If you’re setting up a fish tank for the first time, there is a lot to learn and a lot to remember. Fortunately, a 20 gallon fish tank can be a great place to start, and many of these tanks come in special kits with all the accessories you need to set up a basic aquarium for your water pets.
Of course, there are hundreds of different options for fish tanks out there and trying to pick the best one can seem a bit daunting. Luckily for you, we have compiled a buying guide below all about choosing the best 20 gallon fish tank, including whether you are in need of one and what you should be looking for when buying one. We have even included some of our top picks on the market today.
If you’re ready to find your fish the right home, keep reading on below to find out more about our best 20 gallon fish tank reviews.
Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank – Comparison Table
| Product Image | Product name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1) Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit | Built to last Scratch resistant glass Loaded with an LED hood | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 2) Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit | Glow of Color Fusion LED Includes one 20 Glass gallon Aquarium Color Fusion Universal Color Changing LED | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 3) GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit Fish Tank | 20 gallon glass aquarium LED hood Tetra mini UL heater | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 4) Aqueon Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank | High quality glass construction For freshwater and marine applications Clean silicone edges | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 5) Landen 60P 25.4 Gallon Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank | Tempered Glass Clear Simple Minimalist | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | 6). Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting | Low profile LED hood QuietFlow power filter Filter cartridge Submersible preset heater | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 7) Marina 20 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit | 20 U.S. gallon glass aquarium Includes a Marina Slim S20 clip on filter Quick change filter cartridges | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 8) Penn-Plax 20 Gallon AquaSphere 360 Polycarbonate Bowl-Shaped Aquarium | Winner of the 2019 Global Pet Expo Low voltage LED 13 LED bulbs hidden inside | 4.4 out of 5 |
Do I Need The Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank?
Before you purchase your best 20 gallon fish tank, you’ll need to make sure it is absolutely the right one of you. In order to do that, you’ll have to take a few things into consideration.
First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure the tank is big enough for the type of fish you are housing in it. Some fish and water dwellers need more space, while others prefer a tighter tank. Make sure you take into consideration the size and needs of all the creatures you have living in your tank before buying.
Another thing to consider is the size of your home or the space in which you plan on keeping the tank. You need to ensure you have room to house it. The best 20 gallon fish tank can also come in different shapes, so even if you have a smaller space, you may be able to find an aquarium that fits. That being said, you should again take into consideration the needs of your fish before buying an odd-shaped tank.
Whether you’re new to the world of fish or whether you’ve kept them for years should also play a role in the type of tank you buy. Some 20 gallon fish tanks can be complicated to set up and not what you need if you’re looking after fish for the first time. Some of these tanks can also be expensive, so it’s a good idea to have a budget in mind before buying, too.
What To Look For In The Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank
Once you have decided a 20 gallon fish tank is for you, there are a few things you should look for when purchasing. This is to ensure you get the right tank for your home and for your fish and plants.
Accessories
As 20 gallon fish tanks usually come in kits, they can come with accessories that will help with setting up your tank and ensuring your fish feel more at home. The more accessories are included, the better, as you won’t have to go out and buy extra parts to set up your tank and make your fish feel happy and comfortable.
Filtration
The filtration system of your tank is very important as it helps to keep the tank clean. If the filtration doesn’t work properly or is very cheap and badly made, then your tank is going to get dirty more quickly. This can lead to bacteria in the water and can ultimately lead to the death of your fish.
Design
The design of the fish tank relates more to the aesthetic of the tank and how it is going to look in your home. Fish tanks can come in many different shapes and if you have a certain design in mind then this is something to look out for. The design can also relate to how easy the tank is to set up — you don’t want to spend hours setting up your tank when your fish are waiting to go in it!
Lights
Lights are an important part of a fish tank because not only do they help your fish thrive, but they also help plants in the aquarium grow. LED lights are generally advised thanks to their performance and energy conservation.
Take a look at the best 20 gallon fish tank reviews below, all available to you on Amazon.
The Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank Reviews
1) Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit
This 20 gallon fish tank from Tetra is made in the USA and is built to last with scratch resistant glass. Built with an LED hood, this tank provides a natural daytime effect perfect for your fish and plants to thrive. The filter is also known as a “Whisper Filter” that is whisper quiet while providing a powerful, dependable water flow. There are even artificial plants included in this tank that add a unique, natural ocean feel while also giving your fish a place to hide.
There is also a Tetra Mini UL heater that helps to keep the tank at the right temperature. Measuring 24.2″ L x 12.4″ W x 16.7″ H, this tank is great for a range of different fish and is very easy to set up — all you need to do is add your substrate and fish and you’re ready to go!
Key Features:
- Built to last
- Scratch resistant glass
- Loaded with an LED hood
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit
Another Tetra tank, this Tetra ColorFusion 20 gallon tank comes with a special built-in LED light that allows you to transform your aquarium with multiple colors. You can pause the cycle on any color to fully customize your aquarium and the built-in Tetra plants come to life under the glow of Color Fusion LED lights. The built-in anemones sway with your filter current and give your fish a place to hide and relax, making this tank kit the perfect aquarium starter kit for anyone new to owning fish.
Just like the Tetra tank above, this tank also comes with a heater to keep the tank at the right temperature and it measures the same size — 24.2″ L x 12.4″ W x 16.7″ H.
Key Features:
- Glow of Color Fusion LED
- Includes one 20 Glass gallon Aquarium
- Color Fusion Universal Color Changing LED
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) GloFish 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit Fish Tank
Another tank perfect for those who love a splash of color, this GloFish 20 gallon tank comes with a blue LED light that completely transforms your aquarium. With a GloFish 13″ LED light stick, one GloFish yellow anemone and two plant multipacks, you are free to customize this neon tank to your aesthetic and really make it stand out! It measures 24.2″ L x 12.5″ W x 16.2″ H and is the perfect size for a range of different fish.
