The Aqueon tanks are very functional and long lasting. I have been using run of the mill aquariums for 42 years and have never had a leak, nor have I ever resealed an aquarium. I have outgrown my starter 30G, 29G, and 20G aquariums from decades ago. My current oldest tank is a 65G I purchased in 1992. It’s still going strong and was made by Marineland. My newest aquarium is a 125G Aqueon “combo” with a particle wood stand. It looks and functions as well today as the day I purchased it.
IMO, the tanks and stands sold by mom and pop fish stores tend to look nicer but are no more functional than Aqueon’s, Marinelands,etc. Since my current 5 aquariums are located in my fish room in my basement, I am more concerned with functionality than fashion in this area. My brother, on the other hand, only wanted one aquarium, a 220G for his home office. Consequently, he spent thousands of dollars on a gorgeous custom tank with a cherry stand and canopy. So it depends on what each individual’s priorities are.
