Fluval Spec V Journey

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cherokeeluvr

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Joined
Sep 16, 2014
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I thought I'd make this to share the progress on my spec tank! I set this tank up at the beginning of the year. I've always wanted a high tech tank, so I finally went for it! The tank has progressed awesomely and I hope it will continue to!

Tank details:
- finnex planted plus
- flourite sand
- paintball co2 setup
- currently dosing iron and flourish weekly

Current plants:
- Monte Carlo
- rotala Indica
- AR regular
- AR mini
- pogostemon erectus
- limnophila aromatica


Here's a little timeline:

Here is January 4th, the day of setup.

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/FullSizeRender_zpsa35iiors.jpg

January 12th

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_2366_zps5dbbsoo1.jpg


January 22nd

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_2422_zpstpedkevz.jpg

Today-March 25th

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3428_zpsutz6y6jb.jpg

Sadly, my betta who had lived in this tank for the last couple years just recently passed. I picked up this stunning little koi at petco yesterday, and he's enjoying himself!

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3434_zpsahwdlcy3.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3400_zpsdqztk0cz.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3408_zps59dioknv.jpg


I'll try and keep doing updates on the tank!
 
I thought I'd make this to share the progress on my spec tank! I set this tank up at the beginning of the year. I've always wanted a high tech tank, so I finally went for it! The tank has progressed awesomely and I hope it will continue to!

Tank details:
- finnex planted plus
- flourite sand
- paintball co2 setup
- currently dosing iron and flourish weekly

Current plants:
- Monte Carlo
- rotala Indica
- AR regular
- AR mini
- pogostemon erectus
- limnophila aromatica


Here's a little timeline:

Here is January 4th, the day of setup.

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/FullSizeRender_zpsa35iiors.jpg

January 12th

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_2366_zps5dbbsoo1.jpg


January 22nd

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_2422_zpstpedkevz.jpg

Today-March 25th

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3428_zpsutz6y6jb.jpg

Sadly, my betta who had lived in this tank for the last couple years just recently passed. I picked up this stunning little koi at petco yesterday, and he's enjoying himself!

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3434_zpsahwdlcy3.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3400_zpsdqztk0cz.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_3408_zps59dioknv.jpg


I'll try and keep doing updates on the tank!

Gorgeous Koi Betta!!! Great find!
 
So how much additional light are you getting from the replacement light than the new Spec V light?



It is sooo much brighter!! I put the finnex on a while ago before I got the co2, and it grew algae like crazy. I put the stock light back on because the algae got so bad. So if you have co2, it's great, if not, it grows a ton of algae.
 
I saw some pretty ones there, not THE one though. Maybe would want to be there on the Betta arrival afternoon.

If I get another Betta (I am Bettaless due to a attempt at reducing work load & #of tanks), I have 3 - 4 types I kinda have my eye open for, Koi is one, I would have bought that one! Actually I bid on a pretty one at a recent fish auction.
 
I saw some pretty ones there, not THE one though. Maybe would want to be there on the Betta arrival afternoon.

If I get another Betta (I am Bettaless due to a attempt at reducing work load & #of tanks), I have 3 - 4 types I kinda have my eye open for, Koi is one, I would have bought that one! Actually I bid on a pretty one at a recent fish auction.



I went the day before I got him, and they barely had anything. So I went the next day, hoping they'd have a new shipment, and they did. They only had about 3 kois out of 100+ bettas.

I've gone through aquabid before and bought really nice bettas, but I've realized it's not worth it (unless you're breeding). This guy was $20 total, the shipping alone would've been more than that. I'm really glad pet stores are getting a better selection!
 
Beautiful scape! That betta is exceptionally good looking! [emoji106] im doing low tech tanks but seeing the success of that Monte Carlo is making me curious to go a bit more techy.
 
Beautiful scape! That betta is exceptionally good looking! [emoji106] im doing low tech tanks but seeing the success of that Monte Carlo is making me curious to go a bit more techy.



Thank you!

Monte Carlo seems to be one of the easier carpeting plants. I've seen it carpet under medium lighting and no co2; it would just take longer.
 
You've done a great job with this -- the tank is jawdroppingly beautiful. :eek2:



I love the new betta, too. Really handsome colors. Though I don't think the shrimp is too fond of him. :ROFLMAO:



Have you had any problems with algae since setting it up?



Thank you!!

Within two minutes of me putting the betta in, he was hunting down shrimp. The shrimp now hides in his plants all the time.

My co2 diffuser was broken, so the co2 wast diffusing properly. I got quite a lot of algae when that happened. I bought a nice diffuser, and now the algae is reducing.
 
Well.. the filter pump decided to break today. I unplugged it for a water change, and when I plugged it back in, it didn't work.

I had put on a giant ugly filter from an old 10 gallon until the replacement ($30 for just a tiny pump!) gets here.
 
Well.. the filter pump decided to break today. I unplugged it for a water change, and when I plugged it back in, it didn't work.

I had put on a giant ugly filter from an old 10 gallon until the replacement ($30 for just a tiny pump!) gets here.

My pumps usually have a mts snail living in the impeller shaft. They somehow get in as a ultra tiny thing and grow inside it then when the impeller stops for a pwc/clean out, bam! he moves and jams the rotation of it. Last time 3 fell out when I tapped it gently on the tub. I use a q-tip to swirl inside of the space after pulling out the impeller. If it works, you would be able to have a back up :). You probably already checked that, but thought it was worth mentioning, just in case.

Oops it uses a different pump, duh! Still could have gunk in it.
 
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My pumps usually have a mts snail living in the impeller shaft. They somehow get in as a ultra tiny thing and grow inside it then when the impeller stops for a pwc/clean out, bam! he moves and jams the rotation of it. Last time 3 fell out when I tapped it gently on the tub. I use a q-tip to swirl inside of the space after pulling out the impeller. If it works, you would be able to have a back up :). You probably already checked that, but thought it was worth mentioning, just in case.

Oops it uses a different pump, duh! Still could have gunk in it.



I'll check to make sure it's not clogged, but it was working fine and strong right before I unplugged it, then was completely non functioning after I plugged it back in. I think it's something electric :/
 
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