Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit Review

Whether you’re shopping for your first aquarium or a simplistic design for your existing hobby, the Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit may be exactly what you need.

Everything arrives included in the box; it has a sleek, futuristic design; and it’s very easy to set up and use. With that said, a few testers had a less stellar experience with this starter kit.

Some found cracks in the tank, others discovered that it leaked, and a couple of users had the lights refuse to work optimally.

Are these prevailing issues or rare instances? Before you make your final decision, let’s take a more in-depth look at the Aqueon NeoGlow Aquarium Start Kit.

Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Dimensions: 16.2 x 8.5 x 11.5 inches.
• Capacity: 5.5 gallons.
• Lighting: Yes; blue LED lighting.
• Glass or Acrylic: Glass.
• Accessories: Multi-colored gravel, two artificial plants, filter and cartridge, fish food, and water conditioner.
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty.

Features

Glass Aquarium

The Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit comes with a glass tank that can hold up to 5.5 gallons of water.

It also features a line of pink silicone in each corner to safeguard against leaks and to provide an interesting color inside the tank.

The tank has a low profile lid to keep jumpy fish secure or curious pets and children from reaching in. Additionally, since the lid is low profile, it will fit easily under cabinets or low-hanging shelves.

Lighting

The lid contains fluorescent blue LED lights that provide ultra-clear views of your aquarium and the fish within.

The lights also brighten and highlight the pink silicone seams, creating a highly aesthetic pink glow that permeates the set-up.

When it comes to visual appeal, these lights are where this starter kit shines.

Filter

The Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit also comes with a filter and cartridge, designed to keep your tank in peak condition.

The filter is a QuietFlow E Filter 10, which features a small bow design for maximum cleaning in small areas while also reducing sound.

The cartridge holds activated carbon to help remove any toxic substances, any odors, and any discoloration that you may find in other tanks.

Background

This Aqueon LED NeoGlow starter kit also features a black background. Aside from highlighting your fish, plant life, and little statues you may put inside the tank, the black background also disguises the cords from the filter and tank lighting.

Instead of seeing the technical set-up of your aquarium in plain view, you can enjoy a crisp backdrop that focuses attention on what matters – the fish!

This gives the entire tank a very modern appearance.

Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit Review

The Positives

Great Design

Nearly every tester raved about the sleek design and appearance of the Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit.

With pink silicone at the corners, a black background, and the blue lighting, you can enjoy an aesthetically unique tank that focuses on style in addition to functionality.

The very futuristic and modern look serve as a welcomed addition to any home or small office. If you’re looking for a unique or special tank for your aquatic pets and decorations, the Aqueon NeoGlow may be just up your alley.

Even with colorful features and modern design, this aquarium won’t take away from the overall look of your decor, in fact, it might just enhance it.

Easy to Set up

Many users noted how easy this kit is to set up. It only requires a few minutes of time.

First, you set up the drip loop. Next, you’ll want to add the gravel, the plants, or any decor you want into the tank.

Add the water as well as the conditioner, and then slide the filter into its designated location along the frame of the tank. Attach the LED hood, add your fish, and you are ready to go!

You won’t be spending all of your time putting this aquarium together; you’ll have your fishy friends swimming in their new home in no time.

Good for Beginners

As the product label states, this is a starter kit to help you establish a brand new aquarium – especially if you’re new to the process. Everything you need arrives in the box.

Included in the kit are the tank, lighting, rocks for the bottom of the tank, a filter with a cartridge, plants, conditioner, and fish food. You really don’t have to buy anything extra – just the fish!

This saves on time and money (and not to mention any extra confusion or frustration), making the entire process much less daunting for those new to the hobby.

Additionally, detailed instructions come with the kit, so there’s no confusion on how to get started either!

The size of this aquarium means it won’t be too overwhelming for new aquarists, and the colorful features makes it all the more attractive for younger beginners.

Convenient

Users of this Aqueon LED NeoGlow starter kit also liked the convenience it provides. Most starter kits include filters and lighting, but how many add in conditioner and food? This is absolutely a one-stop shop.

