I scored a Spec V on Freecycle a week ago, so I decided to make it a planted nano. I've been reading a lot on TPT and am still working on the scape. In fact, this tank is what led me to join TPT. My score was extra awesome and included an upgraded light and heater that fits in the compartment. I DIYed some slate decorations and started planting a few days ago.
Current Specs:
The tank got a cycle boost with water and filter media from my 10 gallon. Once the levels even out, I'm most likely going to move my school of eight Strawberry Rasboras (Boraras naevus) into this tank. They're currently housed in the 10 gallon with three male guppies, but they don't seem very happy with their tank mates. They spent two weeks in there prior to getting the guppies and their behavior changed dramatically with the addition. Originally, I was hoping the Spec V would be a betta tank, but I'd rather make my current fish happy. Being a micro fish that tops at 1/2", the school should fit nicely in the Spec V and still be easy on the bioload. If that works out, I'll give them some shrimp tank mates for a bit more color.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Questions/comments/suggestions welcome.
Current Specs:
Substrate is CaribSea Eco-Complete (I think the color said "onyx" or "midnight")
Sand is from my LFS and is called "garnet"
Plants are: Coffeefolia (Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia), Broadleaf Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens), Bacopa (Bacopa australis), and Egeria (Egeria densa). The little tree is made from Amano branches and some Java Moss (Vesicularia dudyana). (The terra cotta pot is just hanging out temporarily, housing some extra Java Moss. It will get moved to another tank.) I have since picked up some water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and some sword-like plants (the names escape me at the moment and I don't want to go hunt for my receipt) to sort of fill in the front/sides of the tank a bit more. I'll post an update after planting.
Light appears to be a Fluval LED Strip Light, or at least that's the closest match I can find.
Heater is a Top Fin 25watt adjustable and is doing quite a nice job of keeping the temperature where I want it.
Current fauna is a snail, most likely a Ramshorn (he was free and unidentified). The guppy in the picture was just being temporarily housed there for an hour while I made some adjustments to the 10 gallon.
The tank got a cycle boost with water and filter media from my 10 gallon. Once the levels even out, I'm most likely going to move my school of eight Strawberry Rasboras (Boraras naevus) into this tank. They're currently housed in the 10 gallon with three male guppies, but they don't seem very happy with their tank mates. They spent two weeks in there prior to getting the guppies and their behavior changed dramatically with the addition. Originally, I was hoping the Spec V would be a betta tank, but I'd rather make my current fish happy. Being a micro fish that tops at 1/2", the school should fit nicely in the Spec V and still be easy on the bioload. If that works out, I'll give them some shrimp tank mates for a bit more color.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Questions/comments/suggestions welcome.