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Fluval Spec III betta mods

3.4K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  Kay333  
#1 ·
Hi all, really enjoyed this forum and have learned alot. Unfortunately learned about cycling after getting the fish in the aquarium, but I digress. Anyway, I have set the pump on the lowest setting and installed this mod: http://spec-tanks.com/fluval-edge-pre-filter-mod-for-spec-aquariums/

So, with it off, my betta seems to only have about half the tank where he isn't fighting current. With it on though, I'm really starting to question whether the pump is even effective because I don't see any water movement at all. I have some film on the top of my water (because of the Safestart?), that doesn't show any movement into the outflow to the filter.

What would be the warning signs if the water simply wasn't being filtered enough?
 
#2 ·
The filtered water is still coming out, it's just diffused.
I was going to do that on my Spec V, but thought the sponge was too unsightly. Instead I had a piece of sponge that I cut off another filter, rolled it up and put it into the nozzle instead. It looks a lot better. I started with a larger piece then I needed, and kept cutting it smaller and smaller until I was satisfied with a visible flow. My betta Silky Smooth likes to swim into the current, when he gets tired he goes and takes a nap on top of the nozzle or rest on the bottom or chills on his hammock.
I also tried taking the nozzle off altogether. The flow isn't too bad. The nozzle itself makes the flow too strong for bettas. I also discovered that if you don't let the hose through the hole, it's also pretty calm, and all the water does leave the reservoir. Just doesn't circulate.
 
#5 ·
The pump is still working. HOWEVER stuffing things inside the outflow (or blocking it completely) STOPS UP THE FILTER it will eventually break the pump but no one on this site seems to think about this or care at all.

What I did with my fluval spec v and what I strongly suggest is to attach a sponge a little bit in front of the outflow, mine is ruberbanded attached to the thermometer, this gives you the same result without ruining the filter pump.
 
#6 ·
The pump is still working. HOWEVER stuffing things inside the outflow (or blocking it completely) STOPS UP THE FILTER it will eventually break the pump but no one on this site seems to think about this or care at all.
I don't think anyone is stuffing the outflow or blocking it completely. The Fluval Edge Sponge Filer just slips over the output spout and just diffuses the flow. Nothing is stuffed or blocked.
 
#9 ·
Looks similar to how the Aqueon Evolve4 filter is. I actually took a rectangular piece of filter foam, cut it down to about two inch by one inch, folded it over the output valve, and rubber banded it in place. I still had some water flow and it did the job of baffling it so the fish wasn't thrown around.