Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit Review

If you’re looking for an excellent fish tank, Marineland has you covered. They have years of experience in designing and reinventing aquariums for both novices as well as for experienced fish keepers.

They have made sure to be present in both salt and fresh water markets, giving you the same quality over and over again.

With their love for all things that swim, it’s no wonder they’ve introduced the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit with rail light.

While some testers mention that this tank’s unique build also prevents certain customizations, most fish owners will find this aquarium is fine as is.

This is of course just a rough sketch of what Marineland really has accomplished; there’s more than meets the surface with this aquarium and we stopped at nothing to find out if it’s a choice where your fish can sleep peacefully, or if it itself should be sleeping with the fishes.

Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit: The Details 

Specs 

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 12.5 inches
• Capacity: up to three gallons
• Lighting: Included LED lights
• Glass or Acrylic: Glass
• Accessories: Filter pump, Rite-Size filter Z cartridge, and three stage filtration system.

Features 

LED Lighting System

One of the biggest reasons people are interested in the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is because of the added lights, and for good reason.

This aquarium’s rail light means that the lights are easy to access while still providing the optimum amount of illumination. While a small aquarium doesn’t need much lighting, it’s still important that it is done well.

With this Marineland aquarium, you’ll find that the two settings perfectly mimic sunlight and moonlight, providing you with the perfect backdrop no matter what the time of day is.

These lights can also be set on a timer so you can configure your aquarium to work with no guidance from you, or to mimic the natural day/night cycle.

The different color settings are blue lights with white lights, blue lights, or no lights at all. Some people have taken to switching out the lights with different colors, but seeing as how this was met with varying degrees of success, we cannot wholly recommend the effort.

High-Grade Glass Finish

Glass aquariums are losing ground against acrylic ones for a few reasons, one of them being how clear the material is.

This Marineland glass aquarium doesn’t have that issue; the glass is so clear you’d hardly know it was there at all.

There have been very few cases of these aquariums arriving damaged at their destinations, leading us to believe the sturdiness is up to par as well. But like with all glass decorations, we do recommend not bumping into it too often.

Useful Canopy

It’s hard not to fall in love with the high quality of the glass of this aquarium.

The glass in the canopy has been curved without causing awkward distortions, making it even more attractive and adding a touch of class to any room.

The canopy can be moved up and down for feeding your fish or adjusting your LED lights.

If you’re fond of particularly lively species, the canopy will keep them from jumping out of the tank – as well as keeping cats or kids from playing where they shouldn’t.

Varied Filtration

Keeping your fish happy requires clean water, which means you want to keep a lookout for a tank that delivers good filtration options.

While a small fish tank cleans up rather quickly, this Marineland aquarium has taken no chances of not meeting your demands.

With mechanical, biological, and chemical filtering at the tips of your fingers, you’ll be enjoying crystal clear water in no time.

Adjustable Flow and Detachable Base

We know not all fish are the same, meaning not all fish need the same kind of tank setup, and that includes water flow.

Thankfully the Marineland Aquarium is made to have an adjustable flow on its filter so you can adapt the tank to the needs of your fish.

Speaking of adjustments, this aquarium comes equipped with a base that you can choose to use so you can decide between placing your tank flat on the table or on a small platform depending on your eye for decor.

Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit Review 

The Positives 

Easy Set-Up

Because this is a tank aimed at beginners, it should come as no surprise that setting up is quick and easy.

Marineland has years of experience in designing aquariums, so of course, we expect nothing less than this sort of convenience.

Because of how easy this model is to install and maintain, it’s also a great opportunity to get the kids involved in the setup and introduction of the fish.

Remember to explain to them how to properly add fish in a tank, and in later years, they’ll be able to continue the tradition as well.

Sturdy and Compact 

Not everyone has a long space available that can fit a sizable tank of water. With its rather unique build, this Marineland Aquarium Kit can find in most small spaces and liven up that spot with its unique ambience.

