Whether you are a novice looking to set up your very first aquarium, or an experienced fish keeper looking for new aquarium products, it is easy to get lost in the sea of choices out there. There are a multitude of products, a plethora of new technologies to choose from, and a large number of companies all claiming to be the best aquarium brands out there.
Over time and through a lot of trial and error I have discovered that the saying ‘not all (insert aquarium brand here) are created equal’ is very true and that some manufacturers definitely are better than others. Something I wish I’d known all along so I could have saved some time and money!
So with this in mind, I have created, for you, a definitive guide to the best aquarium brands out there, and without further ado here they are!
Tetra
Established in 1951 by Dr. Ulrich Baensch, Tetra is generally regarded as the largest global manufacturer of fish food products. Not a surprising conclusion to come to when you consider that they manufacture thousands of products which they sell to thousands of dealers worldwide.
At the time Tetra was formed having an aquarium was limited to those people who could grow and harvest their own fish foods. Ready prepared products just weren’t available. Tetra, however, would change all that and revolutionize the industry by launching flaked fish food.
The advent of flaked fish foods opened up the aquarium hobby to a whole new range of people that had been excluded before. Feeding your tropical or cold-water fish had never been easier. Tetra, did not, however, now rest on their laurels, instead, they continued to focus on developing more and more innovative products.
Nowadays Tetra produces three brands of aquarium foods that are aimed at a wide variety of species. These include specialised products for betta, cichlids, glofishⓇ, goldfish, pleco, shrimp, and corydora. They also produce a wide range of more all-inclusive products such as marine food, tropical food, vacation food, bloodworm, snacks, krill, and baby shrimp.
Fish nutrition, perhaps surprisingly to you, is not Tetras only achievement in the aquatic industry. They have also become well known and respected for other aquatic products. They have their very own range of aquarium kits which contain everything you will need to set up and start an aquarium quickly and efficiently. Perhaps, the most impressive of these being the glofishⓇ range which has been specially designed to show off your glofishⓇ to the max!
Tetra also makes a good solid range of water care products, filtration units, heaters, lighting units, decor, and various accessories. I would highly recommend the Tetra Complete Substrate for long-term fertilisation. My plants and I love it!
For further info on Tetra click here.
Fluval
Fluval has to be one of the most recognised, respected, and trusted brands when it comes to the aquarium world. An accolade that is definitely well deserved since they have been pioneers in the field of aquatics for over thirty-five years.
Filtration would be a fine example of where Fluval excel. Since 1982, when the first canister filtration system was introduced, they have led the way. The most recent addition to their collection, the FX6 high-performance model shows this to be true magnificently.
The FX6 is suitable for aquariums up to 1500 litres and comes with a multi-stage pump capable of passing 3500 litres of water through itself per hour. It is self-starting, monitors its own performance, and uses 10% less electricity than their previous models. As always it guarantees clean and crystal clear water quality.
Though best known for their filtration products, Fluval also produces a wide range of other aquarium products such as nutrition, heaters, water care products, plant care products, decor, and some amazing looking and performing aquariums. The Chi, Flex, and Edge range would be some of their finest.
The Chi is influenced by the trend of Feng Shui and aims to create a perfect balance of sight and sound with bubbling water and ambient illumination. The Flex is in comparison a bold and curved aquarium with the amazing Aquasky LED lighting system for control over custom colours. Or if you prefer a little simplicity in your life, the Edge range of aquariums is perfect. They are stylish, unique, simple and uncluttered. All essential equipment including wiring is hidden away from sight.
For more information on Fluval click here.
Koller
Although Koller manufactures and sells a variety of aquarium products such as filters, gravel cleaners, airline, baby nurseries, etcetera, they are probably best known for their fantastic and innovative aquariums.
Based in Fenton, Missouri, Koller are one of the top one hundred injection molders making them supreme manufacturers of aquariums. Why? Well because they have been able to design and mould completely seamless, hence leak proof, aquariums since 1985.
Popular with both adults and children, Koller have sold millions of their aquariums, which due to them being molded and in one piece have been created in all kinds of creative shapes. These include shapes like the 180 view (half moon), semi hex, panaview (no sharp corners), 360 view (circular), stemware (brandy glass), pedestal, and scalloped kit.
