. Best Minimalistic Design: biOrb Cube30 Aquarium

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The unique designs from the biOrb brand were always the foremost thanks to their modern and innovative concepts. From circular bowl tanks and complex lighting and filtration systems, these modern designs offer the ultimate aquarium experience. This Cube30 design is a great mix of vertical and horizontal aquariums and is constructed from acrylic. This makes it much stronger and clearer than glass, thanks to its 93% transparency rating. The top eliminates the classic lid and instead offers a unique access hatch for quick and easy feeding. One of the best parts of this aquarium kit is its robust 5-stage filtration system. It covers biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration, and also oxygenation, and water stabilization. And with its long-lasting low voltage LED lighting, this aquarium kit ensures an ideal start to a new marine experience.

Pros

  • Smooth edges and great visibility
  • Powerful filtration system
  • Sturdy and stable

Cons

  • The access hatch good be better

7. Best for Beginners: Aqueon Fish NeoGlow Aquarium Kit

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It is easy to get lost in the detailed and interesting world of aquariums and exotic fish. It is a perfect hobby in many ways! But when you’re eager to create a perfect setting of your own, it might be challenging to get things right the first time. This superb saltwater aquarium kit is perfect for beginners. It really covers all the bases. The classic rectangular aquarium is strengthened on top and bottom and features a low-profile hinged hood for easy access and some classy LED lighting. The aquarium is equipped with a 50-watt preset heater to help you regulate the temperature, while an Aqueon QuietFlow Pro filter will keep the water quality in check. Also included in this kit are some goodies to help you with the ambiance – a black background, multi-colored gravel, and 3 vibrant fake plants are all you need for those first steps.

Pros

  • Covers all the basics
  • Good water heater
  • Included decoration elements

Cons

  • Limited capacity

8. Best with Overhead Lightning: Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit

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Lighting is crucial in an aquarium setting. It creates a natural environment for the fish, but also offers you a clear and atmospheric look at its contents. MarineLand’s unique concept is all about the perfect lighting and the perfect view. Roughly cube-shaped, it is different from their similar “portrait styled” tank and features smooth, curved edges that won’t break up your observation of the fish within. Overhead is a superb LED rail light that curves and lights the aquarium up from above. Thanks to this unique design, the light can penetrate every corner and light up every detail. The lighting can also be set up for unique daylight or moonlight settings. The tank is positioned on a wide square base for extra stability, and a clear glass canopy on top will ensure quick and easy feeding and access.

Pros

  • Curved edges for a better view
  • Rail lighting system
  • Hidden advanced filtration

Cons

  • Small

9. Best with LED: GloFish LED Aquarium Kit

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For the perfect aquarium ambiance, good LED lighting can offer so many benefits. Brighter than old-school lights, LED is ideal for nailing that coveted natural feel and look to an aquarium. This GloFish saltwater aquarium kit ensures you get it right from the start. The kit comes with great blue LED lights that nail that natural look and light up every corner of the aquarium. It also comes with a variety of fluorescent decor, which also helps you achieve a dazzling marine look that matches all your exotic fish. Besides all this, the kit is equipped with a reliable Tetra Mini UL heater, and with a Tetra Whisper 20 filter, which is powerful and quiet. The aquarium is made from durable and scratch-resistant glass and is quite robust. If you were aiming to bring your aquarium look to a whole new level, here’s the kit you want!

Pros

  • Unique fluorescent decor
  • Great filter system
  • Bright LEDs

Cons

  • Robust and heavy aquarium

10. Best with Digital Thermometer: GankPike Aquarium Kit

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Fish – especially the exotic ones – can be quite vulnerable to certain water temperatures. This is particularly important if you want a saltwater aquarium. To maintain a balanced water temperature, a digital thermometer is a crucial tool. This small-sized saltwater aquarium kit is ideal for a beginner and helps you maintain a balanced environment for a few fish. The tank is cube-shaped and has unique curved edges for a perfect viewing experience. Most importantly, the kit includes a reliable heater and a digital thermometer, giving you all the control you need over the quality of the water. And together with the superb overhead LED lighting, you can quickly establish a perfect little saltwater aquarium with a regulated quality of water.

Pros

  • Good heater-thermometer combination
  • Curved edges
  • Great lighting

Cons

  • Skimmer could be better

What to Look for in a Saltwater Aquarium Kit?

