My New Fluval Spec V - Reef Starter

minhdh

New member
I've been away from the hobby way too long. I was in high school when I started. I had 5 gallon tanks - building my own pond, freshwater fish and saltwater, never a reef though.
I stopped the hobby when I left for college and now I'm 30 and back at it but on a much smaller scale. I moved back to NJ and now reside in Weehawken, NJ, right outside of New York City. I purchased a Fluval Spec V and fell back in love, this time with reef. I started this tank about a month ago. I am very new to corals and the reef world. Any suggestions and speculation is welcome. Below is what I've done and have so far:

Fluval Spec V:
- Stock pump, hood, exhaust nozzle
- Finnex FugeRay Marine and II Aquarium LED Light, 16"
- Matrix media, filter floss, and chaeto algae in the filter
- Fluval Spec Media Basket by inTank
- Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Water Circulation Pump
- Aqueon 50 watt Pro Heater

Started my tank with just the following:
- Carib Sea ACS00905 Ocean Direct Natural Live Sand for Aquarium, 5-Pound
- Nutri-SeaWater from LFS
- Live Rock 4 lbs from LFS

Supplements and chemicals:
- Revive for any new coral I'm introducing
- Seachem Stability 250ml
- Chemipure Elite for Aquarium, 11.74-Ounce (have not used yet)
- Seachem Reef Plus 500ml

I've slowly introduced live stock to the tank within 1 month. I know that's not slow but with all the live water, rock and sand I didn't know if I should have started slower.
Week 1 - Anyhow, within 3 days of setting up the tank, I added an ocellaris clown. He seemed fine for a week and I would check my water every other day. Everything checked out, no spikes in ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. PH was at 8.0 and salinity 1.024.

Week 2 - Then I purchased a frag star-polyp from the LFS, also seemed to be doing well for the next week. Checked my water quality, everything checked out at 0. I also put in 3 hermit crabs and 2 snails to keep the tank clean.

Week 3 - Couldn't say no. My uncle lives 3hrs away and has a 175 gallon reef. Sickest tank I've ever seen. He was coming to see family and I asked him for 1 anemone. I saw him and he had a 1 quart cup with about 40 anemones ranging from .5in to about 2in each. Needless to say I was hesitant to take them all but I had no choice. They were in the cup for about 7 hrs total and I didn't know if they were going to make it. Got home, threw everything into revive for about 5-8min and put everything in my tank. Even threw some down the drain by accident :/ Anyhow, it looks like all of them survived and are doing great!! I am willing to trade if anyone wants to. I'll post some pictures. They are beautiful!!

Week 4 - Water parameters are still at 0 and everything looks great. No spikes. I add another ocellaris clown, a bi-color blenny and a cleaner shrimp. At this point my fiance wants to kill me for buying so much stuff. I put some cheato algae in the back filter, I hope it lives. It has some light but not direct light. I know I don't have a protein skimmer but I didn't want to have the tank look so crazy. Hence more water changes and chaeto algae. Everything was fine but then after 2 days I had an algae bloom. The tank water became cloudy and the glass was tinted green. I was about to purchase a HOB UV filter but I decided to wait. I turned off the light for 1 day and didn't feed them. The next day it was almost all clear and the following was crystal clear. Clean up crew and no light did a great job to get rid of the algae. BTW water parameters were still at 0 but my PH did increase to about 8.3. I think it's still ok. Currently, everything is still alive except a snail and my water is still great! I guess I got lucky. But who's to say, it's only been 5 weeks.

Live stock in the tank:
- 2 ocellaris clown
- 1 Bi-color Blenny
- 1 green star polyp frag
- 1 cleaner shrimp
- 2 snails, 3 hermit crabs
- ~40 unknown anemones, I think they are bubble tip but not sure, any suggestions?
- 1 coral, I'm not even sure what it is but it made the long journey
 

Attachments

  • 20160222_130238__1456167659_74.105.76.199.jpg
    20160222_130238__1456167659_74.105.76.199.jpg
    52.1 KB · Views: 3
  • 20160220_100507__1456167583_74.105.76.199.jpg
    20160220_100507__1456167583_74.105.76.199.jpg
    44.7 KB · Views: 3
  • 20160220_100441__1456167685_74.105.76.199.jpg
    20160220_100441__1456167685_74.105.76.199.jpg
    55 KB · Views: 2
  • 20160215_193239__1456167729_74.105.76.199.jpg
    20160215_193239__1456167729_74.105.76.199.jpg
    44.6 KB · Views: 3
  • 20160210_182408__1456167777_74.105.76.199.jpg
    20160210_182408__1456167777_74.105.76.199.jpg
    60.6 KB · Views: 2
Last edited:
I've got the spec V also. I find the stock pump to give enough flow. Your corals don't seem too happy. Might have started putting corals in too soon.
 
