Are you searching for top-quality tanks suitable for guppies?
If so, then read on! This guide will help you choose the right tank that will suit your needs. The best guppy tank will have good capacity, be easy to maintain, and looks great in your house – the perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality! Our favorite option is the Fluval 15 gallon option.
You’ll learn about all kinds of different types of tanks, ranging from glass aquariums to acrylic ones. We’ll also discuss what size is appropriate depending on how many guppies you want to keep. Finally, we’ll talk about filtration systems and lighting options as well as some other useful accessories like heaters or thermometers.
Let’ dive in!
Table of Contents
Best Tanks for Guppies:
What are the Best Tanks for Guppies?
We have two favorites – one entry-level and one splurge guppy tank. Our favorite budget guppy tank is Fluval 15 gallon option. It has a beautiful design and is an all-inclusive kit so it makes it easy for new fishkeepers. Our favorite splurge option is the SeaClear 40-gallon tank. You’re setting your guppies up with lots of space to swim, breed, and thrive with this tank. The acrylic also makes it easier to move this tank around your house. The two options are our best tanks for guppies winners.
What to Look for in the Best Tank for Guppies
There are several factors to consider when selecting an aquarium suitable for guppies. The best tanks will offer you a beautiful viewing opportunity so you can get maximum enjoyment out of your fish. The tank needs to be large enough in order to support all of the fish in it. The main three factors to consider when thinking through a guppy aquarium are materials, price, and quality.
Material
The most frequent materials for fish tanks are glass and acrylic.
Glass is the most popular material for fish tanks. It’s simple to maintain, and it comes in a variety of thicknesses and styles. However, there is a major drawback to using glass aquariums. If it were to fall and shatter, or be bumped too hard, it could easily fracture into small, sharp pieces. The pieces are dangerous in and of themselves and you find yourself with your tank leaking on your floor.
Acrylic fish tanks are frequently more expensive than glass. Acrylic is lighter and more durable than glass. Acrylic, on the other hand, has three distinct disadvantages. It scratches readily and requires special cleaning solutions. Additionally, it can yellow over time when exposed to UV light, making it more difficult to see your fish.
Plastic tanks are not as durable or scratch-resistant as glass and acrylic so we recommend avoiding them.
Price
Consider your whole equipment budget, including fish, filters, tanks, aquariums, cleaning materials, and other expenses before purchasing a guppy tank. The aquarium will make up a significant portion of your starting cost.
The size of the tank needs to reflect how many guppies you plan to keep. Guppies are notorious for reproducing quickly, so it is usually a good idea to buy a little bit bigger tank so you have some extra room. However, the downside of this is that the larger the tank, the more costly the tank and its accessories typically are.
Quality
It’s critical to choose a high-quality tank because you want it to last for years. Verify that all parts are compatible and that the product has received favorable reviews from other aquarists.
You get what you pay for with aquariums. The less expensive options are more likely to have issues. One potential workaround is purchasing a high-quality second-hand aquarium that is in excellent working order rather than a cheap new one. This can be a cost-effective way to get a really nice setup.
Minimum Tank Size for Guppies
Guppies are on the smaller end of the freshwater fish scale. They max out at about 2 inches, so they don’t require a huge aquarium. At the absolute minimum, for a small group of guppies (less than five), we recommend 5-gallon tanks.
However, as with most fish species, if you can go bigger, your fish will appreciate you. And bigger tanks are easier to care for because they’re less likely to experience water parameter fluctuations.
If you have five to ten guppies, we recommend a 10-gallon tank. The larger size of this aquarium allows for plenty of growth room so that each fish can live happily and healthily.
If you plan on keeping more than ten guppies, we recommend a 20-gallon tank or more. The larger size will allow the fish to further spread out and feel less cramped.
Can You Keep Guppies in a Glass Bowl?
Easy answer here – no. Fishbowls are not a good choice for any fish. Bowls have a small volume, which means the water becomes dirty quickly and is harder to keep stable. In addition, bowls do not provide your pet with adequate living space as they’re cramped and have restricted abilities to move. Plus, glass bowls don’t have filtration, which is a requirement for clean water.
Buying a Kit Versus Buying an Empty Tank
Kits are convenient because they include everything you need, including the tank, light, filter, and pump. They sometimes include a decorative aquarium background. Typically, all you need to add is a heater, decorations, and fish to get your aquarium up and running. Kits are a great option for aquarium beginners.
However, you sacrifice customization with a kit. You may mix and match your own equipment by purchasing an empty aquarium tank. This may be useful when you need to replace certain pieces of equipment and don’t want to replace the entire kit. This is also the way to go if you’re a more experienced aquarist and comfortable with making the equipment decisions by yourself.
How Many Guppies Can You Keep in a Fish Tank?
