GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium Kit Review

The GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium Kit is one of the best small fish tanks for the beginner on a budget. With its fetching LED lights and interesting shape, this aquarium is sure to catch the eye of anyone who’s visiting.

The included filter and bio-bag are a welcome addition for the beginner who doesn’t have a clue on how to proceed, while experienced fish owners are sure to either immediately put it to work in their new aquarium or repurpose it in others they have.

This fish tank certainly has the looks; however, some testers found it somewhat lacking when it came to the filter and added accessories.

If you’re seeking to customize your aquarium, you will have to keep in mind that five gallons is a small capacity and will fill up quickly. As such, we recommend reading up on the type of fish you are interested in so you don’t have to spring for replacements on short notice.

We found the GloFish Crescent Aquarium to be balanced when it came to strengths and weaknesses, so be sure to read on and find out if this is the aquarium for you.

GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium Kit: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 2 x 16.6 x 6.7 inches.
• Dimensions: 71 lbs.
• Capacity: 5 gallons.
• Lighting: Included blue LED-lighting.
• Glass or Acrylic: Acrylic.
• Accessories: Included micro-filter and medium bio-bag.

Features

Blue LED-Lighting

In a bolder choice, the blue LED-lighting is definitely something that will catch the eye of your visitors.

If you make some careful choices in your accessories, you could enjoy the almost black-light effect of the added LED-lights.

Since blue is a very noticeable color, you might not want this in your bedroom. Testers have mentioned it tends to light up a room, and finicky sleepers might be woken up by the blue lighting.

That being said, it can add some interesting lighting to a dark corner of a room.

Interesting Shape

While you’ve already seen your share of square and round aquariums, half-moon shapes are a tad less used. This is a shame since the unique shape does add to the general appeal of this five-gallon aquarium.

Looking to add some flair to your fish-keeping? This tank will do the job.

Acrylic 

When choosing to go with acrylic over glass, you’re choosing an aquarium that is not only lighter in weight, but much more durable than glass.

Glass is prone to chattering, cracks and breaking, while acrylic will withstand any bumps or knicks that your aquarium may encounter.

Acrylic is better for transporting, and you won’t have to worry about leaving it out when there are kids or pets around since it’s less prone to breakage.

Open Feeding Lid

The unique half-moon shape is further enhanced by the open feeding lid. This makes the lid more of an accessory instead of a mere functional aspect.

Combined with the blue lighting, the GloFish Crescent Aquarium becomes a statement piece that will increase the appeal of just about any room.

It also makes feeding easier, since you just need to toss in the feed without having to fumble with the lid. It might be a slight advantage, but it’s worth mentioning all the same.

GloFish Crescent Aquarium  Review

The Positives

Gentle Filter Flow

It’s obvious that a lot of thought has been put into the filter that comes with this aquarium.

While manufacturers often make a choice for powerful filters so they can promise you there will be less cleaning, this often results in stressed fish.

The water flow produced by this filter is gentle enough for even betta. While you might have to settle for a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning, at least your fish will be stress-free.

Looks Amazing in the Dark

If you’re looking for a statement piece, the classy blue lighting is sure to light up a room.

While it makes a great piece for sweltering summer nights or a bachelor pad, even young children will find this to be an interesting aquarium.

For optimum effect, you will want to shop around for matching accessories to really make your tank pop.

Either way, this tank won’t take away from the decor of your room, and may actually add a streamlined, modern feel.

It’s compact enough to fit on desks, sidetables, or counters without demanding too much space, and light enough to move when you want to switch up your pets’ environment.

Easy Set-Up Process

Setting up a new aquarium can vary from extremely simple to impossibly complex.

The GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium is among the first, making it the best small fish tank for first-time hobbyists who aren’t sure on how to get started yet.

Following the instructions that are found online, you’ll end up finding that set-up is completed before you know it and the path to healthy fish is practically guaranteed.

Good Price for Quality

It’s not the most expensive or cheapest aquarium available, but it does provide good quality for the price you’re paying.

