If you are looking for the best cold-water fish tanks in 2024, this is where you will find the option that suits your needs precisely. We compared and ranked the top cold water aquariums to deliver a nice review of each one, which should help you decide.
In a hurry? The top two aquariums we elected for cold-water fish are the biOrb Flow Aquarium and the Coralife LED Biocube. The first is a small tank, while the second is larger. However, aside from a good tank, keeping cold water fish requires a chiller to keep the right temperature. The two best chillers right now are the Arctica Titanium Chiller and the SEAAN Aquarium Water Chiller.
Best Cold Water Aquarium: Quick Comparison
BEST RATED  |
biOrb Flow Aquarium
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RUNNER UP  |
Coralife LED Biocube
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Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion Pro 2 Series
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Fluval All-in-One Aquarium
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Top Cold Water Fish Tanks 2024: Reviewed & Compared
1. biOrb Flow Aquarium
Stylish Aquarium For Cold Water Fish
You also receive 2 pounds of ceramic media, which is much better for lazybones than smooth gravel that clogs up rapidly with dirt.
This ceramic media filtration system keeps the water clean and oxygenated quite well. A filter cartridge collects the remainder of the waste.
It’s perfect for anyone seeking a lovely item with one or two fish. It looks wonderful, and the acrylic ensures that there is no green tint in the view.
The overall appearance is rather modern.
It’s simple to keep this biOrb running. Every four weeks, just replace the filter cartridge and about a third of the water.
It includes a low-voltage LED light and an air pump built-in. They’re also backed by a one-year warranty.
The biOrb Flow Aquarium, according to consumers, is suited for practically any site. It’s tiny enough to fit in a small apartment or bedroom with ease.
It has a significantly smaller footprint than other aquariums since it is more vertical than horizontal, allowing it to be placed on a small table, shelf, or in an out-of-the-way corner.
The best option for beginners looking to start keeping cold water fish.
Pros
- Makes cleaning easy breezy
- Stylish
- Easy to keep chilly
Cons
- A bit noisy
2. Coralife LED Biocube
Best Reef Tank For Cold Water Fish
We prefer the 32-gallon tank because the 16-gallon model appears to be too little for us, so we’ll be focusing on that type in our evaluation.
To summarize, this aquarium kit is an excellent option for keeping cold water fish.
The hinged top canopy, as well as the built-in, LED light and control panel, are two of our favorite features of this tank.
Because of the integrated LED lighting, this tank differs significantly from other all-in-one kits.
During the day, bright white LEDs are employed, while at night, blue Moon Glows light up the sky and color-enhancing LEDs are used for maximum appeal.
Additional features include a built-in 24-hour timer with three independent channels, a 30-minute sunrise/sunset timer, and a 60-minute moonrise/moonset timer.
A tiny, completely configurable filtration system is provided, as is in-tank filtration and a quiet submersible pump with adjustable return nozzles.
Because the Coralife BioCube LED Filter Cartridges are so basic, having a filtering system that can be modified is fantastic.
Coralife provides a range of different things designed for this type of aquarium, in addition to the BioCube Protein Skimmer and BioCube UV Sterilizer. Both of these should be updated over time.
Pros
- High-quality LED
- Filtration compartment
- Excellent design
Cons
- No stand
3. Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion Pro 2 Series
Excellent Cold Water Tank For Saltwater Fish
This 20-gallon aquarium does not come with a stand, but with a capacity of 20 gallons and a size of 24″ x 15″, you won’t need one.
The small size of this tank makes it ideal for use as a desktop or countertop tank at the workplace or home.
The tank does come with a pre-installed self-leveling rubber cushion that prevents scratches and excessive vibrations.
In addition, the tank features a mesh screen top that helps your tank to breathe while also speeding up evaporation, so be aware of that.
This bundle comes with a bevy of extras and optional equipment. To begin, an I.M. Mighty Jet DC Nano Return Pump, twin return hoses, and flared nozzles are included in this package.
The pump contains a controller with two return flow modes (continuous stream and sine wave), a one-touch feed mode, and nine variable speed settings!
A 200-micron I.M. Filter Sock and a three-stage I.M. CustomCaddy with PurityPack Filter Media are included in this package. A MicroMag magnetic glass cleaner has also been supplied by I.M. Only a lighting system and a heater are missing from this package.
Pros
- The large overflow filtration chamber
- Great bang for your buck
- Impressive all-in-one package
Cons
- No protein skimmer
4. Fluval All-in-One Aquarium
Impressive All-in-One Cold Water Kit
The tank’s big 13.5-gallon size allows it to hold a large number of fish at once.
However, due to its size, it will require a great amount of space to be accommodated.
The all-in-one reef tank features a unique honeycomb design that allows you to easily hide the aquarium filter compartment in the back area of the tank while maintaining a fresh appearance.
It also contains a powerful three-stage filtration system with massive chemical, mechanical, and biological filter media that efficiently handles protein skimming and other impurities.
You will, however, notice that the filtering method can benefit from your improvements.
It does include a day and night light option, but no automated brightness adjustment choices, which is a disappointment. As a result, you may need to invest in a brighter LED if you want your coral to grow to its full potential.
It also features a multi-functional canopy with an easy feed door, making feeding your fish much easier when you have a large aquarium.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- A 3-stage solid filtration system
- Easy light control
Cons
- You need to change the water more frequently than with other tanks
Cold Water Tank Set Up Kit FAQ
Is Cold Water Good For Aquarium Fish?
Yes, cold water is good for aquarium fish if the fish you are keeping would normally swim in cold water in the wild. You need to learn which temperature the species you are keeping like, and then adjust the temperature accordingly.
Do Cold Water Fish Need A Filter?
Many people wonder whether cold water fish need a filter, and the answer is it is not mandatory to put a filter on your cold water fish tank. However, you will have put a lot more effort into keeping the environment healthy without a filter. Long story short: it is best just to buy a good filter.
What Temperature Should A Cold Water Pet Fish Tank Be?
The temperature that your cold water pet fish tank should be depends entirely on the species you are keeping. Even among “cold water” fish, some species prefer colder water than others (always below 70°F), so you need to first check what temperature your fish need to be healthy. Also, when mixing different species, don’t mix those that need different temperatures.
Final Words About The Best Cold Water Aquarium
We compared and ranked the best cold-water fish tanks in 2024 to make it easy for you to decide on the proper model. As of now, the top cold water aquariums are the biOrb Flow Aquarium and the Coralife LED Biocube.
Moreover, it is necessary to note that only a tank is not sufficient to keep cold water fish. You will also need a proper chiller to make sure the water is at the right temperature. The best chillers you can find are the Arctica Titanium Chiller and the SEAAN Aquarium Water Chiller.