This convenience also extends to the assembly process. The lighting is installed into the hood of the tank, requiring no set-up beyond plugging it in.

The filter could not be simpler; just place the cartridge in the filter and let it get to work. When the cartridge is full, you need only replace it with another one. Super easy!

Affordable

Another great thing going for the Aqueon LED NeoGlow aquarium is its price. Priced at under $100 on Amazon this aquarium will appeal to both beginners and those on a budget.

What makes the price so great is everything that’s included with it! You won’t have to worry about purchasing too many extras thanks to this all-in-one product.

Aqueon gives you even fewer things to worry about by offering a warranty along with the aquarium; and it’s a long one. Their lifelong limited warranty protects customers against any faults caused by the manufacturing process.

Should you find something to be wrong with your aquarium, you’ll have to contact Aqueon where they’ll replace or repair your aquarium. They’ll also send you replacement parts if need be.

Quiet 

A tank can be easy to set-up, use, and maintain, but can still cause trouble when it comes to sound.

A noisy aquarium can really become annoying to those who are sensitive to noise or to those who want to place their aquarium in quieter spaces. This in turn, limits the options on where you can set up your aquarium.

Fortunately, that’s not the case here. Testers have reported that the Aqueon LED NeoGlow is quiet, so you won’t have to worry about it taking away from your zen; instead, it can add to it.

This means you’ll be able to put this tank wherever you please! You won’t be bothered by a whirring filter or aquarium when you’re trying to watch a movie, or fall asleep to your fishy friends.

The Negatives

Cracking Issues

Unfortunately, several users dealt with cracks in the tank they received.

Since the pink silicone is not just a decorative item, but a key support feature in holding the aquarium together, if the glass is not flush with the silicone, you will have cracks or openings that release water.

Sadly, people are finding cracks left and right. The cracks are either an opening where the tank was not sealed properly or it’s a split in the glass from shipping or a manufacturing error.

This could have been a bigger, inexpensive deal for beginners, but it appears the cheap price means a lack of quality.

Leaked

Because of these cracks and openings, many users experienced leaks. They would set up their tank and everything would be fine; but then, they’d return after a few hours and discover water all over their floors or furniture.

While this may be expected to happen once or twice with any aquarium-type product (accidents happen), this appears to be a prevalent issue.

Lights Stopped Working

A few testers noted that the lighting stopped working soon after the kit arrived.

After they set-up the aquarium, it worked perfectly for a day or two, or even a week. Then, half or all the lights would go out, leaving them to either go without or try and fix it manually.

The inexpensive nature of this aquarium kit is appealing, but considering the range of flaws, you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it.

Here’s a video showing what the Aqueon LED NeoGlow looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After going through all the positives and negatives, we very cautiously recommend the Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit.

The downfalls of this starter kit are not to be ignored; cracks and leaks in a tank designed to hold water can spell disaster for any home. However, manufacturing defects can happen to anyone, and Aqueon does offer a limited lifetime warranty.

The price is extremely appealing, and the aesthetic value will be hard to find elsewhere. The all-encompassing nature of the kit does provide great value, and the easy set-up makes it an ideal purchase for beginners.

If these positive aspects are important enough to you, it may be worth ordering this kit, checking it thoroughly for any defects, and then either using the warranty for a flawless replacement or enjoying your defect-free tank.

However, if it’s not worth the trouble or the risk for you, it’s wise to keep shopping.

Where to Buy the Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit

Aqueon is a known brand in the aquatic world, with a variety of aquariums and fish-keeping related tools in their product line.

Their products are accessible and affordable, with retailers carrying their items worldwide. For that reason, you’ll be able to find the Aqueon LED NeoGlow Aquarium Starter Kit both in-store and online.

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

• Pet Smart (from $49)
• Wal Mart (from $66)
• Pet Co (from $64)

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

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That’s the end of our Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit review. Curious to give it a try?