It's a great place for a hobby to grow! These aquariums are a handsome addition to even the smallest spaces like a desktop, dorm room, school, or almost anywhere in your home.

Overall rating:

3.9

(27 reviews) 26

21 of 27(78%)customers recommend this product.

Reviews for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Review 1 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Love It!

March 24, 2013

by AshleyR22

fromUSA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Appearance

5 / 5 27 reviews

Quality

5 / 5 27 reviews

I use this tank to keep my mystery snail and 3 ghost shrimp. They love it! The filter is a bit strong for the shrimp; they like to keep their distance and hide inside of the castle. The filter is probably perfect for a betta though.

Pros: easy to install, easy to clean, sturdy

+2points

2of 2voted this as helpful.

Review 2 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

1 / 5 27 reviews

Filter is too strong.

February 15, 2013

by jg11

fromNew Orleans, LA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I purchased this tank for a betta. The filter is way too strong and actually caused the long fins of my betta to get stuck. I had to turn off the filter to allow the fish to move away from it. I returned this tank.

+3points

4of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 3 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

1 / 5 27 reviews

ruined furniture

January 29, 2013

by Coolman

fromPa.

After having this tank for a couple of weeks, my son noticed a puddle of water all over his dresser, where this tank was placed. Water had leaked out and ruined the finish of this piece of furniture. Wish we would have done a little research on this tank. I'm sure if I complain about it nothing will be done about it, but we will see.

-4points

0of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Great for Small Betta

January 21, 2013

by riversideeye

fromNY

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Reviewer Images

I have a small, female crowntail betta in the one gallon tank. This was a major upgrade from the 1/2 gallon tank I had her in. I've only had her in this new tank for about a month but already I've seen a difference in her. She's grown larger, and has much more color to her fins, especially her crown.

The tank itself: The filter is pretty powerful but does keep the tank clean. I use it for a couple of hours a day for water agitation and to quickly filter debris. It's too strong to keep on all the time, but it does work excellently and if the tank is cloudy it clears it up within minutes.

I use the light for a couple of hours during the day (bettas don't like stronge lights).

I could have opted for a simple one gallon tank without a filter or light, but these are useful to have for the reasons I stated above. Besides, it a very pretty aquarium, and the blue hood is very pretty.

I am very pleased with this aquarium and plan on buying either the 2.5 gallon or 5 gallon for my male bettas (separate tanks of course).

I wouldn't necessarily recommend the one gallon for a male betta, though.

+2points

3of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 5 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 27 reviews

Really good tank but STRONG filter!

December 29, 2012

by petlover129

fromAustin, TX

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I really like this aquarium.Its big enough for my Betta Poseidon to explore and swim around but small enough to clean easily. The reason that i gave it 4 stars is because the filter is a bit strong for Poseidon. I tried to put an ornament in front of the filter but it did not really help. I ended up just taking it out. Without the filter there is more space and if you clean it out at least once a week then the tank stays clean! Overall it is a really good tank for the price and its just the right size! Love it!

+5points

5of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

GREAT

September 25, 2012

by doglover88

fromLafayette, IN

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

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

I have had this aquarium for 2 days now and so far my betta loves it. It is so nice that the water stays crystal clear, which is difficult here in Lafayette, IN. I did have him in a fish bowl, but the water was orange, so I upgraded him to this one with a filter. It sits perfectly on my desk at work and it is so quiet that I sometimes forget it even has a filter. I would definitely recommend this product, as a matter of fact one of my coworkers is going to purchase one to upgrade her betta here at work.

+4points

4of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 7 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Great Betta Tank!

September 19, 2012

by Plecostomus75

fromGranbury, TX

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got this tank shortly after Christmas 2011. It worked fine for 8 mos. but then it started leaking. so we bought another one. but then I tried to figure out what it was & I determined that it was the filter. so I called Aqueon. I asked them if I could get a new filter because mine was leaking & they asked if I had checked the diverter (the little piece that makes the water go on to the filter pad) was loose. It was, so I Just sealed it with hot glue & it works fine. I now use the old tank for plants. Overall great tank!

