[davelp]

Hi all ive recently bought myself a spec 3 which is in the process of cycling.

Im looking to get a betta and maybe some red cherry shrimp.

My only concern is after researching bettas I now know they arent a lover of much flow in the tank but will the plants be ok if I reduce the flow? I want to avoid an algae outbreak as much as possible.

Im currently following ei dosing routine and using liquid carbon from tnc.

Plants wise I have rotala and hygrophila polysperma at the back and staurogyne repens at the front which id love to carpet.

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[touch of sky]

It shouldn't bother the plants to reduce the flow, but the current may not bother the betta, either. Just see how he does and react accordingly.
As for your fertilizing, I would be careful with the amount of dosing early on. You have very little plant mass at the moment, so you can reduce the ferts quite a bit until the plants get going (or add more plants).

 

[davelp]

Thanks for the advise all do quarter or half dose on the ei until they get going. I am a bit impatient so I'll most likely end up buying some staurogyne repens to jump start the carpet as its looking very bare at the moment.

As for the betta ill see how he goes with the flow how it is.
From reading up on the spec 3 the only way to reduce the flow even more is punching a few holes in the tubing for the outlet which theres no going back after that.

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[touch of sky]

I'd start with 1/4 dose, wait a few weeks and see how things go, then if you see growth, with no algae, you could gradually up it. Until you get a good plant mass, 1/4 dose may be enough.

I don't know how the flow works on this tank. Could you describe it.

 

[davelp]

Sounds like a plan. Id rather under do the ferts than over do it and get masses of algea.

Ill post a pic so you can see filter set up on them

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[davelp]

Pump sits right at the bottom and comes up some tubing then to the outlet

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[touch of sky]

Can you attach a spray bar to it?

 

[BK-201]

I'm liking the setup so far! check this thread out for some modification ideas: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/9-equipment/200283-all-fluval-spec-mods.html

 

[davelp]

Good idea!
I cant find anywhere that sells a spray bar attachment for it but im sure ill be able to make something up if the betta doesnt like the flow.

Nice mods, I love the plant growing out the filter compartment... Might have to steal that idea

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[davelp]

What do you guys think about adding some dwarf hairgrass in the mix as well?
Or should I just stick with the staurogyne repens for the entire front?

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[BK-201]

Good idea!
I cant find anywhere that sells a spray bar attachment for it but im sure ill be able to make something up if the betta doesnt like the flow.

Nice mods, I love the plant growing out the filter compartment... Might have to steal that idea

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Feel free to!, I just made that recently and I'll see how it works out!

 

[davelp]

Just came across the original pic that I uploaded which looked a bit bare so I thought id post the progress so far