Aqueon LED MiniBow Small Aquarium Fish Tank Kit, Black, 2.5 Gallon

10/10, I’ve had it for about 3 weeks already and it’s going great, my betta fish started off sadly with a 1 gallon, then a 2.5 gallon, but I knew he deserved (!AND THEY NEED!) a 5 or 10 gal or more, so I purchased this one. It was easy to set up and I love how in the instructions it’s actually illustrated in color and everything, I’m a kid and I understood the instructions quite well, it did take me about 8 hours to actually finished setting up because I needed to add in the substrate I also purchased along side with this, the heater, and the decor, and the plants I bought a few days later (PLEASE PLEASE BUY YOUR BETTA NATURAL PLANTS AND NOT PLASTIC ONES BECAUSE NATURAL PLANTS GIVE THEIR TANK A MORE NATURAL HABITAT LIKE IN THE WILD FOR THEM AND MAKES THEM VERY HAPPY !!)But it was worth the full 8 hours of setting up because it came out amazingly!!! GREAT quality! The little nozzle that’s pointing inside the cartilage filter can be extended and highered when you wanna do a water change which is amazing for me. (Also I don’t know why the video quality came out so bad) the water in the tank sounds extremely loud on video but in real life it’s kind of quiet. I’ve had 2 other tanks for my betta and they’re extremely loud and sometimes I couldn’t even sleep (I have the tank right next to my bed) it’s quiet waterfall and I enjoy it! Anyways it is in need for a cleaning I know. ! ALSO ! The filter did start leaking from the bottom a little bit like in the back but it was no problem, it just needed a cleaning and then it stopped, and the water does overflow on the cartilage in the video and it always does that, but it’s no problem at all for my betta fish, HES THRIVING AND HAPPY AND BRIGHT IN HIS TANK! I do plan on adding some netrite or mystery snails in the future for overall algae control (when adding new tank mates to a male betta fish tank please keep in consideration how aggressive your betta fish is because he could possibly kill it, I don’t have any experience with added tank mates but I have done my research and I’m careful with what I will put in here) I know a 5 gallon tank is just a good decent size for a betta fish to start off with , so maybe in the future i will buy a 10 gal from this brand, but this tank is gonna be here with him for a while. (He’s around a year and a half years old and I’ve had him for about a year) But yeah overall it’s 100/100 I would 100% repurchase it if this one ever broke down or something 😂

I recently purchased the Aqueon LED MiniBow Small Aquarium Fish Tank Kit with SmartClean Technology in black, 5-gallon size, for my high school math classroom, and I couldn't be happier with it! It has quickly become a wonderful addition, providing a calming and engaging presence for my students. Setting up the tank was a breeze. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. The black trim gives it a sleek and professional look that fits perfectly in a classroom setting. The size is ideal – large enough to comfortably house our little community (a beautiful beta, two adorable loaches, a fascinating mystery snail, and even some surprise snail babies!), yet compact enough not to take up too much precious desk space. What truly sets this tank apart is the SmartClean Technology. Honestly, as a busy teacher, the thought of constant tank maintenance was a little daunting. However, the SmartClean system is a game-changer! Being able to perform partial water changes quickly and easily with the integrated drain tube has saved me so much time and effort. It’s a simple and effective way to keep the water quality high for our aquatic inhabitants. The LED lighting is also a fantastic feature. It provides a bright and natural-looking illumination that really makes the colors of our fish and the lush live plants pop. It creates a visually appealing environment that the students (and I!) love to observe. Speaking of plants, the 5-gallon size provides ample space to create a thriving planted aquarium, which not only looks beautiful but also contributes to a healthier ecosystem for our little critters. Our beta seems very content exploring his domain, and the loaches love to wiggle amongst the plant roots. Even the snails seem to be thriving! The gentle hum of the filter is barely noticeable, which is important in a classroom environment where we need to minimize distractions. This Aqueon LED MiniBow has been more than just a fish tank; it's become a focal point for learning and observation. The students are fascinated by the little ecosystem we've created, and it has sparked some great impromptu discussions about biology, responsibility, and even patience! It's been a wonderful way to bring a little bit of nature into the classroom. Overall, I highly recommend the Aqueon LED MiniBow Small Aquarium Fish Tank Kit with SmartClean Technology. It's a fantastic value, easy to set up and maintain, and provides a beautiful and healthy environment for small aquatic pets. It has been a truly positive addition to my classroom and I'm so glad I chose this tank!

