55 gallon capacity Kit includes everything you need to get started Aquarium stand sold separately Made exclusively for PetSmart Available in limited quantities at select stores. Ask a store associate for details.

Overall rating:

4.3

(49 reviews) 45

46 of 49(94%)customers recommend this product.

Reviews for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Review 1 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Featured
We really liked this!
Featured

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

An incomparable buy

August 12, 2010

by Dragonlady30

fromLouisiana

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?4

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

Appearance

5 / 5 49 reviews

Quality

5 / 5 49 reviews

I searched the net for a better deal on an aquarium this size, and this aquarium kit is by far the best deal. With the free pet perks card offered in stores, the price was almost $35 less than advertised.

I hesitated after reading two of the other reviews about the filter pump being too loud. I've been running mine for a week now and haven't found it to be so. Unless you go with a biowheel or gravel filter, you aren't going to get much quieter.

I like that the pump has an adjustable flow. Also, the hoods leave plastic cutouts for the accessories (pump and heater are included in this kit) intact, so you aren't limited to a particular spot...you can place the pump on either side according to your needs (cords reaching outlets, etc).

The heater is decent, you can adjust the temperature by turning a dial at the top, and there is a small light on the top that indicates when the heater is on.

Hoods, lights, and filter system seem sturdy, as does the build of the tank itself. The only possible issue I could foresee would be the plastic divider across the top....there was a sticker in the tank that indicates that should that plastic divider ever break, it compromises the integrity of the tank and it should not be used. I wiggled it and it didn't seem to be terribly dinky, but I would venture to guess that if a substantial amount of weight were put on it-say the person putting it up not paying attention and either tried to use it to lift the tank, or leaned on it with body weight- it IS only plastic.

Once the hoods are in place, that would be virtually impossible so after setup it's a moot point anyway.

There are also several different sized tubes included with the filter system, so that you can adjust the depth of the input-so that you can customize it according to the needs of the type of fish you have....all in all, the design of this aquarium kit is great and could serve a variety of needs and all but the most discriminant of tastes. You just can't beat this deal anywhere.

+29points

30of 31voted this as helpful.

Review 2 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Featured
We really liked this!
Featured

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

Great Product for the Money

January 13, 2010

by Anonymous

fromDallas, TX

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

Reviewer Images

I have been needing and wanting a larger aquarium for quite a long time, and initially I was looking for a large acrylic aquarium. The prices on most of those were off the charts, so I figured a 55 gallon kit (glass) would be a good deal.

I received this as a Christmas gift, and after running with fish for a week now (plus cycling time before that), I can say that I am very satisfied with it.

The glass aquarium itself is very sturdy and sealed up well -- no leaks of any sort so far. The included power filter is holding up well so far (albeit a bit noisy), though I plan to switch to a biowheel filter soon. The included heater is actually very attractive in the aquarium and maintains a constant temperature effortlessly (my pleco seems to have claimed it as his own). The large fishnet was the perfect size for my large gouramis, and even transferred my foot-long pleco with ease (not our initial plan, but he settled inside of it). The sample-sized Stress Coat and bacteria starter were nice additions, as were the sample fish flakes. The hood lights are bright and illuminate the inside beautifully.

I would definitely recommend this kit to anyone who is a beginner fish keeper or anyone upgrading from a smaller aquarium. Experienced aquarists will also enjoy this, though they may already have in mind a different filter and/or heater, so they may wish to simply purchase the aquarium alone. This kit is a perfect way to get started with little effort, and there is even a small included guide to help you along with the setup and maintenance processes.

This 55 gallon aquarium fits BEAUTIFULLY on my Top Fin aquarium stand (also offered here). The black tank hood and black stand are a gorgeous combination in my apartment living room (with plenty of room to spare), and my fish are healthier and happier than ever before!

Pros: clean clear sturdy glass construction, included samples are a decent bonus, included power filter & heater are great starters, great size for any level of aquarist

Cons: included top fin power filter is noisy

+6points

13of 20voted this as helpful.

Review 3 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

3 / 5 49 reviews

great deal & price, inaccurate description.

