5.5 Gallon Fluvel Spec V start up

[Brownbear88]

so im getting ready to start a pico tank, 5.5 Gallon Fluvel Spec V start up, and just wanted to get some thoughts from some of yall. Any advice on equipment and such that i might want to mod? as of right now everything is stock, using live rock rubble, some foam and carbon. Currently the tank is cycling and looking to be up and running by november sometime. Any helpful information would be awesome. Thanks

[nanoman28g]

I would suggest to get an ATO like the one from Tunze. I have a Tunze nano osmolator and love it!. Maybe get an AI prime or a Kessil A160WE for lighting. I love my A160WE personally. No experience for that particular tank for me(sorry).

[Brownbear88]

thanks for the lighting tips, those are more reasonable with price then some of the others I've been looking at

[nanoman28g]

thanks for the lighting tips, those are more reasonable with price then some of the others I've been looking at
No problem. I have heard great things about the PRIME, plus no controller is necessary since it has built in WiFi, which is very cool.

[nanoman28g]

How long is that tank?

[Dean]

so im getting ready to start a pico tank, 5.5 Gallon Fluvel Spec V start up, and just wanted to get some thoughts from some of yall. Any advice on equipment and such that i might want to mod? as of right now everything is stock, using live rock rubble, some foam and carbon. Currently the tank is cycling and looking to be up and running by november sometime. Any helpful information would be awesome. Thanks


What types of coral do you plan to grow?
We have a Spec V that we have had up and running for almost 2 years now. We have softies, a few LPS, and an encrusting monti that has actually shown some growth using a very inexpensive Current Orbit programmable LED light. All of the above mentioned coral have great color and growth under this light in this tank.

[Brownbear88]

Yeah I really just want to do you softies and some LPS. SPS is still out of my experience level at this point I don't want to kill something lol but tank is 17 1/4 long

[Dean]

The Current Orbit 18-24" Marine light fits perfect over the tank. I have ours set at about 25% white and 50% blue and softies and LPS grow great. Not to mention it's $105 on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFTK7CQ/ref=rr_xsim_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444747581&sr=0

[12_Egg_Omelette]

What's your budget? That's probably the biggest question. In a small nano an ATO that takes up the least amount of space is vital in my opinion. I would look at the Puratek ATO extremely small, quiet and reliable. The sensor can be placed outside the tank and can see through plastic.

For lighting I would take a look at reefled.ca they have awesome par lights that are full spectrum sharp looking and wifi enabled. A buddy of mine just got one for his 5 gallon pico.

Not sure if you have live rock but look at Tampa bay saltwater. I would look at using a small package of chemi pure blue nano in your rear chamber/sump area.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brownbear88]

seeing as this is just a second tank to my main, i want to stay on the cheaper end of things. As far as a ATO I'm not too too concerned about that at the moment, i stay up on that for the time being i should be fine, something to think about in the long run. Dean those look like what I'm going to go with, awesome price!!!

[Brownbear88]

Going to go get something small to put in here any thoughts??? Might just start with some hermits or crabs to see if its fully cycled27435

[Zack]

I'd definitely check your parameters. You should be able to tell if your cycle is done without adding animals. As for stock, I've seen some sweet 5 gallons with the small yellow gobys or citron gobys.

[Brownbear88]

That's what I got. Also I agree always check

[Dean]

Here's a pic of our Spec V with the light I was telling you about.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/012b27bd7357c690149845b2932e12a5.jpg

SPS Encrusting Mystic Sunset Montipora The light will grow out SPS. I have t tried any acro but this monti is growing well with the light set not to go any higher than 50% intensity.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/3b8873abb317f99e06329d03def721a7.jpg

Some LPS varieties.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/b832296be826aa39aabd0d62a9067a9d.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/33d1cd3d229e0cb6f15e277be457ea7b.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/37df6fca1fc1eb35e6b2499786b2f3bb.jpg

[Brownbear88]

Dean, what's your filtration setup like? Right now I have a lot of lr and about 5lb of sand, in the back half of the stock foam filter with lr and carbon, water changes once a week like the 36 gallon, any suggestions?? Pics look AWESOME, will be ordering the lighting fixture this week

[Dean]

This tank has been running for nearly two years now and depends solely on natural filtration between the coral, sand, liverock, and rubble in the back compartment. There is also a black sponge at the top of the back compartment just under the water level that houses a hoard of bristle worms to keep up with any uneaten food that I feed the fish. Water changes are done when the glass starts getting dust algae on it. Maybe once a month or so.

I would not suggest such limited maintenance on a new tank though. Keep up with 10% water changes and don't overstock it with fish or inverts. If you like the look of soft corals such as Xenia and Kenya trees they do help significantly with nutrient export. I think they are perfect for a small table AIO tank.

[Brownbear88]

That's exactly what I was thinking, I have a lot of live rock in the tank and a good amount of sand. How big is the black sponge at the top of the back chamber? I basically took the stock one and cut off the top compartment. I can add loads of live rock in the back as well. Thanks for the help btw, small tanks I am definitely not experienced in lol

[Brownbear88]

Also only have one purple firefish in there and that's it, all I wanted. He's eating just keeps hidden. Only been in there around 3 days so expected this much.

[Dean]

I cut the sponge to fit the opening of the left rear chamber and its is about 2" thick. When doing your routine maintenance make sure you clean out the rear chambers every couple of weeks to a month also. Blow of any rubble you have back there. If you don't keep it clean it will be a nitrate factory. The key to a successful nano is definitely keeping a tedious maintenance schedule.
Glad I could help. :)

[Brownbear88]

love the lights dean, very clean and great color27475

[Brownbear88]

did also want to ask dean what, if any, powerhead to you have in the tank?

[Dean]

That light looks nice! I just have the stock return pump with out the diffuser fitting in it. It creates plenty of flow for softies and LPS.

[Atti2de]

Nice to see another SpecV I love mine. I'm running AI prime light, just got it. Before that I had the USA marine light on it. I've upgraded the return pump and I have only purigen and cheato in the rear chamber. Post up pics of your progress, I just started messing with my spec again. I have two baby snow flakes, yellow watchman and a fire shrimp in there now. As well as 2 sexy shrimp and small CUC.

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