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Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, Aquarium with LED Lighting and 3-Stage Filtration System, 5-Gallon
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Fluval |
Target Species | Fish |
Material | Glass |
Tank Volume | 5 Gallons |
Special Feature | Stylish honeycomb design conceals back filtration area while looking ultra modern. 7000 K high-output LED appropriate for healthy plant growth. Powerful 3-stage oversized mechanical, chemical and biological filtration See more |
Product Dimensions | 20.5"L x 7.5"W x 11.6"H |
Item Weight | 5 Kilograms |
Shape | Rectangular |
Specific Uses For Product | Indoor |
Style | Modern |
About this item
- SPEC Series Aquariums: The newly redesigned SPEC series now features an impressive high output 7000K LED, which generates 20% brighter lighting performance for noticeably bolder fish colors and plant growth.
- Tank Construction: SPEC adds style and design to your aquarium set. Constructed with etched glass with high-quality aluminum trim.
- Filtration Capability: SPEC boasts a powerful 3-stage system with oversized mechanical, chemical and biological media for unparalleled water clarity. Includes foam block, activated carbon, and BioMax bio rings.
- Lighting System: The powerful LED lighting system has 37 LED bulbs with a total output of 821 lumens and 7000K color temperature.
- Capacity: 5-gallon tank capacity with a water pump output of 55-80 US Gal/h (210-300 L/h).
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This Item Fluval SPEC Aquarium Kit, Aquarium with LED Lighting and 3-Stage Filtration System, 5-Gallon | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -29% $115.97$115.97 List: $163.99 | -20% $79.99$79.99 List: $99.99 | -9% $99.99$99.99 List: $109.99 | -11% $79.99$79.99 List: $89.99 | $79.99$79.99 | -11% $90.01$90.01 List: $101.49 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Noise level | 4.6 | — | 4.2 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 4.6 |
Suction power | 4.3 | — | 4.3 | 2.8 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
For beginners | 4.4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | — | — | 4.4 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | sunnyand warm | Amazon.com | TAG Supplies | Eletree | Amazon.com |
tank volume | 5 gallons | 5 gallons | 2.6 gallons | 2 gallons | — | 2 gallons |
material | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass |
shape | Rectangular | Square | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular |
weight | 5 kilograms | 7.48 kilograms | — | — | — | 2.2 kilograms |
style | Modern | Modern | Tropical | Modern | Simple | Contemporary |
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From the manufacturer
Fluval SPEC Freshwater Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon
While the redesigned SPEC stays true to its classic modern styling, this popular nano aquarium series features an impressive high-output 7000 K LED, which generates 20% brighter lighting performance for noticeably bolder fish colors and plant growth. SPEC does not disappoint where filtration is concerned either, boasting a powerful 3-stage system with oversized mechanical, chemical and biological media for unparalleled water clarity.
- Stylish honeycomb design conceals back filtration area while looking ultra modern
- 7000 K high-output LED appropriate for healthy plant growth
- Powerful 3-stage oversized mechanical, chemical and biological filtration
Comes Complete With:
- Glass aquarium with cover
- LED lighting system
- Safe, low-voltage transformer
- Circulation pump with output nozzle
- Fluval foam filter block with handle
- Fluval activated carbon insert
- Fluval BioMax insert
Looking for specific info?
Videos
Videos for this product
0:29
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Customer Review: Great upgrade for Betta tank
Sigrid Kne
Videos for this product
5:44
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Fluval Spec 2.6 Gallon Tank *unboxing and set-up*
Chewys Bro Aquatics
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Language : English
- Product Dimensions : 20.5 x 7.5 x 11.6 inches; 11.02 Pounds
- Item model number : 10516A2
- Date First Available : June 6, 2012
- Manufacturer : Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
- ASIN : B0089E5VLC
- Country of Origin : China
- Best Sellers Rank: #27,974 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies)
- #35 in Aquarium Starter Kits
- Customer Reviews:
Product Description
Fluval Spec is a contemporary looking aquarium designed for small areas such as desktops and countertops. This 5 gallon etched glass aquarium with aluminum trim combines style and functionality in one small package. Though small in stature, Fluval Spec is big on features. It comes with a sleekly designed overhanging lighting system, consisting of 37 powerful LED lamps, that arches above the aquarium to provide brilliant illumination for plants and decor. The aquarium includes a powerful circulation pump with adjustable output nozzle and a large 3 stage filtration system that provides more than enough filtration for ultra clean and clear water. It also comes with all the necessary filter media: a porous foam block with convenient handle, activated carbon and BioMax, bio rings for effective and thorough mechanical, chemical and biological filtration. The pump and filtration system are conveniently located in a separate chamber at one end of the aquarium to simplify maintenance.
