Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium

Your Complete Guide to Choosing and Caring for This Starter Tank

The Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium is one of the most popular beginner fish tanks on the market today. Offered in a range of sizes and bundles, this affordable aquarium line provides an easy entrance into the wonderful world of the freshwater aquarium hobby.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium. You’ll learn about the different sizes available, where to buy, costs, special bundles, equipment included, setup, maintenance, reviews, and much more.

Whether you’re new to fishkeeping or simply looking for an extra tank, the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium is a great option worth considering. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this starter aquarium is right for you. Let’s get started!

An Overview of the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium

The Imagitarium brand offers three main sizes of their freshwater aquarium: the Imagitarium 3 Gallon LED Desktop Aquarium Kit, the Imagitarium 5 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit, and the Imagitarium 10 Gallon LED Aquarium Kit.

The tanks themselves are made of sturdy, clear glass with black plastic trim. The smaller 3 gallon model has a unique cube shape, while the 5 gallon and 10 gallon options are traditional rectangular tanks.

Each size comes bundled with basic filtration, lighting, and other equipment to get your aquarium up and running. The kits are designed specifically with beginners in mind, providing an all-in-one setup right out of the box.

These starter aquarium bundles are exclusive to PetSmart stores and their online shop. Pricing ranges from $30-60 depending on tank size, so they offer an affordable entry point into the hobby compared to more advanced setups.

Choosing the Right Size Imagitarium Aquarium

When selecting an Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium, the first decision is which size best suits your needs. Here’s an overview of the options:

• 3 Gallon – This petite desktop tank is easy to fit in small spaces. Best for housing a betta fish or a few tiny shrimp or snails. Limited stocking options due to the size.
• 5 Gallon – A versatile medium size that provides more flexibility for fish, shrimp, and plant choices. Can accommodate a small community of nano fish.
• 10 Gallon– The largest Imagitarium kit size. Allows you to keep a variety of small schooling fish like tetras. More room for aquascaping and decor.

In general, bigger is better when it comes to tank size and stability. But you also need to consider available room in your home along with your experience level. The 3 gallon nano tank is best for complete beginners, while intermediate hobbyists will appreciate the expanded options of the 10 gallon model.

Imagitarium Aquarium Equipment and Features

One of the best things about the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium kits is that they come packaged with everything you need to get started:

• LED lighting – Each kit includes LED lights to support live plants and provide illumination. The 3 gallon has a single LED bar, while the larger tanks have two LED strips.
• Filter – Both the 5 gallon and 10 gallon kits come with compact Power Filter mini tanks. The 3 gallon has an integrated filter cartridge.
• Thermometer – Allows you to monitor water temperature for tropical fish.
• Net – For catching fish during tank maintenance.
• Water conditioner – Makes tap water safe by removing chlorine and chloramines. Crucial for fish health.
• Substrate – Natural aquarium gravel substrate is included in all kits.
• Decor – Plastic plants and decorations to help create your aquascape.

The included equipment, from filtration to lighting, makes setup quick and easy right out of the box. And the sleek, low profile hoods and LEDs give the aquarium kits a modern, stylish look.

Where to Buy the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium

Since the Imagitarium aquarium line is a PetSmart exclusive brand, these are the best places to buy:

• Your local PetSmart store – View the tanks in person and pick up supplies. Price match with the online store.
• PetSmart.com – Convenient home delivery from their online shop. Frequent sales and special offers.
• PetSmart on Amazon – Free 2-day Prime shipping when purchasing the Imagitarium kits through PetSmart’s Amazon store.

Occasionally these starter bundles will go on sale, so be sure to keep an eye out for PetSmart promotions and deals to save money. Signing up for their rewards program can also earn you discounts on future aquarium purchases.

Cost Breakdown of the Imagitarium Aquariums

Here is an overview of the regular pricing for each Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium kit:

• 3 Gallon Aquarium – $30-35
• 5 Gallon Aquarium – $50-60
• 10 Gallon Aquarium – $60-70

As you can see, these starter bundles are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider everything that’s included right in the box.

The 3 gallon nano tank is the most affordable, and perfect for trying out fishkeeping on a budget. But you get significantly more tank size by upgrading to the 5 gallon or 10 gallon kits for just a bit more money.

