Is your betta tank too small? 2.5 gallons is the minimum a betta needs to survive, but it’s not the size recommended for them to thrive. 5 gallons is the minimum for that. But if you’re here, you’re not looking for a 5-gallon tank. You’re looking for something a little roomier for your betta. A tank that can house more than one fish. And if that’s the case then 10 gallons is a great starting size. In this article read about the best 10 gallon fish tanks for bettas!

The 4 Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks For Bettas

If you plan on buying the best 10 gallon fish tank you may have noticed there’s a lot to choose from. I’ve whittled the list of suitable tanks for bettas down to 4. The number one spot has to be the one that has the most reviews on Amazon. The Marina LED Aquarium Kit. Keep reading to find out more about it!

The Marina LED Aquarium Kit

The Marina LED Aquarium Kit isn’t just an aquarium. It also comes with a filter, water conditioner, food & LED lighting. It’s the highest reviewed and highest rated 10 gallon aquarium on Amazon, and for good reason.

When you set your aquarium up you’ll notice immediately how quiet the filter is, compared to other filters which often produce a constant buzz. The filter is also slim and discreet. Which is great because it helps your aquarium look clean and tidy. (And if you’re like me, when you notice a filter intruding in the tank it often makes the whole setup feel less natural.)

What really makes this filter great for bettas is the flow as well. Even on a medium to high setting, the flow isn’t going to overpower your betta. For a starter kit filter, it honestly exceeds expectations.

As well as this if you wanted a planted tank for your betta (which is recommended) the lights are also fantastic at helping your plants grow into an underwater garden!

It also comes with a biological supplement kit which is going to help bacteria build up in your aquarium which is beneficial to the nitrogen cycle and removing ammonia. (It’s going to help keep your betta alive for longer.)

There are two drawbacks to this tank. The first one is that you’ll have to buy a heater separately, which isn’t a problem as you can get a heater relatively cheap. The other drawback is the lid. You have to take the lid off every time you plan on doing a water change.

However, the advantages of this tank far outweigh the disadvantages and it’s definitely the best 10 gallon fish tank you can get for a betta.

Pros

An amazing filter that is discreet, quiet and barely noticeable.
LED lighting is great for helping any plants in your tank grow as well as highlighting your bettas colour.
A biological supplement kit comes with the tank which helps beneficial bacteria grow in the tank

Cons

You’ll have to purchase your own heater (which is cheap).
If you want to do a water change you’ll have to take the whole lid off.

Fluval FLEX 9 Gallon Glass Aquarium Kit

In second place is the Fluval FLEX 9 Gallon Glass Aquarium Kit. It’s an amazing tank that has a lot of great features. The only issue is that it doesn’t quite hit 10 gallons.

Once again you’re not just going to be getting a tank when you buy this, you’re also going to get a filter and LED Lighting as well.

The filter has three-stage filtration which means the water in your tank is going to be perfect for your betta. The only downside is that the filter flow can be too strong for bettas that are weak swimmers. However, if you have a healthy betta this shouldn’t be a problem and if you angle the filter flow against the walls of your tank it really slows it down.

The main perk of this tank is the way it looks. It isn’t like common tanks and instead the glass curves out. I love how it brings more attention to your betta and makes the tank a conversation piece in any room. And when your betta swims close to the glass it looks like it’s even closer than it is

The tank also has room in the back to fit a heater, filter and any extra equipment, so your tank can remain clutter free, giving your betta more room to swim and making the environment look a lot more green and natural.

And lastly, one of the main selling points, the LED lights. The lights aren’t just white, but you can flick through a variety of colors. You can even have a color and white light on at the same time, which is great to soften the light for your betta and the other fish in the tank.

Pros

A great filtration system comes with the tank, which is going to help create the perfect water parameters for your betta.
The LED lights come in a variety of colors which can soothe your betta and the other fish.
The lights also promote plant growth.
There’s a separate compartment in the back where you can place the heater and filter as well as additional equipment. This makes your tank look a lot cleaner.

Cons

The water flow from the filter may be too powerful for weak swimmers. If you have a healthy betta this shouldn’t be a problem, however.
The curved glass can be hard to clean with a magnetic cleaner, you’ll need to use a normal one instead.

Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Starter Kits with LED Lighting (Best Value For Money)

This tank comes with EVERYTHING you need to get started. It comes with lighting, a heater, a filter, fish food, water conditioner, a thermometer, and a fishnet. It is the perfect aquarium for any beginners who don’t want to start from scratch.

One of the benefits of the tank is the heater that is preset at 78°F. This is the ideal temperature for bettas but you may have to be wary of adding other fish to the tank who may need it hotter or colder.

Also, the lights that come with the tank are fantastic and can be easily switched on and off by a cord switch.

And lastly, you have a lot of control over the filter so if the current being produced is too strong you can change the setting. The filter also has a light that flashes red when you need to change the filter cartridge.

However, there are some downsides to this tank. The biggest one being the LED lights can often get really hot which may affect the temperature of your tank. And on top of this, the brightness of the lights often causes glare and a reflection that can cause your betta to flare.

But if you’re looking for a solid tank (and Amazon’s choice) then this is the one you should go for. You may need to change out the lights but everything else is fine!

Pros

Contains EVERYTHING you need to get started
Easy to assemble.
Lights have a perfectly placed on/off switch so you don’t have to fiddle with them.
Amazon’s Choice
The filter has changeable settings so the water current won’t be too strong for your betta.

Cons

Tanks hood isn’t hinged, so you have to take the lid off every time you want to perform a water change.
The heater is preset, it’s the ideal temperature for betta fish but may not be okay for others.
The LED lights often get very hot and bright. Which could increase the temperature of the tank as well as cause a reflection that makes your betta flare.

Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit

Last on the list is the Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit. But just because it’s last doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying. One of the most important things to consider when buying an aquarium is if it’s going to fit your needs. And with a few adjustments, the Penn Plax can definitely be that aquarium.

This tank is very aesthetically pleasing. It has no frame or seams which make it stand out amongst other fish tanks. The aquarium also comes with other equipment including an LED light, filter and mat to place underneath.

The hinged top is also plastic, which is great because it’s extremely durable. However, it comes off easily, so you may have to keep putting it back on.

And the biggest problem with this tank is the light. It doesn’t perform well and most people say it wasn’t worth getting. If you plan on buying this tank then you’re definitely going to have to consider buying a new light.

Pros

Looks amazing. It’s extremely clean and the glass is well manufactured.
Comes with a lot of equipment you’re going to need such as a filter, mat, and light.
The lid is made from plastic which makes it a lot more durable than the rest of the tank.

Cons

The light that comes with this aquarium isn’t great, so you should consider getting a different one.
The lid often comes off the hinges which can become annoying after a while.
If you want to switch the light off you have to unplug it because there’s no switch.

What Equipment Does A 10 Gallon Fish Tank Need?

Now that you know what the best 10 gallon fish tank for bettas is, you need to know what else your tank is going to need. Without all the equipment the chances of your betta surviving drop drastically. Some of them are more important than others but without them, your tank will essentially be incomplete.

Heater & Thermometer

One of the most important things you’re going to need is a heater. (If you want an in-depth guide on why heaters are so important, as well as the rare cases where you won’t need one then click here.) A heater is going to keep your tank consistently at 78°F.

It’s common for heaters not to come with aquarium kits because they’re not necessary for some types of fish.

They are generally very easy to use. Just turn a dial to the temperature you want your water to be, and when the water drops below that temperature the heater will turn on until the water is warm enough again. It’s good to have a thermometer on the side of your tank as well just to be safe.

For a 10 gallon, tank you’ll need a heater that ranges from 25-70 watts.

Filter

A filter is probably THE most important piece of equipment. The filter that you plan on having in your tank is what’s going to keep your fish healthy because filters are there to clean the water. Without a filter, your fish will soon be overcome by the poisons of its own bioload.

Lights

It’s also important that your fish has adequate lighting. Lights aren’t a necessity like a filter and a heater, but they are still going to greatly improve the health of your betta. They help bettas to know when it’s time to eat and rest and without a light your bettas circadian rhythm would be off. (To know more about WHY it’s so important for a betta to have light as well as the best times to have your lights on and off check out this article.)

Lights are also necessary to help any plants in the tank grow.

