New Fluval Spec III

jills · 10-11-2012, 09:42 PM

I have just ordered a new Fluval Spec III. This will be my first attempt at a Nano. I have 2 planted tanks now, a 72 gal bowfront and a 55 gal. I would like to plant the Nano with something that would be a great carpet, maybe HC or glossostigma? Any other suggestions? The tank size is 2.6 gal, 8x8x10. The light that comes with it is
7500°K high luminosity LEDs (31 White LEDs). My question is will this light be enough to grow a good carpet or do I need to consider something else? If something else, I'm open to suggestions. I will not use CO2, but will use Flourish. Thanks for any info!

somewhatshocked · 10-11-2012, 10:18 PM

The Spec fixtures aren't strong enough for anything beyond lower light plants.

In order to grow a carpeting plant successfully (something other than moss), you'll also likely need DIY CO2 at a minimum. Flourish Comprehensive won't cut it and Excel likely won't give you the results you're expecting.

jills · 10-11-2012, 10:52 PM

Can you recommend better lighting for this tank? I don't want to spend over $100 for lighting. Thanks!

smirkis · 10-11-2012, 11:04 PM

fluval spec 3? i have a fluval spec and its only 2gal, the next one up was a 5gal long i believe. im curious if we have the same tanks, or if u have one thats really .6gal larger lol.

the stock light is enough to grow moss and low-light demanding plants (not many! lol). a cheap upgrade would be the fluval flourscent which can be had for 30-40 dollars online. im still using the stock light and my plants have been growing great for the month i've had the tank. when i upgrade, im either getting the fluval compact flourscent or some LED light my LFS has for under 50 bucks. good luck and post pics when you get a chance!

jills · 10-11-2012, 11:16 PM

Fluval just came out with this Spec III. I ordered it from Fosters and Smith. I will take a look at the Fluval fluorescent. I would love to have a Kessil light, but way out of my budget and I think overkill for such a small tank.

smirkis · 10-11-2012, 11:33 PM

now that i looked at it, it has a different LED light then the normal fluval spec. not sure what it would compare to, but i assume it might be better then mine. both have 31 leds, but mines "ample" and yours is "high luminosity". it may be hard to compare it to a light u don't have, but it should be better? i say try it first, and just be ready to upgrade as soon as you realize its not quite cutting it.

**SpecGrrl** · 10-12-2012, 12:30 AM

Oh! So interested in hearing about your experience!

I think the Spec 2 light is fine for low light.

The Spec V light leaves a lot to be desired in comparison.

fquercus · 12-04-2012, 09:21 PM

Is the difference between the Spec and Spec III an additional 0.8 gallons and a updated led fixture?

Basil · 12-05-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fquercus

Is the difference between the Spec and Spec III an additional 0.8 gallons and a updated led fixture?

That's it. As for a different light many Spec owners go for the Fluval 13 watt PC fixture.

10-11-2012, 09:42 PM	#1
jills Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 16	New Fluval Spec III I have just ordered a new Fluval Spec III. This will be my first attempt at a Nano. I have 2 planted tanks now, a 72 gal bowfront and a 55 gal. I would like to plant the Nano with something that would be a great carpet, maybe HC or glossostigma? Any other suggestions? The tank size is 2.6 gal, 8x8x10. The light that comes with it is 7500°K high luminosity LEDs (31 White LEDs). My question is will this light be enough to grow a good carpet or do I need to consider something else? If something else, I'm open to suggestions. I will not use CO2, but will use Flourish. Thanks for any info!

10-11-2012, 10:18 PM	#2
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (262/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,572	The Spec fixtures aren't strong enough for anything beyond lower light plants. In order to grow a carpeting plant successfully (something other than moss), you'll also likely need DIY CO2 at a minimum. Flourish Comprehensive won't cut it and Excel likely won't give you the results you're expecting. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal Tigers \| 20cm Cubes

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10-11-2012, 10:52 PM	#3
jills Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 16	Can you recommend better lighting for this tank? I don't want to spend over $100 for lighting. Thanks!

10-11-2012, 11:04 PM	#4
smirkis Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 18	fluval spec 3? i have a fluval spec and its only 2gal, the next one up was a 5gal long i believe. im curious if we have the same tanks, or if u have one thats really .6gal larger lol. the stock light is enough to grow moss and low-light demanding plants (not many! lol). a cheap upgrade would be the fluval flourscent which can be had for 30-40 dollars online. im still using the stock light and my plants have been growing great for the month i've had the tank. when i upgrade, im either getting the fluval compact flourscent or some LED light my LFS has for under 50 bucks. good luck and post pics when you get a chance!

10-11-2012, 11:16 PM	#5
jills Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 16	Fluval just came out with this Spec III. I ordered it from Fosters and Smith. I will take a look at the Fluval fluorescent. I would love to have a Kessil light, but way out of my budget and I think overkill for such a small tank.

10-11-2012, 11:33 PM	#6
smirkis Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 18	now that i looked at it, it has a different LED light then the normal fluval spec. not sure what it would compare to, but i assume it might be better then mine. both have 31 leds, but mines "ample" and yours is "high luminosity". it may be hard to compare it to a light u don't have, but it should be better? i say try it first, and just be ready to upgrade as soon as you realize its not quite cutting it.

10-12-2012, 12:30 AM	#7
SpecGrrl Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 1,571	Oh! So interested in hearing about your experience! I think the Spec 2 light is fine for low light. The Spec V light leaves a lot to be desired in comparison.

12-04-2012, 09:21 PM	#8
fquercus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: CA, USA Posts: 9	Is the difference between the Spec and Spec III an additional 0.8 gallons and a updated led fixture?