Important information
Directions
Follow individual packaging instructions.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the appearance, versatility, size and lighting of the vivarium. For example, they mention it looks nice, the design is modern and appealing, and it fits just about anywhere. Customers are also impresseded with ease of setup, noise, and performance. That said, opinions are mixed on quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the vivarium. They mention that the design is modern, appealing, and streamlined. The separate components allow for a handsome setup, and the size and look are attractive.
"...The Spec III's design is modern and clean (if Ikea designed an aquarium, it would look like this) and the filtration system is hidden well in the..." Read more
"Easy assemble. I got the white one and it is lovely. No fish yet put the plants in and it is cycling. The motor is super quiet which I love. Note...." Read more
"...Perfect for micro plants and deep enough to look nice.The light bar is very slim, very lightweight...." Read more
"...headache piecing together individual separate components and allow for a handsome setup...." Read more
Customers find the tank versatile. They say it's a great little tank that fits just about anywhere. Some customers also say it offers one of the best 5 gallon tanks out there. Overall, customers are satisfied with the tank's versatility.
"...Perfect for micro plants and deep enough to look nice.The light bar is very slim, very lightweight...." Read more
"...Overall I think it is a cool little tank. I own a 55, 29, and 40 gallon breeder and have no problem recommending this to others...." Read more
"...I love everything about it. It’s quiet, the light is good, and all of my plants, snails and fish are thriving." Read more
"...So 3 stars cuz I like the aesthetics and it's probably good for a beginner. Otherwise, meh" Read more
Customers like the size of the vivarium. They say it's easy to setup, fits in the side compartment just fine, and is nice for the sizing. Some say that the tank provides plenty of room for their betta fish to swim in and that it fits just about anywhere.
"...The light has a small box on the plug end like a cell phone. Cord length is fine for a short distance from an outlet, otherwise I have to use a multi..." Read more
"...The fact the filter is entirely within the tank also makes it space saving. Water flow does circulate the tank a fair amount...." Read more
"I love this tank it has been absolutely perfect for my betta. I love everything about it...." Read more
"Very sleek, modern 5 gallon tank. Much prettier than the usual fish tank. Very quiet and easy to set up. Perfect for my betta fish." Read more
Customers like the lighting of the vivarium. They mention that the light is nice and bright, and is fine for a 5 gallon tank. The updated light is amazing, and more than adequate for any plants. The light is strong enough to accommodate low to medium light-loving plants, and it claims to allow for plant growth. Some say that the lighted area adds life to the room.
"...Not sure what the wattage is, but it's bright. So long as it's reliable, I am very happy...." Read more
"...The lights are bright enough to make the tank stand out, but not so bright that it is glaring...." Read more
"...+ LED lighting strip is brighter then I expected. My low light plants are doing fine three weeks on...." Read more
"...The LED light should be on a hinge so it could flip up or turn out of the way when cleaning, as it is, it needs to be removed each time...." Read more
Customers find the setup of the vivarium to be easy. They mention that it's simple and sturdy in construction. They also appreciate the ease of maintenance, saying that the tank is quite beginner friendly. Customers also say that the lid is super easy to put on and take off.
"...It mounts ridiculously easy and is very simple and sturdy in its construction - consisting of not much more than a one-piece aluminum arm and shade,..." Read more
"Easy assemble. I got the white one and it is lovely. No fish yet put the plants in and it is cycling. The motor is super quiet which I love. Note...." Read more
"...tools easier, but if you really need to get in there the lid is super easy to put on and take off, even in a tight space with limited clearance...." Read more
"...Much prettier than the usual fish tank. Very quiet and easy to set up. Perfect for my betta fish." Read more
Customers find the noise level of the vivarium to be very quiet. They mention that the filter is almost completely silent, the pump is quiet and strong, and the chambers are hidden from view. Some appreciate the swim space and the filter works nicely and quietly.