Setting up an aquarium for exotic and sensitive fish is not as easy as you might think. There’s a lot more to it than simply filling a tank with water. For the fish to thrive and enjoy the aquarium environment, you will need to ensure you’ve considered all of the factors. When purchasing your first saltwater aquarium kit, you want to make sure that all of the important requirements are met, as it will make the process easier and guarantee success.

Of course, one of the most important features is a good filtration system. These can be either 3 or 5-stage filters and will guarantee that the water quality remains balanced and optimal for the fish. Most of them are also easy to maintain and clean, which helps conserve your efforts and your money.

Another crucial component is a water heater. Together with a digital thermometer, it can ensure that the water in your aquarium is always at the optimal temperature. Fish are sensitive to changes in water temperature, so keeping things at an optimal temperature is crucial.

Last, but not least, is a good lighting system. No aquarium is complete with great light. It helps create a natural ambiance, but also makes everything inside the tank easier to admire. Long-lasting LED lights are your best bet – they are super bright and clear, and come in a variety of colors. This is ideal for when you want to achieve a certain look, or to mimic specific conditions a certain species of fish requires.

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Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Yes, the flat-faced pooches we know and love have not only myriad health issues but also shorter lives.

This App Helps Lost Pets Find a Way Back Home – Already Saving 8,000

PetRadar is a company like no other, helping desperate owners find their missing cherished pets. And now, after successfully reuniting 8,000 missing cats with their owners, the company has expanded to include missing dogs as well.According to the research done by  ASPCA, around 15% of all cats in the USA go missing over a five period. But that is not the worst of it. In just one year, around 10,000,000 dogs go missing in the United States alone. It is a truly alarming statistic, and PetRadar aims to change it for good. David Olthaar is the man behind PetRadar and created his brand almost spontaneously. The idea came to him when he saw a blurry “missing cat” poster on a rainy night. It was almost impossible for that poster to yield results. So he thought that a better way existed, especially in our day and age. And the result is PetRadar and its great success.  "We wanted to use social media ads for good. And what's better than reuniting lost pets with their owners?" David Olthaar said. Thanks to the benefits of the modern digital age, they used sponsored posts on social media to advertise the search for the missing cat in a 1km radius around its last address. The success was near instant. After the first missing cat was found, it became clear just how effective the idea was. "I remember when the first sighting of a lost cat came in. I couldn't believe it. Reuniting them was a beautiful moment. I was even invited for dinner as a thank you!"The idea soon became a major project and a successful worldwide system for finding missing pets. "After finding our 8000th missing cat, I knew we needed to start saving dogs, too!"So, after initially being named CatRadar, the company became PetRadar - expanding on missing dogs as well. And within a week, the first missing doggo had been reunited with his owners. We can only imagine the bright future that lies ahead of this project, and the happy end for many missing pets (and their owners) around the globe.

This Revolutionary Drug Could Help Extend the Lifespan of Dogs

In a groundbreaking trial that is set to launch in the United States, around 1,000 elderly dogs will be given a pill – in the form of a sweet treat – in the hope that their lives will be extended because of it. Behind this innovative work stands Loyal, a startup company based in Silicon Valley. They are currently gathering a number of senior dogs through a well-developed network of veterinary practices in all US states. The tests are set to launch before the end of 2023, after four years of complex studies.In this case, all dogs must be over 10 years old in order to be included in the study. The study itself is set to be a “randomized double-blind placebo trial”. The director of veterinary medicine at Loyal, the company behind this trial, Dr. Brennen McKenzie, said for  Telegraph that this will “probably be the largest clinical trial in veterinary medical history”.“We’re hoping to show that we can both increase the length of life and, more importantly, the length of time these dogs live healthy and happy and functional lives,” McKenzie states. “We’re looking at the length of time that dogs live on the drug and the placebo, hoping to show that we can extend their lifespan and also hoping to show that they develop less disease.”What the study will potentially show is that dogs who receive the drug will live one year longer - on average compared to those who are taking the “placebo” drug. Still, the length of life gained is only one aspect, Dr McKenzie said at the North American Veterinary Community’s Veterinary Innovation Summit in Kansas City. McKenzie also added that increasing health was their number one priority.“We think of lifespan as the amount of time that you live but healthspan is the amount of time that you have good health, good function, good quality of life,” Dr McKenzie said. “That’s clearly the most important thing”.All of this sounds quite “larger than life”, no pun intended. And, of course, with such advanced propositions, the trial drug and its contents are a closely guarded secret, especially due to commercial reasons. This will be the situation until the trial of the drug is finished. And if the drug happens to be as efficient as hoped, Loyal plans to place it on the market immediately, offering an affordable daily supplement that can extend the lives of dogs. “If we get through this four-year trial and we achieve our endpoints, the FDA will license us to sell this as a prescription medication and it will be the first medication ever to extend lifespan in any species,” Dr McKenzie said. “We are absolutely interested in a product that is accessible to the majority of pet owners.”It is worth noting that the drug in question was already proven to be safe for consumption, and there is a low risk of this potential supplement causing any unwanted side effects. Loyal is a company that has two other products in the works, and they are also scheduled to undergo extensive tests. However, work is not yet finished, and one of the two is expected to go on trial around 2026. 

