PetSmart remains one of the largest walk-in aquarium retailers in the US, and its tank aisle runs from tiny betta bowls to 75-gallon displays. The private-label Top Fin kits dominate shelf space, but you will also see Aqueon, Tetra, Fluval, and Marineland boxes. That variety makes choosing a starter setup harder than it seems. Our best beginner fish tanks guide covers the basics, but here we focus on the actual kits sold at PetSmart. We compare tank size, included equipment, and what species can realistically live in each setup. A bad kit choice leads to dead fish, wasted money, and a frustrating first month.
We judged each PetSmart aquarium kit by volume, footprint, included filter, heater, and light, plus long-term costs. A 5-gallon tank can hold nitrifying bacteria, but it is far less forgiving than a 20-gallon because ammonia spikes happen faster. Before buying any PetSmart aquarium, you should understand the aquarium nitrogen cycle explained so you do not lose fish in the first month. We also checked manufacturer care sheets. Aqueon’s care reference lists exact temperature and tank-size requirements for many starter fish. Those numbers shaped our stocking advice.
Stocking limits drive most PetSmart aquarium decisions. A 5-gallon kit is only suitable for one betta or a shrimp colony, while a 10-gallon can support a small school. The betta fish care guide explains why 78°F and a gentle filter matter more than tank shape. We did not include fish-only bowls or tanks under 5 gallons because they fail basic welfare standards and are poor values after you add a heater and filter. A few extra gallons consistently beats a cheaper box when ammonia and temperature swings are involved.
Our picks reflect what we would actually buy from PetSmart with our own money. The Aqueon 10-gallon kit delivers the best balance of cost and stocking options. The Fluval Flex 15 is the strongest small planted tank if you can spend more. For buying a separate heater or filter upgrade, Aquarium Co-Op’s equipment guide is a practical reference. We also note which kits still need a heater, because many PetSmart boxes omit one. That omission is the most common beginner mistake after skipping the cycle.
How Do the Top Options Compare?
| Product | Tank Size | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Fin 5 Gallon Glass Aquarium Kit | 5 gallons | Betta or shrimp | Check price |
| Aqueon 10 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit | 10 gallons | Small community fish | Check price |
| Tetra ColorFusion 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit | 10 gallons | Colorful display tank | Check price |
| Fluval Flex 15 Gallon Aquarium Kit | 15 gallons | Planted nano community | Check price |
| Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit | 5 gallons | Sleek vertical desktop | Check price |
Prices are approximate and change by PetSmart location and online stock. Some Top Fin items are PetSmart exclusives and may not appear on Amazon; search links show availability for equivalent gear. Always cycle and quarantine before adding fish.
1. Top Fin 5 Gallon Glass Aquarium Kit , Budget betta or shrimp tank
Top Fin is PetSmart’s house brand, and the 5-gallon glass kit is usually the cheapest true aquarium on the shelf. It includes a glass tank, a low-flow internal filter, an LED hood, and sometimes a small net or water conditioner sample. At roughly 16 by 8 by 10 inches, it fits a nightstand or desk without dominating the room. If you add a 25W heater and keep the room above 70°F, the water should hold at 78°F. See our best aquarium heaters for compact options that fit this setup.
The filter media is a thin carbon cartridge. It works, but replacement cartridges become an ongoing cost and the flow can push a long-finned betta around. You may need to baffle the output. Lighting is fine for low-light plants like java fern, but not enough for demanding stems. Stocking should stop at one betta, a few snails, or a small group of Neocaridina shrimp. This tank cannot handle goldfish or a school of tetras, no matter what the box shows.
Key strengths:
- ✅ Lowest price for a 5-gallon glass kit at PetSmart
- ✅ Includes filter and LED light
- ✅ Small footprint fits desks and countertops
- ✅ Suitable for one betta or shrimp colony when heated
- ✅ Widely available in stores for easy replacement parts
- ❌ No heater included in most bundles
- ❌ Internal filter flow may be too strong for long-finned bettas
- ❌ Tiny 5-gallon volume limits stocking severely
Who it’s for: Someone who wants a budget PetSmart betta or shrimp tank and will add a small heater.
