Rimless Aquariums are a wonder of the 21st century. Sleek, well-built, and eye-pleasing, Rimless Aquariums have a perfect look and feel to level up your fish-keeping hobby. These aquariums offer you a cleaner look at your beautiful fish while allowing you to build the aquarium suited to your needs. Rimless Aquariums do away with the eyesores that rim around the tank, making it look less like a cage and more like home.
Today there are hundreds of options available in the market, and it is easy for you to get confused if you don’t know what aquarium you’re looking for. If you are in a hurry, then trust our best recommendation:
The Landen 60P 17.1 Gallon Rimless Aquarium Tank. Not only is it affordable, but it comes highly praised by many fish keepers. For a detailed analysis and the pros and cons of this tank, keep reading.
If you have enough time to research, this guide will help you pick the best aquarium for your needs and give you a clear idea of the pros and cons of each. We have compiled a list of the seven best Rimless Aquariums that this year has to offer.
Since we have been writing about fish and studying them every day, we can present the perfect, unbiased analysis of rimless aquariums to you.
To find your perfect aquarium, check out this detailed aquarium guide.
Let’s go more into detail and take a look at our top 7 candidates.
7 Best Rimless Aquariums
Rimless aquariums are a popular choice due to their sleek appearance and ease of cleaning. Here are the 7 best rimless aquarium:-
- Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit
- Penn Plax Vertex Aquarium Kit
- Landen 60P 17.1 Gallon Rimless Tank
- 8 Gallon Rimless Aquarium by JBJ
- 3N Clear Rimless Tank
- The BEGONDIS Low-Iron Rimless Tank
- Aqueon 10 Gallon Rimless Aquarium
Here Are The Best Rimless Aquariums, Tried and Tested
#1 Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit
This is a tank option with a curved glass that looks compact yet good.
The size options range between 3.4 gallons to 10 gallons. If you’re looking for a good quality 10-gallon rimless aquarium, this is the option you should go for.
Penn Plax Aquariums are durable with excellent quality and rarely have issues. Since this is the kit, it features a lot of valuable items such as a mat, LED light, a filter, and even a lid. Though the lid is plastic, rimless aquariums rarely need one. The lid may not be of the best quality, but this aquarium is a great choice for the price tag. The dimensions for this tank are 12 x 11 x 17 inches.
Pros:
- Comes with everything you need (10 LED fixtures, CIF1(a UL approved Cascade Internal Filter) and a lid
- High-quality glass
- Ideal size for a home setup
- Unique bent glass design
- Good option for beginners
Cons:
- Filter is not of a very good quality
- Takes up a lot of space inside the tank and is blue
- Is not a good size for a planted setup
#2 Penn Plax Vertex Aquarium Kit
This aquarium is the simplest option on this list. It is built well and is a well-rounded option. Just like all rimless aquariums, it looks visually appealing. Apart from that, there is nothing exceptional about this tank. The size of the aquarium (2.7 gallons) is relatively small. It is perfect for housing small aquatic creatures. Since the size is small, there won’t be a lot of damage to it. This kit also comes with some essentials, such as a filter.
The tank’s dimensions are 10 x 8 x 9 inches, and you can easily store it in a corner somewhere. Penn Plaxx is known for its hardy tanks, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of the products. Just like its previously mentioned companion, this tank is also UL-approved.
Pros:
- A reliable brand with no shortage of customers
- Small size that allows you to store it anywhere
- Kit comes with all the essentials
Con:
- Even though the filter comes with the tank, it is of a larger size than a 2.7-gallon tank filter should be
#3 Landen 60P 17.1 Gallon Rimless Tank
This tank is our favorite, and we highly recommend you to go for this option. Not only does it look great but it is a popular recommendation among experienced hobbyists. This rimless aquarium provides splendid visibility. It is eye-candy and a winner when it comes to tank aesthetics. It is not all beauty and no use. This option is very affordable, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to buy a good quality rimless aquarium. If your size requirements are the same as this tank provides, then go for it!
The dimensions of this tank are 23.6 L x 11.8 W x 14.2 H.
This aquarium comes with only one thing, and that is a black foam leveling mat. This mat will ease your tank setup process. One thing to keep in mind is that this aquarium is not a kit. You will have to buy other items like filters, lights, etc., separately.
Pros:
- Visually appealing
- High-quality
- Clear visibility
- Affordable option
Cons:
- Isn’t available as a kit (buy essentials separately)
- Not a good choice for beginners
#4 8 Gallon Rimless Aquarium by JBJ
Even though this tank describes itself as an 8-gallon rimless aquarium, it is almost 10 gallons in size. This impression comes from its long modern design. This tank will ensure that your fish have plenty of room to swim around and explore, even in a small-sized tank. It is sleekly built and will make a good decoration piece in your house set-up. Apart from its beautiful design, it is very reliable and has a LED light (with different settings).