Watch As Adorable Shelter Dogs Pick Their Own Christmas Toys

The holiday season is associated with traditions and festivities as we gather with family, put up festive decorations, and exchange holiday gifts. For pet parents, these traditions often carry over to spoiling our furry companions. But what about the thousands of pets sitting in shelters and rescues around the world, waiting for their forever home?One rescue based in Ireland has embraced a heartwarming tradition since 2017. Each year, Dogs Trust Ireland collects donations from the public. Hundreds of donated toys are placed in a room, and the pets are brought in one at a time to select their perfect holiday gift. They record the selection process, sharing the adorable footage on their YouTube channel for animal lovers worldwide to enjoy. “The reason we love making the video so much is that it’s so special to witness each dog’s individual reaction. Some burst in the door and scatter toys everywhere in an excited frenzy, and when they choose ‘the’ toy, they do excited zoomies,” explained Corina Fitzsimons, Public Relations and Communications Manager. “For dog lovers, it doesn’t get much better than seeing dogs doing Zoomies! Others prefer people and, after a sniff, will come over for cuddles. Then there are those who test every toy three or four times before picking, and many of the Collies who find a plain ball, throw it at our feet, and look at us as if to say, ‘Please throw human,’ which we are happy to oblige with.” This year, a total of 54 dogs were recorded as they carefully made their selection. While some dogs quickly found that perfect holiday toy, others took as long as 20 minutes to settle on a favorite. The organization promises that every one of the 264 dogs in their care will receive at least one toy during the holiday season, thanks to the generous donations they received.

Blue Ridge Beef Recalls Kitten and Puppy Food Due to Bacteria

Blue Ridge Beef, one of the foremost pet food companies in North Carolina, decided to recall their 2-pound kitten and puppy food because of a serious potential threat of listeria and salmonella in their kibble. The pet food in question was distributed to locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.Unfortunately, North Carolina Department of Agriculture discovered a serious issue when analyzing their product, realizing that one lot of each of the food products was positive for salmonella and listeria, on December 15th. This included kitten food lots “N24 1114-N24 1224”, of 2-lb logs of “Kitten Grind” (UPC 8 54298 00101 6), and “Kitten Mix” (UPC UPC 8 54298 00143 6). Also included was the “Puppy Mix” (UPC 8 54298 00169 6).The action was swift to pull these products from the shelves, as both listeria and salmonella can be very dangerous to pets who consume the contaminated food. It can also be harmful to humans who touch the food as well, especially pregnant women and children. Pets who get infected can suffer from vomiting, fever, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite, so if you notice any of these symptoms and your pet has been eating the food that is now recalled, make sure to take them to a vet for treatment ASAP.Luckily, the Blue Ridge Beef company announced that so far it has not received any reports of illnesses that are connected to this recall of food. Likewise, the company is not facing any legal action because of the recall. Pet owners who purchased this food are encouraged to contact Blue Ridge Beef company at  blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com for a full refund. Consumers can also get in touch with Steven Lea, from 8 am. to 5:30 pm. ET Monday-Friday at (704) 880-4500. 

Wildlife Center Wears Fox Masks When Caring for Orphaned Cubs

Bonding with an orphaned kitten or puppy is fine, not so much when you're caring for wildlife.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Has a Fever?

High fever is no joke, and can be quite serious – both for people and their furry four-legged friends. Yes, dogs can have a fever too, and it can be a much more serious condition for them than it is for us. Unfortunately, fever is not an ailment you can spot with your bare eye. Because of this, you will need to thoroughly observe your pet’s behavior and learn how to spot those little details that indicate a fever. Read on as we go through the basics of dog fever and just how to tell if your pet needs your help.Symptoms of Fever in DogsDogs, like humans, can develop a fever as a response to illness or infection. It’s the body’s natural way to fight off the “intruders” in the body. Fever comes in many forms and for various reasons. You can tell if your dog has a fever by observing their behavior and checking for physical signs. Here are just a few of the most common indicators.Increased Body Temperature: 

Martha Stewart's Persian Cat, Empress Tang, Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Loss of lifestyle guru's 15-year old fur kid now leaves her feisty feline, Blackie in charge.

