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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
I guess you could call it friendly since he seemed fascinated by my arm hair.
Watsonja4's Planted Journey "Fluval Spec V Build"
- Thread starter Watsonja4
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
I guess you could call it friendly since he seemed fascinated by my arm hair.
Barliman
Aquarium Advice Addict
I once worked for an aquarium maintenance service and, at a client's home, I was cleaning a marine tank. A zebra damsel swam up to my arm and began yanking on a hair.
I could almost hear the little tough guy's little voice saying "C'mon! Put'em up! I'll murdelize ya!"
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
It's been a week since adding plants and for the most part everything is doing well. I am however having some algae problems I think and would like your help on what to do.
Two things in this picture, first what is growing on my crypt and second what is on the driftwood? I have not tried to rub the stuff off of the plant because I'm worried I will uproot it and the stuff on the driftwood is like dust when disturbed. I was keeping my lights on for 12 hours but I have changed that to a 8 hour split photoperiod now. Thank in advance for any help.
Two things in this picture, first what is growing on my crypt and second what is on the driftwood? I have not tried to rub the stuff off of the plant because I'm worried I will uproot it and the stuff on the driftwood is like dust when disturbed. I was keeping my lights on for 12 hours but I have changed that to a 8 hour split photoperiod now. Thank in advance for any help.
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hard to tell from the pic, but that looks like green spot on the crypt. If so, you won't be able to rub it off: it's tough.
As for the driftwood, it's in such a regular pattern, I'm not sure what it is.
BTW, I've found this page helpful for algae.
Well hopefully lowering my lighting period will help on the algae and I was going to add some cleaners when the tank finishes it cycle, either shrimp or nerite snail. I am thinking the stuff on the driftwood is just sediment that has settled in a pattern from the water flow. The way the spec's have the overflow and output positioned creates a vortex however, my betta is weird and like's to swim in front of the nozzle
so I guess he likes it.
Barliman
Aquarium Advice Addict
The way the spec's have the overflow and output positioned creates a vortex however, my betta is weird and like's to swim in front of the nozzle
Rule #1: Bettas are weird.
Honestly, they seem to like playing in the flow. Just make sure he has an area of low flow (preferably with a plant) he can rest in.
BettaChi
Aquarium Advice Regular
Love the tank! Thanks for the link...now I want one also!!
I watched like 100 youtube videos about this tank set-up now (literally) and I have heard from a few people about this "vortex" effect. I assume you have turned the internal flow down (in filtration media) to minimum. Also people have said if you angle the "jet" upwards so it sort of shoots up out of the water (like a fountain) it helps lesson the force. Of course if your betta is still enjoying it at this point I would leave it
Can I please request a "mature" photo of this tank now? I would like to see how the plants look.
Guys I would love some plant suggestions (for dummys) for a similar style tank.
PS did YOU post a youtube video on this tank? Your kitchen looks familiar.
I watched like 100 youtube videos about this tank set-up now (literally) and I have heard from a few people about this "vortex" effect. I assume you have turned the internal flow down (in filtration media) to minimum. Also people have said if you angle the "jet" upwards so it sort of shoots up out of the water (like a fountain) it helps lesson the force. Of course if your betta is still enjoying it at this point I would leave it
Can I please request a "mature" photo of this tank now? I would like to see how the plants look.
Guys I would love some plant suggestions (for dummys) for a similar style tank.
PS did YOU post a youtube video on this tank? Your kitchen looks familiar.
Barliman
Aquarium Advice Addict
Also people have said if you angle the "jet" upwards so it sort of shoots up out of the water (like a fountain) it helps lesson the force. Of course if your betta is still enjoying it at this point I would leave it
Someone on a board I read, probably here at AA, recommended putting a pre-filter sponge over the outflow, so bettas wouldn't be knocked around so much.
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
Love the tank! Thanks for the link...now I want one also!!
I watched like 100 youtube videos about this tank set-up now (literally) and I have heard from a few people about this "vortex" effect. I assume you have turned the internal flow down (in filtration media) to minimum. Also people have said if you angle the "jet" upwards so it sort of shoots up out of the water (like a fountain) it helps lesson the force. Of course if your betta is still enjoying it at this point I would leave it
Can I please request a "mature" photo of this tank now? I would like to see how the plants look.
Guys I would love some plant suggestions (for dummys) for a similar style tank.
PS did YOU post a youtube video on this tank? Your kitchen looks familiar.
I have a piece of pre-filter sponge wrapped around my outflow to help diffuse the current and I left the pump on high. I also put a plastic mesh over the intake to protect speedy's fins since he loves to plaster himself to it. That is the only modifications you will need to keep betta's, mine has been in the tank going on 3 weeks now and not a scratch on him. I will get some new pic's up later today to show you. For plants you can grow any type of small crypt or anubias, if you like grassy looking plants you could try micro sword, dwarf hairgrass, or dwarf sagitarria. One plan I tossed around before I decided I wanted a piece of driftwood was a dwarf lily in the middle surrounded by dwarf sagitarria. I have never made a YouTube video in my life.
BettaChi
Aquarium Advice Regular
Can you please post new photos of the tank now?
I would love to see where I can get this sponge or plastic mesh...(it is a little embarrassing that I can't imagine either).
I actually own a Terta waterfall 2.5 gallon globe aquarium. It was meant for their glo-fish so the light is neon-blue instead of a normal LED. But the waterfall filter also knocks bettas around (which is why I stopped using it). I wonder if I can use this sponge or mesh on the waterfall.
