Best Aquarium Starter Kits (2026): What Each Includes and Leaves Out
The best aquarium starter kits from 5 to 20 gallons, compared on exactly what is in each box, which ones include a heater, and the gear you still need to buy.
Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon or to the maker's own store. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; links to makers' stores earn us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.
The Aqueon 10 gallon starter kit is the aquarium kit we would buy for a first tank. Most kits give you a tank, a lid with a light and a basic filter, then leave out the heater that every tropical tank needs. Aqueon's 10 gallon kit includes a 50 W heater preset to 78°F and a thermometer, along with a SmartClean filter, an LED hood, a net and food. It is sold by Amazon.
Below is the best kit at each common size, with a plain list of what each box contains according to its listing, and the short shopping list that every kit still needs.
Our top picks at a glance
1. Best overall (10 gallons)
Aqueon 10 Gallon Starter Kit (SmartClean filter, preset heater)Size: 10 gal · Heater: Included: 50 W, preset 78°F · Filter: SmartClean internal filter, EcoRenew cartridge · Light and lid: Low-profile LED hood with feeding door
2. Best 20 gallon kit
Tetra 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit (LED, filter, heater)Size: 20 gal (24 x 12 x 16 in) · Heater: Included · Filter: Whisper PF 20 power filter, Large Bio-Bag (Tetra) · Light and lid: Low-profile hinged LED hood
3. Best small kit (5 gallons)
Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon Aquarium KitSize: 5 gal · Heater: Not included · Filter: Hidden 3-stage, Rite-Size Z cartridge · Light and lid: Hinged LED (white and blue), sliding glass canopy
4. Best designed
Fluval SPEC 5 Gallon Aquarium KitSize: 5 gal · Heater: Not included · Filter: Rear 3-stage: foam, carbon, BIOMAX · Light and lid: 37-LED, 821 lumen light; no lid
5. Best for kids
GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium KitSize: 20 gal (24.2 x 12.4 x 16.7 in) · Heater: Included: Tetra Mini UL heater · Filter: Tetra Whisper 20 · Light and lid: LED hood plus a 13 in blue LED stick
| Pick | Size | Heater | Filter | Light and lid | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueon 10 Gallon Starter Kit (SmartClean filter, preset heater)Best overall (10 gallons) | 10 gal | Included: 50 W, preset 78°F | SmartClean internal filter, EcoRenew cartridge | Low-profile LED hood with feeding door | Amazon |
| Tetra 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit (LED, filter, heater)Best 20 gallon kit | 20 gal (24 x 12 x 16 in) | Included | Whisper PF 20 power filter, Large Bio-Bag (Tetra) | Low-profile hinged LED hood | Amazon |
| Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon Aquarium KitBest small kit (5 gallons) | 5 gal | Not included | Hidden 3-stage, Rite-Size Z cartridge | Hinged LED (white and blue), sliding glass canopy | Amazon |
| Fluval SPEC 5 Gallon Aquarium KitBest designed | 5 gal | Not included | Rear 3-stage: foam, carbon, BIOMAX | 37-LED, 821 lumen light; no lid | Amazon |
| GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium KitBest for kids | 20 gal (24.2 x 12.4 x 16.7 in) | Included: Tetra Mini UL heater | Tetra Whisper 20 | LED hood plus a 13 in blue LED stick | Amazon |
Best overall (10 gallons)
Aqueon 10 Gallon Starter Kit (SmartClean filter, preset heater)
The most complete kit we found: tank, LED hood, filter, preset heater, thermometer, net and food.
- Size
- 10 gal
- Heater
- Included: 50 W, preset 78°F
- Filter
- SmartClean internal filter, EcoRenew cartridge
- Light and lid
- Low-profile LED hood with feeding door
Pros
- Heater and thermometer in the box
- Filter designed for quick water changes
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Preset heater is not adjustable
- Cartridge filter: keep the bacteria by rinsing, not replacing, the cartridge
Aqueon's listing describes the full contents: a 10 gallon glass aquarium, a low-profile hood with cool white LEDs and a feeding door, the SmartClean internal power filter with an EcoRenew cartridge, a 50 W heater preset to 78°F, a thermometer, a fish net and fish food. The heater is correctly sized: EHEIM's table rates 50 W for about 7 to 16 gallons.
You still need gravel or sand, a water conditioner and a few weeks to cycle the filter. See our 10 gallon guide for alternatives.
Refills are Aqueon's medium EcoRenew cartridges, according to the kit's page on Aqueon's site (SKU 100552047), which pairs them with the small SmartClean filter.
Best 20 gallon kit
Tetra 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit (LED, filter, heater)
Tank, hinged LED hood, Whisper filter, heater and thermometer for a more forgiving 20 gallon first tank.