"...No fish yet put the plants in and it is cycling. The motor is super quiet which I love. Note.I purchased the heater it does not come with the unit." Read more
"...I love everything about it. It’s quiet, the light is good, and all of my plants, snails and fish are thriving." Read more
"...Much prettier than the usual fish tank. Very quiet and easy to set up. Perfect for my betta fish." Read more
"...of java ferns, and the Azoo filter I replaced the stock filter with is quiet, easier to maintain, and best of all, the flow is gentle enough for my..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the aquarium. For example, they say it works well for their fish keeping, the filter is running great, and the setup is easy. Some mention that the tank is a good home for Nerites, Betta, Neon Tetras, and ghost shrimp.
"...expert, and this is my first CO2 system, however, this setup is working ridiculously well...." Read more
"...This tank has worked very well for my form of fish keeping.I will be buying a couple more of these in the future for my nano tanks...." Read more
"...Edit summer 2017 The pump stopped working after 6 months...." Read more
"...The stock lamp seems to do just fine. (Though Amazon's picture shows the older model, I did indeed get the newer one in the black box.)..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the vivarium. Some mention that it's strong enough for its purpose, and made of sturdy glass. However, others say that it is fragile and not strong enough to free itself. The filter pump is very strong, and the cord itself ends up with a very hard bend where it connects with the pump.
"...It mounts ridiculously easy and is very simple and sturdy in its construction - consisting of not much more than a one-piece aluminum arm and shade,..." Read more
"...Cons- The lid is not glass but a flimsy plastic...." Read more
"...to a cat landing on it, it may bend at the elbow... it is strong enough for its purpose, but it is a little springy to the touch...." Read more
"...Very quiet and easy to set up. Perfect for my betta fish." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews from the United States
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I had resigned myself to leaving the stock light on and buying a tall swing arm desk lamp and a CFL grow bulb and directing the light down into the aquarium. The aquarium is going on my desk at work, so this wouldn't have looked bad. However, I no longer have to do this as the new LED is the correct color temperature (7000K) and claims to be high-output. Not sure what the wattage is, but it's bright. So long as it's reliable, I am very happy. It mounts ridiculously easy and is very simple and sturdy in its construction - consisting of not much more than a one-piece aluminum arm and shade, and the LED light board. I was also very pleasantly surprised when I realized that the black square on top the light is a three-way touch switch (1. full-strength, 2. just the four blue lights, and 3. off).
The Spec III's design is modern and clean (if Ikea designed an aquarium, it would look like this) and the filtration system is hidden well in the reservoir at the rear of the tank. I love the fact that none of the aquarium's filtration components (with the exception of the small, angle-adjustable outlet nozzle) are in the aquarium itself. In fact, there is room in the filtration reservoir for a small heater and I have a Neo-Therm Heater, 25 watt on order. The only thing I would change are the aluminum trim pieces at the corners. I would prefer rounded glass edges (at least on the front) like those on the Penn Plax Vertex Shrimp Tank, 2.7-Gallon by Penn Plax, INC. .
Finally, the Spec III's dimensions make the aquarium look deceptively larger than it is. At the moment, it sits next to my Penn Plax Vertex Shrimp Tank, 2.7-Gallon by Penn Plax, INC. , and while the Penn-Plax is a tenth of a gallon larger, the Spec III looks to be significantly larger. I am very impressed with this aquarium, and think it's a bargain at this price.
Update: 17 July 2016.
So far, I think that the 7000K light that the Spec III is now shipping with will be adequate to grow any plants that I choose, and I finally pulled the trigger and installed a DIY CO2 Aquarium Plant System . This system is designed to use two 2-liter soda bottles with baking soda and citric acid. However, I like to keep things as simple and inexpensive as possible, so I went with one 2-liter bottle and a mix of: 1/2 tsp of yeast (that my wife already had in the fridge), 1 tsp of baking soda (again, my wife already had this on hand), 2 cups of sugar (again, well you know), and 1 and 3/4-liters of lukewarm water. Check out the following link for full instructions.
http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/diy-co2-recipe-duration-vs-intensity.html
This setup should provide a steady stream of CO2 for two to three weeks and I am astounded at the amount of CO2 that a 1/2 tsp of yeast can produce!
Removing the filter sponge, I ran the tubing from the yeast bottle so that the end is pressed flat toward the bottom of the power head, and reinstalled the filter media holding the tubing securely in place. You have to fiddle with it a bit to get the power head to suck the CO2 bubbles in. Again, the end of the tube must be situated flat against the lower portion of the power head, or the bubbles won't get sucked in.
