7 Best Rimless Aquarium Tanks – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Rimless aquariums offer a sleek and simple design that is great for aquarists who want to create a minimalistic aquarium with few distractions.

The bulky glass of standard tanks with a rim can take away the beauty of an aquarium, so why not choose an aquarium designed for aquascapers? Not only do rimless aquariums allow your fish and plants to be more pronounced, but they are easy to maintain and clearer than the average fish tank.

When it comes to choosing the best rimless aquarium tank, you want to look for one that has good clarity, simple design, and durability, all while being able to fit your budget. This is what we have kept in mind when reviewing the best rimless aquariums that you can buy today.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 7 Best Rimless Aquarium Tanks

1. Fiji Cube External Overflow Rimless Glass Tank – Best Overall

The best overall rimless aquarium is the Fiji cube external overflow tank. This aquarium is designed to be a low-profile fish tank that has clearer glass and a discreet appearance. It is ideal for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, and the 22-gallon size makes it the perfect starting tank. This rimless tank includes an external overflow system where you can place a sump filter.

This makes it easy to keep the main focus of the aquarium the fish and plants, as the external overflow system helps to hide the filtration system from the view of the glass. It is a highly customizable tank that has been created for aquascapers, and the thick glass makes it durable yet quite heavy. 

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2. Lifegard Crystal Aquarium – Best Value

The best rimless tank for the money is the Lifegard crystal aquarium. This tank is made from low iron glass, promising a crystal-clear view inside of the tank with no green tint like standard glass.

A foam leveling mat is included at the bottom of the box to be placed underneath the aquarium. The overall quality of this tank is quite good for its price, and you can choose between three different size options, 5, 10, and 17 gallons.

The design is simple and minimalistic, making it perfect and the more affordable option for aquascapers. The crystal-clear glass helps to enhance the colors of corals, plants, and fish much more than standard glass, offering uninterrupted viewing from each angle of the tank—apart from the logo on the bottom corner.

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3. Lifegard Aquatics Crystal Back Filtered Aquarium – Premium Choice

Our premium choice is the Lifegard Aquatics back-filtered aquarium. This clear aquarium is made from low iron glass for a better viewing experience, along with a back filtration system. This type of filtration system enables you to discreetly run a filtration system without compromising the aesthetics of your aquarium. Plus, the small size makes it perfect for desktops and kitchen counters.

You can easily keep a betta fish in here along with snails and shrimp or turn it into a planted neon tetra tank. It includes a flow system that can be adjusted, along with a drain plug to make your aquarium experience easier. This tank includes carbon media, bio balls, sponge filters, and a submersible pump to set up the filter. 

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4. Landen Low Iron Rimless Aquarium

If you are looking for a large aquarium, the Landen low iron rimless aquarium is a good choice. This aquarium is large and suitable for both freshwater and marine aquariums. It is made of low iron glass with a rimless finish to look sleek and stylish in your home. Since it is made from low-iron glass that has higher clarity, it is 91% transparent with a rimless design that allows your fish, plants, or corals inside of the aquarium to pop with color.

The glass panels are joined with a clear glue that cannot be seen, giving it an invisible look in comparison to silicone which can peel and look unsightly. Furthermore, the glass is quite thick to increase the tank’s durability, but it does leave the tank on the heavier side.

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5. Allcolor Ultra Clear Rimless Aquarium Tank

 

For the size, the Allcolor ultra-clear rimless aquarium is a more affordable option. This rimless aquarium is made from low-grade iron glass, making it clear and durable. This fish tank is 21 gallons in size, although you can choose through several other size options from the same brand. It is a standard rectangular shape with secured panels stuck together by glue free from volatile compounds (VOC).

The company will also check the fish tank before shipping it to you after purchasing, and they provide a cleaning cloth and foam leveling mat. The simple design with super clear glass and invisible joints makes for an impressive viewing experience. The tank size is perfect for small tetras, invertebrates, or small marine tanks. 

