Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit Review

The Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit is one of the smaller aquarium kits on the market. Its miniature size and smart design make it an excellent choice for tiny spots that can’t fit larger aquariums, while the three-stage filtering area is neatly contained.

With the added filter media upon purchase, you’ll find that keeping your tank clean and your fish happy is easy to do.

The etched glass is more scratchproof than the acrylic counterparts, and the overall size and maximum capacity make this aquarium light in weight. Being easy to move is a handy bonus, especially if you feel like changing things up a little.

Since it’s easy to move around, you’ll find that you won’t be able to keep large amounts of fish in this aquarium.

This does make it an excellent training aquarium for beginners, but the more experienced owner needs to ask themselves if they want a tank that’s easy to place instead of a tank that can house a lot of fish.

While the Fluval Spec III certainly matches the first description, you won’t be able to enjoy a large ecosystem. Are the limits to its capacity enough to make us say no to this aquarium? We’ll leave that decision to you.

Read on to find out all the good and the bad, so you can make the best buying choice.

Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 10.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.8 x 11.8 inches.
• Capacity: 2.6 gallons.
• Lighting: 31 LED Lighting System included.
• Glass or Acrylic: Etched glass.

Accessories:

• Fluval Spec III Aquarium.
• Acrylic lid.
• Light fixture.
• Power transformer (brick) for light fixture.
• Water pump.
• Bottom ‘collar’ for flow tube.
• Flow tube (made of silicone hose).
• Elbow.
• Flow nozzle.
• Filter foam.
• (1) Bag of activated carbon.
• (1) Bag of Biomax ceramic rings.
• Instructions.

Features

One Kit Fits All

The overall design of the Fluval Spec III aquarium kit makes it clear that it’s built to reduce the amount of effort you put into maintaining your tank.

With both the filter and the lighting integrated into one system, while still being separate units, you will find that it’s easy to keep this aquarium pristine.

Furthermore, you won’t have to spend additional time hunting down missing accessories, since everything you need comes delivered in the box.

The design is ergonomic and sure to please anyone who’s concerned about the optimum use of space.

Three Filter Stages

Proper filtering is necessary if you want to ensure your fish live long and healthy lives. Who doesn’t?

After a while, every fish owner discovers their favorite mix of filter media to guarantee the best water quality for their pets.

Whether you’re just starting out or already know what your fish prefer, thanks to the three different filter stages of the Fluval Spec III, it’s easy to customize everything to your liking.

With the foam block, activated carbon, and BioMax bio rings, you’ll be sure to have the best possible results.

Glass

Made from etched glass, you’ll find this Fluval aquarium is resistant to scratches.

At the same time, the thickness of the glass manages to be just thin enough to avoid the well-known green tint most glass aquariums experience.

The overall finish is crystal clear and guaranteed to show off any inhabiting fish in the best possible way.

Of course, there is an acrylic top included to keep the weight to a minimum, but the overall finish of this tank is of high quality.

LED Lighting System

A light is also included in the Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit, crossing another accessory off your list. This included light is great for illuminating your aquarium and fish, allowing both your aquarium and pets to shine.

These lights also open up more options for where you place your tank since you can easily brighten a dim corner with this lit-up aquarium.

If you want to upgrade these lights to a different color, or specialty lights, this aquarium won’t stop you from doing so either.

Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit Review

The Positives

Separate Filter Station

The true star of this tank is, of course, the filter station. Kept separate from the rest of the tank, it’s easy to maintain and easier to clean than other aquarium models.

The included filtration materials are sure to give you a decent head start when it comes to starting things up.

Thanks to the relative size between the space for your fish and the space for your filtration, you’ll find that keeping the water pristine is simple to accomplish.

Light and Dainty

Looking at smaller aquariums can be deceptive because there’s no way of really knowing if they’ll fit in your desired location. And then there’s the weight to keep in mind; what if your side table can’t handle the strain?

This Fluval Spec III is the best small aquarium for those who want to have some lovely maritime companions without sacrificing a large amount of space.

