Self-Cleaning Fish Tank

F ish might be fun and basically care-free pets as you do not have to take them out or waste too much time on them, but they still require your attention when it comes to care and the environment they swim in for them to lead a long life. Self-cleaning fish tanks promise to get all the hassle out of caring for fish by providing a permanently clean swimming environment.

Top 5 Self-Cleaning Fish Tanks Compared

	1. biOrb Flow 30	2. biOrb 45663 Classic	3. Marineland ML90609 Portrait	4. Back to the Roots Water Garden	5. Fluval Spec III
	Best Model		Editor’s Choice	Best with Plants
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
General Information
Brand	biOrb	biOrb	MarineLand	Back to the Roots	Fluval
Size	11.8″ x 8.2″ x 12.4″	16.5″ x 15.7″	11.8″ x 11.8″ x 16.8″	8.3″ x 12.1″ x 12.3″	11.8″ x 10.8″ x 8.7″
Weight	4.5 Lbs	12 Lbs	12 Lbs	5 Lbs	9.9 Lbs
Tank Material	Acrylic	Acrylic	Glass	Acrylic	Glass
Shape	Rectangle	Globe	Rectangle	Rectangle	Rectangle
Specifications&Features
Volume	8 Gallons	8 Gallons	5 Gallons	3 Gallons	2.6 Gallons
Maximum Continuous Power	13W	13W	7W	15W	N/A
Feed Hole Location	Top	Top	Top	Top	Top
Filtration Type	5-Stage Filtration	5-Stage Filtration	3-Stage Filtration	Aquaponics Filtration	3-Stage Filtration
LED Lighting
Submersible Pump
Included
	Airstone	Airstone	Bio-Foam	Organic Seeds	Foam Block
	2-Pound Ceramic Media	2-Pound Ceramic Media	Adjustable Flow Filter Pump	Growstones	Activated Carbon
	Beneficial Bacteria Liquid	Beneficial Bacteria Liquid	Rite-Size Z Cartridge	Gravel	BioMax Bio Rings
	Transformer	Transformer		Water Pump
	Water Conditioner	Water Conditioner		Water Treatments
Warranty&Support
Product Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	2 Years	90-Day Money Back Guarantee	2 Years
Customer Support
User Manual

1. biOrb Flow 30

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The Flow 30 model is one of the best aquariums produced by the company due to the generous volume that it boasts, the impeccable design, and the impressive self-cleaning capability that it boasts. It uses an effective 5-stage filtration process that deploys mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration, as well as water oxygenation and stabilization.

The relatively compact size that it boasts makes it the perfect addition to the nightstand, the living room table, or even the desk in your office. In it, you can place small fish or shrimps as it provides the ideal environment for these small creatures. What makes it highly spectacular when compared to other aquariums is the multicolored remote-controlled LED light that it features.

It features an automatic setting that has the role of simulating the natural light cycle that the fish need to grow big and stay healthy. For a high precision when it comes to the duration and evolution of the cleaning cycle, it features a built-in timer. Additionally, it comes with all the needed accessories for the experience of owning pet fish to be complete, so you won’t have to worry about any additional costs.

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2. biOrb 45663 Classic

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Intelligently built to make your life easier and to ensure a clean, proper environment for your pet fish to swim in, the biOrb Classic is a globe-shaped aquarium that makes for the ideal purchase as it even boosts the décor of the room it is placed in. reasonably priced and maintenance-free, it ensures cleanliness as it collects all waste with the help of the water flow so that you won’t have to get your hands dirty.

Its 8-gallon or 30-liter capacity makes it one of the more spacious products out there, so you can create a proper swimming environment for a variety of fish. Additionally, it utilizes an effective 5-stage filtration process and provides ambient lighting for your pets to be happy.

Design

As aforementioned, it makes for a great decorative piece in any room of your home, even for the office. It measures 16.5 inches in height and 15.7 inches in diameter so that the fish will swim freely inside it without feeling suffocated. This large size even allows you to place numerous decorative objects for your pets to have appropriate habitat.

It weighs 12 pounds when it is empty, and 68 pounds when filled with water, so it won’t be too big of a hassle to move it around whenever you need to. Furthermore, as its construction is 100% acrylic, it ensures durability and cleanliness at its finest.