The power head does an excellent job of dissolving the CO2 into the water as its impeller rips the CO2 bubble into hundreds of tiny bubbles and spits them into the aquarium. The key to efficient CO2 dissolution into the water column is increasing the amount of time that the CO2 bubble is submerged. With this setup, the CO2 bubbles are submerged for a long time. First, they spend some time in the power head and the tube connecting the power head to the outlet nozzle. Then, due to their very small size, they spend a lengthy amount of time in the aquarium's water column circulating around the entire aquarium. Be sure to angle the adjustable outlet nozzle down to minimize surface water agitation and to blow the bubbles down to increase their submersion time. Another key to keeping CO2 in the water column is minimal water surface agitation.
I am no expert, and this is my first CO2 system, however, this setup is working ridiculously well. I am getting a CO2 bubble approximately every two seconds, and the outlet nozzle pushes the CO2 bubbles down to the substrate. At any given moment, there are hundreds of tiny bubbles floating around in the water column and sticking to the plants, especially under the leaves. In the photos below, it looks as though the water is filled with floating debris, however, the water is crystal clear - what look like debris are all bubbles. The aquarium is literally brimming with CO2.
Again, I am no expert and don't have a test kit, however, I think there may be too much CO2 in the water to keep fish. But, at the moment my concern is the plants. I've read that SubstrateSource Staurogyne repens "Low Grow" Potted Live Aquatic Freshwater Aquarium Plant and SubstrateSource Hemianthus callitrichoides "Dwarf Baby Tears" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant do best in a very high-light and CO2 environment. This being my first serious attempt at aquatic plants, I want to do everything (within reason) to succeed! So far, so good - I think.
Update: 23 July 2016.
I received the rest of my plants yesterday and executed my first attempt at a planted aquarium. At this point I have, 4 SubstrateSource Staurogyne repens "Low Grow" Potted Live Aquatic Freshwater Aquarium Plant , 4 SubstrateSource Hemianthus callitrichoides "Dwarf Baby Tears" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant , and 2 SubstrateSource Anubias barteri "Petite" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant . Still waiting for the water to clear, but I am happy with the results thus far.
UPS is due to deliver my Rhinox Glass Drop Checker - 3 Seconds to Read CO2 levels: 3 Minutes to Setup: Fastest way to ensure sufficient CO2 in Planted Aquarium today, so I should have a good idea as to the water's CO2 content shortly thereafter.
More to come.
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
I had resigned myself to leaving the stock light on and buying a tall swing arm desk lamp and a CFL grow bulb and directing the light down into the aquarium. The aquarium is going on my desk at work, so this wouldn't have looked bad. However, I no longer have to do this as the new LED is the correct color temperature (7000K) and claims to be high-output. Not sure what the wattage is, but it's bright. So long as it's reliable, I am very happy. It mounts ridiculously easy and is very simple and sturdy in its construction - consisting of not much more than a one-piece aluminum arm and shade, and the LED light board. I was also very pleasantly surprised when I realized that the black square on top the light is a three-way touch switch (1. full-strength, 2. just the four blue lights, and 3. off).
The Spec III's design is modern and clean (if Ikea designed an aquarium, it would look like this) and the filtration system is hidden well in the reservoir at the rear of the tank. I love the fact that none of the aquarium's filtration components (with the exception of the small, angle-adjustable outlet nozzle) are in the aquarium itself. In fact, there is room in the filtration reservoir for a small heater and I have a [[ASIN:B008AGHH8Y Neo-Therm Heater, 25 watt]] on order. The only thing I would change are the aluminum trim pieces at the corners. I would prefer rounded glass edges (at least on the front) like those on the [[ASIN:B018OIDTG6 Penn Plax Vertex Shrimp Tank, 2.7-Gallon by Penn Plax, INC.]].
Finally, the Spec III's dimensions make the aquarium look deceptively larger than it is. At the moment, it sits next to my [[ASIN:B018OIDTG6 Penn Plax Vertex Shrimp Tank, 2.7-Gallon by Penn Plax, INC.]], and while the Penn-Plax is a tenth of a gallon larger, the Spec III looks to be significantly larger. I am very impressed with this aquarium, and think it's a bargain at this price.
Update: 17 July 2016.