2. Aqueon 10 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit , Best all-around beginner freshwater setup
The Aqueon 10-gallon LED kit is our top pick because it gives you enough water volume to avoid daily parameter swings while keeping the footprint manageable. The kit includes a 20.25 by 10.5 by 12.5 inch glass tank, a low-profile LED hood, and an Aqueon QuietFlow internal filter. You still need a 50W heater to keep the water at 78°F for tropical fish. Adding one is straightforward, and our best aquarium filters guide explains how to upgrade if the included cartridge filter feels too basic. This kit is a common PetSmart pick and Check the Aqueon 10 gallon LED aquarium kit on Amazon.
A 10-gallon tank can realistically hold six neon tetras, a small group of male guppies, or a betta with some snails. Neon tetras stay about 1.5 inches and prefer pH 6.0 to 7.0 and 70 to 81°F. A single betta also does well, but avoid adding fin-nipping species. The LED is fine for low-light plants and viewing fish, though it will not support a high-tech carpet. The filter uses replacement cartridges, so budget for ongoing media costs.
Key strengths:
- ✅ 10 gallons supports a small community, not just one fish
- ✅ Includes QuietFlow filter and LED hood
- ✅ Aqueon glass is consistent and widely available at PetSmart
- ✅ Accepts standard heaters, lights, and aftermarket filters
- ✅ Good footprint for a first real tank
- ❌ No heater included in the standard PetSmart bundle
- ❌ Filter cartridges require regular replacement
- ❌ LED only supports low-light plants
Who it’s for: First-time fishkeepers who want a small community tank and do not mind adding a heater.
3. Tetra ColorFusion 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit , Colorful display tank for kids or beginners
Tetra’s ColorFusion kit is another 10-gallon setup sold at PetSmart, but the main difference is the color-changing LED light. The tank includes a Tetra Whisper internal filter and, in many PetSmart bundles, a 50W heater. That heater makes it a better out-of-box value than kits that force you to buy one separately. Guppies are a good match because they tolerate 72 to 82°F and pH 7.0 to 8.0, and adults stay around 2 inches.
The colored light modes are fun, but you should not run blue or red light for more than a few hours at night. Excess colored light can encourage algae on glass and slow-growing plants. The included filter uses disposable cartridges and can be slightly noisier than the Aqueon QuietFlow. If you want a display for a child’s room, this kit is hard to beat for the price. Check the Tetra ColorFusion 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit on Amazon.
Key strengths:
- ✅ Often includes a 50W heater, reducing initial cost
- ✅ Color-changing LED adds visual interest
- ✅ 10-gallon volume handles a small guppy or tetra group
- ✅ Whisper filter is easy to maintain
- ✅ Good PetSmart availability
- ❌ Colored light modes can promote algae if overused
- ❌ Replacement cartridges add long-term cost
- ❌ Noisier filter than some competitors
Who it’s for: A family or first-time owner who wants a colorful freshwater tank without buying extra gear.
4. Fluval Flex 15 Gallon Aquarium Kit , Planted nano community with strong LED
The Fluval Flex 15 is the most impressive small tank in PetSmart’s aisle. It holds 15 gallons in a curved front glass tank with a hidden rear filtration chamber. The included LED is stronger than typical kit lights and can grow low-to-medium light plants. Because the filter is built into the back, the tank looks cleaner on a stand or desk. You still need to add a heater, and the water temperature should stay at 76 to 80°F for most small tropical fish.
Fifteen gallons opens more stocking options than a 10-gallon. You could keep a school of 8 ember tetras, which stay under 1 inch and prefer pH 5.5 to 7.0 and 73 to 84°F. A small group of pygmy corydoras is another option. Before adding fish, follow the how to cycle a fish tank guide to build bacteria safely.