This is a great aquarium! I love it for my betta. I love that it has a bowed front and provides some depth and perspective. I also have 2 mystery snails in there with him. The LED lights are fun and are on a convenient switch and embedded in the lid which is so nice to not have any additional lights hanging around. Cleanings are SO EASY with this tank. This was honestly why I chose this tank over the others this time around. I wanted easy cleaning with my busy schedule. But you do need to do your research depending on what kind of fish you are going to put in it. I had to buy some filter covers to cover my intake for the filter so my betta wouldn't get injured. Even reducing the flow by pulling "up" on the stem was still a threat to his large and beautiful fins. The covers (widely available online) help to protect him. Also, depending on what is in your tank and what you feed, the filters for this tank do not last long at all, barely over a week. Also, it took me a while to figure out that when the water from the filter goes through the overflow portion of the filter, your filter is 'expired' or all used up. This happens quickly, very quickly like I said previously in under two weeks. For this tank, it seems to happen faster than in my previous tanks/setups and I've had the same types of fish, food, water, etc combinations before; the tank is the only thing new. Also, because this is an acrylic tank, scratching it during cleaning is VERY easy. You must be careful when you do a full tank clean that you do not hurt the acrylic. For the above reasons, this tank got 4 stars from me.

I needed a small tank for my Betta so I could nurse him back to health. This tank was the right answer. It was simple, quick and easy to set up. I have decided to leave him in there and no move him back to general population. He seems to enjoy swimming around. The filter isn't overbearing and he doesn't seem to mind it. Perfect size to sit up on my desk where I can watch him while I work. The lid has an open area where you can feed him without having to open the whole lid up. The lid also has built in lighting which is very bright. I wish they had an optional with for low lighting or even a blue light.

The tank design is cute, but the quality is POOR. We only had 3 fish in the tank (2 platies and 1 bottom feeder). These 1-1/2 inch fish surely didn't cause this much cleaning care. This aquarium is stated as a Smart Clean aquarium; however, there is nothing smart about the cleaning of this aquarium. The company utilized the works 'Smart Clean' to sell the tank, but it wasn't. The aquarium is indicated on video to clean once a month using th 30/30/30 care plan (every 30 days remove 30% of the water, which should take no longer than 30 minutes to clean). YEAH RIGHT!!! In the 2 weeks that we had the aquarium, we were forced to clean it twice a week...so in 2 weeks, the aquarium was cleaned 4 times and we had to remove 75% of the water if we wanted to keep a clean aquarium and healthy fish. I believe this frequent cleaning is due to the poor filtration system, with expensive non-working filters. The photo below is of the 1st day of the aquarium. The second photo is of the filter after 2 days. I wish I could be more positive about the aquarium, but this is to help those who may be zoning in on the "Small Clean" method...there is no such thing. Although, you can try purchasing the aquarium...again as I said that it is cute...but consider purchasing another filter that utilizes a sponge instead of carbon. Plus the carbon filters are expensive if you are going to be changing them at least twice a week. Good luck!

I purchased MiniBow, 2.5 gal in 2021. It also comes in 1 & 5 gal, so make sure you order the correct size. In 3 years I have had 3 Betta fish, only 1 was caught near the filter. I average about 1 Betta a year before they die, due to me or life? The bowl is acrylic, and it still looks new, no scratches, so be careful how you clean. The black rim stand is plastic and holds the bowl very well. It's the water weight that makes it durable. I have a small heater and only use solid deco stones. I noticed the painted stones start peeling and make the water look dirty. Last month after cleaning the filter stopped working. I called Aqueon to see if I could just replace the filter. The rep asked if I had cleaned the fan, nope, didn't know there was a fan. He waited patiently & explained the filter could be disassembled to access the fan. He gave me directions and I found the fan and it was filthy. I cleaned the fan and filter has been running great for a few days. Time to get another Betta. I suggest if you have issues call Aqueon, the rep (sorry no name) was very helpful and patient. I hope this review helps. After 3 years I recommend the Aqueon MiniBow Aquarium for a small fish. Oh, the small hole at the top of tank is where I drop the food, instead of lifting the lid, never had a Betta jump out.

Great while it lasted. I ordered a little weary about the filters life. Here I am 7 months later and the filter unexpectedly stopped working. I’m so disappointed. This wasn’t super cheap so to have to purchase a new one is really frustrating. ***Updating my review: I called customer service and they were phenomenal!!! This is a common issue with a super easy fix. This filter features an impeller that stops working when it becomes gunked up. Pop the tube off the filter, then the faceplate that the tube sits in. Pull the impeller out and clean it. Then grab a qtip to clean in where the impeller sits. Worked like a charm!!!

