Fluval Spec V

[black_knight]

Just bought the Fluval Spec V. Very impressive package. I've been keeping nanos for a long time, mostly ADA tanks. This little tank os just a beauty. It's got every thing (LED lights, filter with adjustable flow, and multidirectional nozel). It's filtration system overflows, so no slime on the surface. The sponge and media offer lots of biologic filtration space. I can't wait to get this thing running. I'm a little tired of piece by piece putting together components of a nano, this thing is plug and play (by the time I put tanks, lights and filter together I've spent double what I paid for an all in one package). I'm gonna fill it and start cycling the filter tomorrow. Right now I'm planning on doing a pygmy sun fish tank, but will see. I'll post pics as soon as I get a chance.

[New_Cichlid11]

nice and good pick up. Ive actually considered the spec v myself. I love how they are built very sleek/modern design.

[mistahoo]

From Petsmart correct? I heard it was on sale. How much was it? After hearing about the tank, I took a look and I'm definitely loving the plug and play plus the footprint! It looks like you could even cut out a third space in the middle of the sponge and place a small polisher like a bag of purigen or possibly more bio media. I might go out and buy one as well and set it aside until I find out what I want to do with it.

[black_knight]

With a Petsmart card I think you save les than $10. It's about $90 before taxes. They don't have the Spec III, but Fish Gallery does, that's about $75 or $80 I think. The Spec II is I think $60. Not much of a diffrence in prices between them.
The sponge is easy to modify, but you might want to use as much of it as you can, nothing beats biologic filtration. I rarely ever use charcoal filtration, you may want to put the purgen in the second space.

[black_knight]

The profile on the Spec III and the Spec V really give it that big tank feel. The Spec II doesn't have that same effect, but still looks great.

[mistahoo]

I don't ever use carbon media either. If I get a Spec V, I'm cut out part of the middle to place some purigen and place two bag fulls of coco puffs in the other two pre-cut slots.

I haven't taken a look at the other Fluval Specs, but I heard the III was nice too.

[black_knight]

I'm doing a test fill on the tank right now. The only issue on the overflow is that they placed an inlet/outlet 2/3rds of the way down the baffel between the main tank and the filter. It keeps the water level about the same between the main tank and the filter. I'm considering pluging this, so I can get the filter to run like a wet dry (so that the water level is lover on the filter side and trully overflow). For the money it's definitely value, but only time will tell. After the over night test run, I'll start cycling the filter. I'm just gonna put more sponge material into the second slot. The best part of the whole thing is my wife likes the way it looks. It's very clean looking.

[AhKwaB]

I ended up grabbing one as well! Lucked out and had some coupons in addition to the petsperks card.

After seeing the one set up at FishGallery I had to respark that reef/sw itch.

[black_knight]

It's probably got enough lighting for some zoas. Some small gobies would do ok and some sexy shrimp. The flow is ok.

[AhKwaB]

I plan to add some help in the lighting dept... either that or strip the lights and retro some crees.

The return is probably gonna be upgraded or there will be an additional output added along with a second pump.


Stocking is pretty set on some ORA clowns and if I can stabilize it enough, a RBTA