Thinking of converting desk tank to pico saltwater tank.

[texanjordan]

I have a Flueval aquarium on my desk at work, I have a 5 gallon Flueval Spec V desktop aquarium, this uses a three stage filtration system with ceramic rocks, and carbon. I have a large piece of texas holy rock in there and about 2 inches of black sand. I have a few boring fresh water fish in there, and it comes with a LED light that maks everything look yellow. Here's what im thinking.

Give away the fish
Replace LED light with 12 inch 16 watt Wave Point Blue and Daylight Micro Sun LED high output clamp light, (amazon) 66.57
take out the ceramic, carbon insert and use cavity for a 50 watt tetra heater 8.99 DFS
add a HOB Penguin bio wheel filter 33.97 for filter and 12 replacement cartridges DFS
Completely rinse out sand bed and re use black sand
Buy 10 pounds of live rock

I dont think I will need a skimmer on a tank this size, the HOB filter along with the circulation pump allready in use should provide enough water movement.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[Dean]

The fluval spec V are great little pico tanks. I got one for my son. I found a short enough heater that it fits in the compartment with the return pump. I replaced the filter insert with live rock rubble added a sponge on top. It has a 1/2" onyx Picasso clown, court jester goby, and a sexy shrimp. Zoas, xenia, mushrooms, and about 5 lbs of live rock. I also used the wavepoint for a light. I change a gallon of water a week and he keeps it topped off daily with RO. It has been going for about 2-1/2 months or so and looks awesome. The one thing I need is more flow and may add an HOB filter to achieve that.

Your plan sounds great. You would definitely get more enjoyment from the diversity of saltwater over freshwater and the Fluval Spec V is a perfect desktop model.