Aquarium overstocking is a common problem among beginners. You want all the species simultaneously and don’t start with a tank that is large enough to support them. When a tank is overstocked, oxygen levels drop and toxins build, which is a bad situation for your tank inhabitants.
Our recommend rule for guppy stocking is 1 guppy per gallon. Therefore, a 5-gallon tank should have 5 or fewer guppies (ideally 2-3), a 10-gallon tank should have 10 or fewer guppies (ideally 5-6) and so forth.
Beyond the absolute number of guppy fish, the female to male ratio is important. Guppies enjoy reproducing and will quickly get to the act, leading to a population explosion in your tank.
The best way to avoid this issue is keeping a 3:1 female to male ratio, keeping only females, or keeping only males. However, the male-only tank can be difficult as your fish will likely get into small skirmishes.
If you’re dealing with a continual guppy breeding issue, one organic solution is adding a female betta to the tank. She will happily snack on the fry and keep your population levels low.
Best Tanks for Guppies: Tank Set-up
Besides the tank, there are a number of other elements to consider when setting up guppy tanks, such as filtration, lighting, decorations, and substrate. Let’s explore each element below.
Plants in your Guppy Aquarium
Guppies appreciate when you try to create a natural environment for them, complete with living plants. Plants clean and oxygenate the water. Plants are also natural hiding places for baby guppies so they can grow up in peace.
Some plant ideas for your goldfish tank include Java Fern, Amazon Sword Plants, Hornwort, Anubias, and Water Wisteria. However, your guppies will approve of whatever you pick, so don’t stress on it too much!
Best Tanks for Guppies: Equipment
Plan your budget before you go shopping. You should also remember that you’re not just buying fish and a tank; there are other pieces of equipment you’ll need!
Filter
Sponge Filters are a great choice for guppy tanks. They’re affordable and easy to use. They’re an excellent choice for Guppy and other smaller-sized fish that have low bio-load (waste) outputs. An additional bonus is that the filtration intake suction isn’t super strong, so small fish and fry are less likely to get injured and killed in the intake.
Need some help choosing the right filter for your guppy fish tank? Check out our canister filter, HOB filter, and sponge filter guides.
Substrate
The substrate is the base layer of your tank. It can be gravel, sand, or bare.
Guppies appreciate planted tanks, and planted aquariums need substrate to anchor their roots.
Lots of fishkeepers prefer sand for their guppy tanks. Sand is simple. It has a fine texture that lessens the risk of it getting stuck in your filtration system, or even worse, inside your fish. It is also doesn’t collect excess dirt, food, or waste, so it is a good option for keeping everything clean.
If you’re not pro-sand, we’d recommend looking into smooth gravel.
Lighting
Guppies need light; in a completely dark tank, they will not flourish. Additionally, if you keep your guppies in a planted tanks, you will need to make sure there is sufficient light for strong plant growth. Whatever you do, don’t put your tank in direct sunlight as you’re asking for an algae problem if you go that route.
We recommend a full spectrum LED lighting system. Check out our best-LED lighting for plants guide for more ideas.
Heater
Guppies do best in waters ranging from 72⁰F – 84⁰F. Depending on your local climate and the time of year, you definitely could need a heater to keep your waters in the appropriate range. Check out our aquarium heaters guide for more information.
Thermometer
Make sure you’re keeping your aquarium at the correct temperature. To do, you’re going to need an aquarium thermometer. Plus, they’re cheap! Our aquarium thermometer guide has all of the details. To further automate your tank, you can add a temperature controller to keep more precise conditions in your tank.
Testing Kits
Lastly, water checks on a regular basis (weekly) are recommended to monitor pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. This will help ensure your tank is clean and the water parameters are steady. There isn’t a test kit for everything, but there are kits that can give you accurate readings. We recommend testing kits by API. Our best aquarium testing kits guide has all of the details if you want to explore your options.
What are the Best Tanks for Guppies?
- Fluval Hagen HG Flex Aquarium 57L, 15gal, Black
- Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit, 5 Gallons
- Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon
- Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium 10, Clear
- Hygger Horizon 8 Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit for Starters
- SeaClear 40 gal Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set, Clear
Fluval Hagen HG Flex Aquarium 57L, 15gal, Black
The 15 gallon Fluval Flex Freshwater Kit incorporates brilliant illumination and multistage filtration that helps your aquatic atmosphere stand out. With over 80 colors available for endless color blends, it has an amazing LED interior light that promotes plant growth. The kit includes three-stage filtration so you have better water quality via mechanical (foam), chemical (carbon), and biological media filtration.