Filtration

The aquarium utilizes a 5-stage filtration process to keep the water inside it clean and healthy for the fish to swim in. The special ceramic media inside it provides biological filtration, the other 4 purifying stages through which it passes the water to keep it safe including water oxygenation, stabilization, chemical filtration, and mechanical filtration.

Mention-Worthy Features and Specs

• Filter cartridge requires replacement once every four weeks.
• Circular water flow picks up fish waste on its way down to ensure you won’t have to.
• biOrb backs it with a 1-year warranty.

LED Lighting

It features a standard LED lighting system that ensures a soothing ambiance in the aquarium for your fish to swim happily. As the lighting system features a built-in 24-hour timer, you can even set it to run for as long as you need to ensure operating costs are kept down. Another great of the lighting system is that it automatically transitions from sunrise, to daylight, to sunset, to moonlight, and back, thus making sure that the fish feel relaxed as they see all light phases.

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3. Marineland ML90609 Portrait

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Although you must change the water from time to time, more precisely 3-4 times per year, this is not a big hassle. What helps keep the water inside it clean for such a long period of time is the 3-phase filtration that it uses during which it employs mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration methods for thorough purification.

It features energy-efficient LED lights that come with a 3-way switch, allowing you to toggle between blue-only, white and blue, and off settings. For it to permanently look clean, it features a back compartment that hides any mess left by the fish. A natural setting is offered for the small aquatic creatures by the 2-mode operation of the lighting system.

It can host a few small fish without any problems as it boasts a 5-gallon capacity and it measures 11.8″ in length, 11.8″ in width, and 16.8″ in height. Additionally, it is backed up by a generous and lengthy 2-year warranty, a period of time during which the manufacturer will handle resolving any issue that appears with it.

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4. Back to the Roots Water Garden

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This aquarium grows organic herbs and sprouts in order to deliver an aquaponic filtration that keeps the water clean permanently and that provides a self-sustained miniature ecosystem that you will fall in love with. The silent, submersible water pump that it comes with makes it a perfect addition to your bedroom or the small one’s bedroom as well, not making bothersome noise that might keep you awake. The 3-gallon volume as well as its 8.3-inch length, 12.1-inch width, and 12.3-inch height makes it perfect for small fish.

Due to the fact that it is made with acrylic and not glass, it is highly durable and scratch-resistant. No water changes are needed ever with it as the waste left by the fish is used to fertilize the plants, so the water is clean at all times. Your only part to play will be to restock the aquarium with water until it reaches the top once every 1-2 months.

Unfortunately, there is a downside to it, more precisely the fact that it is only backed up by the manufacturer during the first 90 days after you purchase it. This small warranty length is a problem as other products are backed up by lengthier warranties.

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5. Fluval Spec III

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A 2.6-gallon aquarium for your fish to swim in freely without you having to constantly clean the water as it uses filtration to ensure cleanliness on its own, the Fluval Spec is a great addition to a fish lover’s collection. It comes at an accessible price that ensures you won’t need a hefty investment to acquire it. As it measures only 11.8 inches by 10.8 inches by 8.7 inches, you can neatly place it on the nightstand or countertop without it occupying much space.

It boasts a durable etched-glass construction with an aluminum trim. One of its main features is the overhanging lighting system which is composed of 31 LED lamps that arch above it. On the downside, there were a few customers who complained that the lighting could have been more powerful. Moreover, it features a circulation pump that provides extra help in providing a healthy habitat for the fish.

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6. EcoQube C UV Sterilizer

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The compact dimensions of the EcoQube C make it perfect for the office or the kid’s room. The low maintenance aquarium uses a basil plant to purify the water in the aquarium through, the plant being an important part of the aquaponics filter used.

The water of the aquarium and the filters never need to be changed due to the innovative and ingenious filtration method used. The only work that is asked of you to do is to feed the fish properly, approximately 3-6 times per week, and top off the aquarium with water every 1-2 months.

What will surely delight you, even more, is the fact that the initial water put into the aquarium is not recommended to be changed, so you won’t have to worry about this aspect at all. The wireless remote and the LED lights featured allow a high-level of customization. With the convenient to use remote, you will be able to change settings like the color spectrum preset, the intensity of the spectrum, and the natural light behaviors.

Another amazing pro delivered by the remote is the fact that you can rapidly select the preferred settings, so no time is lost on customization aspects. Additionally, the lights come with a timer function that you can set for up to 7 hours with the help of the remote.

