EcoQube Aquarium Review

If you’ve ever considered owning an aquarium, but didn’t think you had enough room, the EcoQube Aquarium is right up your alley.

We loved that this aquarium is compact, easy to set up, and comes with little to no maintenance. As a plus, the package includes many of the items necessary to dive into fish-keeping right away.

With that said, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to aquarium shopping. Some might need something larger, others might want more accessories, and some shoppers may be deterred by confusing instructions.

But would this aquarium be a fit for you and your fish? Let’s take a closer look at the EcoQube Aquarium and find out.

EcoQube Aquarium: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 12.04 lbs.
• DImensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches.
• Capacity: Two gallons.
• Lighting: Customizable LED Hue lights.
• Glass/Acrylic: Acrylic.
• Accessories: Aquaponics Filter with basil, full-spectrum LED light, natural fish food, natural water conditioner, rock decor, sand, and a glass cover.
• Warranty: One-year warranty.

Features

Capacity

The EcoQube Aquarium includes an acrylic tank that holds up to two gallons of water. This capacity should easily accommodate a couple of small fish or one betta.

The EcoQube is a compact set-up, only slightly bigger than a medium to large fishbowl. As such, this is by no means a large tank that will be the focal point of a room.

Its vertical height takes up more space than the width of it, ensuring it’s ideal for smaller spaces.

LED Light

There is an LED light included with this EcoQube kit – but it’s not just any light. It cycles between difficult colors and features an automatic timer, ensuring you won’t have to keep turning it on and off.

This light also nurtures plant growth and, with the use of a UV sterilization bulb, stops the growth of toxic bacteria in the tank.

Filter

Possibly the best feature of the EcoQube Aquarium, this kit features an aquaponics filter. Once installed, it never needs to be replaced.

Thanks to its position directly underneath the included basil plant, the filter ensures your fish’s environment stays as clean as possible.

Additionally, the filter is only about two inches in height and uses a small pump to move the water through the cleansing process.

Plant-Fish Cycle

Are you wondering how the plant works into this aquarium equation? It’s pretty simple. When the fish eat, they leave behind waste that is filled with ammonia.

That ammonia is broken down into nitrates by the good bacteria in the water. The included basil plant then filters the water, taking in those nitrates to help it grow and only leaving clean water behind for your fish.

In practice, this replicates the cycle of a fish’s natural environment and ensures you don’t have to buy too many filters, skimmers, or other machines to sustain the equilibrium in your tank.

Remote Control

The EcoQube also comes with a remote control, giving you access to all the features of this tank from a distance.

You can use the remote to alter the colors of the LED lights, set the timer, change the intensity of the colors, and change the day and night settings on the bulb.

You can also save certain color and lighting pre-sets, ensuring you can click one button and have your preferences observed.

EcoQube Aquarium Review

The Positives

Very Easy to Set Up

Even if you’ve never dealt with an aquarium before, you’ll have no issue setting up the EcoQube kit.

Once everything is unboxed and unwrapped, you can start by placing the aquaponics filter onto the tank. After this, add the soil and sand to the aquarium, along with the plants.

Pour the conditioned water into the tank – all the way to the rim. Insert the net pot into the slot on the filter cover and place the seed packets inside.

Next, use the connector to plug the sterilizer, light, and pump into the power supply. Turn the LED light on and place the tank in a warm, dark place.

Wait until the plant is at least one inch tall before introducing fish (usually about three weeks). Then, turn on the UV sterilizer and enjoy your tank! It’s that simple.

Super Easy Maintenance

With the help of the plant detoxifying the water, there is little to no maintenance necessary on this tank.

If the filter becomes clogged, simply remove the cover, take out the sponge, and rinse it in conditioned water. Remove any debris from the bottom of the filter and place the sponge back inside.

Place the cover back on – and you’re all set! No other maintenance is required; no changing the water, no new filters, nothing. This makes this aquarium super easy to have for busy aquarists or those who don’t have the patience to commit to a long maintenance routine.

An aquarium that’s easy to maintain also makes it easier on new hobbyists. You won’t have to deal with hard, daunting tasks right out the gate. Your fish will also be happier for longer without you having to intervene.