The filtration uses a foam block and ceramic media instead of disposable cartridges, which saves money over time. The curved glass looks good but can distort viewing angles slightly. Check the Fluval Flex 15 Gallon Aquarium Kit on Amazon.
Key strengths:
- ✅ 15 gallons supports more fish and plants
- ✅ Strong LED grows low-to-medium light plants
- ✅ Hidden rear filtration uses reusable media
- ✅ Clean curved glass design
- ✅ More stable water parameters than 5 or 10 gallons
- ❌ Higher price than most PetSmart starter kits
- ❌ Heater not included in most packages
- ❌ Curved glass can distort viewing angles
Who it’s for: Hobbyists who want a planted nano community and are willing to pay more upfront.
5. Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon Aquarium Kit , Sleek vertical desktop tank
Marineland’s Portrait 5-gallon kit takes a different approach with a tall, narrow footprint. It includes a glass tank, an LED light, and a hidden rear filter. The vertical design fits small desks, but it sacrifices horizontal swimming space. Bettas prefer horizontal length to vertical height, so this is not the ideal betta home, though it works if the flow is baffled and the water is kept at 78°F.
The rear filter is similar to the Fluval Flex in placement but less powerful. It uses a small cartridge and does not offer as much biological media. Still, for shrimp or a single calm betta, the water volume is manageable with weekly 25% water changes. Do not put active fish like danios in this tank because they need swimming length. A 25W heater fits in the back chamber, but you must monitor temperature because tall tanks can stratify.
Key strengths:
- ✅ Very small footprint fits tight desks
- ✅ Hidden rear filter keeps the display clean
- ✅ Modern rimless look
- ✅ Includes LED light
- ✅ Good for shrimp colonies
- ❌ Vertical shape limits horizontal swimming space
- ❌ No heater included
- ❌ Filter chamber is tight and less efficient than box filters
Who it’s for: Desk owners who want a clean-looking 5-gallon for shrimp or one betta with a gentle flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PetSmart sell complete aquarium kits with a heater?
Some do. Tetra ColorFusion bundles often include a 50W heater, but many Top Fin and Aqueon kits do not. Always check the box or add a separate heater sized for the tank.
What is the minimum PetSmart aquarium size for a betta?
Five gallons is the practical minimum. A 5-gallon kit can work for one betta with a heater set to 78°F and a gentle filter, but a 10-gallon is more stable.
Can I keep goldfish in a PetSmart 10-gallon kit?
No. Single-tail goldfish need 75 gallons or more, and even fancy goldfish need 20 to 30 gallons as adults. A 10-gallon tank is too small and will foul quickly.
How often should I change water in a PetSmart 5-gallon aquarium?
Once a week, change about 25 to 30 percent. Small tanks accumulate nitrate and ammonia faster, so weekly maintenance is not optional.
Which PetSmart aquarium kit is best for live plants?
The Fluval Flex 15 has the strongest included LED and grows low-to-medium light plants. The Aqueon 10-gallon LED is fine for java fern and anubias but not demanding plants.
Do PetSmart aquarium kits come with fish?
No. You buy fish separately after the tank has cycled. Cycling usually takes two to six weeks before adding fish safely.
What Should You Remember?
- Tank size drives stocking: 5 gallons for one betta or shrimp, 10 gallons for a small school, 15 gallons for more options.
- Heat matters because most PetSmart kits omit a heater, so add one before tropical fish.
- Cycle first with ammonia and nitrifying bacteria before adding any fish.
- Filtration quality varies: hidden rear filters in Fluval and Marineland are cleaner but not always stronger.
- Ongoing costs include replacement cartridges, water conditioner, and test kits.
- Stocking limits are strict: no goldfish in small kits, no active danios in tall 5-gallons.
- Live plants do best under the Fluval Flex LED or with low-light species in Aqueon and Top Fin kits.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or aquarium specialist advice. Always research the specific needs of your fish and consult an expert before making care decisions.