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6. Ultum Nature Systems Rimless Aquarium

 

If you are looking for a nano rimless aquarium that is perfect for a betta fish or shrimp, then the 5-gallon Ultum Nature Systems rimless aquarium is worth considering. This nano tank is made with diamante glass with 91% clarity, meaning it is much clearer than standard fish tanks.

The panels are stuck together with high-quality silicone for an unobtrusive finish, although silicone is known to peel after long use which can make it stick out over time.

Even though this tank is considered nano and only holds 5 gallons of water, the design with 45-degree mitered edges makes it appear larger, and the golden ratio design allows the tank to show more depth. Thus, making it appear larger than it is. The tank is a standard rectangle but made with non-traditional tank sizing. A black leveling mat is included with each purchase to help keep the tank secure. 

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7. SC Aquariums Starfire Glass Tank

 

If the smaller tanks in this review aren’t what you are looking for, the SC aquariums Starfire a glass tank is a large option. This tank is a whopping 150 gallons in size, with a sleek and unique rimless design. Due to its large size and overall good quality, this tank is quite expensive. Like most rimless tanks, this large tank is made from low iron glass.

This allows the tank to be very clear and offers unobstructed viewing. The panels are secured together with silicone for a neat finish while ensuring that the tank is protected from leaking. However, due to its large size and weight of 300 pounds without water, it is very heavy.

This tank also includes a built-in overflow chamber where you can put various filter media inside, saving you from having to place a filter inside the aquarium which can ruin the view. It also includes bulkheads, return nozzles and pipes, a main drainage pipe, along with an emergency drainage pipe.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy the Best Rimless Aquarium Tanks

Rimless aquariums are modernizing the fish-keeping world, and they are preferred by aquarists who want to aquascape their aquarium and make them look more aesthetically pleasing. Most rimless aquariums aim to be simpler tanks that have minimal distractions from your fish, plants, and aquarium décor.

These types of tanks are usually made from low iron glass, which is a type of very clear glass. It has a clarity of 91%, and it does not have any greenish-blue hue like traditional aquariums do. It transmits light much better than standard glass while having no hue from any angle.

This type of glass can look so clear, that it can be difficult to even tell that there is glass holding the water in the aquarium. Furthermore, rimless tanks do not take the beauty and color away from an aquarium. Since the clearness keeps the main focus on the inside of the aquarium, and not the outside.

How to Choose the Best Rimless Aquarium

When it comes to choosing the best rimless aquarium tank for your needs, here is what to consider:

Size

Rimless tanks are available in various sizes, from as small as 2 gallons, to a large 150-gallon tank. It is important to first consider the tank size you are looking for, as each sized tank will vary in price and the amount of space they take up. The larger the tank, the more fish and different species you can choose from, whereas smaller tanks are more limited with stocking choices. If you only want a rimless tank to create an aquascape, then choose a size that will fit the number of plants and decorations that you have in mind.

Design

There are different designs for rimless tanks available, and each one caters to a certain preference. Some have 45-degree mitered edges to give the tank more perspective, while others have a cube size or rectangular size. The aquarium’s design will depend on what you want to stock the tank with, and the type of aquascape you wish to create.

Features

It is common for rimless aquariums to include a back chamber that is built onto the tank. This allows you to add filter media and connect it to a sump for filtration. It is a good feature to have if you do not like the look of a normal filter inside the main compartment of the tank.

Price

Rimless aquariums range in price depending on the size, quality, and features. Simple rimless tanks that are smaller in size are usually lower in price. Large aquariums with more features to enhance your fish-keeping experience means it will be more expensive. Since these tanks are of higher quality than standard tanks and made from low iron glass, they will be more expensive.

Final Thoughts

After taking a look at the rimless aquarium tanks in this review, we chose three as our top picks. The first is the Lifegard crystal aquarium for its affordability and good starting size for beginners. Our second top choice is the Landen low iron rimless aquarium because of its quality and size, making it ideal for various species of fish. Lastly, we love the Ultum Natures Systems aquarium for its small size and ultra-clear glass that makes it ideal for desktop workspaces.

Hopefully, one of the above rimless aquarium tanks is a good option for you.

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Featured Image Credit: Alex Unders, Shutterstock