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7. Aqueon Betta Falls

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Specially designed for hosting betta fish, the Aqueon adds elegance and contemporary touch to the room it is placed in. As it measures 16.93″ in length by 10.95″ in width by 11.42″ in height, it doesn’t take up much space.

You can customize it as you like, adding what plants, gravel, and décor you desire. What makes it stand out is the fact that it features 3 separate chambers so that your betta fish don’t sit together. Of course, you can use it to host other aquatic creatures as well, including small fish or crustaceans.

It even features frosted panels that don’t let the fish see each other and become agitated. The neat cascading waterfall feature with adjustable water flow control adds to its charm and keeps a constant stream of clean water in the small tanks of the fish. Speaking of clean water, you needn’t worry about replacing it too often as it featured filter cartridges that tackle removing impurities that lurk in it.

There’s a fill indicator window that lets you check on the internal water level with a simple glimpse to make your work even easier. The LED lighting is quite a neat addition as it brings life to the aquarium and lets you keep an eye on your beloved fish even when the lights are turned off in the room. Furthermore, with the purchase, you receive a filter and pump, as well as food and water care samples.

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8. Koller Products AquaView

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Cleaning after your pet fish is something you need not worry about anymore as the Koller aquarium tends to clear the impurities in the water on its own with the effective filtration process employed by the Tetra Whisper XS filter cartridges it features. In terms of size, it boasts a 2-gallon capacity which ensures that there is enough water for your fish to thrive.

Besides taking the chore of cleaning after your pets off of your hands, it features modern LED lighting which provides a great ambiance in the room it is placed in. There are a total of 7 color options that you can pick between, and 4 transitioning and color combinations. It measures 10.2 inches in diameter and 10.5 inches in height, so it provides a hearty amount of swimming space for the fish without occupying a lot of table or counter space itself.

We cannot end without mentioning what is probably its most important feature, more precisely the built-in timer that you can set for 2 hours or 4 hours and that applies to the LED lighting, saving energy by not letting the feature run more than needed. Another impressive aspect is that the manufacturing company backs it for 2 years, which is more than generous considering the cheap price asked for this product.

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9. As Seen On TV 56028

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Perfect for first-time pet owners and especially children who parents want to teach about the responsibilities of caring for pets, the As Seen On TV 56028 is a small-size aquarium you don’t actually have to tend to. It uses gravity cleaning to keep the water clean and an appropriate environment for the fish to swim in, so there’s nothing actually required on your part except to feed the fish and give them attention.

As it measures a mere 4.5” by 4.5” by 10”, it occupies a minimum amount of space and is suitable even for the nightstand. If you do decide to place it on the nightstand next to your bed, the LED light it features lets you keep an eye on your pet fish until you fall asleep if you find it soothing. Moreover, the riveted stones and aquatic plant included make your small pet feel like it is in an actual body of water rather than an aquarium, another undeniable benefit.

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Self-Cleaning Tanks 101

Let’s just face it, no one likes to waste time cleaning after their pets. This is one of the main reasons why some people prefer fish over cats and dogs, pets that are a lot harder to care for. What makes fish an even greater addition to a modern household is the fact that they are quite relaxing to look at, and along with the aquariums that they live in, they can boost the ambiance in the house.

Self-cleaning fish tanks are a relatively new appearance on the market, these aquariums bringing an ideal fix to the issue of wasting time on maintenance tasks. Sure, from time to time even these aquariums might require some cleaning, but it is so rare that it does not even count. The design of most aquariums is plant-based, but others rely on more traditional filtration provided by filter cartridges or other types of waste removal and water cleaning methods.

Not only do they present a more convenient method to care for your pet fish, but they ensure a healthy and safe habitat for the small aquatic creatures as well. Therefore, you should not look at it as an investment made to simply convenience yourself and gain more free time but more as an investment made to create superior living conditions for the fish.

Reasons to Make the Purchase

Some tanks come at more expensive prices, requiring you to spend a few hundreds of dollars to purchase them, while others can cost as little as $10. Regardless of the available budget, the system that it uses, or its design, what is a certainty is the fact that this is an investment worth making.