The dimensions of this tank are 18.8 L x 10.2 W x 10.6 H. It also has a three-step filter: mechanical, biological, and chemical.
It also comes with a glass canopy. The glass canopy can be used as a lid that both serves the purpose of having a lid and not ruining your tank’s visual effect. The canopy is handy to house fish who are jumpers.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Glass canopy included
- Dimmable 10 watt LED lights (deep blue, white, blue, and white)
- Raised pedestal base
Cons:
- The canopy can be difficult to include
- This product is a little difficult to find
#5 3N Clear Rimless Tank
The best thing about this tank is how great the glass clarity is. The whole point of a rimless aquarium is to create a good impression on the mind of the viewers. That is exactly what this tank does. The reason for the good clarity is that the silicone edging is of A-1 quality. It also is quite durable. The manufacturers boast of using a 91% clarity Diamant glass, a “highly transparent extra clear glass with very little residual green color”.
The dimensions of this tank are 12.2 L x 7.48 H x 7.48 W inches. A unique feature of this tank is that it uses 45-degree angles, and therefore creates a sense of depth in the aquarium.
Similar to the Landen 60P, the Ultum Tank comes with a foam leveling mat. If you are looking for small-sized tanks of 8 gallons, then this is the best option.
Pros:
- Extremely good clarity
- High-quality German silicone for the edging
- Comes with a leveling mat
- Silicone edging is well-done
- Lots of different sizes in small aquariums
Cons:
- Not available in larger sizes
- You’ll need to spend extra on filters, pumps, and lights
#6 The BEGONDIS Low-Iron Rimless Tank
The BEGONDIS Aquarium is a very small-sized tank (2.2 gallons). The quality of the tank is superb. It looks like a great deal of detailing has gone into it. It is also leak-proof and tested. Since these aquariums are made of low-iron glass, they provide brilliant clarity. BEGONDIS always uses thicker glass than other tank manufacturers. It boasts of a 5mm thickness crystal clear low iron glass. It increases your tank lifespan and will last you for a long time.
The tank dimensions are 7.9 L × 7.9 W × 7.9 H inches.
Even though it is not the best out there, it is certainly cheap and does the job well.
Pros:
- Comes in two shapes: cubes and rectangle
- Each piece is tested
- Leak-proof
- Glass is thicker compared to others
- The tank uses low iron glass
- The brand boasts of having more than 91% clarity
- BEGONDIS offer free shipping
Con:
- Is available in limited sizes only
- No tank lid
#7 Aqueon 10 Gallon Rimless Aquarium
This rimless aquarium is the best starter option for beginners. It comes as a kit and includes essentials such as a fishnet, a thermometer to measure water temperature, a heater, a water conditioner, a filter, and even some premium fish food.
The tank dimensions are 20.25 L x 10.5 W x 12.625 H inches. You can use this tank for both freshwater and saltwater fish. They also provide glass top support brackets with the aquarium. If you need the glass top, you will have to purchase it separately.
All of this makes it perfect for someone who is in the early stages of fish-keeping.
Pros:
- Extremely cheap
- Comes with multiple accessories
- Great for starting
- Comes with a five-step filtration system
- Sturdy build
Con:
- Not made of low iron glass
- No added glass lid (sold separately)
One more top candidate who could easily be in this list is the Fluval Chi II Aquarium Set. To know more about this brilliant product.
How Are They Different From Other Tanks?
Rimless Aquariums differ from other tanks in many ways. The first and the most glaring difference is the way they look. In a normal tank, there are ‘braces’ on the side of the tank walls for support. These rimmed aquariums can also take more water pressure due to their added strength. The rimmed tanks have been so popular so far because they are durable and commonly available. These tanks also have a wide range of options ranging from as small as a 10-gallon tank or even a 100-gallon tank.
Rimless Aquariums do not have this brace support or frames around their walls. They are plain on all sides and give you a direct view of the fish without the braces obstructing your view. Most Rimless Aquariums do not even have a lid on top! This fact surprises many first-time buyers, but it means that you can observe your fish from every angle without hindrances.
Rimless Aquariums come in different materials than rimmed ones, but they grow in popularity daily. Not only do they look good, but they also come with many in-built tools to keep your fish happy.
Benefits Of A Rimless Aquarium
- The biggest plus to having a rimless aquarium is that it looks good. Rimless Aquariums are forerunners in aquarium aesthetics.
- Like rimmed tanks, even Rimless Aquariums come in multiple sizes and shapes such as cubes, rectangles, etc.
- Having an old-fashioned rimmed tank will make your space look clunky. It will also obstruct the view of your beautiful fish. The braces of the tank will take up so much space that your fish will disappear from your view frequently. With Rimless Aquariums, not only will your setup look modern and appealing, but you will have a bigger window to glimpse into your fish’s life.
