is this tank okay to set up a small saltwater world

Question
Hello my name is Rebecca. I would like to thank you fist for taking the time to look over my question.  I have an Eclipse 5 gallon tank. I was wondering if it would be possible to set it  up saltwater. I know i could only put one fish in there but that is fine with me. I have seen those very small saltwater tanks around, what are they, 4 or 5 gallons. I've seen small protein skimmers that would fit, but would the filter system the Eclipse 5 comes with be strong enough ? I have 3 other large fresh water tanks and I have great success with. Now I would like to move to the next level , but with something small. Please let me know if it is possible. Thank You again  -Rebecca

Answer
Hi Rebecca. You most certainly can do a saltwater tank in a 5 gallon tank! If you are planning on doing a fish only with only one fish in it, it would be fine. The filter system is just fine for a saltwater tank. You may want to add some live rock in there to help filter your water and to help with the cycling period. I have a six gallon nano tank that I maintain and it is the most beautiful tank! You can do more frequent partial water changes instead of trying to fit a protein skimmer on it. I do about 1 1/2 gallon partial once a week and I don't have a protein skimmer on my six gallon. I also have anemones and corals in there. If you can upgrade the lighting you could do more. With what you have you could put one small fish, a snail or two and a few hermit crabs( maybe even a shrimp) without it being too overloaded as long as you do small frequent partial water changes. The only problem I have encountered with these smaller tanks is the cycling process can be a little longer and your ammonia can spike a little higher. Once you get through the initial start up process and your tank cycles and stabilizes it's usually smooth sailing from then on.