It can be challenging to find the ideal aquarium equipment for your Betta, especially since the majority of tiny fish tank kits just include the essentials. A package that includes practically everything you need is the Marineland 5-gallon aquarium. They are virtually flawless, but you can not fault them for that. Here is our review on the Marineland betta tank for a better overview of your next purchase.
For the Betta and other mini fish, this aquarium is the ideal size. Numerous fans of Betta are enamored with its gorgeous and distinctive look. It stands out from other tiny aquarium kits thanks to its amazing night and daylight LED settings. With this option, you may select between a daytime light that is dazzlingly white and a nighttime light that is calming blue.
Continue reading if the Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium piques your curiosity for your betta. When you purchase the tank, you will learn exactly what it includes and what you will need. You will also discover all the benefits and drawbacks. What certain individuals have to say about the tank is also very important.
The following Marineland Portrait review will assist you in making the best purchase decision if you are considering purchasing this tank.
Review Of The Marineland Ml90609 Portrait Aquarium
We should all agree from the outset that the Marine land ML90609 is indeed a classy-looking aquarium. Despite its height, the tank seems incredibly sturdy and steady. Its endurance is enhanced by the glass, which is thick and sturdy, and by the excellent workmanship. The rounded corners are one incredibly cool feature!
The Marineland Portrait kit appears posh and pricey when compared to conventional aquariums with rectangular corners. These rounded corners not only have a fantastic appearance but also enable you to view the tank from various angles for novel and fascinating viewpoints. Algae on the glass surface are also easily removed thanks to the corners’ smoothness.
What Comes With It?
- There is a separate chamber where you put your heater and hidden filter. It also has a three-step filter. Your water will be cleaned of all impurities, pollutants, and bacteria with a three-stage filter.
- The material used for biological and mechanical filtration is Marineland BioFoam.
- Filter pump with Variable Flow – The filter pump allows you to modify the strength of the water stream in your tank.
- The Light source has three settings: blue, white, and off.
- A base that helps prevent furniture damage from your aquarium.
- A glass Canopy to make it simple to feed and administer water to your fish, a glass canopy slides down to the back of the said tank.
Pros
- You can place ornaments in the aquarium’s portrait shape that would not fit in other aquariums. This can give you more freedom to express your creativity than other aquariums can.
- Easy to erect and long-lasting. You can feel secure knowing that your fish is protected because the materials utilized are of the highest caliber.
- It is possible to store the filtration system and heater in a chamber on the back, freeing up space in your tank for ornaments and your Betta’s freedom of movement without sacrificing its aesthetic appeal.
- A good design conceals the cords while allowing various forms of decor to fit comfortably.
- To provide your fish with a night and day environment, LED lights with both blue and white lighting are available. These lights even flip out of the way when it is time to clean the tank.
- The filter is completely silent, and the mass of pet shops carry its cartridges.
- So that your aquarium has more room for decorations and your betta to swim, you can hide your filter and heater in a compartment on the back.
Cons
- Some fish, like the Halfmoon Betta, may find the filter strength to be too strong.
- Since it is difficult to access, the back compartment is also challenging to clean.
- A water heater must be purchased. This is one of the greatest drawbacks of this aquarium kit and is a drawback that many other kits share. You will need to purchase the heater separately if you want to use this aquarium for a betta.
The Aquarium Features Quick Summary
For both novice and seasoned fishkeepers, the Marineland portrait is a fantastic tank. The package also includes a filter and illumination setup in addition to the tank. Our team has developed a list of factors to take into account before choosing the product after putting it through its paces. In order to make the best choice possible, you can discover all the information you need about this aquarium in the sections below.
A Tank
The portrait design is very distinctive and enables you to place your aquarium in spaces where more conventional aquariums would not work. You can utilize it as a workplace aquarium, bedside aquarium, or bookcase aquarium as a result.
The Marineland portrait aquarium’s spherical shape adds to its incredibleness. This will work if you want to appreciate your betta’s inherent beauty and vibrant colors more clearer and with less displacement than in other aquariums.
The tank is likewise glass, not acrylic, to finish. While personal preference is everything, I have always thought acrylic tanks look cheap. In contrast, this glass tank will give any space it is placed in personality.
One of the few drawbacks of this aquarium is that your fish will only have 4.5 gallons of water available to swim in once you have placed substrate at the bottom of it.
The Lights
These LED lights, in contrast to many other tanks, are available in white or blue. The white simulates the impression of sunshine on water, giving the appearance of a tropical pool in your tank.