- Rimless Aquariums are pretty minimalist. They are one single body of glass on all sides. It makes them look sleeker than their rimmed counterparts.
- Rimless Aquariums have stable seals around them to prevent leakages.
- The most significant advantage of having a Rimless Aquarium is the lack of a lid. They don’t come with one, making it easy for you to reach the top of the tank. It will save you the hassle of opening and closing the heavy lid every time you feed your fish or want to check on a fish.
- Some Rimless Aquariums are suitable for both saltwater and freshwater tanks.
- Most Rimless Aquariums come with different glass thicknesses for different fish needs.
- Rimless Aquariums are easier to clean as the waste does not stick to or jam inside the braces.
- Rimless Aquariums use low iron glass. It means that you will see the same colors of your plants and fish inside the tank.
What To Look For When Buying A Rimless Aquarium
When you buy a Rimless Aquarium, the first thing you need to decide on is the purpose. What do you need your aquarium for? Your goal will determine the size of your aquarium. If you have particular fish in mind, you will need to get an aquarium that houses them. If you are using it for aqua-scaping, the size and shape of your aquarium will be different, so on and so forth.
You will also have to do some research and find out whether your fish will live in saltwater or freshwater and choose the right aquarium for them.
Some tanks even have a pre-installed sump or added features like a false backing to suit various needs.
When picking out the perfect Rimless Aquarium for you, pay extra attention to the silicone edging of the tank. Look for aquarium brands that have silicone safe and designed. If your new rimless aquarium does not have a proper silicone coating, the glass outlines will look messy.
You should also research the glass the aquarium uses. Most Rimless Aquariums use a glass called low iron glass. This material is thicker, sturdier, and has more clarity than regular glass. One way to spot a good quality low iron glass is to look for any green-blue tint. If there is no tint to the glass when you view it from different angles, it is low iron. If there is a tint, it is of poor quality, and you should not buy that aquarium.
FAQs
With Rimless Aquariums being a recent trend, people are often skeptical of their build and durability because it does not have any visible support. Here are frequently asked questions about rimless aquariums, and hopefully, they will clear your doubts.
Not at all. Rimless Aquariums are much better than the older ones, as you can make them as strong as you like. It makes them safer and leakproof. Of course, the biggest deal maker is that you have a clear view of the workings of your fish.
Rimless aquariums are not always expensive. In the products mentioned above, there are multiple options- that are affordable and cheap. Rimless aquariums have a higher price range than rimmed aquariums because the glass quality in a rimless aquarium is higher. Rimless aquariums need extra thick and polished glass to strengthen the walls of the tank. With the high price tag comes high performance.
Rimless aquariums come in a huge range. The sizes vary from as small as 2 gallons to as big as 100 gallons and above. Usually, rimless tanks have a lot of room and are great options for aqua-scaping and housing community fish.
The main reason why rimless aquariums do not come with a lid is that it makes the tank look ugly. Rimless aquariums are all about the visual appeal and a clear view of the fish inside. Having a lid, limits your sight and dulls the effect of having a rimless aquarium. Some rimless aquariums do have a lid like 8 Gallon Rimless Aquarium With Included LED Light by JBJ.
Rimless Aquariums use thick glass and a high-quality silicone edging to hold the tank together. The reason why it has thick glass is the absence of braces on the side. The silicone edging and the glass ensures that your aquarium will not bend or break.
Most of the rimless aquariums come without bracing around the perimeter. Some rimless aquariums have regular bottoms with perimeter bracing on the inside. But, the large rimless tanks have a ghost bottom or even multiple layers at times. This increases the stability of the tank.
Rimless tanks do not leak frequently. Since rimless tanks are held together by silicone, while buying one make sure that you choose a trusted brand. If the brand is well known and has a good customer base, the chances are that their tanks are of great quality and get tested before they are sold.
Any tank, regardless of whether it is braced or rimless, usually lasts at least five years. The more you care for your tank and maintain the upkeep, the longer it will last. As for rimless tanks specifically, the silicone used to bind the edges together typically lasts for more than 20 years if cared for. Rimless Aquariums are not prone to falling apart easily because the tank’s structural integrity entirely depends on the silicone. Unlike the braced tanks, which have to account for the peak condition of their rims and brackets and lids, rimless aquariums can rest if the silicone is of good quality.
Conclusion
Rimless Aquariums are the way to go if you are a hobbyist or prefer a clean look to your aquarium setup. These tanks have many features, options in shape and size, and their pros outweigh their cons by a long shot. Having a good aquarium will provide you with an immersive experience. As detailed in this guide, there are many options available per pricing and perks, making it easy for you to buy one to suit your fish community.
Most people have safety concerns when purchasing rimless aquariums, but these are baseless. Most rimless tanks are as safe as rimmed ones. If you get a good quality tank, you will be surprised with the look and the performance.
Getting a rimless aquarium is more a preference than a necessity, but that should not stop you from exploring it.