So far, I think that the 7000K light that the Spec III is now shipping with will be adequate to grow any plants that I choose, and I finally pulled the trigger and installed a [[ASIN:B008CUZJF6 DIY CO2 Aquarium Plant System]]. This system is designed to use two 2-liter soda bottles with baking soda and citric acid. However, I like to keep things as simple and inexpensive as possible, so I went with one 2-liter bottle and a mix of: 1/2 tsp of yeast (that my wife already had in the fridge), 1 tsp of baking soda (again, my wife already had this on hand), 2 cups of sugar (again, well you know), and 1 and 3/4-liters of lukewarm water. Check out the following link for full instructions.
http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/diy-co2-recipe-duration-vs-intensity.html
This setup should provide a steady stream of CO2 for two to three weeks and I am astounded at the amount of CO2 that a 1/2 tsp of yeast can produce!
Removing the filter sponge, I ran the tubing from the yeast bottle so that the end is pressed flat toward the bottom of the power head, and reinstalled the filter media holding the tubing securely in place. You have to fiddle with it a bit to get the power head to suck the CO2 bubbles in. Again, the end of the tube must be situated flat against the lower portion of the power head, or the bubbles won't get sucked in.
The power head does an excellent job of dissolving the CO2 into the water as its impeller rips the CO2 bubble into hundreds of tiny bubbles and spits them into the aquarium. The key to efficient CO2 dissolution into the water column is increasing the amount of time that the CO2 bubble is submerged. With this setup, the CO2 bubbles are submerged for a long time. First, they spend some time in the power head and the tube connecting the power head to the outlet nozzle. Then, due to their very small size, they spend a lengthy amount of time in the aquarium's water column circulating around the entire aquarium. Be sure to angle the adjustable outlet nozzle down to minimize surface water agitation and to blow the bubbles down to increase their submersion time. Another key to keeping CO2 in the water column is minimal water surface agitation.
I am no expert, and this is my first CO2 system, however, this setup is working ridiculously well. I am getting a CO2 bubble approximately every two seconds, and the outlet nozzle pushes the CO2 bubbles down to the substrate. At any given moment, there are hundreds of tiny bubbles floating around in the water column and sticking to the plants, especially under the leaves. In the photos below, it looks as though the water is filled with floating debris, however, the water is crystal clear - what look like debris are all bubbles. The aquarium is literally brimming with CO2.
Again, I am no expert and don't have a test kit, however, I think there may be too much CO2 in the water to keep fish. But, at the moment my concern is the plants. I've read that [[ASIN:B015JZQAAO SubstrateSource Staurogyne repens "Low Grow" Potted Live Aquatic Freshwater Aquarium Plant]] and [[ASIN:B00BFQ5MWO SubstrateSource Hemianthus callitrichoides "Dwarf Baby Tears" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant]] do best in a very high-light and CO2 environment. This being my first serious attempt at aquatic plants, I want to do everything (within reason) to succeed! So far, so good - I think.
Update: 23 July 2016.
I received the rest of my plants yesterday and executed my first attempt at a planted aquarium. At this point I have, 4 [[ASIN:B015JZQAAO SubstrateSource Staurogyne repens "Low Grow" Potted Live Aquatic Freshwater Aquarium Plant]], 4 [[ASIN:B00BFQ5MWO SubstrateSource Hemianthus callitrichoides "Dwarf Baby Tears" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant]], and 2 [[ASIN:B0080L1RGM SubstrateSource Anubias barteri "Petite" Live Aquatic Aquarium Plant]]. Still waiting for the water to clear, but I am happy with the results thus far.
UPS is due to deliver my [[ASIN:B005C74ZCA Rhinox Glass Drop Checker - 3 Seconds to Read CO2 levels: 3 Minutes to Setup: Fastest way to ensure sufficient CO2 in Planted Aquarium]] today, so I should have a good idea as to the water's CO2 content shortly thereafter.
More to come.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
6 inches front to back glass, 7 1/2 inches for the base front to back. 11 1/2 inches bottom with base to top of lid, about 13 1/2 top of light bar. 19 1/2 inches from side to side glass. 20 1/2 inches side to side base. The glass side to side measure may be off 1/2 inch because there are metal sleeves over each corner, looks to be the same material as the light bar. The sleeves are capped with small plastic clips that also have the grooves for the lid pegs.
I actually like the metal sleeves on the corners, I have never been a huge fan of looking at silicone joints.
The base is slightly tapered so I measured the widest points at the very bottom.
I did not try to take the base off because I liked it, but it looks like it can be removed if you are very careful.