I wanted to get a betta for a pet. After some research, I got this as a starter kit. I've had it for about two months and here are my thoughts. First of all, its' a kit. With the tank, you get a filter, lighting, a packet of water de-chlorinator, and a packet of fish food. This is standard with most kits, but for me, the tank is the most important thing. The tank is easy to assemble, and the parts (base, lid, and tank) integrate well. Once things were running, I plopped Mo into the tank, and he thrived. There was no need to cycle the tank, but I did use Safe Start (liquid bacteria) to help initialize the water. These are the +s, 0s, and -s I noted. (+) The tank is well constructed, and the parts are well integrated. It would have been nice just to get the tank by itself. It may be a bit small for a betta, but Mo seems to like it. The lid is domed shape and has a feeding hole at the front. Very convenient. It also has an opening in the back to accommodate your electrical cords and tubing. (0) The filter is OK. It is easy to use and kept the water parameters (pH, Nitrite/Nitrate, Ammonia) stable. It takes up more space in the small tank than you would like. Also, the filter cartridges (which are costly) need to be replaced regularly. Although the water was stable, I noticed a very slight yellow tint to the water. I don't know if the filter was the cause. After some research, I decided to replace the kit filter with a simple sponge filter. After a couple of days, the water was crystal clear, and it has stayed that way ever since. My sponge filter set up (Air pump, sponge filter, and hose) cost less than $10 and was worth it. The sponge on the filter just needs to be cleaned and not replaced, so no costly filter cartridges are needed. My advice here is to research filters and see if another type might be better for you. (-) Self Clean Technology. This is incorporated into the filter (see product video) but isn't really a great help. It makes it easy to do a partial water change but doesn't help with debris on your gravel (substrate). For me, getting rid of it (the kit filter) and using a sponge filter with an inexpensive siphon hose/gravel vacuum (which you would need anyway) works better, and is just as easy. (-) The lighting is attached to the underside of the lid. There is no way to adjust the brightness, so you're stuck with lighting that is probably a little too bright for a betta. Also, since the lid is black, you can't get "after market" external lighting for this tank. It would have been great if these guys made a clear top. (-) The kit doesn't not come with a heater. Very few kits do. If you're going to keep a betta, you need a heater. Plan on shelling out about $20 for a low wattage heater, but get one that reads out the temperature, or you'll have to get a thermometer as well. (0) This just a nit. They provide a packet of generic tropical fish food with the kit. Do not feed this to your betta. Get food specifically made for bettas (high in essential protein). Make sure you get a water test kit (not cheap). This will help you feel confident about the quality of your water. Overall, Mo is doing fine in his new home with the adjustments I've made. Update (9-8-2022): So the light on the lid fizzled out after a few months use. I went to the vendor site, and they can sell you a replacement lid for $23. Not worth it, given the overall cost of the entire kit. I was able to find an adjustable submersible light for less than half the cost. It was easy to remove the original light fixture (you have to snip the wiring off) and attach the submersible light to the roof with the suction cups provided, and a little super glue to secure the suction cups. Now, I have an adjustable light that I don't have to submerse in the water, that's perfect for the tank. I guess what I learned is that everything you get with this kit can be replaced very inexpensively and will work out better for you. The only thing I use now from the original kit is the tank itself and lid (without light)... but I have learned a ton from the experience. Update (8-22-2023): Just wanted to alert folks to the fact that the narrow opening in the back of the lid (for hoses, heaters, etc.) IS wide enough for a betta to jump out of. I determined the first incident to be a fluke or my mistake, but when it happened a second time, I knew the opening was the cause. Unfortunately, the results proved fatal in both instances. I have since glued a notched plastic retaining wall to the back, so is/has been good for my current "occupant". Update (3-8-2024): I recently retired this tank. It gave me some good years of use, but after getting some glass aquariums, I could never go back to acrylic. These tend to scratch easily and do not "show" as well as nice glass aquariums that in the same price class. Also, the black top doesn't allow for customization of lighting, and as I mentioned previously, the original light failed.

Bought for a friend, and she loves it. The simple process of changing the water is convenient, light not too bright.

This is a nice little tank. It came well packaged and with zero damage from transit. The tank is plastic, so it scratches very easily but it’s harder to break because plastic is less likely to crack, chip, etc. than glass. The light isn’t too bright or weak and there is plenty of space for cords and tubing. i don’t use the filter it comes with, so i can’t give any thoughts on it. It’s a good size for bettas with long fins, elderly or disabled bettas, shrimps or snails but not much else. There’s enough space for decor and your equipment without taking away too much swimming space.

algo caro pero buen acuario

Me gusto mucho, la luz lez y la bomba funcionan de maravilla, el acrílico venía ya un poco rallado (lo limpié pero aún así se veían las líneas).

Too expensive