2.5 or Spec: Which is better for RCS?

Been having this discussion in my head for some time now (the voices, THE VOICES!)

The 2.5 is a great size and shape (long instead of tall) but I can't build one with a decent light & filter for any better price than the spec - and the spec looks "put together" for my desk at work, know what I mean? The Spec V looks fantastic, but might be a little big and get a little too much attention at the office.

That's exactly my dilemma! I don't mind buying all the pieces is need but it would look a little sloppy. I just love the wide shape, it makes it so much easier to decorate and I'd be able to fit quite a few more shrimp in there! Suh a hard choice.

JBJ Picotpe would be my vote in the price range. I owned the Spec, and while I loved it was an all in one unit, I did not like that it isn't a true rimless (metal strips on the front glass) and I did have to upgrade the light. The space isn't as useable as the picotope either, I prefer a wide rather than tall tank.

Saw this yesterday for the first time. Very slick:

http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Suppl...&ie=UTF8&qid=1341968090&sr=1-5&keywords=glass

Spec has a bunch better filter (huge surface area), unless you decide to get a bulky HOB for the 2.5g.

If I were you I'd get the new Spec V, but if it's going on the corner of a small desk get the regular 2g.

I like the new Spec but I don't know if my desk could sustain the weight of it, that's why I was hoping to stay smaller than 5g

As far as filtration goes, I have a spare 10g filter I was thinking of using. All I'd need would be a light

Wow, I always thought Penn-Pax = crappy little plastic stuff for the most part, but these look very clean:
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i:aps,k:penn plax radius&page=1
Their distribution must really suck for the better stuff, never saw them before.


That 3 gallon JBJ is very cool looking, the HOB not so much
EDIT: Cheapest I could find it, especially if you add another item to get over the free shipping mark:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15493

That 3 gallon JBJ is very cool looking, the HOB not so much
EDIT: Cheapest I could find it, especially if you add another item to get over the free shipping mark:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15493

Click to expand...

Exactly where I ordered from. They also have a 6500K replacement lamp you will want to use instead of the 50/50 bulb supplied. Should get you to free shipping. The HOB, while a bad color (purple), actually does a very good job for its size. I would probably run an AC20 on it though if it wasnt a simple betta tank for me.

Any idea what the 6500k bulb's item number is? (or the pin type) It's not on the tank page.

Any idea what the 6500k bulb's item number is? (or the pin type) It's not on the tank page.

Click to expand...

Any of these should work. I have the 6700K bulb.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11382

very cool, is the litle hob pretty quiet or do you get the waterfall effect?

It's super quiet. I have it on my desk at work and you can't even tell its running.

Well dammit the credit card is coming out then Was lusting after the Spec V but that seemed just a little to long for the office, this should make a nice shrimp/plant tank! (the light is probably a little more suited to plants to - going for low light anubis and what-not)

DONE! order placed, I'll be looking for shrimp in the trading room in a month or 2

Walmart sells this tank for $35 if I remember correctly.

Trickerie said:

Saw this yesterday for the first time. Very slick:

http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Suppl...&ie=UTF8&qid=1341968090&sr=1-5&keywords=glass

Click to expand...

Well dammit the credit card is coming out then Was lusting after the Spec V but that seemed just a little to long for the office, this should make a nice shrimp/plant tank! (the light is probably a little more suited to plants to - going for low light anubis and what-not)

DONE! order placed, I'll be looking for shrimp in the trading room in a month or 2

Click to expand...

Haha, glad I could help you spend money! I think you will enjoy the tank.

I might need to go check out walmart! That thing looks awesome!