- Size
- 20 gal (24 x 12 x 16 in)
- Heater
- Included
- Filter
- Whisper PF 20 power filter, Large Bio-Bag (Tetra)
- Light and lid
- Low-profile hinged LED hood
Pros
- Heater and thermometer included
- Twice the water of a 10 gallon, so mistakes are diluted
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Stock is scarce
- Basic filter; consider adding biomedia
Tetra's 20 gallon kit lists a 24 by 12 by 16 inch glass aquarium, a low-profile hinged hood with LEDs, an internal filter and cartridge, a heater, a thermometer and a water conditioner sample. A 20 gallon tank is more stable than a 10, which is why many experienced keepers recommend it as a first tank. Compare it with Aqueon's and GloFish's kits in our 20 gallon guide.
Tetra's product page for the kit (item NV84004) gives the heater as 100 W and the filter as a Whisper PF 20 power filter with a Large Bio-Bag cartridge, and adds a net plus food and conditioner samples.
Best small kit (5 gallons)
Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit
A 5 gallon glass kit with a hidden filter, sliding glass canopy and day and moonlight LEDs; add a heater.
- Size
- 5 gal
- Heater
- Not included
- Filter
- Hidden 3-stage, Rite-Size Z cartridge
- Light and lid
- Hinged LED (white and blue), sliding glass canopy
Pros
- Clean look with the filter out of sight
- Glass canopy keeps jumpers in
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- No heater
- Small volume needs regular water changes
Marineland's Portrait 5 lists a 5 gallon glass tank with rounded corners, a sliding glass canopy, a hinged LED with white daylight and blue moonlight, and a hidden three-stage filter using Rite-Size Z cartridges. It is our favorite betta tank too; see betta tanks. Add a 25 W heater rated for 5 to 6 gallons.
Marineland's page for the Portrait (product ML90609) adds that the pump has adjustable flow, that Bio-Foam comes in the box, and that a three-way switch runs the white and blue LEDs together, blue only, or off.
Best designed
Fluval SPEC 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit
Etched glass, aluminum trim, a bright 7000K LED and an oversized rear filter, for a planted desk tank.
- Size
- 5 gal
- Heater
- Not included
- Filter
- Rear 3-stage: foam, carbon, BIOMAX
- Light and lid
- 37-LED, 821 lumen light; no lid
Pros
- Strongest light here for easy plants (per the listing)
- Rear chamber hides the filter and a heater
- BIOMAX ceramic media included
Cons
- No lid
- Sold by a third-party seller
Fluval's SPEC 5 lists etched glass with aluminum trim, a rear three-stage filter with foam, carbon and BIOMAX, a 55 to 80 gallon per hour pump and a 37-LED, 821 lumen, 7000K light. It suits a planted desk tank of shrimp or small fish. It has no lid, so it is a poor match for jumpers unless you add one.
Best for kids
GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
A themed 20 gallon kit with a heater, a Tetra Whisper filter and blue LEDs that make GloFish glow.
- Size
- 20 gal (24.2 x 12.4 x 16.7 in)
- Heater
- Included: Tetra Mini UL heater
- Filter
- Tetra Whisper 20
- Light and lid
- LED hood plus a 13 in blue LED stick
Pros
- Heater and a proper hang-on filter included
- Fluorescent decor and lighting
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Very themed look
- Add a thermometer
The GloFish 20 gallon kit lists a 24.2 by 12.4 by 16.7 inch glass tank, an LED hood, a Tetra Mini UL heater, a Tetra Whisper 20 filter, a 13 inch GloFish LED light stick, three plants and an anemone. For a family tank, it is complete and fun; just let it cycle before the fish go in.
What is in each kit
| Kit | Tank | Lid and light | Filter | Heater | Thermometer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueon 10 gal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (50 W) | Yes |
| Tetra 20 gal | Yes | Yes | Yes (Whisper PF 20) | Yes (100 W) | Yes |
| GloFish 20 gal | Yes | Yes | Yes (Whisper 20) | Yes | No |
| Marineland Portrait 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Fluval SPEC 5 | Yes | Light, no lid | Yes | No | No |
| Tetra LED 10 gal | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
From each kit's Amazon listing, November 8, 2026, with the Tetra 20 gallon's filter and heater from Tetra's own page.
What every kit still needs
- Gravel or sand. Rinse it before it goes in.
- A water conditioner to treat tap water. See water conditioners.
- A liquid test kit to know when the tank has cycled. See test kits.
- A heater, if the kit lacks one and you keep tropical fish. See heaters.
- A siphon or gravel vacuum and a bucket kept only for the aquarium. See gravel vacuums.
- A stand or surface rated for the filled weight. Aqueon's chart gives about 111 pounds for a filled 10 gallon and 225 for a 20.
- Time. University of Florida extension scientists note a new biofilter takes six to eight weeks to build up its bacteria.
