Bow Front Aquariums That Make Your Fish Tank a Center of Attention

Just like you want to provide the best for pets like dogs, cats, and hamsters, you want to make sure that they have the best environment to live in and the best version of all the supplies they need to lead a long, happy, and healthy life. For fish, this means considering choices such as the best bow front aquariums for your fish to live in.

However, it isn’t easy finding the perfect fit when you search – especially if you’re a new fish owner. Luckily, you aren’t alone in your search! In this guide, we’re going to break down everything you need to know to find an aquarium that suits your needs.

In addition, we’ll show you some of our favorite bow front aquariums on the market.

Best Bow front Aquariums to Consider in 2020

1. Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium

The Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium is a 15-gallon aquarium that offers, according to customers, about a comfortable 10 gallons of space for your fish. This is a great way to accommodate the average household aquarium setup while the bowed front gives it the illusion of more space from a visual perspective.

The aquarium also puts your fish and plants on display thanks to an LED light setup in the tank. This includes 48 white and 6 RGB colors to choose from to personalize your set up. Since LED lights are used, you can expect your tank to absorb a minimal amount of energy when the lights are running. This also allows you to rest easy knowing that your aquarium isn’t taking up unnecessary energy and thus being hard on the environment.

This fish tank also features a handy multi-stage filtration system. This means that it actively works to help you keep the water clean and livable for your fish. In this case, the filtration system is made up of a mechanical, chemical, and biological component represented by foam, carbon, and BioMax, respectively.

The tank also allows for water flow customization. Conveniently, all of these technical components are hidden in a compartment in the back of the tank which allows them to be functional without creating an unsightly feature in the visible section fo the aquarium.

2. SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set

The SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set is a 46-gallon bow-front fish tank. Uniquely, the tank is made of acrylic which is slightly less common than glass options. However, it’s an incredibly durable option. This acrylic aquarium is rather impact-resistant and it isn’t likely to chip or crack which makes it a good choice if you live in a home with pets or children running around. Many owners were also happy to see that the acrylic didn’t bow out – more than the bowed design intends – when the tank is filled with water.

The acrylic tank also has another benefit – it isn’t as heavy as glass. This makes it easier to move the tank around and helps to reduce the strain that the tank puts on the table, stand, and even floor supporting it. This difference is especially helpful when it comes to the weight that a high-volume aquarium carries.

Like many good aquariums, this tank is lit by a light above the tank where you’ll set up your fish, plants, and accessories. This tank features a 24” light fixture made to hold a fluorescent light bulb. This offers plenty of illumination for your tank but fluorescent lights aren’t quite as energy-friendly as LED lights.

The tank can also be used for freshwater and saltwater habitats within the aquarium. This gives you plenty of options when it comes to the kind of aquarium that you cultivate to display in your home or office.

3. Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting

The Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting is made for beginners but even experienced fish owners can get something out of it if they’re looking for a smaller bow-fronted tank. So, if you’ve never owned an aquarium before and you aren’t sure where to start, this is a good place to look. The tank is only 2.5 gallons but it’s a good choice for new aquarium owners with small fish such as betta fish.

In fact, the aquarium is made for betta fish. If you want to keep a pair of betta fish in the tank, it comes with a divider. This will keep the betta fish from getting to one another since the males in the species tend to be aggressive. Customers do recommend carefully installing the divider if you use it because it otherwise betta fish can sneak around it. The separating grate has a tab on the bottom that reads “bottom” to help guide you through a correct installation.

The aquarium also features the Aqueon QuietFlow filtration system. This system actively works to keep the water in your tank cleaner for longer. This helps you stay on top of keeping the water in your fish tank clear, clean, and safe for your fish and cuts down on the time it takes you to maintain the tank manually which is an important feature for any busy fish owner.

4. Aqueon Deluxe LED Bow front Aquarium Kit

The Aqueon Deluxe LED Bow front Aquarium Kit is a step up from the Aqueon MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kit that we just looked at. In fact, it’s exactly what the company suggests if you have a little more experience owning an aquarium and you want to step up to a more complex set up.