Substrate

There’s a lot of debate about which substrate you should use in your tank, and most of the time it’s going to come down to sand or gravel. (If you’re interested in learning about all the different substrates as well as their benefits and downsides read this.) But the majority of the time you’re going to need a substrate.

If you’re interested in buying gravel for your tank then you should definitely read this article about the best gravel for betta tanks.

Air Bubbler

This is another piece of equipment that isn’t 100% needed but definitely helps. An air bubbler creates more oxygen in the water. This, in turn, makes it a lot easier for your betta to breathe. However, it’s important to note that you don’t need an air bubbler in your tank and bettas will also be just fine without one.

Water Conditioner

You don’t need a water conditioner all the time, only when you plan on adding new water to your tank. Water conditioner removes all the chemicals from tap water that are okay for you, but not so great for bettas. I like API Stress Coat.

What Fish Can You Keep With Your Betta In A 10 Gallon Tank?

Once you have a tank that’s 10 gallons or over you can start thinking about other fish to add to your tank. Just remember, that in most cases housing other fish in a tank this large will be fine, but if your betta is particularly aggressive it may not be a good idea.

Guppies

Oftentimes people say you can’t keep guppies with bettas because of their bright color and flowing tail. And this is true. However female guppies lack both of these features. So if you wanted to add guppies with your betta make sure they’re female and look as dull as possible.

Corydora Catfish

Catfish are bottom dwellers which means they’re barely going to interact with your betta. And not only are they going to avoid your betta they’re also going to eat a lot of debris off the bottom of your tank, helping to keep it clean. Just remember, that while cory catfish will thrive in a 10 gallon tank others may not. So it’s important to do your own research beforehand.

Platys

You should also consider adding a couple of platys to your tank. For the most part, they’re going to keep themselves to themselves. Just be aware that sometimes they may nip your bettas fins. Also, platys often reproduce in the tank so you have to take this into consideration.

Shrimp

Different species of shrimp can also work in your tank. Just make sure when you’re buying them that they’re not small enough to be eaten by your betta or any other fish in the tank. The most popular types of shrimp you can include are ghost shrimps and cherry shrimps.

Snails

Snails are a great addition to the tank because they eat algae which will help keep your tank clean. Almost all varieties of snail are going to be fine. But once again make sure they aren’t small enough to be eaten. Snails breed a lot so if you notice this happening you should add some assassin snails to the tank. Assassin snails eat other snails and breed slowly so you won’t have to worry about them overrunning your tank.

African Dwarf Frog

Have you ever considered an African dwarf frog? Your betta could definitely share a tank with one of them and they’ll be an addition not a lot of people have in their tank. However, with African dwarf frogs, you have to make sure their water conditions are perfect because they’re not as hardy as bettas.

Remember

It’s important to remember that when you’re adding any tank mate to your tank you have to know the temperament of your betta. If you know you have a particularly aggressive betta then you should avoid housing anything with them. However, if you’re not sure yet, begin slowly introducing one fish at a time and make sure you have a backup plan if your betta doesn’t like company.

How Many Fish Can You Put In A 10 Gallon?

As a rule of thumb, you should only have 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. So you could have 10 fish that are 1 inch long or 5 fish that are 2 inches long etc. However, personally I also choose to have a slightly smaller amount than that when housing them with a betta. Just to give your betta additional space to himself.

5-6 fish in addition to your betta is going to be sufficient. This varies more with other tank mates that aren’t fish. For example, you could have more snails and shrimp but less African dwarf frogs

Recap

Just a quick recap, the best 10 gallon fish tank for bettas has to be the Marina LED Aquarium Kit. The tank in itself is durable but the real selling features are the LED lighting and filter. Both of which are extremely good bits of kit for the money you pay.

Also remember, that if you plan on buying a 10 gallon aquarium you’ll need:

A Heater
A Filter
Lighting
Water Conditioner
And Substrate

In a 10 gallon tank, you can also give your betta a few tank mates such as:

Female Guppies
Corydora Catfish
Shrimp
Snails
Platys
African Dwarf Frogs

If you enjoyed this article remember to share it and bookmark it. If you have any more questions make sure you leave them in the comments below, otherwise, have a great day!

(Check out EVERY 10 Gallon tank ranked in this helpful article!)