You are going to want to start off with at least 10 cherry shrimp. Also because fire shrimp are so cheap now you might want to start off with those instead. They are just as hardy and better looking IMO. Neon tetras might not be best with the shrimp. I have had neons and cardinals with shrimps and once they were removed from the tank the shrimp came out a lot more. You might want to look into some small nano fish: Dario Dario, CPD, Chili Rasboras. A school of neon tetras would be a bit much for such a small tank.
New to the hobby & Fluval Spec 5 gal
Hi everyone!
I'm very new to this hobby and I'm interested in starting my first planted tank ever. I have been researching and absorbing everything I can before I start. I wanted to start on a small scale - definitely low tech.
The tank I am interested in (planning to purchase this weekend) is the Fluval spec 5 gallon. I've read all the reviews about the tank I could find and I am getting a lot of conflicting information - especially about the 7500k LED light. Does anyone currently own the tank that could give me some feedback on their thoughts about the tank/light.
I wanted to do a run down of my plans and would greatly appreciate guidance with this project.
The substrate I will be using is the Fluval Stratum (the ones for shrimps).
Fauna (not sure if this is overkill for a 5 gallon but...) 2 cherry shrimps, a school of neon tetras or (male) guppies.
The hardscape will be driftwood (I'm currently soaking to get rid of some of the tannins) and zebra rocks.
Flora I am interested in (have not yet purchased) are low-light plants...java ferns, java moss, anubias. I was also interested in some floaters (I'm not sure what types yet -- recommendations welcome!). In addition, I was hoping to establish some type of carpet but I am worried that the light will not be sufficient since I read most carpets require high light levels.
With that size tank, I'm not sure if it's necessary to dose/fertilize...I am not interested in using CO2 supplementation. I have already bought the heater/thermometer, and water test kit. I do plan on doing a fishless cycle.
Very very new with all this but very excited to get into it. Thank you in advance for any input/advice
I'm very new to this hobby and I'm interested in starting my first planted tank ever. I have been researching and absorbing everything I can before I start. I wanted to start on a small scale - definitely low tech.
The tank I am interested in (planning to purchase this weekend) is the Fluval spec 5 gallon. I've read all the reviews about the tank I could find and I am getting a lot of conflicting information - especially about the 7500k LED light. Does anyone currently own the tank that could give me some feedback on their thoughts about the tank/light.
I wanted to do a run down of my plans and would greatly appreciate guidance with this project.
The substrate I will be using is the Fluval Stratum (the ones for shrimps).
Fauna (not sure if this is overkill for a 5 gallon but...) 2 cherry shrimps, a school of neon tetras or (male) guppies.
The hardscape will be driftwood (I'm currently soaking to get rid of some of the tannins) and zebra rocks.
Flora I am interested in (have not yet purchased) are low-light plants...java ferns, java moss, anubias. I was also interested in some floaters (I'm not sure what types yet -- recommendations welcome!). In addition, I was hoping to establish some type of carpet but I am worried that the light will not be sufficient since I read most carpets require high light levels.
With that size tank, I'm not sure if it's necessary to dose/fertilize...I am not interested in using CO2 supplementation. I have already bought the heater/thermometer, and water test kit. I do plan on doing a fishless cycle.
Very very new with all this but very excited to get into it. Thank you in advance for any input/advice
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We bought the tank earlier than expected!
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Here is the flora we chose:
- Java fern
- Anubias nana
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Heianthus (feeling bold!) for an attempted carpet
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Hardscape is just a piece of rock. I still have the drift wood soaking but I liked the way the rock looked so it stays.
No fauna yet. I'm still thinking about it and I keep changing my mind. It will be nano fish of some type ...
Here is the tank set up (will take better photos when the bubbles clear).
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Substrate is just fluval stratum.
I love how neat the fluval spec is! All the hard ware is tucked in at the back. The filter is VERY quiet.