The deluxe kit includes, according to Aqueon, everything you need to get started. This includes items such as an LED lamp, QuietFlow Power Filter, a filter cartridge, a preset heater that can be submerged in water, a fish net, a fish thermometer, and samples of fish food and water conditioner. This helps you set up your aquarium right away once you get it – all you have to do is populate the aquarium with your very own fish. However, the company does recommend letting your aquarium run for a full day before adding your fish to the environment.

The use of LED lights in this tank is also convenient if you’re looking to save money or the environment. This is because, as with the other tanks we’ve looked at, LED lights are much less energy intensive than their fluorescent counterparts.

5. Hygger Horizon 8-Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit for Starters

The Hygger Horizon 8-Gallon LED Glass Aquarium Kit for Starters is a spacious 8-gallon tank that measures 19” x 11.8” x 9.6”. The tank features a water capacity of six gallons because two gallons are taken up by the rocky background of the aquarium that helps add to the dynamic and intriguing appearance. To add to the visual appeal of the fish tank, the bow front aquarium includes an LED light that you can control via an external controller.

This is a great tank for a single betta fish to thrive in but the company also suggests keeping a turtle and up to 10 mini fish in the aquarium as a lively alternative. There are also a number of features that exist to help you maintain your fish tank with ease. For instance, you can install an automatic fish feeder to keep your gilled friends fed without any extra effort on your own part. A two-stage filtration system also works to help you keep the water in the tank clean as well.

The tank is made up of premium glass which makes the tank durable and long-lasting. In addition to this, the tank is carefully packaged and shipped, so you don’t have to worry about receiving a damaged item when your order gets to you.

Buying Guide

When you’re looking for a bow front aquarium, there are certain things you’ll want to consider. In fact, many of these coincide with the criteria you want to meet for any aquarium – you’re just applying them directly to options with a bowed front. These are the main considerations you’ll want to keep in mind once you’ve chosen a bow front-style aquarium.

Aquarium Size

When it comes to the size you should opt for with your aquarium, this depends on a few factors. First and foremost, you should consider how much space your fish need. This can vary depending on the species and how many fish you have.

By most recommendations, you should have at least 10 gallons of water per fish in your tank. The dimensions for a 10-gallon tank are usually around 22” x 12” x 13.5”. However, if you have a saltwater aquarium, you’ll want at least 30 gallons per fish. The standard size of a 30-gallon tank is about 36” x 18” x 12”.

The important thing to remember is that you aren’t going to give your fish too much space. Along as you have the space, floor support, and budget for a larger tank, it will be a good choice for your fish. More water gives the fish room to grow and thrive. In addition, the more water there is in a tank, the longer it will take for the fish to release waste and toxins that will dirty the water, making the tank less livable for them.

Larger aquariums will also allow room for items in your tank other than you fish. For instance, if you need a heater or want to stylize your aquarium with extra space, you’ll want to make sure that the bowed-front aquarium that you buy has the space to accommodate these wants and needs.

Aquarium Tank Opening

There are plenty of fish tanks out there that have narrow openings at the top of the tank. This can be a stylish choice but it isn’t the best choice when it comes to meeting your fish’s needs.

Just like us, fish breathe oxygen. The only difference is that instead of relying on the oxygen in the air around them, they take in oxygen from the water around them. However, there has to be oxygen in the water or the fish will suffocate.

Oxygen enters the water through the surface – it’s pulled in from the air. So, your fish tank needs a spacious opening to allow this airflow to operate properly. This is why shapes such as fishbowls aren’t often recommended to fish owners.

Aquarium Material

Aquariums come in two main materials: glass and acrylic. Glass is a cheaper option but acrylic is easier to buff scratches out of. Because glass is still a very sturdy material, even if it isn’t as easy to buff noticeable scratches out of as acrylic, and since it’s comparatively inexpensive, it’s the most popular choice.

Aquarium Types

There are three main aquarium types and the kind you need will depend on the fish you keep. If you want to decide the type and then the fish you’ll keep in it, each type has a different maintenance level. Your options include freshwater aquariums, saltwater aquariums, and reef aquariums.