Pros:
tank, filter, free samples, hood,

Cons:
diverter comes loose

+6points

6of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

2 / 5 27 reviews

August 29, 2012

by tjfishman

fromut

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?4

I bought my tank for my daughter so she could have a fish of her own it was easy to assemble but after about a month or two it started to have problems the light burned out a couple times then the tank start to leak still havent found were the leak is coming from but its doing it about once a week for the past month decided to go and get a new tank this one is not worth the hassle do not put it on a wood shelf or something that gets ruined with water.

+4points

5of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 9 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 27 reviews

Great kit. Important stuff in ALL CAPS

August 26, 2012

by coco214

fromKnoxville, TN

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got this kit about 2 years ago for my dorm. Knowing nothing about fish, my roommate and I tried packing in a few too many guppies. Afterwards, we were told this TANK ALLOWS FOR 1 FISH. So be warned, only get 1 fish!!!! ... maybe 2... but 1 has worked best for me so far.

Earlier I said I had the tank for 2 years, but that is not how long everything truly lasts!!! After about 2-3 months of fish in my old dorm we gave up. I then got a new fish this past spring, and the tank was dug out of storage for a second go around. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME THE TANK WORKED WAS 5-6 MONTHS. I'm not sure how this relates to other tanks, but it is what I've seen other people comment for this specific one. So be warned twice (if this upsets you).

Overall, the tank was great. IT CAME WITH ALL THE STARTER ITEMS PROMISED. The LIGHTBULB NEVER BURNED OUT. WHAT LED TO MY TANK'S ULTIMATE DEATH WAS THE FILTER MOTOR BURNING OUT. I didn't look too hard for a replacement since I wanted to upgrade and get a bigger tank anyway. Who knows, there may be a replacement motor or something out there. I just didn't bother looking.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Great Starter Tank

August 23, 2012

by Pookiesmom

fromMarion, AR

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?4

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

I purchased this starter kit for my office and added a betta fish to it. My betta has thrived quite well for more than 6 months now. The tank is very easy to keep clean and I find that the filters work well. I do lift the top to feed my fish as if you put food through the hole in the lid, the filter will quickly sweep it away. I have not experienced any problems with this tank or any of its parts since my purchase.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

2 / 5 27 reviews

Bad Top

August 22, 2012

by MaryPetpet

fromCincinnati, OH

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

It's a good bowl for my beta, but the top part with the light keeps breaking. I've bought multiple bowls to see if it was just the one I had, but it happens to all of my lids. The light quits working, and it's not the lightbulb. I'm very frustrated with it.

+3points

3of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 12 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 27 reviews

Great kit for a Betta

August 20, 2012

by Kevin123

fromAttleboro,MA

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

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

This 1 Gal. kit is great for a Betta and a few snails.
This setup is solidly constructed and includes a very quiet pump.The only issue that I have is that the pump is a bit too powerful and produces a strong current throughout the tank which my Betta is having trouble with. He seems much happier with the pump off.

+4points

4of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 13 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

July 21, 2012

by animalia

fromMD

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

My betta, rosie, really likes this tank. She has a small bungalow and still has room. Bettas don't need alot of room and this is perfect because she is happy. since it is only a 1 gallon, it is also easy to maintain and keep clean.

+7points

8of 9voted this as helpful.

Review 14 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 27 reviews

Good

June 7, 2012

by PinkM

fromVA

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

This is a very good tank. The flow coming out from the filter is a little strong for betta's and it pushes there food around the tank. The filter is really quite, and the light switch on the tank is a good add on. But whenever I turn of the light, when I try to turn it on it won't turn on. I don't know why the light is doing this.
But it is a generaly good tank.

+6points

6of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 15 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Better than I expected!

May 24, 2012

by MilitaryMomof2

fromTipp City, OH

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Appearance

5 / 5 27 reviews

Quality

4 / 5 27 reviews

Reviewer Images

Very easy to set up and fits live/fake plants and small decorations easily! We have a young betta and a golden mystery snail and they love it! The current from the filter is a little strong and our last betta (who was much, much older) didn't like it. Our new one got used to it very easily and the snail loves it! I would not recommend for any other creatures, but for these species, it works very very well!