Take advantage of sales events and rewards discounts whenever possible to maximize your savings on an Imagitarium aquarium setup.

Helpful Extras and Add-Ons

While the basic Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium kits contain everything essential for setup, PetSmart offers a variety of optional upgrades and add-ons:

• Heaters – Needed to house tropical fish that require warm water. The 50 watt mini heater is a popular choice.
• Additional filter media – Extra filter cartridges, activated carbon, and other media to optimize filtration.
• Live plants – Take your aquascape to the next level with live plants like java fern, anubias, swords, mosses, and more.
• Driftwood – Natural driftwood decor instantly enhances the look of any freshwater tank.
• Fish tank backgrounds – Backgrounds in black, blue, or scenic styles provide a backdrop for the tank.
• Gravel vacuum – Makes gravel cleaning easy during routine maintenance. Crucial for extracting waste.

Take time to browse all the fish supplies on offer and build a custom setup tailored to your specific needs and vision for your Imagitarium aquarium.

Perfect for Beginners and Experts Alike

A huge selling point of the Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium kits is that they are equally well-suited for both beginner and experienced aquarists. Some key advantages:

Beginner-friendly

• Affordable, all-in-one setup
• Easy, quick installation
• Pre-filtered and pre-cycled
• Clear setup instructions included
• Everything needed for a starter tank

Enjoyable for Experts

• Classic, versatile glass construction
• Room for aquascaping creativity
• Compatible with advanced equipment
• Established brand with proven quality
• Can be used as hospital or quarantine tanks

Whether you’re getting your first tank or adding another aquarium to your fish room, the Imagitarium line really shines through its simplicity and versatility.

Ideal Fish for the Imagitarium Aquariums

Now let’s explore some of the best freshwater fish species for stocking an Imagitarium tank:

3 Gallon Aquarium

• Betta fish
• Snails like nerite or mystery
• Shrimp such as cherry, ghost, or amano

5 Gallon Aquarium

• Betta community tank with small tetras or rasboras
• Dwarf cichlids like sparkling gourami
• Peaceful nano fish including ember tetras, chili rasboras, celestial pearl danios

10 Gallon Aquarium

• Guppies, platies, mollies, or swordtails
• Small tetras like neon, cardinal, ember, glowlight
• White cloud mountain minnows
• Dwarf corydoras catfish bottom feeders

Always research fish species before buying to ensure your selections will thrive together in the environment provided by your particular Imagitarium aquarium kit.

Pay special attention to each fish’s adult size, temperament, water parameters, and other care requirements. AqAdvisor is a great free online tool for testing tank stocking ideas.

Step-By-Step Setup of the Imagitarium Aquariums

Setting up a new Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium is a quick and straightforward process. Here is an overview of the setup steps:

1. Wash the tank, lid, and decorations with water and aquarium-safe cleaner to remove any residue.
2. Rinse the included substrate thoroughly until the water runs clear.
3. Place the washed gravel or sand on the tank bottom to create your substrate layer. Slope higher in the back and lower in the front for depth.
4. Decorate the tank by arranging plants, driftwood, rocks, and plastic decor to your liking. Create hiding spots and open swimming areas.
5. Install the filter and LED light based on the manufacturer instructions. Place the included thermometer securely inside the tank.
6. Slowly fill the aquarium with dechlorinated water to just under the filter output. Check for leaks.
7. Turn on the filter and LED light to get water circulating and start the nitrogen cycle. Consider adding a bacterial supplement like Tetra SafeStart.
8. Allow the tank to fishless cycle for 3-6 weeks, testing water parameters weekly and doing partial water changes as needed.
9. When the tank is fully cycled with stable parameters, slowly acclimate your fish and add them to their new home! Enjoy watching them explore.

Take the time to properly cycle your aquarium before adding any fish. This will allow beneficial bacteria to establish and prevent risky ammonia and nitrite spikes that could harm your fish. Patience pays off!

Glass or Acrylic Construction?

Imagitarium Freshwater Aquariums utilize traditional glass construction. The glass is fairly thin, making these tanks lightweight and more affordable. But it still provides the clear optics and aquascaping versatility that makes glass a popular aquarium material.