The easiest type of aquarium to take care of is also one of the most common: a freshwater aquarium. This is the type of aquarium that common household fish like goldfish and betta fish need. They also have the lowest overall cost since they need the fewest parts and are the easiest to maintain.

The next step up in difficulty and expense is a saltwater aquarium. They require a little more maintenance but you’ll be able to keep a more exotic assortment of fish in them. Think of fish that you might see in the ocean like black ghost knifefish, eels, angelfish, or puffer fish.

Finally, the most expensive and care extensive option there is lies in the option of a reef tank. These have the same general qualities as a saltwater tank but they opt for a living ecosystem of coral rather than using plastic stand-ins. In other words, they mimic the ecosystem of an actual coral reef within the tank. This ecosystem can also include living saltwater components such as clams or crabs.

Budget

Your own budget is well-worth consideration when you’re shopping around for the best bow front aquarium. Not every high-quality bow front aquarium has to come at a high price. Yet, you don’t want to sacrifice quality for the price.

Even when you’re shopping around for the best price, you should keep the quality points we’ve considered in this buying guide in mind. Remember, buying a bowed-front fish tank that your fish will thrive in and that will last you a long time is sure to save you money in the long run compared to buying a fish tank that won’t live up to these expectations.

FAQs

What Is a Bow front Aquarium?

A bow-fronted fish tank is no different than a regular aquarium. The only difference is the shape of the tank.

When you take a look at the front of a standard fish tank, the front is as straight as the sides usually. On the other hand, a bow front fish tank has a front that bulges out. This creates not only a little extra space in the tank but an interesting view of your fish and creating a more dynamic appearance for your fish tank.

Are Round Aquariums Bad for Fish?

Choosing an aquarium for your fish means making a decision about the size and shape of the bowl you need. When you’re looking around, you shouldn’t restrict yourself to round bowls because they come with downfalls compared to bowed-front fish tanks and even traditional fish tanks.

For one, many round “fishbowl”-style tanks are rather small. Very few fish can survive in a 5-gallon aquarium because while some fish are perfectly content in smaller environments, many don’t have the room in these bowls to move around or grow. Instead, they’re better suited to tanks with plenty of space that will allow them to get the exercise and movement they need.

Secondly, fishbowls have a lower surface area of the water than a traditional or bow front fish tank. This means that they don’t circulate oxygen in the water as well which prevents them from giving your fish the proper amount of oxygen they need to thrive.

Furthermore, the limited size of fishbowls also makes it harder to maintain steady water temperature. This is because you can’t fit a heater in it, so a large overhead heater is your only choice. It’s also difficult to add a filter to the equation as well because, again, round fishbowls are typically rather small.

Related: Guide for Small Fish Tank Filters

Are Bow-Front Aquariums Good?

Yes! Bow front aquariums are a great choice when it comes to choosing an aquarium. Just like a standard aquarium, there are pros and cons to these options and you need to weigh these into your decision as to which type of tank is best for you.

For one, the bulging front of these types of aquarium creates an interesting visual effect but it can also cause some distortion from a front view. This can be frustrating if you want to take pictures of your fish or practice photography. However, you can also look at this as an opportunity for unique photos with a magnified effect on fish and plant life.

Bow-front fish tanks can also hold more water than a traditional tank of standard dimensions. After all, the bowed front makes a little extra space in the tank, although it usually isn’t a massive amount.

How Can I Make My Aquarium Look Better?

There are multiple ways that you can improve the appearance of your aquarium. By getting a little creative and using the right tools, you can make your aquarium look like a brand new and interesting environment.

First, choosing the right fish to fill your tank can go a long way. Bright and colorful fish add a neon touch to your tank. Choices like betta fish and goldfish are popular because they add brilliant color to the tank just by being there.

Another consideration to keep in mind is adding plants. These not only add a touch of color and texture but they serve a functional purpose as well. Self-cleaning fish tanks, for one, sometimes depend on plant life to help keep the water in the tank clean.

You can also change up the way that your aquarium looks with accessories. These come in all shapes and sizes and allow you to add your own touch to an aquarium.