Let me start by saying this: if you're buying the PENN-PLAX Radius Desktop Aquarium Kit primarily for the tank itself, you won't be disappointed. The 7.5-gallon bent glass tank is stunning—thicker than expected with beautifully smoothed edges and crystal-clear visibility thanks to those curved front corners. It's like having a miniature art installation on my desk.

The included foam mat is a thoughtful touch (pro tip: don't toss it with the packaging!). I've got mine set up with some Staurogyne repens and Neocaridina shrimp, and watching them navigate the landscape through that distortion-free glass is oddly therapeutic during work breaks.

Now, the accessories are where things get... interesting. The Cascade 300 filter works fine after some tinkering—I plugged the air intake nipple to silence the noise others complained about—but its bright blue casing screams 'cheap plastic' in an otherwise elegant setup. My betta kept getting stuck against it until I baffled the flow with aquarium foam.

The flimsy plastic lid does its job (barely), though my cat treats it like a puzzle to solve. And that LED light? Let's just say I lasted three days before upgrading—it couldn't even properly illuminate my java ferns, let alone support plant growth.

Here's the bottom line: at this price point, you're really paying for that gorgeous tank. Everything else feels like bonus items you'll eventually replace. For beginners, it's a decent starter kit; for enthusiasts, it's a premium nano tank shell begging for custom upgrades. Just be prepared to invest in a proper light and maybe a different filter if you're keeping delicate creatures.