A 10 gallon aquarium is a very common size and popular choice for the beginning aquarist. Most aquarium hobbyists setup a 10 gallon aquarium as a starter freshwater tropical fish tank. Other 10 gallon aquarium ideas include a freshwater shrimp tank for Amano Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp,Ghost Shrimp, or a Nerite Snail tank.
A note about Goldfish: A 10 gallon aquarium is not the best aquarium sizefor Goldfish. Keeping Goldfish in a small tank like a 10 gallon aquarium can lead to water quality issues very quickly and be harmful or even fatal to the fish. But since my children won two small Goldfish at a street fair, and in the moment I was pressed for physical space, I had to temporarily keep the two small Goldfish in a 10 gallon aquarium while room was made for a larger tank. Soon thereafter, the Goldfish were moved to a larger tank with more water capacity, so it all worked out. But just be aware that a 10 gallon aquarium is really not the best choice to keep Goldfish over the long term.
A 10 gallon aquarium kit is almost always on sale at the local fish store as well as at the chain stores, and are also always available online. The 10 gallon aquarium size makes it easy enough to setup, but because low water volume and limited surface area, a 10 gallon aquarium may be challenging for beginners to maintain and care for over the long run.
A 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit Can Be Good For Beginners
10 gallon aquarium has some advantages for beginners. A relatively inexpensive 10 gallon aquarium kit contains nearly everything needed to get a small tank up and running. And over time, as hobbyists graduate to larger tanks, the old 10 gallon aquarium setup can serve as an extra tank to temporarily keep fry or serve as a quarantine tank should fish become ill.
There are many 10 gallon aquarium starter kits on the market today. Some hobbyists feel that getting aquarium kit at the local fish store may be an advantage because they believe they may be getting greater access to shop keepers with aquarium knowledge. Other hobbyists feel that getting an aquarium kit at one of the bigger chains is better because they may be getting a better deal on price. And still others opt out of the brick and mortar option all together by shopping online and having it delivered. Regardless of where and how a hobbyist gets a kit, keep in mind that all kits are not the same and aquarium kit contents may vary by brand and price range.
The 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit Is Not Standard…So Shop Around
On the lower-end of the price range, a 10 gallon aquarium kit may include:
- One glass 10 gallon glass aquarium;
- One plastic tank cover with a socket for an incandescent light bulb;
- 3.One small plastic in-tank aquarium filter and some sample filter media;
- A few feet of air hose;
- Some aquarium gravel;
- A small sample of fish food;
- Samples of aquarium dechlorinator and/or water conditioner; and
- An information booklet.
On the higher-end of the price range, a 10 gallon aquarium kit may include:
- One glass 10 gallon glass aquarium;
- One plastic aquarium hood and tank cover with a florescent light bulb;
- One small HOB aquarium power filter with a sample filter cartridge;
- One small 50 watt aquarium heater;
- One small aquarium thermometer;
- Some aquarium gravel;
- One small fish net;
- A small sample of fish food;
- Samples of aquarium dechlorinator and/or water conditioner; and
- An information booklet.
An important accessory that is generally not included in a starter kit is an aquarium stand. A filled 10 gallon aquarium weights about 111 pounds, so make sure the aquarium stand is sturdy and can handle the combined weight of the water and gravel. Tables and stools are not strong or sturdy enough as their legs that can be kicked out easily. The best bet is to invest in an aquarium stand made for the aquarium size being purchased.
With an aquarium kit it’s important to remember that a starter kit is just that…a place to start. In the end, aquarium hobbyists will need more than the accessories included in an aquarium kit to maintain a successful and healthy tank over the long run. So with buying kits, shop around and try to get the most value for your buck as possible. Along those lines, it may even be a better idea to go a la carte and purchase items separately to get upgraded accessories for a few dollars more than the total price of a kit.
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