• #1 – Less maintenance work: Free time has become quite a luxury these days due to our busy schedules. Modern people also feel more stressed and overwhelmed as their jobs and their lives at home require them to be constantly active. Instead of letting your lifestyle overwhelm you completely, make your life easier by investing in an aquarium that cleans itself. Maintenance work is required for this type of aquarium, but it is required 2-3 times per year. Thus, you will not have to waste 30-60 minute cleaning it every week or even more often but rather spend the extra time that you gain relaxing.
• #2 – Healthier environment for the fish: If you have opted for fish as pets, it is obvious that you like these small aquatic creatures a lot. This means that you want to do as much as you can to ensure they lead long lives and that they do not fall prey to diseases. Unfortunately, fish can be quite sensitive, the environment they swim in impacting their health in a dramatic manner. In case you are the forgetful type of person, a major issue appears, more precisely the fact that you might skip on the routine cleaning that needs to be done on the aquarium and the water in it. With a self-cleaning model, this will not be an issue anymore as the swimming environment will be kept clean and waste-free for a long time. Additionally, in case you go for a water garden model, there is the added benefit that the water will be provided with more oxygen than normal, enhancing the living conditions of your beloved pets.
• #3 – More appealing design: A dirty aquarium can easily ruin the ambiance of the room. But not everyone has the time to clean the aquarium 2-3 times per week, so a messy looking tank is quite inevitable for some. The waste and toxins left behind by the fish are taken care of, meaning that it will never appear dirty, nor the water inside it. Thus, the aquarium will always serve as an ambiance booster not only a storage space for your aquatic pets.

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How to Clean a Fish Tank

Although manufacturers tend to advertise them as being completely maintenance-free, this is not really true. Yes, little maintenance work is required and it is needed so rarely that it is not worth taking into consideration.

But the truth is that you need to be aware of the chores you must perform as it is better to know from the start what is expected of you to do when owning the aquarium instead of finding out the hard way after months of owning it, potentially endangering your beloved pet fish as a result.

When it comes to maintenance work you have to perform, know that once every 3-4 months or whenever you think it is needed, you should empty the water out and thoroughly scrub the interior walls. If it comes with gravel and decorations, make it a point to clean them thoroughly as well.

Don’t neglect the exterior either – wipe it with a distilled white vinegar solution to make sure you remove any deposits. By going through with these steps, you ensure the environment the pet fish swim in is always 100% clean and free of dirt, gunk, and impurities, and that the tank looks neat and clean as well.

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Buying Guide

Make Sure It Offers a Satisfying Volume

Have you decided how many fish you want to put into the aquarium? Make sure you figure this aspect out before you start your search to ensure you won’t be later disappointed by your purchase. If you only want to have 1-2 small fish, you can easily go with an aquarium that has a 3-5 gallon volume capacity. In case you want a more spacious tank that can handle more fish, then you should look for one that offers a volume of at least 15 gallons.

Check the Aquarium’s Dimensions

Another important aspect that you must decide on before you hit the store or the online environment is the size that you want it to have. To more easily make the decision, think about where you want to place it. If you want to put it on your desk or on the nightstand, surfaces with limited free space, make sure the aquarium you choose is compact. What you should do is take some measurements or at least note down an approximate dimension you think will be perfect for the aquarium before starting your search.

Look for a Quality Construction

We cannot stress how important it is for the aquarium to be made with quality, durable materials. Unfortunately, glass is not the best choice to go with as it not only breaks easily but it scratches easily as well. The best type of construction to go with when it comes to aquariums is definitely acrylic as it is far superior in durability and scratch resistance.

Choose the Right System for Your Needs

Do you prefer a water garden system or a gravity-based model? Both systems deliver the same end result – a clean, hassle-free environment for your pet fish to swim in. The main difference between them is that the water garden type provides the added benefit of being able to grow a plant at the same time. Thus, think about it carefully and reach a decision based on what you see as being the best fit for your preferences.

Do Not Overlook LED Lighting

The aquarium can become a true ambiance booster only with the addition of LED lighting. The LEDs make it possible to see the fish easily even at night and they add a modern touch. Some higher end aquariums even feature lighting systems that mimic the natural light cycle so that the pet fish can feel as if they were in a pond outside. Therefore, this feature can serve as far more than just a simple décor booster.