This imitates the appearance of your betta’s natural environment. You may switch towards the blue lights when it becomes dark. These lights imitate the moon’s reflection on the lake. This not only supports your betta’s circadian cycle but also helps you relax while observing your betta swim.
The fact that the lights are still a decent distance from the ocean is something I enjoy about them. The Marineland lights will prevent this from happening, unlike some aquariums where too-close lighting also heats the water.
Your lights may only be turned on or off, though. Without placing something underneath, you cannot lower the lights halfway and leave them. It is not a deal breaker, but I think this would’ve been a great addition.
Filtration Mechanism
This tank stands out from many others thanks to its filtration system. This tank has a compartment on the back for the filtration and heater, unlike many tanks that require your water filter system to be in the main tank. They both remain out of vision and beyond the mind as a result.
Technically speaking, there are three steps in the three-stage filtering system: mechanical, biological, and chemical. The kit is a Rite-Size Z cartridge, which offers chemical filtration, which is what makes up the system. While any contaminants and bacteria are handled by BioFoam.
Overall, you might not notice any changes in the appearance of the water, but your fish will undoubtedly be able to detect them. And you will note that thanks to this filtration process and the appropriate care, your betta hardly ever gets sick. The fact that you are not limited to one current strength is another benefit of this tank. There are three simply interchangeable settings for the filter flow.
Since bettas are known to like mild currents, some people have suggested that the flow from the filtration system would be too strong for them. If you discover that this is the case, you can either buy a new filter for a reasonable price or put ornamentation at the front of the filtration to slow it down.
The Base
The tank’s included foundation is quite typical and effective in its function. You will not have to be concerned about damaging your furniture if you utilize this base. Additionally, it is simple to link and detach.
The base of your aquarium is absolutely solid enough to prevent falling if you are anxious about doing so. However, the content is generally of low quality.
It is made of plastic, but I think it would look better if it were made of a more durable material. However, given the cost, it is still a reliable base that serves its purpose, so you should not let that factor into your choice.
Assurance & Customer Support
You will be relieved to learn that your aquarium has a guarantee if you are concerned about something going wrong with it. Not only that, but Marineland’s customer service is also excellent. People frequently complain about having to wait for hours on end when trying to have something fixed. Making you wonder if it would be less expensive to simply get a different aquarium.
However, a lot of satisfied customers have praised Marineland for its excellent customer service. Additionally, when purchasing from Amazon, you have the added confidence that you can return a tank if it is defective.
Unboxing Of The Marineland Ml90609
You will discover everything you ought to finish with a simple aquarium setup when you open the box.
Here are the contents:
- a glass roof
- plastic base
- LED lights mounted
- a pump that can fit in the trunk,
- a setup guide that includes safety recommendations,
- a power converter
The Marineland ML90609 consists of basic supplies, however, do not provide you with everything you will need to duplicate the panoramic splendor seen on the box.
You might also be interested in how to set up a betta tank perfectly!
The Marineland Ml90609 Setup Procedure
This is among the simplest fish aquariums that you will ever set up in terms of simplicity. We have listed the optimal first steps below;
- Locate the perfect location for your tank (preferably a surface that can support over 40 pounds).
- Medium for the filters. You remove the particles and carbon particles from the filter and make sure to wash them.
- The substrate is added. Either sand or gravel may be employed. If you decide to use gravel, make sure to carefully clean it before putting it in your tank.
- Place the plants and decorations wherever you like after cleaning them.
- Place your heating system in the storage area near the back.
- Put the lights in place and plug in any necessary cords.
- Add water gradually.
- Before adding the water to the tank, treat it with the water conditioner of your choosing.
Marineland Portrait Mods Upgrades
Nothing is going to exactly match your ideas. Therefore, mods would be a wise choice. Mods are alterations you make to your tank to better meet your demands so that it will operate at its peak efficiency. There is a list of items to add to your Marineland Portrait below, and these vary depending on the equipment.
The Lid’s Command Strip Or Hook
The process of putting and removing that lid might be somewhat laborious. If you have slippery fingertips, adding a direction strip as well as a command hook will assist you in lifting the tank lid. We advise selecting a translucent command hook since it makes the tankless unsightly.
Sponge Pre-Filter On The Output Nozzle
This will prevent the amount of water you are filtering from having to suffer by allowing appropriate diffusion of that output of water from the filter without sacrificing the chlorine. Betta fish-like tanks with little to no flow, and this pre-filter can make that happen.
