Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium Review

The Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium is a tank made to grab attention and add a splash of novelty to any room.

Midwest ensured their coffee table aquarium is ready for day-to-day use thanks to the sturdy design, which resists scratches and can handle a few bumps.

If you’re looking for an aquarium that can be functional in more ways than one, while also adding flare to your home, then this is a worthy contender.

Of course, not everyone will go wild for a novelty aquarium. If you don’t need a coffee table right now, will have difficulty hiding excess wires, or don’t care to schedule in additional maintenance, it may be more trouble than it’s worth.

Nonetheless, is that enough to write this aquarium off? We’ve gathered all the key details of the Midwest Tropical AquaTable, both good and bad, so that you can make the best buying decision for yourself!

Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium: the Details

Specs

• Weight: 91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 38 X 20 X 15.5 inches.
• Capacity: 28 gallons.
• Lighting: Included basic LED lighting.
• Glass or Acrylic: Acrylic.
• Accessories: One (1) filter, one (1) plant, blue glass gravel, and added lighting for under the tank.

Features

Novelty Aquarium

If you’re looking to step away from the basic aquarium, which usually ends up neglected in a corner of the room, a novelty tank may just be the ticket for you.

Not only do you get a sizable aquarium to house all of your colorful fish species, but the AquaTable is designed to serve as a coffee table as well!

Combining furniture with display item with pet habitat, you get three unique features all enclosed into one.

So, not only can you use the tank for your fish-keeping hobby, but you can better flaunt your pets to your friends – all with a convenient centerpiece that can also hold morning coffee.

Scratch-Free Acrylic Material

Most aquariums are placed on a stand against a wall, out of reach and out of danger.

But since Midwest knows that this aquarium will be seeing heavy day-to-day use, they constructed it from the best material available.

Acrylic is not only lighter than standard glass, but is also scratch-resistant, far more durable against bumps, and remains crystal-clear for longer – making it a practical as well as a beautiful material for your tank.

With some loving care, this aquarium will go years without baring a scratch.

Thick Glass Lid

What’s the point of a coffee table if you can’t use it? You’ll be dropping heavy books, tapping down ceramic mugs, and even propping your feet up on this coffee table aquarium.

To ensure it can take the burden, the AquaTable has a thick glass lid to serve as your table top.

While this does make the tank overall heavier, it also provides greater stability and ensures the lid won’t be sliding around.

That’s perfect for when smaller children are using it as a drawing space, or if you’re hosting a party and people fail to watch where they put their feet.

Some testers noted that it makes cleaning a touch more difficult, but with a choice between a flimsy coffee table and peace of mind that your new purchase will survive your home – the decision is easy.

Fresh Water Only

The build and overall set-up of this aquarium will only play well with fresh water. As such, you’re advised to do your research beforehand.

If you’re new to keeping fish and have your heart set on a particular species, be sure to check if they’re fresh- or saltwater types.

Using salt water is not advised, as it would result in more frequent clean-ups and the degradation of this tank’s appearance.

Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium Review

The Positives

Excellent Conversation Piece

Buying an unusual fish tank is a guaranteed way of starting a conversation, and one as pretty as this will remain a hot topic for years to come.

If you like wowing your guests and displaying your unique sense of taste and style, the Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium is a good choice for you.

Think about it – how often do you see a coffee table aquarium? Your living room will instantly gain bragging points.

Perfect Fish Display

Standard aquariums get the job done, but they often leave one portion of the tank obscured, as they’re either against a wall or on a stand that hides their top from view.

With the AquaTable, you’re provided with entirely new angles for admiring your fish – from every side and the top, all from the comfort of your sofa.

If you frequently have young children over, they’re sure to be enchanted with the unique view waiting to greet them, while the parents are unlikely to complain either.

Spacious Design

With plenty of space for both fish and decorations, the most difficult part of assembling this tank will be choosing how to fill it.

Thanks to the ample space, you have the opportunity to house many different fish species, while still leaving room for hiding places, plants, and other decorations.