The miniature size and capacity ensure that this aquarium will fit pretty much anywhere.

It’s light in weight, making it easy to place on a variety of surfaces without worry of it buckling under the pressure, and when it comes time to rearrange your aquarium, it won’t be too heavy to cause any trouble.

While its size makes it great, the style of the aquarium makes it easy to blend into almost any decor, while adding a bit of sleek, contemporary style your home.

Great Training Aquarium

If you’re just starting out with your first aquarium, we do recommend beginning with a small tank. At less than three gallons in capacity, this aquarium comes with proverbial training wheels attached.

Beginners will have everything they need to get this aquarium up and running, taking away the stress of running around your pet store trying to find the appropriate attachments.

The size makes it easy to clean, which means this tank will be easy to maintain as well, so users won’t be daunted by these necessary tasks.

Quiet Filter

It’s often surprising how much a noise a fish tank can make, even a small one. You’ll be happy to know that the Fluval Spec III uses a quiet filter, so your tank won’t be adding to any distractions.

If you want to have your fish close to you in a bedroom, or you prefer to have them hanging out in the living room, know that you won’t be disturbed by the annoying whirr of your aquarium.

Easy Assembly

Not only will users find this fish tank easy to operate, clean, and maintain, but it’s not hard to get it set-up either.

You’ll have everything included for assembly, and many users found getting everything together and in place took them no time at all; some even had it assembled in ten minutes!

Know that whether you’re just starting out, or gifting this to someone with a passion for fish, you won’t be too frazzled when it comes to assembling or using it.

The Negatives

Unflattering Design

While the Fluval Spec III is certainly practical in its design, it isn’t winning any points on innovation when it comes to aesthetics.

The square shape is basic and while you can do interesting things with it, the filters do take up a certain amount of space.

If you’re not bothered by this kind of trade-off, or are creative enough to spice things up on your own, this isn’t too bad of a drawback.

However, for those who are seeking an aquarium that looks beautiful without modifications, this Fluval aquarium is not going to cut it.

Tiny

While this is also considered an advantage, the Fluval Spec III is dainty to work with. You can keep a solitary betta in this tank or a tiny school of fish, but you’ll be hard-pressed to distribute space for multiple species.

However, if you’re not worried about keeping a lot of fish in your home, this small tank is sure to serve you well.

It makes for a good training aquarium and, once you’ve ‘graduated’ to bigger tanks, it can make a good temporary spot for any fish that need some time apart.

Here’s a video showing what the Fluval Spec III looks like out of the box and setup.

Overall Verdict

The Fluval Spec III aquarium kit is a great beginner’s tank that comes with everything you need to keep your fish happy and healthy.

The separate area for the three-stage filtering is easy to maintain and simple to use, making it a triple threat for anyone who wants to ensure they have the best water quality.

In combination with the etched glass, you’ll find that it’s effortless and enjoyable to see your pets go about their day. The filter itself can appear unsightly to some, but clever decorating is sure to make things seem better right away.

All in all, this filter is a great choice if you’re unsure on whether or not this is a hobby for you. While more advanced fish owners are sure to appreciate the filtering, they might not be impressed with the small size.

Those who are looking to keep a solitary betta or other species that can do well in small spaces, alone or in a group, are sure to get enjoyment out of this aquarium.

In conclusion of this Fluval Spec III aquarium review, we can say that this is a great tank kit that works wonders and is sure to delight anyone interested in a small aquarium.

Where to Buy the Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit

Fluval has an array of aquatic equipment from aquariums to filters, and the Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit is a great example of how versatile this brand really is.

They boast a range of products that are accessible, well-priced, and geared towards a variety of hobby levels, though their products are never too hard to use, no matter the size.

This company has received rave reviews from customers and enthusiasts, allowing their products to shine on the shelves of retailers both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check pet, fish, or specialty shops, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Pet Co (from $79)
• Big Al’s Pets (from $79)
• That Fish Place (from $79)

And of course, you can also find this aquarium kit on Amazon.

---

That’s all for our Fluval Spec III Aquarium review. Tempted to give this tank a try?