All Koller aquariums are guaranteed to be crystal clear, impact resistant, leak-proof, and most kits are supplied with filtration and LED lighting. Betta homes and bowls are the exceptions to this. Koller aquariums only come in small sizes from 0.5 gallons to 7 gallons.
To learn more about Koller click here.
Aqueon
Speaking for themselves Aqueon says that they only have one goal in mind which is ‘doing what is best for the health and well-being of fish and aquatic life’. A mantra that I’m sure every fish keeper would agree with and Aqueon certainly live up to with their wide range of aquarium products.
Concentrating on the essentials needed to keep your wet friends happy and making your life easier Aqueon’s range includes an aquarium, aquarium starter kits, decor, filtration, media, nutrition, glass tops, shrimp care, specialty equipment, lighting, heaters, and water care. In my opinion, they excel in the latter three.
Lighting is not always just a personal choice, it can also be important to live plant growth and the happiness of certain species of fish. Whatever plants and fish you keep Aqueon know this which is why they have developed lighting for all your needs. These include both LED lights and fluorescent and in a wide variety of choices such as strips, fixtures, and built into hoods.
Heating is essential if you are going to keep tropical fish with the usual temperature needed being 78℉. Aqueon has recognised this and created a heater that will not lower or raise from that temperature. Should you need higher or lower temperatures you can also opt for their adjustable heaters, or mini and flat should you have limited space.
Last, but certainly not least, Aqueon has to be in amongst the best aquarium brands for water care. They not only create and stock water conditioners which are essential to make tap water safe, but also various other products. These are algae removers for removing algae blooms, water clarifiers for easy removal of dirt, plant foods for lush plant growth, and water renewals to restore all the trace minerals that occur naturally in lakes and rivers.
For more Aqueon information click here.
Juwel
When it comes to solid, attractive, and functional aquariums there is no beating Juwel. They really are, forgive the pun, the ‘Juwel’ in the crown of the aquarium world!
Reigning supreme for over fifty years the innovator of quality aquariums and aquarium products, Juwel began back in 1966 when they built the first aluminum framed products available. Over the years they have continued to be first in many areas including replacing silicone filler with bonding, developing waterproof cover lights, and most recently, in 2000, starting to use robot-assisted aquarium production.
Available in varied sizes and colouration Juwel produce five lines of aquarium, all of which are suitable for every home, office, or environment you choose to place them in. All Juwel aquariums come with lighting and filtration as standard and perfectly matched cabinets are also available as extras. The variety of lines are as follows:
Rio – A timeless classic design available in five sizes ranging from 125 litres to 450 litres.
Lido – An elegant cubistic design available in 120 litres or 200 litres.
Vision – A curved front aquarium that accentuates optical depth. Available in 180, 260, and 450 litres.
Trigon – A functional corner aquarium with curved front panel available in 190 and 350 litres.
Primo – An entry-level aquarium that features state-of-the-art components. Only available in 60, 70, and 110 litres.
You also will not go far wrong should you choose to use Juwel as a source of other aquarium products such as lighting, filtration, decor, accessories, and saltwater products. Juwel are well adept and definitely leaders in the production of them all.
Decor-wise Juwel are to be highly commended for their Cliff and Stone collections which are used to create natural looking backgrounds and terraces. These are available in background, terrace, and even filter cover packs and come in a variety of effects and colours. There is stone clay, stone granite, STR, cliff dark and cliff light.
Comprising of a highly condensed polyurethane, coated with epoxy resin, the background and terrace can be cut and shaped to your needs enabling you to create the 3D background of your dreams. The filter cover does exactly what it says on the tin and hides your filter.
For more details on all Juwel products click here.
Though it probably goes without saying, there is nothing to stop you from mixing and matching the aquarium products you purchase between the best aquarium brands. I, for example, have a Juwel aquarium, Fluval canister filter, and use Tetra Cichlid food for my incredibly grumpy, but well housed and cared for, Frontosa cichlid. In fact, sometimes, mix and match can be the best and most suitable way.
In the end, however, whether you mix and match or stick to one brand, the only thing that matters is that your fish are healthy and happy and that your equipment performs in the way you need it to. This makes for a simple and happy fish keeping life which is, I’m sure, the aim of us all?
Hopefully, I’ve made the ‘simple life’ achievable for you, with my best aquarium brands guide above. I wish you ‘happy aquarium shopping’ and of course ‘successful fish keeping!’