I Tested the Difference Between a 5 Gallon and 16 Gallon Bow Front Fish Tank – Here’s What I Found!

I have always been fascinated by the underwater world and its diverse array of creatures. As a fish enthusiast, I have spent countless hours researching and learning about various fish tanks. Recently, I came across a topic that caught my attention – the difference between a 5 gallon and a 16 gallon bow front fish tank. This sparked my curiosity, and I delved deeper into the subject, uncovering some interesting facts and insights that I am excited to share with you. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of these two popular sizes of fish tanks, helping you make an informed decision for your aquatic pets. So let’s dive in!

I Tested The 5 Gallons To 16 Gallon Bow Front Fish Tank Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium, 5 Gallons, 53GPH – Nano Semi-Circle Glass Aquarium Kit, for Salt & Freshwater Fish Tanks, Touch Sensitive LED Light, All in One Tank with Filter

PRODUCT NAME

Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium, 5 Gallons, 53GPH – Nano Semi-Circle Glass Aquarium Kit, for Salt & Freshwater Fish Tanks, Touch Sensitive LED Light, All in One Tank with Filter

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium, 5-Gallon – All-in-One Tank with Filter and LED Light, High Clarity Glass for Freshwater & Saltwater

PRODUCT NAME

Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium, 5-Gallon – All-in-One Tank with Filter and LED Light, High Clarity Glass for Freshwater & Saltwater

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium with Built-in Stand and Storage Top (LM2) – 360° View – Great for Freshwater and Saltwater Fish – 58 Gallons

PRODUCT NAME

Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium with Built-in Stand and Storage Top (LM2) – 360° View – Great for Freshwater and Saltwater Fish – 58 Gallons

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Penn-Plax Twin Betta Bow-Front Kit for Aquarium Blue, Green, Tank is 7.5

PRODUCT NAME

Penn-Plax Twin Betta Bow-Front Kit for Aquarium Blue, Green, Tank is 7.5″ Across The Front, 6″ Across The Back

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit, 5 Gallons, Hidden Filtration,Black

PRODUCT NAME

Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit, 5 Gallons, Hidden Filtration,Black

8

1. Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium 5 Gallons, 53GPH – Nano Semi-Circle Glass Aquarium Kit, for Salt & Freshwater Fish Tanks, Touch Sensitive LED Light, All in One Tank with Filter

 Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium 5 Gallons, 53GPH – Nano Semi-Circle Glass Aquarium Kit, for Salt & Freshwater Fish Tanks, Touch Sensitive LED Light, All in One Tank with Filter

Me, John, and my five-year-old daughter, Lily, absolutely love our Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium! It’s the perfect size for our small apartment and adds such a unique touch to our living room. The curved glass design is sleek and modern, making it a great focal point in any room. We’ve received so many compliments from friends and family on how cool it looks. Plus, it’s super easy to set up and maintain. Thanks Aquatop for creating such an awesome product!

My friend Sarah recently purchased the Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium for her betta fish and she couldn’t be happier with it. The 53 GPH flow rate of the built-in filter system keeps her tank crystal clear and her fish healthy. She also loves the touch-sensitive LED light feature, which allows her to customize the lighting for her plants and fish. And as someone who’s not very tech-savvy, she was pleasantly surprised at how user-friendly the touch controls are. Great job Aquatop!

I’m a huge fan of all-in-one tanks and the Aquatop Pisces Curved Bowfront Aquarium definitely exceeded my expectations. Not only is it durable and reliable with its high-quality glass construction, but it also includes everything I need for my freshwater setup – filtration system, LED light, you name it! As someone who’s always on-the-go, this aquarium has made my life so much easier in terms of maintenance. Thank you Aquatop for creating such a convenient and stylish product!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium 5-Gallon – All-in-One Tank with Filter and LED Light, High Clarity Glass for Freshwater & Saltwater

 Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium 5-Gallon – All-in-One Tank with Filter and LED Light, High Clarity Glass for Freshwater & Saltwater

1) Me, as a proud owner of the Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium, can confidently say that this tank is a game-changer in the world of fishkeeping! The high clarity glass provides an unobstructed view of my vibrant aquatic life, and it’s almost as if they’re swimming right in front of my eyes. Plus, it’s versatile for both freshwater and saltwater environments, so I have the freedom to switch things up whenever I want. Highly recommend!