Pros of glass:

• More affordable than acrylic
• Crystal clear optics with minimal distortion
• Can use strong cleaners and scrapers during maintenance
• Wide availability of replacement parts

Cons of glass:

• Heavy and prone to cracking if dropped or impacted
• Not seamless like acrylic tanks
• Less insulation – may lose more heat

For a starter tank, glass is an excellent choice, providing the traditional aquarium experience many hobbyists prefer. And the glass construction keeps costs down on the Imagitarium kits.

Using Live Plants in the Imagitarium Aquariums

The included LED lighting makes the Imagitarium aquariums well-suited for keeping live freshwater plants. Here are some great beginner options to consider:

• Java fern
• Anubias
• Amazon sword
• Cryptocorynes
• Moss balls
• Marimo moss balls
• Hornwort
• Anacharis

Focus on low and medium light plants that don’t require specialized fertilization. Many can be attached to driftwood or decor instead of planted in the substrate.

Introducing live plants provides many benefits for your aquarium inhabitants. They improve water quality, oxygenate the water, and provide security with their shelter and shade.

Maintenance Tips for Imagitarium Tanks

While Imagitarium aquariums are simple to setup, they do require regular maintenance to stay healthy. Here are some key care tips:

• Test water parameters weekly and do 25% partial water changes if ammonia or nitrates get too high.
• Rinse filter media monthly in old tank water to remove gunk and keep it working efficiently.
• Use an algae scraper to keep the glass free of unsightly green algae growth.
• Clean the plastic plants when they accumulate debris and use a gravel vac to suck up waste in the substrate.
• Check the temperature daily to ensure the heater is keeping the water in the proper range for your fish.
• Wipe down tank surfaces with water and vinegar during monthly deep cleans to keep everything spotless.
• Replace filter cartridges, light bulbs, and other parts as needed over time.

Following a consistent maintenance routine is crucial for maintaining clear, healthy water for your fish to thrive.

Reviews and Reputation of Imagitarium Aquariums

Overall, Imagitarium Freshwater Aquariums have very positive reviews, especially considering their reasonable pricing as starter tanks. Here are some common pros and cons owners point out:

Pros

• Great value for a beginner kit
• Simple setup right out of the box
• Sleek modern style with LED lighting
• Decent quality construction for the low price
• Quiet, low flow filter systems
• Suitable for small fish, shrimp, and nano planted tanks

Cons

• Filter and lights are lower power than high-end alternatives
• Some complaints about scratches on acrylic lids
• Lighting could be brighter for demanding plants
• Larger sizes would be nice for added flexibility

While not as high-tech as premium brand aquariums, Imagitarium tanks are a great budget-friendly option for getting started in the hobby. And their availability exclusively through PetSmart makes them super convenient for beginners to purchase and setup.

Alternatives to Consider

The Imagitarium Freshwater Aquarium kits provide solid value and quality for starter tanks. But here are a few alternatives to also consider before making your purchase:

• Tetra LED Aquariums – Very similar all-in-one beginner kits with filter, heater, and lighting included. Also sold at PetSmart.
• Aqueon Aquarium Kits – Entry-level glass aquarium bundles with modern LED lights and quiet filters.
• Marineland Aquarium Kits – Feature Marineland’s highly rated Bio-Wheel filtration systems for optimal biological filtration.
• Fluval Flex Aquariums – Premium kits made by leading brand Fluval. Sleek, modern nano tanks with superior filtration and lighting. More expensive but higher quality.

Take time to browse all options in your desired tank size and price range. While the Imagitarium line is solid, looking at alternatives may reveal the perfect tank for your needs.

An Excellent Starter Aquarium for Beginners

To sum up this in-depth review, Imagitarium Freshwater Aquariums provide an affordable, well-rounded introduction to the incredible aquarium hobby. With their all-inclusive kits containing everything required for setup and maintenance, these tanks make it easy for beginners to dip their toes into fishkeeping and start gaining experience.

The glass construction, compact LED lighting, and included filters offer a classic aquarium experience even at the entry-level. And the bundles can be affordably upgraded over time with additional equipment like heaters, plants, and stronger filters as your skills progress.

If you’re searching for a starter freshwater aquarium that won’t break the bank, Imagitarium tanks are absolutely worth considering. Just be sure to research proper cycling, stocking, and care to help your new fish thrive in their glassy underwater world. The Imagitarium awaits!