Conveniently Compact

At only 12 lbs. and 7.5 x 7.5 inches, this is one of the most compact aquariums on the market. As such, it can fit nearly anywhere.

If you live in a small apartment or only have a crowded space to put your aquarium, this is the perfect option. You can still own a couple of small fish or a betta – with all the beautiful rock and plant life – in a more compact size.

Small aquariums are great for having in offices and classrooms, and the EcoQube is great for teaching others about this hobby.  The fact that its lightweight also makes it easy to transport with or without being filled.

With this aquarium, you can add a touch of nature to any room without crowding your space.

Extremely Quiet

There’s no danger of this aquarium being too loud. With such a small tank, the pump doesn’t need to be very large – and that ensures it’s whisper quiet.

Aquariums are notorious for giving off a gurgling or whirring sound. While this indicates your aquarium is functioning, it can be a distraction or an annoyance to any room. No one wants to be drowned up by their tank.

Fortunately, that’s not the case with the EcoQube. It won’t make itself known which opens up a variety of spaces where you can place this aquarium.

If you plan on locating this in your bedroom or someplace where silence is a premium, this is the ideal set-up for you. You’ll barely know it’s running!

Stylish and Unique Design

Thanks to the EcoQube’s sleek, minimalistic design, you won’t have to worry about where you can place it. Not only is its size convenient, but this tank will blend in with just about any decor.

It’s modern, and the inclusion of greenery makes it all the more striking. For all it’s beauty, it’s functional too! While you can try your hand at a bit of gardening, your plant will also act as a functioning part of your tank.

As such, your new aquarium will surely be a great conversation starter. And you’ll get the chance at telling a lot of people all you’ve learned from your hobby.

A Treat for Beginners

An aquarium that’s easy to use, setup, and maintain makes it all the easier for beginner aquarists to get started. There’s not much to worry about when it comes to using this aquarium.

It comes with just about everything you need to get going, and if you purchase the kit on Amazon, you’ll get accessories to go with it too!

Priced reasonably, the EcoQube is a great introduction to the hobby.

The Negatives

Might Be Too Small for Some

Make sure you double-check the measurements of this tank closely. Having this aquarium arrive smaller than expected isn’t unheard of.

This is by no means a tank that will hold a lot of fish, nor will it be a tank that requires a great deal of room. That’s the point. If you need something bigger, this is not the aquarium for you.

So, to be sure you’re not disappointed on arrival, confirm that this aquarium will have enough room to house your fish before purchasing.

Heater Not Included

If you’re new to fishkeeping or are looking for a more all-in-one product, you’ll have to make some additions on your own with the EcoQube.

There’s a chance that you’ll want to add your own heater in particular since this aquarium doesn’t already come with one. Depending on where you place the tank and the kind of fish you have, a heater may be necessary.

Certain fish need a certain temperature of water to stay alive. Test the water once everything is established to guarantee that it’s at the right temperature. If it’s not, think about getting a heater.

Confusing Instructions

While you’ll likely have no problem with the instructions included in the EcoQube kit, for some, it might come off as too vague or too confusing.

If you need extra help, there are several YouTube videos available online, which can walk you through each step of the process.

And thankfully, this aquarium is a breeze to set-up, so we’re almost positive you won’t have problems getting this tank up and running.

Here’s a video showing what the EcoQube Aquarium looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After looking over all the positives and negatives, we recommend the EcoQube Aquarium.

With its lightweight and compact design, easy set-up, and quiet pump, this is one of the best small aquariums on the market. The self-sufficiency and modern design don’t hurt either!

Who would have thought you could dive into aquaponics with such a small tank?

So long as you aren’t expecting a large tank, and you don’t mind investing in a heater if necessary, the EcoQube is definitely worth checking out.

Where to Buy the EcoQube Aquarium

With great success on Kickstarter, EcoQube is a popular brand thanks to its innovative aquarium design. Their campaign has brought a lot of attention to their brand and has made a large number of aquarists excited about this project.

Thanks to their success and popularity, EcoQube is available both in-store and online through retailers around the globe.

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

• Chewy (from $139)
• Wal Mart (from $89)

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

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That’s the end of our EcoQube review. Curious to give this aquarium a try?