This is an ideal aspect for beginners and those purchasing an aquarium for your kids since you’re looking to buy something to get your toes wet without burning a hole in your wallet.

In addition, you’ll also be covered by a 1-year warranty to protect against any damages caused by the manufacturer. Should you notice any defects, you’ll need to contact the company so they can send you a replacement.

Their customer service department is known for being friendly and helpful too, so there won’t be any worries about being left out in the dark.

Great for Kids

This tank is so easy to set-up and operate, that many parents have chosen to buy it for their kids to teach them about fish and fish care.

It’s small enough to fit into the corner of a kids room or playroom without risk of children or pets bumping into it.

Since it’s a pretty basic aquarium, it will be easy to teach your kids the basics of fish care, and the additions that need to go into this tank based on the fish that will be living in it.

The blue light does double-duty as a nightlight for children who prefer not to sleep in complete darkness. Instead, they’ll be able to doze off with their new fishy friend(s).

The Negatives

Filter May Clog

Of all things associated with this aquarium, the filter seems to be the biggest point of criticism.

While the strength of the filter is mild, beware that very weak or small fish might still experience some stress because of the flow.

Prepare accordingly with appropriate plants. In the same vein, you’ll find that the filter can be prone to clogging if not placed in an optimal angle.

While you can purchase different filters if this happens to be the case, we feel it certainly is an attention point for GloFish to consider in any future aquariums.

Beware the Jumping Fish

The half-open lid on this GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium Kit is certainly a very attractive feature that plays well with its best attribute, the blue LED-lighting.

But, if you have very active fish that like to splash around, odds are they will find a way out of the aquarium and onto the floor.

The same goes for any small children or cats that may have access to the room. Accidents are quick to happen and it pays to be warned.

If you don’t have a species of fish that’s very likely to jump about, the open lid won’t pose a real problem.

No Heater

While it does come with an added filter, there is no heater included with this aquarium. As such, any tropical fish might end up feeling a bit bluer than expected.

Preparing beforehand (such as doing research into small heaters) can save you quite a headache. Others might prefer looking for an aquarium that already has a heater attached, though they should take into account that this will also be reflected in the price.

No Overcrowding

If you’re only starting out with keeping fish, it can be hard to keep in mind what’s best for the living creatures that you’ve accepted into your home.

With only five gallons of water at the most, keeping a large quantity of fish isn’t a realistic goal.

It is certainly an acceptable living space for one betta or three to four smaller fish, but this will be the hard limit.

For those looking to care for only one or a few fish, this won’t be a problem. But those looking to start their own fishy haven will be better off with a tank that can accommodate more.

Overall Verdict

The GloFish 5 Gallon Crescent Aquarium Kit is a good first aquarium for those who want to get a tank that’s a statement piece as well as functional.

With the blue LED-lights, you’ll find that this aquarium shines brightest in dark spaces, making it ideal for those little corners that otherwise wouldn’t see much use in your home.

If you’re a heavy sleeper, it can make a great addition to the bedroom, though light sleepers will likely find the light too disturbing.

Because of the small capacity and the open lid, it is mostly recommended for beginners and those who know they want to stick with just one small aquarium.

The true hobbyist will likely want to look for larger capacity aquariums in general since they offer more in terms of customization.

Where to Buy the GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit

This isn’t the first GloFish aquarium to hit the market. The brand in control, Tetra, has a number of aquariums and aquatic products available at a variety of outlets both in-store and online.

Their line-up of products is easily accessible, with digestible price-tags which have gained them popularity and recognition over the years. Because of this, items like the GloFish Crescent Aquarium Kit won’t be too difficult to get your hands on.

While it’s always best to check pet, fish, and specialty stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Wal Mart (from $60)
• K Mart (from $60)
• Pet Co (from $40)

And of course, you can also find this aquarium on Amazon.

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That’s it for our GloFish Crescent Aquarium review. Curious to give it a try?