April 7, 2013

by chocolistic

fromnj

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

this tank set is a good deal but the tank is not advertised accurately....the hood and the lights are not what is described which made it a problem in caring for your fish unless you don't mind removing the whole hood. for me, time and convenience matters so I paid more money for the right tank and hood set.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

nice starter kit

March 24, 2013

by GuppyLady

fromBainbridge, ny

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Reviewer Images

We bought this starter kit because I have always wanted a nice large tank for my fancy guppies. This kit covered all the basics. The filter keeps the tank sparkling. We bought our aquarium stand at Pet Smart also, to achieve the best fit for our décor.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 5 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 49 reviews

Worth the Price

March 21, 2013

by TFishGuy

fromPottstown, PA

Very good overall. The filter is loud and no biowheel. I'd go with a marineland filter and a separate tank if I bought again. Will probably upgrade the filter. Can't complain though, good price, does what it's supposed to do.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 49 reviews

Great for price

March 17, 2013

by Rch727

fromChapel Hill, NC

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Decent starter kit, everything you need is in it. But if you are an experienced fish lover then you will understand the flaws. The filter is loud and I couldn't sleep with it in my room for example, so I replaced it. The heater is hard to get to stay at the right temp. Lighting and hood is great and the net that comes with it. All in all it is the price that makes this get 4 stars. Still a great set up if not going into your room. I would buy it again.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 7 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 49 reviews

Great set up!!!

March 15, 2013

by swampdog

fromohio

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

My tank has been up about 3 months now and is working good...no issues with all the things that came with it. As far as the filter goes...I don't understand why everyone complains about the noise? If you do not prefill it with water(like your supposed too!!) yes it will be loud at first(also hard on the impeller!)read the instructions and you will be fine. I also added a second filter(canister..no bypass) to help keep it clean and so far so good just waiting on it to cycle.If this is your first big tank try to have some patiance as the bigger they are the more work they are....keep this in mind and you will be fine!

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

2 / 5 49 reviews

Too Loud

March 12, 2013

by yoli8

fromFlorida

I bought this aqaurium about a week ago. I read all the reviews previously but still wanted a large tank for my first tank. Please believe the reviews when the other owners state that this filer runs too loud! I thought how loud could it be. It sounds like a dryer is on all the time combined with a slooshing sound. I bought this to relax but it is stressing me out. I will need to purchase a quieter filter.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 9 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

awsome!!!

February 2, 2013

by bernpup

fromFranklin, PA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Everything in this kit is a really good buy. The tank, heater, and filter are all nice quality. I never had a fish tank this big, and now that I do, I really enjoy it. It's almost like a tv because I can just stare at all the pretty fish I have in it for a long time. You cannot beat the price, and it's nice that you get a lot of things with it so you don't have to make several purchases for more pieces.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

Great for price, no issues

February 1, 2013

by StreyKittyMell

fromPA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I've had my tank set up for about three months now, and I've had absolutely no issues. It looks absolutely beautiful, and it sits about six to eight feet from our couch and TV. It currently has about 10 guppies, 8 neon tetras, 2 otocinclus, and some random number of baby guppies(the tank gives them plenty of room to hide, and they're surviving much better then they did in my 5gal tank).

I was a little worried when I bought the kit, since I read a lot of reviews that said both great and not so great things about it, especially the filter, but I love it. I can see where some people might think the filter is loud, it certainly was when we first got it started, but it quieted down almost immediately. Now, I can hear the water moving all the time, but that's one of the reasons I've always loved having a fish tank. If you don't want to hear anything at all from your tank, you will want to get a different filter, though.

When I saw the heater, I thought it would be a little tricky since there were no numbers or anything to tell you where you were setting it to, but my boyfriend set it and put it in and it ended up perfect. Now, I know this isn't the usual, but it also didn't seem like it would be too difficult to get it to the right point. It's kept the tank heated perfectly the entire time it's been set up, and my fish are quite happy.

The sample packs they give you with the kit are also very nice, perfect to get you started, or to show you the difference between different brands if you already have other types.

Basically, I've had no issues with the entire kit, and love how my tank turned out in the end. It's done exactly what I wanted it to do, and I couldn't be happier.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

great starter kit!

January 28, 2013

by nathan10

fromGlendora, CA

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Everything works perfectly and looks beautiful. The filter IS a little on the loud side but definitely not anything to complain about. The light bulbs last long and the heater can withstand the power of my oscar and red devil running in to it (x overall, great buy.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 12 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

1 / 5 49 reviews

55Gallon Aquarium Leaks!

January 24, 2013

by LPTexas

fromTexas

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I purchased the 55 gallon starter kit almost a year ago. The aquarium looks great and I was extremely satisfied with it in the beginning. Over the past three months however the seams on the tank have begun to leak. At first I thought it was just the fish splashing water out of the tank, but now it is all too clear that the seams are leaking. At the bottom of the tank where the glass meets the black plastic base, it is leaking. Around the entire base, it has ruined the stand that I also purchased from PetsMart. I'm very disappointed with the aquarium and will be doing everything in my power to have my tank and stand replaced by PetsMart or TopFin.