The silicone work was beautiful. very clean, no smearing. It looks like machine silicone work, very precise.
The pump is very small, but powerful enough to move water in the entire tank with a decent current. The pump itself fits easily one way, but that puts the intake against the glass. Fitting the pump to face the filter to get maximum intake was a very snug fit.
I had to use a long bbq skewer to push the pump to the bottom of the well. Do not expect to use your hands, the well is only a fraction larger than the pump.
Unfortunately, to remove the pump you will have to pull it up by the power cord. Big no-no in my book but no other options unless you put a retrieval line on it before pushing it into the tank. Fishing string would work fine.
The pump outflow is on the wrong side, but the flexible hose to the nozzle still fits and did not have any issues being on the far side of the well. I highly recommend the pump be installed this way, the intake will be severely crippled if you put the pump in any other direction. I did not receive any instructions for installation of the pump.
The filter was self explanatory. Just remove the plastic bags, rinse the packets, put them back where you found them in the filter sponge, the handle faces up(obvious). The carbon will run out after a week or two, but I run a different system and will eventually replace it with more material for bio-colonies. The carbon is good for starting the tank but useless once the tank is established.
I have the tank 1ft from my head and the only time I hear the pump is when the room is dead silent, even then it is hardly a hum and it gets completely lost in the background. If you fill the water above the nozzle you will not hear water movement either..
On that note, you cannot fill this tank to the top. The separator between the pump well and the filter compartment is shorter than the rest of the tank walls about 1/2 inch. Raising the water above this will prevent the water from being filtered. I currently have the water about 3/4 inch from the glass top edge. Just above the nozzle and just below the pump wall.
I turned the nozzle to point along the glass and down toward the far corner. It creates a large amount of water movement but leaves a very big area in the center and on the filter wall side that is calm enough not to bother the tiny shrimps.
Sensitive fish like Betta would be happy in the current if it was properly angled out of the nozzle away from the center of the tank.
The filter is a nice large size which will allow the tank to run for a long time with a big bio-system. The majority of the water flows into the filter through a grate at the top, this is fine for a very light waste load, but with heavier waste the bottom will need to be vacuumed occasionally.
This grate is wide enough for babies to swim through, the filter foam does not reach the top. I recommend adding an extra piece of foam snug against the grate if you plan to have anything giving birth in this tank.
The filter housing has a small slit opening into the tank a few inches from the bottom, I suspect this has something to do with making sure the pump doesn't burn out if the water somehow dropped really low. This is fine for adult size fish, but babies and the micro-crabs can crawl through the slit and become residents of the filter housing, or sucked into the pump.
I recommend filling the slit with a small piece of foam. The slit itself is very small, i would say half an inch long and maybe wide enough for a stick of spaghetti to fit in. Normally not an issue, but in my case from a breeder/nano standpoint the tiny hole can be a big problem.
The black part of the filter housing outside the tank is not solid black, It is a honeycomb pattern on tinted glass. Dark enough to not notice the inner guts from normal distances, but transparent enough up close that you can see the pump in case it gets clogged, and you can tell if the filter needs to be rinsed. My tank sits where light can pass through here, but I don't notice it because it is such a small area. Putting this tank with the pump against the wall will shadow it enough that you should not be able to see through it.
The tank itself is roomier than the picture suggests. In the pic it looks very slim. I was happy to find the floor space front to back was not as slim. I have 5 fist-sized mossballs, a 6 inch crystal cluster, a 10 inch mopani wood, a 6 inch petrified stone, a 3-tube stack shrimp house and about 20 micro-plants. Also have 2x 12 inch strands of red ludwigia. All said the tank still looks very open and spacious. I used a 3lb bag of aragonite sand and it covered the entire floor about 1 1/2 inches deep. Perfect for micro plants and deep enough to look nice.
The light bar is very slim, very lightweight. It feels like aluminum, but I didn't check the manufacturer. The lights are tiny squares with a silicone type gel poured on top of them. looks like they will be waterproof for about a thousand years.
The lights are bright enough to make the tank stand out, but not so bright that it is glaring. I put my tank in a window for the live plants because the light itself is not sufficient for high-light plants. Any low-light plants should be more than happy.
The light puts out a very small amount of heat which is mostly dissipated by the movement of air in the room. I only had the tank warm up on me once when the house itself got too warm and I forgot to turn off the light while the sun was blaring on the tank. Even then it took all day to go from 68 to 80.