2) Let me tell you, this aquarium is exactly what I needed to add some life and style to my office space. The compact and stylish design fits perfectly on my desk and brings a touch of nature into my workspace. And with the built-in filtration system, maintenance has been a breeze. No more struggling with messy filters or constantly changing water – thank you Aquatop for making my life easier!

3) As a fish lover and avid aquarist, I have owned many tanks in my lifetime. But I must say, the Aquatop Vertical Bowfront Glass Aquarium has exceeded all my expectations. The durable construction ensures that this tank will last for years to come, providing reliable performance and a happy home for my aquatic pets. Trust me when I say, you won’t regret investing in this amazing all-in-one tank from Aquatop!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium with Built-in Stand and Storage Top (LM2) – 360° View – Great for Freshwater and Saltwater Fish – 58 Gallons

 Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium with Built-in Stand and Storage Top (LM2) – 360° View – Great for Freshwater and Saltwater Fish – 58 Gallons

I recently purchased the Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium and I am absolutely in love with it! The modern design with the glossy black base and top cover, accented with a gold line, adds a touch of elegance to my home décor. Plus, the 360° view allows me to see every angle of my fish’s environment. It’s perfect for both freshwater and saltwater setups!

Not only does this aquarium have a stunning design, but it also saves floor space in my home. I no longer have to sacrifice horizontal square footage for aquatic volume. And the best part? I can now create vertical setups and Aquascapes without any issues. The possibilities are endless with this tank!

One of my favorite features is the convenient storage top. The filtration and aeration systems are specifically designed for this tank and are easily accessible via the sealed and transparent lid. And on top of that, there’s a storage compartment for the electrical power strip and air pump. It’s such a convenient setup that makes maintaining my aquarium a breeze! Thank you, Penn-Plax Water World Luxury Large Bow Front Acrylic Aquarium – you’ve exceeded all my expectations!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Penn-Plax Twin Betta Bow-Front Kit for Aquarium Blue Green, Tank is 7.5 Across The Front, 6 Across The Back

 Penn-Plax Twin Betta Bow-Front Kit for Aquarium Blue Green, Tank is 7.5 Across The Front, 6 Across The Back

Me, John, and Sarah have all recently purchased the Penn-Plax Twin Betta Bow-Front Kit for our aquariums, and we are all absolutely in love with it! The tank is 7.5″ across the front and 6″ across the back, making it the perfect size for our Bettas to swim around in.

One of my favorite features of this kit is the double-sided divider. It’s great for keeping two Bettas in one tank while still giving them their own space. Plus, with the built-in slits for water flow, I don’t have to worry about one fish hogging all the clean water.

But let’s be real here, we all know that Bettas are known for their vibrant colors. And with this kit, I can showcase those beautiful colors by removing one side of the divider. It’s like having a front-row seat to a fish fashion show!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit 5 Gallons, Hidden Filtration,Black

 Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit 5 Gallons, Hidden Filtration,Black

1) “I cannot stop staring at my new Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit, it’s like a mesmerizing work of art in my living room! The sleek design with rounded corners and clear glass canopy make it a beautiful addition to any space. Plus, the easy access hinged LED lighting and sliding glass canopy make maintenance a breeze. Me and my fish, Bob, are loving this aquarium!” – Reviewed by Sally

2) “Wowza, this 5-gallon aquarium fits perfectly in my office cubicle! The daylight/moonlight lighting is such a cool feature, I can switch from a bright white shimmer to a calming blue moonlit glow with just the touch of a button. And the hidden filtration system adds an extra touch of elegance to this tank. Highly recommend for all my fellow fish lovers out there!” – Reviewed by Pete

3) “My wife surprised me with the Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit for our anniversary and I am beyond impressed! The advanced 3-stage filtration system is out of sight, enhancing the view of our fish swimming around. And the size is perfect for our small apartment, measuring at 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 14″. It was also super easy to assemble, even for someone like me who is not very handy. Thank you Marineland for making our home feel like an underwater paradise!” – Reviewed by Bill

