Cobalt Aquatics Microvue 20 Nano Aquarium Kit - 5.3 Gallon, Includes Filter & LED Light - Ideal for Nano Reefs, Planted Tanks & Small Aquatic Setups

I have owned this tank for several weeks now. The product came in perfect condition and it had everything needed to get a decent tank up and going. Even if you’re a novice, you will look like you know your stuff in front of your friends by having this little set up.Mine is an aquascape that’s home to dwarf shrimp, african dwarf frogs, a beta and some snails. The tank is so sleek and has awesome viewing angles in every direction! I have a good amount of foliage it’s mesmerizing just sitting next to the tank watching all the little creatures go about their business. I literally waste hours staring into this tank - its like an at home discovery channel without the tv.I was concerned that the light would be too dim for a planted tank but it’s quite bright and full spectrum for my plants. Within a week of starting the tank, several of my plants were already showing new growth. However, I have chosen to upgrade my light anyways to a Fluval Nano Bluetooth LED. The reason for this upgrade is mostly cause I geeked out and wanted all the neat gradual settings, programmability and higher wattage of the Fluval Nank because... why not?!The filter is great and it does a very good job even being a simple sponge filter. You can turn the transparent plastic head in any direction to point the flow. However, you CANNOT adjust the speed of the flow! This is not necessarily a down side as you can just point the flow back towards the glass so it doesnt disturb your habitat.The only downside to the filter is that it does take away from the sleek appearance of the tank. Unless you can hide it behind some foliage, it takes up about 1/4 of the glass pane. Additionally, it is NOT SAFE for fry or even dwarf shrimp (I found one of my largest dwarf shrimp had been taken by the filter gods one day while cleaning it). I was surprised that he had gotten past the grill/gate of the filter for being such a chubby little shrimp.That being said, I am also upgrading my filter to a hang on back (HOB) Mignon 150 so that I can enjoy viewing my little aquascape that much more...as well as protect my shrimp from being taken by the filter gods.Pros:• Picturesque viewing angles in all directions• Glass lid that allows you to see top down view, also allows light to penetrate well• Glass lid has about 1/8 to 1/4 inch spacing between the tank on all sides to allow for the filter cable to pass through. Its also easy enough to slide partially off if you do decide to get an HOB filter or different light.• LED light has an easy to clip-on design and can be placed on any side• An 8-gallon is a fairly decent size and with the design of this, it just looks stunning• The filter is so easy to clean, as well as point the flow in any direction you wantCons• The filter takes away from the minimalistic look of this tankTruly recommended, you wont be disappointed with this kit!Technical Specs of my setup:• Fluval Plant Nano 5x5 15w Bluetooth LED• 10lbs of fine white sand substrate (about 1-1/2 inch depth)• 5 Flourish root tabs buried under the substrate• Driftwood• Dragonstone• Smooth polished medium pond rocks• Red Malaysian Fern• Java Fern• Peacock Fern• Rotala Wallichii• Staurogyne Repens• Dwarf Hair Grass• Java Moss

**Update: Froggy was able to squeeze through the gaps left around the lid, so this tank, still beautiful, is now Betta's home instead. If you take the sponge out of the filter to clean it, be aware of the direction you tuck it back in or it will clog the spout and you'll have no outflow. (Check this if you feel like your filter is no longer working, it was night and day difference just shifting that sponge around.)Based on specs I'd seen I was expecting the 2.6 gallon version to be 9x9x9, but it's actually 8x8x10. Other than that, still a great size for my African Dwarf Frog. The included internal filter is incredibly quiet and doesn't ruffle the surface of the water any more than my sponge filter did, so I don't worry about Froggy trying to breathe. The included light is blazing, as you can see, and runs a mixture of white, blue, and red LEDs so that you have a true white grow spectrum for plants. The glass lid doesn't sit quite flat in the back with the cords from the filter and the heater (I added) coming through, which is probably why the promo photos only show the tank with light, but it's not a big problem for me and I don't believe frog will be squeezing her way through there or any of the other sides. All-in-all, lovely all glass tank with glass lid and no breakable hinge clips to worry about.

I could not believe my ears after plugging in the submersible filter! Very quiet compared to the loudly humming/vibrating/buzzing version I was using that had the constant noise of falling water. I honestly have never heard of a submersible filter, and that was what made up my mind on this tank versus the millions of others out there. I also like that this is made of glass, which won't scratch like plastic. The LED light is sleek and has and on/off switch on the cord. Even more thoughtful, a cut-to-fit foam pad is included to keep under the tank to protect surfaces and probably eliminate any filter vibration. I was surprised the glass lid perches atop the tank--it doesn't have hinges, but I wanted a setup that would allow me to attach an automatic feeder for when I travel. The only thing that bummed me out is a black and silver COBALT brand label permanently glued to one side, but that can be hidden by turning it to the back. The corners also create a duplicate view, as you can see in photo two. But, overall, I am very pleased with my purchase (and so is Little Fish)!

This aquarium is so nice! The filter is wonderful, very quiet and not at all bulky, it’s also easy to clean the filter (just take out the filter sponge and squeeze it in aquarium water (that you siphoned out ahead of time) the light looks very nice not too bright, just nice! Good for lowlight plants, I’d say! Perfect aquarium for a Betta! This is my first aquarium so I’m not an expert but I’d say this is a really nice beginners aquarium! 100% recommend seller and product!

I would recommend buying an item like this at a physical store. Order one, came broken. Returned item and ordered a replacement, also came broken. Will not be ordering again and probably won't order any glass products from Amazon. Though it also doesn't say much for the quality of the glass of this product.

Great tank for my Betta! He is on the desk and everyone who sees him through the crystal clear glass loves him! I did not use the filter that came with the tank, because it is to big for the tank and had too much flow. Was blowing the Betta around too fast, he just couldn't swim without being blown into the side of the tank. Replaced stock filter with a Hygger mini air pump 1.5 watt and Hygger super mini single sponge filter, which works great and is nice and quiet. Overall very nice tank for a small space.