As a bonus, the top is in prime view, allowing for another dimension to enter your decorating efforts.

Excellent for Smaller Homes

In a smaller house, you have to make choices when it comes to interior design. A big freshwater aquarium may be out of the question, but everyone needs a coffee table, right?

This quirky combination of furniture makes this coffee table a treat for anyone who’s scared of running out of space. Save your shelves for the books and make your fish the centerpiece they deserve to be.

Great in the Evening and Night

Thanks to this aquarium’s light, your fish and your coffee table will continue to shine brightly throughout the darker hours.

The added light adds a nice touch to the table, illuminating your fish, decoration, and whatever room you choose to place it in.

Add another function of this aquarium to the list. Since it acts as a light, you can relax without the glare or brightness of overhead lighting.

Starter Accessories Included

Given the novelty of this tank, some customers were surprised at all that was included with it to make sure your aquarium and your fish are off to a good start.

You’ll have a filter, plant, blue glass gravel, and the light for the tank all included with your initial purchase.

This saves customers time and money when putting together a new aquarium and is a welcome addition no matter the hobby level.

You can have most of your tank setup right out of the box and Midwest Tropical designed this aquarium so you can upgrade and add your own accessories as you go.

Sturdy and Stable

You’ll find that this aquarium is sturdier than a lot of other coffee tables on the market. Thankfully so, since you’ll have your precious pets and decorations inside.

Customers found that this aquarium stood up to being used as a regular coffee table. It won’t move around or shake around when you put things like magazines, candles, or a tray on it, all while keeping your fish safe.

What’s great is that it’s not too heavy to move when it’s time for cleaning. The top is sturdy, yet users can still easily move it to get inside.

The Negatives

Wires Get In the Way

While it’s an excellent centerpiece, there is a small issue with the wires. If you’re intent on keeping the lights and filter running, you’ll have to assemble and then try to hide an array of cords.

Coffee tables are often central in a room, so this may present some initial problems. There are creative ways to overcome this, such as with a well-placed rug or the careful arrangement of other furniture.

However, it still poses a safety and aesthetic issue that you’ll have to contend with.

Condensation

The large size and thicker walls result in this aquarium being more susceptible to condensation. After all, it’s harder for this tank to absorb the room temperature.

Placing cups with hot drinks on top may cause an even higher discrepancy.

More Cleaning

This is an aesthetic issue more than anything, but since this coffee table aquarium will be viewed from all angles and experience more contact with items such as mugs, hands, and feet than a typical aquarium, you will need to clean it more often.

Furthermore, a dirty fish tank is more obvious when it’s right in front of your couch, rather than when it’s in a corner.

If you have time to dedicate to more maintenance and cleaning then this won’t be too much of a bother, but busy hobbyists may not be able to keep up with a more frequent maintenance schedule.

Filter Upgrade Needed

The included filter is on the weaker side, meaning that if you’re intent on keeping a more demanding species in this tank, you will have to find a higher performance filter somewhere else.

Experienced fish owners likely have a spare already, but for everyone else, it requires an added investment.

Here’s a video showing what the Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium looks like on display.

Overall Verdict

Any fan of original house design is going to love this Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium. It boasts of a medium to large capacity, overall sturdy build, and an eye-catching design.

If you have an issue with loose wires, this may be a less ideal match, but some creative thinking can go a long way.

Where to Buy the Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium

Midwest Tropical has an array of innovative aquariums and tanks under their belt, the AquaTable Aquarium is just one example of their craftiness.

Their product line includes waterfalls and ‘aqua towers’ which really shows that this company puts a lot of effort into their design to make them stand out from the rest.

Thanks to their innovation Midwest Tropical is able to remain popular, making their products like the Midwest Tropical AquaTable Aquarium available both in-store and online.

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

• Pet Co (from $789)
• Fish Tanks Direct (from $967)
• Midwest Tropical (from $1, 125)

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

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That’s all for our Midwest Tropical AquaTable review. Curious to give this aquarium a try?