+5points

7of 9voted this as helpful.

Review 13 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

Great tank and kit for price...

January 21, 2013

by NSWONT

fromSW ont, Canada

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Great tank and starter kit for the price. Only downfalls we have experienced are that the hoods have no "hinges" or hinged areas to gain access to the tank. So the whole "hood" has to be removed (lights and all) to gain access to the interior of the tank, be it for feeding or arranging ornaments or to catch a sick fish or such.

The lights are not on one switch / wall plug, they are two seperate ones and there is no back display (which I do not believe any tank on the market in a "kit" comes with unfortunately)

Also it does not (sadly) come with a air bubbler setup. since it is a larger tank and that is needed, it would have been nice to have that as an "optional" setup kit, but all in all awesome.

The price (esp on sale for under $200) is right and a GREAT for the size of tank (being the 55Gal) also!

Especially when you consider you get two hoods with LED lights, a large pump, including charcoal filters and you also get the water heater included, a stick-on temp gauge for the side of the tank and a fish net.

Go get it for a starter kit or just for an extra tank! you won't regret it :)

-2points

0of 2voted this as helpful.

Review 14 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

This is a excellent deal.

January 20, 2013

by Ranchand

fromTulsa, Ok

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I have had aquariums for over 40 years and this kit has everything needed to set up a basic aquarium for freshwater fish in one neat package at a price that is much lower than buying each piece seperately. The brand name and quality are known and dependable in the pet world as
well.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Review 15 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

EPIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 15, 2013

by Darek

fromIllniois

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

This is a great aquarium, it contains everything you need and is very inexpensive for a big aquarium.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Review 16 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

An excellent larger starter kit

January 9, 2013

by lizard7237

fromMD

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

Reviewer Images

I found the tank to be excellent. It looks very nice on an old wooden dresser. The heater that comes with the kit maintains a stable temperature. The bonus water conditioner and food were great as well. The tank it self has had no leaks or signs of weakness. My only issues were the hood and filter. One of the hoods that came with it was bowed in the front. I'll be returning it for a new one. Also, I agree with some others that the filter is a bit noisy. I don't notice from the next room over but when I'm in the tank room, the filter is noticeable. After awhile, the filter seemed to become quieter, about a month after the initial setup. Overall, this is a great tank kit.

+4points

4of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 17 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

January 7, 2013

by 1111111111

fromToms river nj

Reviewer Images

This tank is we worth the money I would recommend it to anyone looking for a 55 gallon!! Very well built!!!

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 18 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 49 reviews

Top Fin 55 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

January 7, 2013

by KenTheFishMan

fromUnion, KY

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I bought this aquarium to replace one that I had to leave at our previous home. I found this aquarium, hood, lighting, airpump, and filter system very easy to set up. We have enjoyed our new aquarium thoroughly. I would suggest this product to anyone.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 19 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 49 reviews

Not really liking the hood

December 30, 2012

by Jreyes

fromNew York, NY

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Reviewer Images

This tank is really nice and the led light is even nicer. The only thing I do not like is the hood. It is not like typical hoods where they open 1/2 way. In fact this hood is not to open for feelings because it already has an opening on each lid which is not covered. After all fish do jump. Also the light switch is not on the hood. It is on the cord behind the tank. Not convenient if one side is in a corner. Another thing read dimensions. We were so excited getting a 55 gallon tank we did notnnotice it was only 12 1/2"wide, but has a very nice height. We are still excited and it was a good deal.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 20 for Top Fin(r) 55 Gallon Starter Kit

Overall rating

3 / 5 49 reviews

Nice tank for the money, but.....

December 29, 2012

by Bat1060

fromSpringfield, MO

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

For the money, this starter kit is just that, a starter kit.. The tank is built very nicely, but the hoods, filter, and heater aren't very good at all.. The filter is very noisy (glad it's not in my bedroom noisy!)and it's out flow is pretty week for this size of tank.. The heater works, but is just a simple heater with no adjustment marks to tell what temp is being set, leading to a guessing game.. The hoods are just plain cheap and not very well thought out. The lighting is nice, but there's no good exit for the wires, so they get in the way causing two handed operation of the hood to get it closed correctly.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

1 2 3 next