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Types

• Gravity-based fish tanks: These aquariums use a pump to pull out the dirty water and deliver a safe haven for the fish. Obviously, this system is well-conceived, so there’s no risk that the fish might get pulled out of the tank. They do require a cup to be put under the filtration pipe when the tank is cleaned. After placing the cup, just turn the system on and let it empty out the waste-filled, dirty water. As the dirty water is being evacuated you can proceed to pour in clean water. More effective self-cleaning gravity-based tanks not only feature an air pump that helps with the cleaning process but they feature filtration systems that keep the aquariums clean for a longer time.
• Water garden fish tanks: They feature an aquarium at the bottom and a small garden at the top. All the toxins left behind by the fish are used to fertilize the plants, so you won’t only continuously enjoy the perk of having a clean water tank but you will be able to grow beautiful plants or delicious herbs as well. Thus, these tanks are more popular due to their functionality and usefulness. The science behind their operation is extremely easy, and your interference is never actually needed, so they’re more than ideal for all lazy pet owners.

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Rating Our Picks

Design and Construction

We put an accent on the design aspect to ensure we were delivering amazing-looking aquariums as these items can make or break the décor of a room. When it came to their construction, we wanted to make sure the durability and resistance to scratches that the tanks boasted were high, so it is clear why acrylic is the material that we gave the highest rating to.

Volume Capacity

Although capacity was not the definitive element to separate our picks, it did weigh a lot when we ranked them. A higher volume capacity shows that you can store more fish inside, which is a definite plus.

Filtration Type

As you can see, there appear water garden fish tanks as well as gravity-based models in our top. Undoubtedly, both types deliver excellent results when it comes to aquarium cleanliness, so it is difficult to establish what type should receive more points and why.

LED Lighting

This feature serves two roles, more precisely creating a better habitat for the fish and sprucing up the ambiance of the room it is placed in. As we were aware of the properties delivered by the lighting system, we could not skip on it when the time came to rate and rank our picks.

Warranty Length

The length of the warranty is the best indicator of the amount of trust that the manufacturer puts into the product it sells to customers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Conclusion

We all love the idea of having a pet, but dread the responsibilities that come along with caring for it. Luckily, the modern times we live in provide with ingenious solutions to help make the lives of pet owners easier and increase life quality for their pets as well. From automatic cat feeders that you can set to provide your beloved kitty with nourishment several times per day at specific hours to make sure it is fed even when you are at work, to invisible dog fences that keep your pet dogs inside the perimeter of your property for them to not get lost or hurt, the world of pet-related products has seen a major change. One of these major changes is seen in aquariums as, these days, you can get one that you won’t have to clean the water in as it tends to the task on its own.

Best Self-Cleaning Fish Tank on the Market: biOrb Flow 30

With a modern design that makes it stand out regardless of the room you place it in, the biOrb is your ultimate pick when it comes to maintenance-free aquariums. It is an 8-gallon capacity model and it’s spacious enough to fit multiple fish. As it uses a 5-stage filtration process to clean the water, you are ensured the environment is kept perfect for your pet to swim in. moreover, one of its features is to simulate the natural light cycle to ensure healthy, proper growth for your pet fish.

Editor’s Choice: Marineland ML90609 Portrait

The Marineland is quite effective in the upkeep of clean water as it uses 3 phases of filtration to ensure the habitat your fish swim in is as beneficial as possible. What we like about it feature-wise is the 2-mode operation of the light system it features that helps spruce ambiance and provide a more pleasant setting for your pet fish.

Best Self-Cleaning Fish Tank for Betta: Aqueon Betta Falls

Betta fish require special attention, and if you love these fish, you must acquire the Aqueon. The 3 chambers it features are separated so that the fish don’t clash with each other. Moreover, they are provided with more than enough space to swim in so that they lead long and healthy lives as they are properly taken care of, not only when it comes to habitat cleanliness but when it comes to their swimming needs as well.

Best Self-Cleaning Fish Tank with Plants: Back to the Roots Water Garden

Relying on aquaponics to keep the water clean, it serves as more than just a fish tank as you can use it as a small indoor garden pot where you grow organic herbs and sprouts. As a matter of fact, its functioning implies that there is no need to change the water as the waste that fish leave is used as fertilizer for the plants you grow, an ingenious manner to serve its dual-purpose without you having to interfere in the process.

Best Low-Budget Self-Cleaning Fish Tank: As Seen On TV 56028

The ultimate budget deal, it is an ideal pick for beginners in pet care and parents who want to teach their children about the responsibilities of caring for another life. Small and stress-free in terms of maintenance as it uses gravity cleaning technology to keep the habitat clean for the fish to thrive in, it is an option worth taking into consideration especially if money is tight.