I would not trust the light bar to stand up to a cat landing on it, it may bend at the elbow... it is strong enough for its purpose, but it is a little springy to the touch.The switch for the light is a small square touch-pad sensor on top of the bar. 1 touch for all lights, 2 for blue lights(1 blue light at each end of the bar.) 3 to turn it off.
The lid is a thin but stiff clear plastic. It looks much nicer than the traditional big plastic hoods. It rests on top of the tank with little peg legs to line it up to grooves in the corners. The lid also has a long hole in the center below the light that is just a bit wider than the light. This makes adding food or fishing around with plant tools easier, but if you really need to get in there the lid is super easy to put on and take off, even in a tight space with limited clearance.
The light and pump are on separate cords. Both are only a couple feet long. The light has a small box on the plug end like a cell phone. Cord length is fine for a short distance from an outlet, otherwise I have to use a multi-outlet extension to reach the plug from the shelf.
The light has a safety cord, so it came in 2 pieces. I suspect this is also to replace the outlet box without replacing the entire light bar. I like that option!
So far this tank has exceeded my expectations. With a proper biological system I feel this tank could run for months with limited maintenance. With nothing but my filter compartment and live plants the water is crystal clear and the chemical parameters stay constant. I have not had to use any sort of additives or treatments.
I do not know how the filter would function in a non-planted tank with a heavy fish load. The filter is larger than you find in most tanks this size. A small school of nano-fish, maybe 15-20 cardinal tetras or something in that range, would fair well in my planted tank, but not sure about a non-planted tank.
I would probably not house more than 4-5 nano-fish until the system had been running for at least 6 months and the bio-colonies had fully established throughout the tank. I am not one to do the constant water changes, chemical treatments, etc. This tank has worked very well for my form of fish keeping.
I will be buying a couple more of these in the future for my nano tanks. I included a couple pictures to show how much space this tank has.
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016
6 inches front to back glass, 7 1/2 inches for the base front to back. 11 1/2 inches bottom with base to top of lid, about 13 1/2 top of light bar. 19 1/2 inches from side to side glass. 20 1/2 inches side to side base. The glass side to side measure may be off 1/2 inch because there are metal sleeves over each corner, looks to be the same material as the light bar. The sleeves are capped with small plastic clips that also have the grooves for the lid pegs.
I actually like the metal sleeves on the corners, I have never been a huge fan of looking at silicone joints.
The base is slightly tapered so I measured the widest points at the very bottom.
I did not try to take the base off because I liked it, but it looks like it can be removed if you are very careful.
The silicone work was beautiful. very clean, no smearing. It looks like machine silicone work, very precise.
The pump is very small, but powerful enough to move water in the entire tank with a decent current. The pump itself fits easily one way, but that puts the intake against the glass. Fitting the pump to face the filter to get maximum intake was a very snug fit.
I had to use a long bbq skewer to push the pump to the bottom of the well. Do not expect to use your hands, the well is only a fraction larger than the pump.
Unfortunately, to remove the pump you will have to pull it up by the power cord. Big no-no in my book but no other options unless you put a retrieval line on it before pushing it into the tank. Fishing string would work fine.
The pump outflow is on the wrong side, but the flexible hose to the nozzle still fits and did not have any issues being on the far side of the well. I highly recommend the pump be installed this way, the intake will be severely crippled if you put the pump in any other direction. I did not receive any instructions for installation of the pump.
The filter was self explanatory. Just remove the plastic bags, rinse the packets, put them back where you found them in the filter sponge, the handle faces up(obvious). The carbon will run out after a week or two, but I run a different system and will eventually replace it with more material for bio-colonies. The carbon is good for starting the tank but useless once the tank is established.
I have the tank 1ft from my head and the only time I hear the pump is when the room is dead silent, even then it is hardly a hum and it gets completely lost in the background. If you fill the water above the nozzle you will not hear water movement either..
On that note, you cannot fill this tank to the top. The separator between the pump well and the filter compartment is shorter than the rest of the tank walls about 1/2 inch. Raising the water above this will prevent the water from being filtered. I currently have the water about 3/4 inch from the glass top edge. Just above the nozzle and just below the pump wall.
I turned the nozzle to point along the glass and down toward the far corner. It creates a large amount of water movement but leaves a very big area in the center and on the filter wall side that is calm enough not to bother the tiny shrimps.
Sensitive fish like Betta would be happy in the current if it was properly angled out of the nozzle away from the center of the tank.