UK Dog Is Recovering After 130+ Coins Were Removed From His Stomach

Missing any cash? An owner from Swindon in the UK did and was shocked when he discovered how his money went missing. The vets were equally shocked because they discovered that Charlie, the little  Bichon Frise, had eaten 133 coins, equalling more than £18!The mischievous little Bichon was taken to Thameswood Vets in Swindon, after the owners became concerned for his health, thinking he was ill. Their doubts proved true. A quick ultrasound revealed an obvious obstruction in the pet’s tummy. At first, the vet thought it was a piece of plastic, and scheduled an operation to remove the obstruction. But the surgery left him shocked. "It was a surprise for everybody,"  said vet Matheus Nerone, who carried out the surgery. Because once the stomach was opened, a “hoard” of 133 coins was discovered, adding up to £18 and 20 pence. "We opened his stomach and found 133 coins inside him," Dr. Nerone explained. "We did find some pieces of plastic there as well - but the owners had no idea that he had eaten the coins."Everyone was left scratching their head, wondering how on earth did Charlie ingest so many coins. "I don't think they had been there that long - maybe the night or two nights before he came in - because of the size of the obstruction there.” the Dr. said. "He felt sick so if he had eaten those coins a few days ago, he would have been sick before then."Of course, the doctor revealed that it is not uncommon for dogs to  ingest all sorts of things, especially loose change. "It does happen but usually they stop after having a couple of them [coins] - but 133 coins is an impressive amount!"Luckily, the surgery went well, and mischievous little Charlie is now making a good recovery. Thanks to the owner’s keen eye, a real tragedy was prevented, as Charlie could have been in big trouble without quick attention. "Many coins contain zinc which can be poisonous and lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and a lack of appetite," Dr. Nerone clarified. "We are monitoring his blood, but we are hopeful that everything's going to be fine."So next time you’re missing some change, consider all the possibilities!

Holiday Gifts for Dogs to Include Them in the Fun

It’s the gift giving season, and you’re thinking about all of the people you’ll buy presents for, but why not also add your canine companion to the list? With so many great products on the market, you can find the ideal gift for your dog so they can participate in the opening of presents with everyone they love. Here are some tips to help you find something that your pooch will get excited over.

Here Are the 10 Rarest Dog Breeds in America

Dogs are the most popular pets in America – deservingly, they are the most loved and affectionate furry friends, and their popularity as family companions never wanes. We all know what are the most popular dog breeds – and which evergreen breeds have been stealing hearts for decades back, but how about those lesser-known breeds? Which in particular are the rarest among them? Even if touting great qualities, some of these super rare breeds are simply hard to come by, and they are seldom seen. Thanks to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club ( AKC), we can now find out which dog breeds are as obscure as can be. Out of a list of 199 registered and accepted breeds, the AKC revealed the 10 rarest dog breeds in America. 10.  Pyrenean Shepherd9.  Cesky Terrier8.  Sussex Spaniel7.  Harrier6.  Azawakh5.  Belgian Laekenois4.  American Foxhound3.  Sloughi2.  Norwegian Lundehund1.  English FoxhoundDon’t be surprised if you have never heard of some of these unique breeds. They are rare for a reason! On the other side of the spectrum, looking at the most recent trends, the French Bulldog holds the number one spot as the most popular pet dog breed in America, with the Labrador and Golden Retrievers following close by. That’s a bit of a change, as the Golden Retriever long held the number one spot. Generally speaking, most people tend to go for more known and traditional dog breeds when looking for a purebred dog, but the world of canines is much more diverse, with plenty of unusual and amazing breeds to choose from.Ultimately, the popularity of a certain breed should not be connected with their suitability as pets. After all, many factors contribute to that – a great deal of pet parents, myself included, are proud to share their lives with a mixed breed pooch and the fact that they’re not a certain breed doesn’t make them any less perfect. Your four-legged bestie might be a more popular dog breed, a rare purebred, a hybrid designer dog breed, or a cute mutt – they’ll steal your heart either way!

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