This is great for those living in a small flat, studio, or those who want to add a bit of calming sealife to the office.

But not to fret, there’s no need to worry that people will fail to notice this eye-catching addition to your home. And while it’s compact, that doesn’t mean that it’s made to be flimsy.

This aquarium is built with sturdy, high-quality materials, aiming to house your pets for years to come. So you won’t have to worry about finding a replacement tank anytime soon.

A Classy Statement

One of its prime selling points is the general aesthetic of this aquarium. No simple, plastic tanks for your fish. As many testers have mentioned, you hardly notice there’s glass there at all.

Marineland has managed to beat acrylic aquariums when it comes to sheer look, and the results are worth envying.

The glass, being a super important feature on this aquarium, has been specifically chosen for its quality, giving a more elegant feel to the overall tank.

With this aquarium, you can be sure your prized pets will stand out, and visitors will be awed.

No Earplugs Necessary

We know how annoying the constant whirring of an aquarium can be to some, especially those with sensitive ears. No one wants to deal with a noisy tank when you’re trying to relax or unwind next to your aquatic friends.

Fortunately, this Marineland aquarium runs smooth and quiet so it can steal the attention visually, without audio.

Price

While you want your fish to live in the best environment possible, not everyone has bottomless pockets and spending a ton of money at the start of a hobby can be understandably deterring.

You don’t have to sacrifice for quality when it comes to this aquarium. With a reasonable price tag, you can rest easy knowing your fish have a sturdy and safe home, and you haven’t blown your budget.

Replacing the media or purchasing accessories for this tank won’t be financially daunting either as they are also relatively priced from the Marineland brand.

Here’s what the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium looks like out of the box.

The Negatives 

Not Suitable For All Plants

The unique design of this aquarium does pose a slight problem for some of the more traditional decorations. Plants, especially those that grow diagonally rather than vertically will have trouble fitting properly into this tank’s build.

When decorating, it’s a smart move to opt for plants that grow upward, as well as small statues or other decorations that don’t take up a lot of ground space – instead of the standard sunken pirate ship.

Keep in mind that the light might not reach all your plants properly. Choosing low maintenance plants will ensure a happy life for your fish and all of the extra occupants.

Filter Does Not Please All

The added filter does its work more than well enough. Because some owners find it to be too strong for their pets, you might want to consider fitting in a new filter with a lower setting.

Alternatively, placing a plant in front of the filtration to block the most extreme flow is also beneficial to a long-lasting and healthy tank environment.

Overall Verdict 

The Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is an excellent kit for beginners.

Whether it’s a present for your children and their first fish companion, or a present for yourself when you don’t have much available space, the small size and easy set-up promise to make this a walk in the park.

The added filtration is a nice bonus, as even forgetful shoppers will be able to get things ready for their fish without an extra run to the store for media.

Because of the small size, it’s recommended to either reserve the aquarium for solitary fish such as betta, or for a small grouping of less demanding fish or shrimp.

Doing your research beforehand will come in handy for yourself and your scaled friends, so don’t skimp on that step.

All in all, the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is a worthwhile aquarium for the fish owner with an eye for class, or for newbies who would like to invest in the hobby but aren’t confident about an overbearing addition to their home.

Only people who are into customizing their fish tanks to the max will be disappointed; the stylish glass contouring also means you won’t be able to add just any old extras.

Where to Buy the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit

Marineland isn’t new to creating beautiful and functional aquariums making them a brand that is commonly found on the shelves of retailers in the United States and around the world.

The Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit is no different, and while it’s always best to check with pet and specialty shops, it won’t be hard to find this aquarium available both in retail stores and online.

To start, check out the following online retailers.

• Drs Foster Smith (from $50)
• That Pet Place (from $54)
• Wal Mart (from $65)

And of course, this aquarium is also available on Amazon.

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That’s it for our review on the Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit. Tempted to give it a go?