Like the other Tetra tanks, it comes with a “Whisper Filter” that keeps the tank quiet and a mini heater that helps to keep the tank at the right temperature for your fish and live plants. You are also free to add your own neon substrate as well as your GloFish, making this tank really something to look at!
Key Features:
- 20 gallon glass aquarium
- LED hood
- Tetra mini UL heater
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Aqueon Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank
While this Aqueon 20 gallon fish tank doesn’t come with any accessories, it is a great tank for many fish. With a size of 30.25″ x 12.5″ x 12.75”, this tank has a high quality glass construction and is great as both a saltwater tank and a freshwater aquarium. It holds its shape well and can stand up to almost any application. This tank is also available with both black and clear silicone edges that not only give a sleek design to the tank but also protect from any harm. Always make sure you place this glass aquarium on a table or aquarium stand that can safely bear it’s weight.
Key Features:
- High quality glass construction
- For freshwater and marine applications
- Clean silicone edges
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Landen 60P 25.4 Gallon Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank
The tank from Landen is another aquarium tank that doesn’t include any accessories, yet is made with 8mm thick, crystal clear low iron glass that is both sturdy and durable. With a capacity of 25.4 gallons, this tank size is 23.6″ L × 15.7″ W × 15.7″ H and is perfect for a range of different fish and plants. The edges have a silicone rimming for extra safety and the overall design is very sleek, fitting in with the decor in any room. Made in the USA, you can be sure of the quality of this glass tank.
Key Features:
- Tempered Glass
- Clear
- Simple Minimalist
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting
This one-of-a-kind Aqueon tank holds 20 gallons and features LED lighting to make it stand out! The ones I recommend here has a preset heater that will keep your aquarium temperature at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is suitable for most tropical species. Another thing I like about it is that the tank is illuminated by bright, cool white LED lighting hidden behind a low-profile full hood. I also like the red LED light on the filter that will flash when it’s time to replace the cartridge. In my estimation, the size of this tank is 24.25 x 12.5 x 19.5 inches and is perfect for a variety of fish and plants. As a starter kit, I really like this product.
Key Features:
- Low profile LED hood
- QuietFlow power filter
- Filter cartridge
- Submersible preset heater
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Marina 20 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit
Also available in a 5 gallon and 10 gallon size, this Marina 20 gallon aquarium tank includes everything you need to get your aquatic home started. It comes with a clip-on filter with quick-change filter cartridges, a long-lasting, natural daylight effect LED lighting module, a fish net made with soft mesh, a water conditioner to make tap water safe for fish and even some extra fish food! Perfect for those just starting out with fish, this tank is very easy to set up and provides a safe and natural home for your animals. It measures 24” L x 12.5” W x 16.5” H, great for a range of fish sizes.
Key Features:
- 20 U.S. gallon glass aquarium
- Includes a Marina Slim S20 clip on filter
- Quick change filter cartridges
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Penn-Plax 20 Gallon AquaSphere 360 Polycarbonate Bowl-Shaped Aquarium
This spherical 20 gallon fish bowl from Penn-Plax provides a unique and fun shaped tank for your aquatic life to thrive in. The AquaSphere 360 aquarium is constructed from scratch resistant polycarbonate and is great for both freshwater and saltwater setups. It comes with 13 LED bulbs hidden inside the black lid which you can control either with the remote or just with the wave of a hand! It also features an integrated filtration system connected through the top lid, complete with a submersible water pump and detachable protein skimmer.
The tank measures 23.6” (diameter) by 17.9” (height), great for many different types of fish, and is also available with a 14 gallon capacity. Even better, unlike a traditional tank, this tank is viewable at all angles!
Key Features:
- Winner of the 2019 Global Pet Expo
- Low voltage LED
- 13 LED bulbs hidden inside
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank FAQ’s
Is a 20 gallon fish tank big enough for my fish?
This completely depends on the species of fish you are keeping and how many you are keeping! Some fish prefer a larger tank while others don’t mind being homed in a smaller tank. If you are buying your fish from a pet shop then they will be able to advise whether the best 20 gallon fish tank is going to be big enough or not.
How do I set up my fish tank?
Setting up a fish tank should be very simple and shouldn’t take you too long. The first thing to do is to read the manufacturer’s instructions because every tank is different and every tank will need to be set up slightly differently. You should always make sure the tank and all the substrate and accessories you are placing in your tank are clean before adding your fish. If you need further help with setting up your tank, there are many YouTube videos out there that can be followed.
Summary
With so many different tanks out there, it can be difficult to know which one is going to be the right home for your fish. We hope this guide has helped you to understand what you should be looking for in a tank and whether the best 20 gallon fish tank is the right size for your aquatic creatures. If you’re new to owning fish then look out for the accessories that the tank comes with as they will certainly make your life much easier and will help you set up you aquarium in no time, and remember to take into consideration the size and shape of the tank before you buy.
Check out our other Fish Tank, Food & Accessories posts here:
- Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks Guide
- Best Aquarium Thermometer Guide
- Best Aquarium Vacuums Guide
- Best Aquarium Gravel Cleaners Guide
- Best Water Conditioner For Fish Tank Guide
- Best Aquarium Rock Guide
- Best Aquarium Plants Guide
- Best Fish Tank Decorations Guide
- Best Fish Tank Gravel Guide
- Best Aquarium Sand Guide
- Best Goldfish Food Guide