The filter is a nice large size which will allow the tank to run for a long time with a big bio-system. The majority of the water flows into the filter through a grate at the top, this is fine for a very light waste load, but with heavier waste the bottom will need to be vacuumed occasionally.
This grate is wide enough for babies to swim through, the filter foam does not reach the top. I recommend adding an extra piece of foam snug against the grate if you plan to have anything giving birth in this tank.
The filter housing has a small slit opening into the tank a few inches from the bottom, I suspect this has something to do with making sure the pump doesn't burn out if the water somehow dropped really low. This is fine for adult size fish, but babies and the micro-crabs can crawl through the slit and become residents of the filter housing, or sucked into the pump.
I recommend filling the slit with a small piece of foam. The slit itself is very small, i would say half an inch long and maybe wide enough for a stick of spaghetti to fit in. Normally not an issue, but in my case from a breeder/nano standpoint the tiny hole can be a big problem.
The black part of the filter housing outside the tank is not solid black, It is a honeycomb pattern on tinted glass. Dark enough to not notice the inner guts from normal distances, but transparent enough up close that you can see the pump in case it gets clogged, and you can tell if the filter needs to be rinsed. My tank sits where light can pass through here, but I don't notice it because it is such a small area. Putting this tank with the pump against the wall will shadow it enough that you should not be able to see through it.
The tank itself is roomier than the picture suggests. In the pic it looks very slim. I was happy to find the floor space front to back was not as slim. I have 5 fist-sized mossballs, a 6 inch crystal cluster, a 10 inch mopani wood, a 6 inch petrified stone, a 3-tube stack shrimp house and about 20 micro-plants. Also have 2x 12 inch strands of red ludwigia. All said the tank still looks very open and spacious. I used a 3lb bag of aragonite sand and it covered the entire floor about 1 1/2 inches deep. Perfect for micro plants and deep enough to look nice.
The light bar is very slim, very lightweight. It feels like aluminum, but I didn't check the manufacturer. The lights are tiny squares with a silicone type gel poured on top of them. looks like they will be waterproof for about a thousand years.
The lights are bright enough to make the tank stand out, but not so bright that it is glaring. I put my tank in a window for the live plants because the light itself is not sufficient for high-light plants. Any low-light plants should be more than happy.
The light puts out a very small amount of heat which is mostly dissipated by the movement of air in the room. I only had the tank warm up on me once when the house itself got too warm and I forgot to turn off the light while the sun was blaring on the tank. Even then it took all day to go from 68 to 80.
I would not trust the light bar to stand up to a cat landing on it, it may bend at the elbow... it is strong enough for its purpose, but it is a little springy to the touch.The switch for the light is a small square touch-pad sensor on top of the bar. 1 touch for all lights, 2 for blue lights(1 blue light at each end of the bar.) 3 to turn it off.
The lid is a thin but stiff clear plastic. It looks much nicer than the traditional big plastic hoods. It rests on top of the tank with little peg legs to line it up to grooves in the corners. The lid also has a long hole in the center below the light that is just a bit wider than the light. This makes adding food or fishing around with plant tools easier, but if you really need to get in there the lid is super easy to put on and take off, even in a tight space with limited clearance.
The light and pump are on separate cords. Both are only a couple feet long. The light has a small box on the plug end like a cell phone. Cord length is fine for a short distance from an outlet, otherwise I have to use a multi-outlet extension to reach the plug from the shelf.
The light has a safety cord, so it came in 2 pieces. I suspect this is also to replace the outlet box without replacing the entire light bar. I like that option!
So far this tank has exceeded my expectations. With a proper biological system I feel this tank could run for months with limited maintenance. With nothing but my filter compartment and live plants the water is crystal clear and the chemical parameters stay constant. I have not had to use any sort of additives or treatments.
I do not know how the filter would function in a non-planted tank with a heavy fish load. The filter is larger than you find in most tanks this size. A small school of nano-fish, maybe 15-20 cardinal tetras or something in that range, would fair well in my planted tank, but not sure about a non-planted tank.
I would probably not house more than 4-5 nano-fish until the system had been running for at least 6 months and the bio-colonies had fully established throughout the tank. I am not one to do the constant water changes, chemical treatments, etc. This tank has worked very well for my form of fish keeping.
I will be buying a couple more of these in the future for my nano tanks. I included a couple pictures to show how much space this tank has.
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