newbie - is this a good set up? 5 gal. Fluval Spec

[Juicebox]

Originally Posted by daylily

The Spec has about a 2" x 10" hole in the cover, under the light. I easily solved the possibility of jumping by taking a piece of saran wrap 3x12" and taping it over the hole. Light gets through fine, and betta can't jump out.

I got a "pre-filter" made by Fluval - I think for the Edge - and that makes a great baffle for the flow. I cut about 1/2 inch or so off the end, which made a little circle, then I cut that so I had one long strip. I just put it over the little thing the water comes out of and secured it with a rubber band. Works like a charm.

i bought a circular black foam tube made by fluval for 2.99 . its made for the fluval edge filter intake pipe,you slide it over the pipe and it stops the baby fish or small invertibrets from being sucked up into the filter,cut about 2 inch off it and slide it onto the spec outflow pipe,hold it in place with a rubber band and now the tank water is so still,it always feels like the filter is turned off..

im just afraid that maybe the filter is not filltering as much water as it used to,ive no way of testing it

[isochronism]

Daylily & Juicebox: Nice tips! I am going to the Tropical Fish store today to officially begin construction :) I've been going through the "post pics" thread for a few days and only halfway through. Everyone's tank is totally unique!!

[ChoclateBetta]

IAL is a great tool.

[isochronism]

Got: Dark substrate, four plants, reddish stone, and the nicest piece of Mopani wood, which I even at measured at the store to be sure. Turns out that my eyes were bigger than my tank... IT's HUGE when in place! Oh well. I also got some freeze dried plankton which they highly recommended. My dog found the freeze dried blood worms yesterday and made a quick snack out of them. Oh, It turns out that the store has been in the original family for 52 years!!

[isochronism]

I set in the heater under the substrate. I filled tank halfway with 2 gallons of tap water that i had sitting for two days to dissipate any chlorine. The wood is fitting good now that everything is in place. I will now monitor the plantings.
Looking into small schoolie's, etc for tank mates when the time is ready. Suggest away if you please.

[Juicebox]

dont use freeze dried food,use frozen!!

[ChoclateBetta]

Freeze Dried is great.