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

The Aqueon LED five gallon tank with smart technology filtration is the best Betta tank ever...my Betta is so happy, healthy and vibrant; it's filtration system is not too strong and the fish enjoy the pellet hunt, LED lights are best to prevent over growth of algae and the filters work well and the sound is minimal and peaceful...the sound of running water is peaceful and relaxing. I have owned Betta fish ever since my kids fell in love with them and this is the best kind of system that promotes Betta fish longevity... which makes this item well worth it's cost! Super easy to change water and has a crystal clear appearance!...thank you Aqueon! The only item to add would be a heater; Betta's need a heater and the heater is affordable and fits just fine...Love this tank!

Great acrylic tank, so far I've had it running as a planted tank and my cherry shrimp are happy as can be in there.The filter works well, but cartridge needs to be changed very regularly, the light is bright and has not caused me any issues. It was easy and fast to set up, but I didn't use the included water conditioners, but rather the ones I had already bought to start the tank.The tank was cycled and stable in about 6 weeks and I had my shrimp in another few days.

The media could not be loaded. 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!

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.