Kit instructions versus the research
Kit instructions from Aqueon and Tetra are worth reading, but on a few points they are written to get fish into the tank quickly. Here is where their printed guides line up with the research and where we would do it differently.
| Step | What the kit guide says | What we would do |
|---|---|---|
| Adding fish | Aqueon: wait 24 hours. Tetra: dose its SafeStart Plus bacteria and add fish right away | Cycle first; UF/IFAS extension scientists put a new biofilter at six to eight weeks |
| Filter cartridge | Tetra: replace every two to four weeks | Rinse it in tank water, or keep a sponge or biomedia beside it |
| Heater | Tetra: let it sit in the water 20 minutes before plugging in | Agree |
| Gravel | Tetra: 1 to 2 lb per gallon. Aqueon: a bed 1 to 3 in deep | Agree; rinse until the water runs clear |
| Feeding | Tetra: 1 to 3 times a day, what the fish eat in about five minutes | Agree, and remove leftovers right away, as PetMD's vet advises |
| Power | Both: a drip loop in every cord. Tetra: a GFCI-protected outlet | Agree |
Tetra's statement that SafeStart Plus lets you add fish immediately is the maker's claim about its own product. Read ammonia and nitrite with a liquid test kit before the first fish go in, whatever the bottle says.
How much room each kit size takes
Kit sizes translate into floor space and weight as below, from Aqueon's chart for its standard rectangular tanks. The 5 gallon kits on this page have their own shapes, so treat the 5.5 gallon row as a guide.
| Tank | Outside dimensions (in) | Filled weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 gallon | 16.19 x 8.38 x 10.5 | 62 |
| 10 gallon | 20.25 x 10.5 x 12.56 | 111 |
| 20 high | 24.25 x 12.5 x 16.75 | 225 |
| 20 long | 30.25 x 12.5 x 12.75 | 225 |
A desk that carries a 5.5 gallon at 62 pounds may not be built for a 10 gallon at 111, so check what the furniture is rated for before you settle on a size.
How we chose
- Completeness. A kit with a heater and thermometer saves money and a common mistake.
- Size. 5 gallons for a betta, 10 to 20 for a first community tank.
- Filter and lid quality.
- Sold new on Amazon US on November 8, 2026.
Which size to start with
Bigger is easier. A 20 gallon tank dilutes waste and holds temperature better than a 10, and a 10 better than a 5. Choose a 5 gallon for a single betta or a desk, a 10 for a small school of nano fish or a betta with room to roam, and a 20 if you have the space and want the most forgiving start. Then read how to cycle a fish tank before you buy fish.
What to skip
- Bowls and tiny novelty tanks sold as fish homes.
- Buying fish the same day as the kit.
- Replacing the kit filter cartridge every month as the box suggests; it throws out bacteria.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best aquarium starter kit for beginners?
One that includes a heater. We would buy Aqueon's 10 gallon starter kit, whose listing includes the tank, LED hood, filter, a 50 W preset heater, a thermometer, a net and food.
Do aquarium starter kits include a heater?
Some do. Aqueon's 10 gallon, Tetra's 20 gallon and GloFish's 20 gallon kits list a heater; Marineland's Portrait 5, Fluval's SPEC 5 and Tetra's LED 10 gallon do not.
What size aquarium is best for a beginner?
Often 20 gallons, if you have room. More water dilutes waste and holds temperature better, so mistakes do less harm. A 10 gallon is a good choice for smaller spaces.
What else do I need besides an aquarium kit?
Gravel or sand, a water conditioner, a liquid test kit, a gravel vacuum, a heater if the kit lacks one, and a stand rated for the filled weight.
Can I add fish to a new aquarium kit right away?
No. Run the filter and cycle the tank first so bacteria can grow. University of Florida extension scientists put that at six to eight weeks for a new biofilter.
Sources
- Aquarium sizing information (catalog chart), Aqueon
- EHEIM thermocontrol 50 (product data table), EHEIM
- FA16 Ammonia in Aquatic Systems (Francis-Floyd, Watson, Petty and Pouder), University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Setup Guide for Aquarium Kits, Aqueon
- Aquarium Starter Kit with SmartClean Filtration and LED lighting, Aqueon
- TetraCare Quick & Easy Aquarium Setup Guide, Tetra
- Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gal, Tetra
- Portrait Desktop Kit, Marineland
- What Do Fish Eat? Your Guide To Feeding Pet Fish (Melissa Witherell, DVM), PetMD
Cover photo: Adult male of a CELEBES RAINBOWFISH Telmaterina Ladigesi MAROSATHERINA LADIGESI by Carlos Eduardo Joos, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. Cropped.
Related guides
Aquarium Volume and Weight Calculator: Gallons and Filled Weight
Enter a tank's dimensions or pick a standard Aqueon size. The calculator gives the water volume, the water's weight, and the filled weight to check against your stand.
Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks and Kits (2026)
Aqueon's 10 gallon starter kit is the one we would buy because it includes a preset heater and thermometer. Here is the budget Tetra kit, a bare tank, and a stand that fits.
Best 20 Gallon Fish Tanks (2026): Kits, Bare Tanks and Rimless
Tetra's 20 gallon kit includes a heater and thermometer with the tank and filter. Here is how it compares with Aqueon's and GloFish's kits, a bare Aqueon tank and a rimless option.