Pros: easy to clean, easy to install

+5points

5of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 16 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

2 / 5 27 reviews

Nice looking but began leaking after a month

April 29, 2012

by Jword

fromChantilly, VA

Appearance

5 / 5 27 reviews

Quality

1 / 5 27 reviews

Bought this desktop aquarium for our 8-yr old son a month ago and it is great for a single Beta fish. The filter kept the water clear and clean.

After a month or so, it started to lose water and we located the leak on the hood where the cords come out. It is intermittent so it took me a while to find the source but still haven't found the cause. Strange that only a few folks have reported having this problem. Thinking of returning this tank for another design. Caution for those placing on a wooden top (like a dresser) because of the potential for a leak like we experienced.

Pros: easy to install

+5points

7of 9voted this as helpful.

Review 17 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Great Beginner!

April 24, 2012

by ShyAli

fromMadison, WI

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Appearance

4 / 5 27 reviews

Quality

5 / 5 27 reviews

I bought this little tank a few months ago and it was well worth the price. With everything included the only items I needed to buy was my betta, gravel, a decoration, and I wanted to buy a container of everyday food for him. Since then I have bought more water conditioner. I would not recommend buying a smaller tank for a fish, I do desire a bigger one now but this is great for first timers. Please only place one fish in this size. The filter is a little strong with the current but my fishy got used to it. I don't use the light often because it shows his reflection on the walls and he gets all aggressive. I empty out the tank about once a month (very easy, I just walk it over to the sink). I have yet to replace the filter because it really doesn't get that dirty with one betta. In conclusion, if you want to buy a single fish and don't have much room for a big tank, this is a great buy.

Pros: easy to install, easy to clean, sturdy

+7points

8of 9voted this as helpful.

Review 18 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

3 / 5 27 reviews

Decent for the money

April 10, 2012

by Asinity

fromOntario, Canada

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Inexpensive starter tank, would be ideal for a betta or a pair of guppies.

Compact size allows it to fit into smaller areas, however this also makes it extremely hard to clean up the gravel without taking the entire tank apart, ruining the bio-filter. The light could definitely stand to be positioned better, about 1/3 of the tank gets minimal light.

On my particular tank it's sprung a nasty leak where the power cord/aquarium/lid meets, within a week I've lost about half a gallon of water. This is particularly disappointing because I've cleaned everything, changed the filter and water continues to pool at that spot, leaking out the side of the tank. I expected better for this tank being about 2 months old.

My problem sounds like it's just a fluke thing with mine only, most who have bought it sound happy with the purchase - I would have been too if not for this issue.

The tank looks nice though, the filter keeps the water nice and clean, and my fish is living in good health in it. However I will be replacing it with a different product.

+3points

5of 7voted this as helpful.

Review 19 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

4 / 5 27 reviews

good tank

January 4, 2012

by dragonscale

fromLamar, MO

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

This is a good tank for its size. I have one betta and three ghost shrimp in the tank. that one thing that I have noticed is that when i feed my lil guy i have to unplug the filter so that way the food is moved to the bottom where it blends in with the rocks. I am considering on getting a bigger tank. would be nice for the filters if they could come with a lower output on the current and maybe smaller to fit the tank better and take up so much room for the fish to swim in. other than that this is a good tank for just having one small sized fish in.

0points

3of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 20 for Aqueon Mini Bow 1 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit

Overall rating

5 / 5 27 reviews

Great Mini Aquarium

August 22, 2011

by QuickMan

fromWest Chester, PA

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I have had this Mini Bow Aquarium for over a year now and have a small 3 inch Mini Blood Parrot in it and he is doing fine. Yes they do have miniature sized Blood Parrots now. The filter is very quiet and the water stays clear for a while as long as you keep up with the water changes every three weeks. The filter is actually surprisingly good for a starter kit because in the past I have had problems with starter kit filters not doing a good job and as a result the water would get cloudy rather quickly. If you are looking for a smaller, nice looking, long lasting aquarium then get this one. I have had no problems with it and I am very happy with my purchase.

+1point

4of 7voted this as helpful.

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