I would love to see where I can get this sponge or plastic mesh...(it is a little embarrassing that I can't imagine either).
I actually own a Terta waterfall 2.5 gallon globe aquarium. It was meant for their glo-fish so the light is neon-blue instead of a normal LED. But the waterfall filter also knocks bettas around (which is why I stopped using it). I wonder if I can use this sponge or mesh on the waterfall.
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
Sorry for taking so long to reply, It's been a long weekend for me. Here are two pictures for you to see, the first picture is the sponge and mesh I used on the overflow and output.
BettaChi
Aquarium Advice Regular
VERY nice! I love it! Great looking fish also!
So where did you get this mesh?
You just "jammed" it into the outlet and it stuck or was adhesive involved? Does that really dissipate the water flow enough for betta?
Also how did you get that plant to grow out of your driftwood (and stay in place) when you set this up? It is really beautiful
So where did you get this mesh?
You just "jammed" it into the outlet and it stuck or was adhesive involved? Does that really dissipate the water flow enough for betta?
Also how did you get that plant to grow out of your driftwood (and stay in place) when you set this up? It is really beautiful
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
VERY nice! I love it! Great looking fish also!
So where did you get this mesh?
You just "jammed" it into the outlet and it stuck or was adhesive involved? Does that really dissipate the water flow enough for betta?
Also how did you get that plant to grow out of your driftwood (and stay in place) when you set this up? It is really beautiful
1. The mesh I can't think of the name but I found it at Walmart in crafts.
2. The sponge is from a sheet of cut-to-fit filter media I had for my canister filter, you can get it at your lfs. I cut a cone shaped piece and then put a slit in the center so it slides over the outlet like a sock. My betta has no problems now, prior to the sponge he could barely stay upright.
3. The plant on the driftwood is Java fern and I used brown cotton string to hold it in place, eventually it will root to the wood since the roots are like hairs.
Thanks I was looking to try something different with this tank, and I figured I would give a lucky betta his dream home while I was at it. I am not 100% finished though, I want to add a floating plant but I can't decide what type. I will also be adding a few amano shrimp if my betta doesn't eat them.
Tropical Aquarist
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2015
- Messages
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Really nice aquarium you have there! Betta looks amazing as well!
The mesh is called needlepoint, it's dirt cheap and can be used for a variety of aquarium projects!
The mesh is called needlepoint, it's dirt cheap and can be used for a variety of aquarium projects!
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
Thanks, for the life of me I could not think of the name. Speedy loves his home but I think he still has the cup mentality because he swims laps. I am having algae problems though it was on the plants but now it's moved to the glass. I think my next course of action is to add a trio of nerite snails and some water spangles to help suck up excess nutrients.
Barliman
Aquarium Advice Addict
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
Water spangles or Salvinia Minima, it's a floating plant I was going to try but I might try frogbit instead.
BettaChi
Aquarium Advice Regular
So I am shopping around for some wood for this tank and I see that the online dimensions are listed as 20.5" x 7.5" x 11.6" high. My question is: does that include that black "filtration" area or is that all open tank space?
The three pieces of driftwood that I am choosing one from have dimensions of: 13"x3 1/2"x5 1/2", 13"x5"x6 1/2", and 11 1/2"x5"x10" LXWXH. Will that fit in the tank without super overpowering it? It is unique looking driftwood. I am also looking at spider wood.
I want to be able to do some wood, sieryu rock and live plants.
Can you also post a separate photo of the "fix" you made for the filtration perhaps out of the tank so I can see it from a few angles? I want to try to mimic it...
Thanks!
The three pieces of driftwood that I am choosing one from have dimensions of: 13"x3 1/2"x5 1/2", 13"x5"x6 1/2", and 11 1/2"x5"x10" LXWXH. Will that fit in the tank without super overpowering it? It is unique looking driftwood. I am also looking at spider wood.
I want to be able to do some wood, sieryu rock and live plants.
Can you also post a separate photo of the "fix" you made for the filtration perhaps out of the tank so I can see it from a few angles? I want to try to mimic it...
Thanks!
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Watsonja4
Aquarium Advice Activist
So I am shopping around for some wood for this tank and I see that the online dimensions are listed as 20.5" x 7.5" x 11.6" high. My question is: does that include that black "filtration" area or is that all open tank space?
The three pieces of driftwood that I am choosing one from have dimensions of: 13"x3 1/2"x5 1/2", 13"x5"x6 1/2", and 11 1/2"x5"x10" LXWXH. Will that fit in the tank without super overpowering it? It is unique looking driftwood. I am also looking at spider wood.
I want to be able to do some wood, sieryu rock and live plants.
Can you also post a separate photo of the "fix" you made for the filtration perhaps out of the tank so I can see it from a few angles? I want to try to mimic it...
Thanks!
The actual display area is only ~ 17.5"x6.5"x10.5". I would go with a long slender piece of wood so you have room to plant on each side.
I tried to pull the nozzle out but apparently I jammed it on so maybe Friday when I change water I can get it off to post pics. Here is a link that I used for all of my ideas, I just tweaked them for what I had laying around the house.
How to Make Your Fluval Spec Aquarium Betta Friendly
Carriwin
Aquarium Advice Freak
Love the set up! My 10g didn't do as well... I think I may have to change substrate and stick to fake plants in the small tank.
My thread was the one about the sponge and the betta.
I still have to do that to put Patriot back in his rightful home. I moved him to the 2.5g so that way whatever was going wrong in that tank wouldn't bother him too much.