Features:
- Glass, curved front tank
- Includes three-stage filtration system
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Good light quality
Cons:
- The capacity of tank is overstated so consider ordering a larger size
- Fry can accidentally slip through filter intake area
Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit, 5 Gallons
The Marineland 5 Gallon Portrait Kit features the Marineland Bio-Foam, Rite-Size Z Cartridge, and an adjustable flow filter pump for superior filtration. The white LEDs create a shimmering light in the water that mimics the underwater effect of sunlight while blue LEDs produce a relaxing moonlight glow. It’s easy to assemble, even for beginners! The 5-gallon curved glass aquarium kit comes with all you need to keep your guppies happy. With beautiful aesthetics and excellent efficiency, you’re sure to be impressed with this product!
Features:
- Glass, curved front tank
- Includes three-stage filtration system that is hidden from view
- Portrait orientation to tank
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Great for first time fishkeepers
Cons:
- Small tank, consider purchasing larger tank for larger guppy groups
- Fry and shrimp can accidentally slip through filter intake area
Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon
The Fluval Spec series is a fan favorite for over a decade. Thanks to its stylish honeycomb design and powerful three-stage filtration system, the design hardly disappoints! The top features include a 7000 K LED light that is appropriate for plant growth so your guppies living in a planted tank will thrive.
Features:
- Glass 5-gallon tank
- Includes three-stage filtration system
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Great for first time fishkeepers
- Excellent for Bettas, guppies, and other small fish
- User report excellent filtration capabilities
Cons:
- Some users report light isn’t strong enough for plant growth
Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium 10, Clear
This is your most straightforward guppy aquarium on the list. It is an empty glass 10-gallon tank. It is a perfect starter aquarium for the price-conscious; however, you will need to fully kit it out. The Aqueon glass tank features clean silicone edges. It also comes with a sleek black trim that helps give it an attractive appearance in your home.
Features:
- Glass 10-gallon tank
- Suitable for both freshwater and marine tanks
Pros:
- Simple design
- Great for fishkeepers who want flexibility in their set-up
- 10-gallons is ideal size for small group of guppies
Cons:
- Some users report cracking issues after shipping
- You will need to have the correct aquarium stand to hold the weight
Hygger Horizon 8 Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit for Starters
The Hygger Horizon 8 Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit for Starters is a great starter kit that includes the basics you need to get started. The tank comes with an 8-gallon glass tank and 3D background decor, as well as a power filter pump and strip aquarium LED light. This all-in-one-package makes it easy to set up and maintain your guppy tank!
Features:
- Glass 8-gallon tank
- Curved front panel design
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Perfect for first time fish-keepers
- Multi-protection packing so your aquarium arrives safe
Cons:
- Can be difficult to get replacement cartridges/carbon for the pump/filter
SeaClear 40 gal Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set, Clear
SeaClear is a trusted name in aquariums. They have been around for years and continue to produce high-quality products as evidenced by this tank. This combo set includes the acrylic tank, reflector, and 24-inch light fixture. The acrylic is clearer than glass tanks and 17 times stronger than glass tanks which makes it safer around children and pets. It’s also half the weight of glass tanks, making it easier to move the tank about. This is a great option if you want to give your guppies space to stretch their legs!
Features:
- Acrylic 40-gallon tank
Pros:
- Excellent for giving your guppies lots of space
- Extremely clear acrylic for excellent viewing
Cons:
- Light fixture is very basic quality, needs to be replaced
Best Tanks for Guppies: FAQs
Can guppies live in a tank without a filter?
Although it is not recommended, guppies can survive without a filter provided they are fed properly and all other water conditions are stable. However, you have to keep the water clean by changing at least 50% of the water every day. Because of this, we only recommend this option for experienced aquarists with plenty of time on their hands for water changes.
Can I use an air pump in my guppy tank?
Absolutely! But make sure you don’t use one that is too powerful, or it might cause the current and surface of the water to become turbulent, which can increase the stress levels of your guppies.
Can guppies live in an unheated tank?
Yes, guppies can be kept in unheated tanks without much difficulty provided all other conditions are stable and the water temperature isn’t too far off from their ideal range of 72⁰F – 84⁰F. Stability in tank conditions is important for your aquarium guppies’ long-term health.
Will guppies overpopulate a tank?
Guppies are prolific breeders. This combined with their short gestation period makes them very good at overpopulating a tank quickly. So if you’re thinking of getting guppies for your aquarium, then you’re going to want to think about what to do with the inevitable fry population you will soon experience.
Conclusion – What are the best tanks for guppies?
All guppy tanks are not created equal, and there is no one perfect tank that will suit every person’s needs.
When evaluating the best tanks for guppies, it’s important to consider your budget, the size of your home or apartment, how many fish you plan to keep in the tank, filter requirements, and more. This guide should help point you in an appropriate direction so that finding the best tank for guppies becomes much easier!
What is your favorite guppy tank? Are you team glass or acrylic? Do you struggle with guppy overpopulation issues?