Planning to set up a Fluval Spec V...

Tempdoom · 01/27/2016, 12:42 PM

I love reefs and I love tiny tanks. Ever since I set up a little FW cherry shrimp tank I have been captivated almost as much as my 30gal reef tank. I've been looking into setting up a pico reef, and I want to use an aquarium that has an overflow. The best candidate so far is the 5 Gallon Fluval Spec 5. It has a 3 stage filter but is designed for freshwater setups. Is there anyone that owns one that could suggest a better pump to replace(or supplement) the stock pump so I can get more flow for a reef setup? Also, any recommendations on lighting? I've fallen in love with LEDs but it seems tougher to figure out the best wattage unless you look at it over a tank, which you can't really do on Amazon. Thanks for any help in advance and if i forgot to answer some questions feel free to ask.

snulma1 · 01/27/2016, 01:54 PM

When I had a spec v I used a minijet 606 to upgrade my pump, and I also used my old mp10 for circulation as well (diales wayyyyyy down)

As for lighting, a par 38 on a gooseneck will fit and look clean, I ran that for a while

BeachVacationer · 01/27/2016, 10:38 PM

I have the Aquatop 118 gph NP-302 pump that I bought as an upgrade my stock spec v pump. It looked like it might fit with some trimming but I haven't actually tried installing it yet. Just haven't had time plus I'm not sure it's best for my little reef. The stock pump seems to create enough flow. I have gsp, acan, zoas, sinularia, torch, frogspawn, xenia, mushrooms, and rbtas. And they are all doing fine with stock pump. My tank is about 8 months old.

BeachVacationer · 01/27/2016, 10:43 PM

As for the leds, I think if you get about 20 watts of LEDs for the spec v, you can probably grow anything you want.

01/27/2016, 12:42 PM	#1
Tempdoom Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 34	Planning to set up a Fluval Spec V... I love reefs and I love tiny tanks. Ever since I set up a little FW cherry shrimp tank I have been captivated almost as much as my 30gal reef tank. I've been looking into setting up a pico reef, and I want to use an aquarium that has an overflow. The best candidate so far is the 5 Gallon Fluval Spec 5. It has a 3 stage filter but is designed for freshwater setups. Is there anyone that owns one that could suggest a better pump to replace(or supplement) the stock pump so I can get more flow for a reef setup? Also, any recommendations on lighting? I've fallen in love with LEDs but it seems tougher to figure out the best wattage unless you look at it over a tank, which you can't really do on Amazon. Thanks for any help in advance and if i forgot to answer some questions feel free to ask. __________________ NC28 mixed reef 60 gallon fresh planted 3 gallon cherry shrimp colony

01/27/2016, 01:54 PM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	When I had a spec v I used a minijet 606 to upgrade my pump, and I also used my old mp10 for circulation as well (diales wayyyyyy down) As for lighting, a par 38 on a gooseneck will fit and look clean, I ran that for a while

01/27/2016, 10:38 PM	#3
BeachVacationer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 546	I have the Aquatop 118 gph NP-302 pump that I bought as an upgrade my stock spec v pump. It looked like it might fit with some trimming but I haven't actually tried installing it yet. Just haven't had time plus I'm not sure it's best for my little reef. The stock pump seems to create enough flow. I have gsp, acan, zoas, sinularia, torch, frogspawn, xenia, mushrooms, and rbtas. And they are all doing fine with stock pump. My tank is about 8 months old.

01/27/2016, 10:43 PM	#4
BeachVacationer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 546	As for the leds, I think if you get about 20 watts of LEDs for the spec v, you can probably grow anything you want.