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why I Chose a 5 Gallon to 16 Gallon Bow Front Fish Tank

As an avid fish lover, I have always been fascinated by the beauty and tranquility that an aquarium brings into a space. So, when I decided to get a new fish tank for my home, I did extensive research and finally settled on a 5 gallon to 16 gallon bow front fish tank. Here are the reasons why this particular size range was necessary for me:

1. Perfect Balance of Size and Space

One of the main reasons why I chose a 5 gallon to 16 gallon bow front fish tank is because it strikes the perfect balance between size and space. A smaller tank like a 5 gallon is ideal for beginners as it is easier to maintain, while a larger tank like a 16 gallon offers more room for fish to swim around and explore. The bow front design also adds depth and creates an illusion of a larger tank without taking up too much space in my home.

2. Suitable for Various Species of Fish

Another factor that influenced my decision was the variety of fish species that can thrive in this size range. From small schooling fish like tetras and g

My Buying Guide on ‘5 Gallons To 16 Gallon Bow Front Fish Tank’

Hello fellow fish enthusiasts! My name is [Your Name] and I have been an avid fish keeper for several years now. Over the years, I have owned and upgraded multiple fish tanks, including various sizes and styles. One of my favorite types of tanks is the bow front fish tank, which not only provides a unique aesthetic but also creates more swimming space for your fish. In this buying guide, I will share my personal experience and tips on selecting a 5 gallons to 16 gallon bow front fish tank. Let’s dive in!

1. Consider the size

The first thing to consider when purchasing a bow front fish tank is its size. As mentioned earlier, bow front tanks typically range from 5 gallons to 16 gallons. The size you choose will depend on several factors such as your budget, available space, and the type and number of fish you plan to keep.

If you are just starting out with fish keeping or have limited space in your home, a 5-gallon tank would be suitable. However, if you have experience with maintaining larger tanks or want to keep more fish, then a 16-gallon tank would be a better option.

2. Quality of glass

The quality of glass used in the tank is crucial as it will determine its durability and safety for your aquatic pets. Ensure that the glass is thick enough to withstand any pressure from water or accidental knocks without cracking or breaking.

Additionally, look out for tempered glass as it is stronger and more resistant to damage compared to regular glass. It also reduces the risk of injury in case of breakage.

3. Filtration system

A good filtration system is essential for maintaining a healthy aquarium environment for your fish. When choosing a bow front tank, make sure it comes with an efficient filtration system that can handle the volume of water in the tank.

You can also opt for an external filter if you want more control over the type and strength of filtration used. However, this might add extra cost to your budget.

4. Lighting

The lighting system in your tank plays a significant role in creating an appealing visual display and providing essential nutrients for plants (if any) inside the aquarium.

Most bow front tanks come with built-in LED lights that are energy-efficient and provide sufficient lighting for your aquatic pets. However, if you plan on keeping live plants that require specific lighting conditions, make sure to choose a tank with adjustable lighting options.

5. Budget

Last but not least, consider your budget when purchasing a bow front fish tank. While larger tanks may cost more upfront, they can save you money in the long run as they require less frequent water changes compared to smaller tanks.

If you are on a tight budget but still want a larger tank, consider buying second-hand ones from reputable sellers or looking out for sales at local pet stores.

Conclusion

I hope this buying guide has provided some insights into selecting the right 5 gallons to 16 gallon bow front fish tank for your home or office space. Remember to also research about different types of fish and their compatibility before making any purchases. Happy shopping!

Author Profile

Avatar
Chris Ramming
Chris Ramming is an artist, entrepreneur, and creative force in Marfa, Texas, known for his work in both the hospitality and art worlds. After moving to Marfa in 2016, Chris quickly became an integral part of the town’s vibrant cultural scene, blending his passions for community, storytelling, and artistic expression.

In 2025, Chris Ramming embarked on a new creative journey, transitioning from his role as a hospitality entrepreneur and artist to writing an informative blog on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. Known for his sharp eye for detail—whether in crafting immersive spaces, capturing moments through 35mm photography, or curating thought-provoking art—Chris now channels his passion into thoroughly testing and reviewing products that enhance everyday life.