Filtration Floss
Adding more motorized filtering devices to your system will give your water further polishing so that it seems crystal clear (Tip: change often).
50 Or 25-Watt Heater
You may not always require a heater for your aquarium, depending on the kind of fish or vegetation you intend to keep inside. If your fish or vegetation needs a certain temperature, you must buy a warmer since the Marineland Portrait does not come with one. This extra heater can be added to the rear of the tank, and after it is set up, you will not even notice it is there.
Put Live Plants
Only low-light and medium-light vegetation, which you can float nearer to the light, are compatible with the supplied lighting in this tank. Anubias Congensis, which we introduced to the tank, is flourishing. You should make sure the tank has a way for Bettas or other types of fish to conceal from the light if they so choose.
Addition Of A Timer-Controlled Light
Having a light schedule will make your fish and plants feel more at home, support their circadian rhythm, and allow you to avoid over-illuminating your tank all day.
The best advice we can give is to get another light. If you want to add various plants to your aquarium or turn it into a reef tank, the Orbit Reef Aquarium Light would be the perfect option. If you only want to keep the current lighting, you should get a timer.
Alternatives of The Marineland Ml90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit
While the Marineland Portrait is indeed a fantastic option, customers with different needs can also choose from other items with comparable features. Our staff independently examined each of these goods, and they are all equal to the main subject of our review in terms of quality.
Fluval Spec V
The Fluval Spec V is the best option if you do not require a large tank and prefer a tidy, polished appearance. It is fully equipped and has a straightforward style that is ideal for contemporary houses.
Tanks under 5 gallons are not very hefty, so you will not need to buy supports, and they will be simple to transfer if you like to rearrange your surroundings frequently. Overall, it is a lovely tank with quality equipment that will most likely last you a long time and adhere to all the fundamentals of tank care.
Fluval Flex 9 Gallon
Look no further if you are seeking something comparable but bigger. Your best option is Fluval Flex. The size and style are the key distinctions that distinguish this from the Marineland Portrait. Along with all of the necessary components, it also contains a multiple-stage filtration system and LED illumination.
The Fluval Flex features a distinctive design that makes it stylish and versatile, especially in modern settings. Aside from the way it looks, this tank can hold more fish and has more open spaces for individual species to swim in. Overall, it is a great solution that will satisfy you for many years to come and has no flaws in any area.
Marineland Contour
Last but not least is the Marineland Contour Aquarium. It is a fantastic aquarium for both new and seasoned fish keepers. You will also get a filter and lighting setup that are just as nice as the ones we outlined for the Portrait in addition to the tank. Check out Marineland Contour if you want features that are comparable to those in Marineland Portrait but with a different tank design.
The unpacking process is identical for both this and the portrait, and both have comparable features and form factors. There is not much of a difference between the two. Therefore, we urge you to get any of them while they are still available.
FAQ
Bettas Prefer Shorter Or Taller Aquariums, Right?
Since shallow streams are their native habitat, betta prefers a fish aquarium that is longer than it is tall. While a perpendicular tank gives bettas more area to swim and easier access to the surface, a deep tank is not good for them.
Can I Fit Betta Fish In A 10 Gallon Tank?
Generally speaking, a 10-gallon tank may house 4-5 female bettas. If you use separators to separate the male bettas, you are allowed to keep up to three in a separate tank. Male and female bettas should not be kept together unless a trained breeder uses them to reproduce.
A Fish Tank Made Of Glass Or Acrylic Is Superior, Right?
We suggest glass aquariums for beginners and smaller tanks due to their accessibility and resistance to scratches. We advise utilizing acrylic for bigger, more sophisticated aquariums since it is lighter and more easily repaired than glass.
How Can You Determine Whether An Aquarium Has Been Tempered?
The laptop glasses test is the most effective method. Put a laptop inside the tank (obviously without any water), then wear polarized sunglasses to view the screen. It is not tempered if the screen becomes entirely black. It is tempered if it moves in streaks.
Conclusion
The Marineland Portrait Aquarium is unquestionably the best option if you are seeking an aquarium that can keep your betta for many years. Your betta will not get stuck or leap out of this tank since the glass is strong.
Because of its design, you will be able to place the aquarium in many locations where conventional aquariums cannot. This distinguishing characteristic makes this aquarium different from others.
Of course, you will still need to purchase a heater separately, and if your filtration system is too powerful, you might need to get a new one (or perform DIY).