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I was hoping the stock lights were a bit brighter...but they will be replaced sometime in the future (not any time soon)
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QUESTION: Given that the stock light is a LED 7500k which will be left on for 6 hours a day - is that sufficient to keep the plants alive? I currently do not have a CO2 system - possibly will pick one up down the road. Would you recommend me dosing flourish Excel?
Any other recommendations? Suggestions?
Here is the flora we chose:
- Java fern
- Anubias nana
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Heianthus (feeling bold!) for an attempted carpet
Hardscape is just a piece of rock. I still have the drift wood soaking but I liked the way the rock looked so it stays.
No fauna yet. I'm still thinking about it and I keep changing my mind. It will be nano fish of some type ...
Here is the tank set up (will take better photos when the bubbles clear).
Substrate is just fluval stratum.
I love how neat the fluval spec is! All the hard ware is tucked in at the back. The filter is VERY quiet.
I was hoping the stock lights were a bit brighter...but they will be replaced sometime in the future (not any time soon)
QUESTION: Given that the stock light is a LED 7500k which will be left on for 6 hours a day - is that sufficient to keep the plants alive? I currently do not have a CO2 system - possibly will pick one up down the road. Would you recommend me dosing flourish Excel?
Any other recommendations? Suggestions?
Update on the tank, can see it better now that most of the bubbles are gone.
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3
Thanks everyone for the feed back
I had time to assimilate everyone's response before I ran off to Big Al's this morning. I by-passed the fluval CO2 kit and bought flourish excel as recommended. I also picked up the flourish root tabs -- I have to ask though, is it overkill if I use the root tabs since I have the fluval stratum?
I thought I would try my luck out. If the HC dies, then I'll venture to either the fluval CO2 or DIY CO2.
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Went ahead and gave the first 'shock' dose of fluval excel just a few minutes ago.
The tank is looking good so far. Updated photo:
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One concern I had is that I noticed the rock was 'crumbling' ...I went back to my receipt and found out it was a travatine tufa and the majority of the information I found about the rock was that it was more popular in reefs/salt water but it was also perfectly safe to use in freshwater - can some one confirm? In any case, I read that it was just calcium carbonate that was crumbling and would affect pH of tank
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I have a water test kit - will use it sometime tonight and give parameter readings. Still no fauna...still undecided.
I had time to assimilate everyone's response before I ran off to Big Al's this morning. I by-passed the fluval CO2 kit and bought flourish excel as recommended. I also picked up the flourish root tabs -- I have to ask though, is it overkill if I use the root tabs since I have the fluval stratum?
I thought I would try my luck out. If the HC dies, then I'll venture to either the fluval CO2 or DIY CO2.
Went ahead and gave the first 'shock' dose of fluval excel just a few minutes ago.
The tank is looking good so far. Updated photo:
One concern I had is that I noticed the rock was 'crumbling' ...I went back to my receipt and found out it was a travatine tufa and the majority of the information I found about the rock was that it was more popular in reefs/salt water but it was also perfectly safe to use in freshwater - can some one confirm? In any case, I read that it was just calcium carbonate that was crumbling and would affect pH of tank
I have a water test kit - will use it sometime tonight and give parameter readings. Still no fauna...still undecided.
2
Here's mine that's been setup about 2 months (probably about the same yours has been setup now). Stock light, no ferts, recently switched from caribsea sand to ecocomplete. Swords are doing fantastic. The roots were about 6 inches long when I pulled them out and the total size of each plant has doubled since planting. The microswords are growing quite slowly but still look great. Java moss on the driftwood is a more recent addition and seems to be growing. Only snails, copepods, and scuds inhabiting at the moment.
How is yours doing?
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Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
How is yours doing?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
I just set my Spec up last night so the water is still cloudy in the picture. I have added 2 ecoxotic 8k stunner strips to the standard stock lighting in case I want to grow higher light plants. I currently have no idea what livestock or plants I plan on putting in the tank!
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