I'm loving my new Fluval Spec III. Just wanted a place for Spec owners to show off, share their problems, mods, thoughts, and experience with these amazing little all in one tanks. Calling out all Spec owners, where you at?!?!!! :-D
It's good to see everyone helping each other with their Spec related questions and concerns.
A BIG complaint about our Spec tanks for our Betta is the high output of flow, forcing the betta to rest or be pushed towards the overflow grates causing their fins to get torn. I've searched the forums, googled, and even watched youtube videos to find solutions, so I'm going to list a few mods I tried myself and hope it helps. I'll list them so it's easy and clear to follow. Try a few or combo of them and see what works best for yourself:
1. Turn the pump down to the lowest setting.
2. Zip tie course black filter sponge around return nozzle.
3. Cut return tube so it can decrease the flow.
4. Use plumber's tape around the return nozzle to retrict some flow.
5. Jam a small piece of filter sponge into the nozzle to restrict flow.
6. Buy a ball valve for $3 and attach it to the return tube so you can adjust the flow to your desired amount.
Personally I think option 1 combined with option 6 is the cleanest and best solution. It gives you the most adjustability of flow.
Thanks! I use the CaribSea Midnight Black Floramax Substrate. It works great! I got it on sale at Petsmart for $6.99. It doesn't cloud the water at all. If I could redo my substrate I would put Miracle Grow Organic potting mix first then the Floramax on top.
It's the Fluval CO2 setup that comes with the Fluval Flora tanks. That's a 88g CO2 bottle tho. I haven't hooked it up yet tho. I'm waiting on a smaller glass diffuser.
I was given the small Spec by a friend who did not have room to store it at her small apartment. The filter was due for a replacement but I decided to just go without the filter since it is such a small tank and the flow is so strong. I just do more frequent water changes but my fishy, Splashcasso, LOVES the tank!
Mine also was in the habit of resting plastered to the intake slots. I tried a variety of things to discourage him.
Finally, I put him in a 2 gallon, and bought a betta log and put in there with him for 10 days or so, till he became used to using it to sleep in. Then, I re-scaped the tank he was in, gave him a few more hiding places.
I put him back in the Fluval 4 days ago - and every time I check on him at night, he's sleeping in the betta log. :-D
What an awesome thread! I just ordered a Spec V! Should be here on Weds. I am wondering what you guys used to decorate? I am going to be using the Fluval Shrim Stratum as the substrate (hoping to keep shrimp in with the betta in here), so that is black. I deff want to plant it, but am looking for a "feature piece". What do you guys have in yours? I am thinking of driftwood or stones, but am not sure what will fit!
My next one will be with driftwood as center piece with 2-3 java moss wrapped pebbles..
If it does not work out, I have 3 zebra stones with black pebbles as my Plan B.
I got some really awesome driftwood root pieces, which are now moss covered. I also have some chunks of petrified wood in there, though I've been debating removing the largest chunks to have more open substrate area.
I planned for my tanks to be on a windowsill to take advantage of natural sunlight for all the live plants. My windowsills are 7+" deep.
The Fluval Spec V and Spec 2 fit very well with very only slight overhang so that I can lower window shades behind them easily.
Today I am purchasing another Spec 2. Great tanks worth the extra few bucks!!
Hmmmm now I am gonna go look at other substrates....any good black substrates I could get at Petsmart or Petco? I really want to set it up tonight/tomorrow!
Well went to Petsmart, Petco AND a local petstore and no one had anything but gravel, sand or flourite. So I rinsed the Fluval Shrim Stratum put it in, filled the tank and have it running (with conditioners and bacteria supplements) now. I have Monapi wood boiling, and hope that I can get more done tonight!
In the meantime I love everyone's pics! Anyone else have any or updated ones? I am eBay shopping to find a few more plants while my wood is leeching!
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