[BasilBetta87]

Fluval Spec
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FTS 1-30-13
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Tank

• Fluval Spec 2 Gallon

Lighting

• Fluval 13 watt PC light

Substrate

• Seachem Flourite

Flow

• Stock Pump 40 GPH
• Sponge over outlet to lower flow

Heating

• Marina C10 - 10 Watt heater

Filtration

• Stock Sponge
• Fluval BioMax

Flora

• Amazon Frogbit
• Duckweed (can't get rid of it)
• Anubias Nana
• Anubias Nana Petite
• Temple Plant

Fauna

• Reginald the Double Tail Betta [Betta Splendens]
• Dale the Ramshorn Snail [Planorbis rubrum]

Here is my lightly planted Fluval Spec housing my new double tail, Reginald. My maintenance is fairly light dosing a few drops of Excel everyday and ~50% water changes every week. Enjoy!
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[tekkguy]

Nice tank! I love the 2 gallon Spec's ... I have a Spec V, but I almost think the narrowness of it detracts a little bit. The 2's seem to have a better shape to me.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Thanks! Yeah, I like the peninsula look of the V but I like cube tanks better.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Current feeding regiment
New Life Spectrum Betta Formula
New Life Spectrum Small Fish Formula

 

[isochronism]

Hi Basil and Tekk,
I have the Spec V and 2 Gallon, as I have them side by side on a windowsill facing southern exposure (filters on furthest ends) Both fully planted in gravel and using Seachum ferts.
I see you have the light upgrade.. looks really nice!!! I am not too satisfied with stock lights, tho I get plenty of sunlight.
Last night I got a used full sized CO2 set-up. Gauges, solenoid, reactor diffuser, bubble counter, timer, paintball tank adapter, tho considering a full size tank. I want to get a diffuser, a two-way and extra bubble counter so I can do both tanks. So far just a Betta in the two gal and a couple small Nerites in both.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Sounds like you've got it all worked out! As far as sunlight is concerned I would be sure to watch for algae. Too much sun can promote its growth. I really like having the Fluval 13 watt PC lamp. It's the perfect size and puts out the amount of light my Spec needs.

 

[Mr2KiEu]

Nice looking Spec 2! I recently setup my Spec 3. I'm also using the 13w Fluval CF light. What's the name of that floating plant? Keep up the good work!

 

[ChiMasterFlex]

Awesome tanks guys. I actually have a betta in a fluval spec iii as well. I think he likes it but I wanted to ask how you guys overcame a few obstacles;

1. Wasn't your pump too strong? My betta started practically flying away when I turned it on. What did you do to fix that?

2. Have you noticed him really only sticking in one area of the tank or does he roam all over? My little guy stays up at the top left front of the tank (diagonal to the spout)

3. My little betta also started flaring his fins and stuff around, making me think he can see himself somewhere in the tank. Have you noticed similar behavior?

 

[Mr2KiEu]

Awesome tanks guys. I actually have a betta in a fluval spec iii as well. I think he likes it but I wanted to ask how you guys overcame a few obstacles;

1. Wasn't your pump too strong? My betta started practically flying away when I turned it on. What did you do to fix that?

2. Have you noticed him really only sticking in one area of the tank or does he roam all over? My little guy stays up at the top left front of the tank (diagonal to the spout)

3. My little betta also started flaring his fins and stuff around, making me think he can see himself somewhere in the tank. Have you noticed similar behavior?

1. Yes the pump is too strong. You have to turn it down to the lowest setting. It'll still be too strong so you also have to cut a little piece of filter floss and stick it into the output to block some of the flow.

2. Once you do the mod ^above he'll swim all over the tank.

3. I've notice that as well. He always is flaring at himself, but it usually is only when the light is turned on. If you look at the pic I posted above you can see him flaring. lol. He stops after awhile tho. It's good exercise.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Awesome tanks guys. I actually have a betta in a fluval spec iii as well. I think he likes it but I wanted to ask how you guys overcame a few obstacles;

1. Wasn't your pump too strong? My betta started practically flying away when I turned it on. What did you do to fix that?

2. Have you noticed him really only sticking in one area of the tank or does he roam all over? My little guy stays up at the top left front of the tank (diagonal to the spout)

3. My little betta also started flaring his fins and stuff around, making me think he can see himself somewhere in the tank. Have you noticed similar behavior?

1. Yes, the pump is too strong even turned down all the way. I sanded down the impeller as well as placed a sponge on the outlet which slowed the flow considerably.

2. Once the flow was slowed, he roamed the entire area.

3. Yes, mine also like to flare at the glass, but it usually doesn't last too long.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Added some DW to Reginald's tank.

 

[aemaki09]

Your tank looks awesome!

 

[BasilBetta87]

Jungle Mode -

 

[BasilBetta87]

All cleaned up. Pulled the Pothos plant out and now it's planted in it's own pot and trimmed the roots of my frog bit. Also built a ring to keep it confined and allow more light into the tank. Enjoy.

 

[BasilBetta87]

Just a quick update. Reginald is going great and the tank is in full grow mode. Added some staurogyne repens and DHG and will hopefully will have quite the nice carpet soon. Hope everyone's having a good week till Halloween!

 

[BlueInkFish]

do you use Co2? Your tank is soooo beautiful!

 

[BasilBetta87]

I actually do not use any. I would like to someday. Currently I dose Seachems Excel and Flourish whenever I can, only a few drops of each. It works well for my tank

 

[BlueInkFish]

interesting!

 

[BasilBetta87]

Thanks! So I added in more stems of S Repens so it looks quite nice now. Ill try to get a photo up soon.

 

[Niece]

Did you guys add that light?