​I'm a big fan of "plug and play" fish tanks that take aquaria seriously. There's no need for your betta, guppy, or molly tank to look like it belongs to a five year old. Thanks to Marineland's Contour Desktop kit, you can have a sophisticated desktop tank that looks like it belongs in a museum. 

​Attractive pico tanks are all about lighting, lighting, lighting. Marineland got it right when they developed the Contour. The arched LED light is bright, and the blend of white and blue lights give everything in the tank an ocean-like glow. The glass is curved, so there are no silicone creases, giving you a much better view of your fish and plants.

The Marineland Contour isn't just a pretty face. It's an all-in-one tank with a hidden filter behind the black back wall. You will find both a sponge filter (biological filtration) and a replaceable cartridge filter (mechanical filtration). This filter is incredibly easy to maintain. Squeeze out the sponge once in a while, and replace the cartridge about every two weeks to a month, depending on how  much you feed your fish. 

​Marineland’s newest kits are available in either three or five gallon glass aquarium sizes. All kits feature Marineland 3-stage hidden filtration with a Rite-SizeTM Z Cartridge and Marineland Bio-Foam® (included in the kit), and include an adjustable flow filter pump. Bright white and blue energy efficient LED lights feature a 3-way switch (toggle between white and blue, off, and blue-only settings). The white LEDs create a shimmering light in the water that mimics the underwater effect of sunlight, and the blue LEDs produce a relaxing moonlight glow.  The kits feature either a hinged or sliding glass canopy for easy feeding and water care dosing. These easy-to-assemble kits are beautifully designed and easy to maintain.

What's cooler than growing your own plankton at home? Growing GLOWING plankton! That's what you can do when you own a DinoPet from BioPop. The ingenious people at this company have figured out how to bring a small, magical part of the ocean into your home. 

There's probably no easier pet than the DinoPet. Seriously. I was a little afraid of it at first, wondering if I could keep it alive. I have fish and dogs, and somehow I do manage to feed myself, so I have no idea why I was nervous about my DinoPet. But I needn't have worried. Simply add DinoFood (also from BioPop) and your dino should live forever if you keep it in a bright spot and don't overheat or over-chill it. 
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At its essence, the DinoPet is a study, plastic, adorable dinosaur that's filled with a clear, hazy liquid. At night, when you take it into a dark room and shake it, the liquid glows a shimmery blue. It's beautiful.

This is a great novelty gift for the person who "has everything," and most especially for a child or teenager who is into science. It's also great for someone who is allergic to most pets, can't have a pet due to apartment rules, or is too irresponsible to have a hermit crab. The DinoPet is EASY. 

I'm really charmed by my DinoPet. I keep him near a window in indirect sunlight, and he has gotten brighter week after week. Paws up for DinoPet! 

The Nano Sky aquarium from Aquatop is a unique little fish tank. It comes in 4 gallon and 7 gallon sizes. I have the seven gallon in my kitchen, and it brings the room to life. I'm one of those people who name their fish and am totally in love with all of them, so I am careful about where I house them. The Nano Sky gives them adequate space to swim, while at the same time being a tank that's perfect for a small space. 

The front profile of the Aquatop Nano Sky is that of a larger tank, but the slim profile tells a different tale. This could easily be a desk-top tank or a tank to brighten up a corner nook. It's stylish, but it's not a "toy" tank whatsoever. Even the experienced aquarium keeper will be happy with this little gem. 

The light is a super bright white LED unit with 50 LEDs. It easily hooks onto the side of the tank. The light, in combination with the high clarity glass, brings the whole thing to life. I have tetras in my tank, and they glow under this light. 

The filter is a Aquatop 3D-HOB Hang-On Back Power Filter rated for 66 gallons per hour -- that's a lot for a small tank. I'm a sucker for good filtration, so I was glad that the tank came with this unit. The filter also has a very slim profile, so if you want to place this tank against a wall, you won't lose the concept of the tank, one that can fit just about anywhere. The filter is interesting in that the water is pushed into the middle of the filter medium -- called "zero bypass" filtration. You can also purchase this filter separately for any other fish tank that you have. 

As with any small fish tank, you have to be a bit versed on fish keeping, or willing to learn. There's not a lot of margin for error in small tanks, but if you're just going to keep some plants and a beta, this tank is perfect for that. Start with just a few fish and work your way up. 

All in all, this is a nifty little tank, and I can imagine some advanced aquarium keepers getting creative with it with planted tanks, perhaps even with live rock. The lighting is certainly adequate for both. Fins up for the Nano Sky! 

I found the Aquatop Nano Sky for sale in two places: Columbia Water Gardens and TruAqua.

From Aquatop's Website: 

AQUATOP Nano Sky Glass Aquarium Fish Tanks

Available in 4 and 7 gallon sizes, the AQUATOP Nano Sky Aquarium Series is a space-saving and stylish aquarium system perfect for aquarists of all levels. Each aquarium in the Nano Sky Series is built with High Clarity Glass offering a crystal clear view of your aquatic inhabitants with no loss of color. In addition, the energy efficient LED lighting enhances your viewing experience by providing the shimmer of natural sunlight. The included 3D-HOB filter provides superior filtration with a pre-filter and Zero Bypass system that filters every drop of water so your aquarium water stays crystal clear. With proper setup and care, the Nano Sky Aquarium Series offers a safe and healthy environment for your aquatic creatures to thrive.

Features

• High Clarity Glass Aquarium

• 91% light-through rate vs. 84% regular glass

• Polished Edges

• Includes 3D-HOB for superior filtration

• Zero Bypass System

• Energy Efficient Lighting

• Easy to Install and Set-Up