I've got the spec V also. I find the stock pump to give enough flow. Your corals don't seem too happy. Might have started putting corals in too soon.

I had no choice when I added the coral. Didn't even know it was in there with the anemones my uncle gave me. I have a bi-color blenny and I think he ate it. But it still might come back. What do you have in your tank BeachVacationer? Post some photos?
 
You would want to use bayer pesticide as a dip as it gets more things then revive.

2 clowns in a 5 gallon is cruel. They swim more then most think and should have a minimum of a 20 gallon tank.

You are going to fast with your tank and in doing so increasing your risk greatly for a significant crash. With an aquarium that small you also need to decide to have a nem or corals. Typically can't have both as the nems will walk or simply open up stinging everything in the tank...
 
You would want to use bayer pesticide as a dip as it gets more things then revive.

2 clowns in a 5 gallon is cruel. They swim more then most think and should have a minimum of a 20 gallon tank.

You are going to fast with your tank and in doing so increasing your risk greatly for a significant crash. With an aquarium that small you also need to decide to have a nem or corals. Typically can't have both as the nems will walk or simply open up stinging everything in the tank...

I don't agree that it's cruel to have two clowns in my 5 gallon. They are very small, about 1 inch each and according to the pet store, they've been around for a while. If I had a larger tank I'm sure they would be happier but I don't plan to get anymore fish.

I agree with you that the anemones will sting coral and will take your advice. Did I go in way too fast if everything is still alive though? Water quality is still up to par. Do you know what kind of anemone that is?

Thanks for your input.
 
If you dont agree then you need to read up on the clowns and if your LFS reinforced that notion you need to never listen to them again. Size of a fish is not the end game of what size tank they should be in. Different fish have different swimming and territory needs and you are not meeting those with a 5 gallon tank for a single clown let alone 2. You can stomp your feet, put hands over your ears, and sing na na all you want but its cruel. Will they die because of it? No but that doesnt make it right.

Yes regardless of whether things are living you went to fast. A tank can turn on a dime and go from fine one moment to dead the next and you have set the table for such by stocking so fast especially with nems that if one dies they can quickly nuke a tank.
 
My New Fluval Spec V - Reef Starter

I've been away from the hobby way too long. I was in high school when I started. I had 5 gallon tanks - building my own pond, freshwater fish and saltwater, never a reef though.

I stopped the hobby when I left for college and now I'm 30 and back at it but on a much smaller scale. I moved back to NJ and now reside in Weehawken, NJ, right outside of New York City. I purchased a Fluval Spec V and fell back in love, this time with reef. I started this tank about a month ago. I am very new to corals and the reef world. Any suggestions and speculation is welcome. Below is what I've done and have so far:



Fluval Spec V:

- Stock pump, hood, exhaust nozzle

- Finnex FugeRay Marine and II Aquarium LED Light, 16"

- Matrix media, filter floss, and chaeto algae in the filter

- Fluval Spec Media Basket by inTank

- Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Water Circulation Pump

- Aqueon 50 watt Pro Heater



Started my tank with just the following:

- Carib Sea ACS00905 Ocean Direct Natural Live Sand for Aquarium, 5-Pound

- Nutri-SeaWater from LFS

- Live Rock 4 lbs from LFS



Supplements and chemicals:

- Revive for any new coral I'm introducing

- Seachem Stability 250ml

- Chemipure Elite for Aquarium, 11.74-Ounce (have not used yet)

- Seachem Reef Plus 500ml



I've slowly introduced live stock to the tank within 1 month. I know that's not slow but with all the live water, rock and sand I didn't know if I should have started slower.

Week 1 - Anyhow, within 3 days of setting up the tank, I added an ocellaris clown. He seemed fine for a week and I would check my water every other day. Everything checked out, no spikes in ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. PH was at 8.0 and salinity 1.024.



Week 2 - Then I purchased a frag star-polyp from the LFS, also seemed to be doing well for the next week. Checked my water quality, everything checked out at 0. I also put in 3 hermit crabs and 2 snails to keep the tank clean.



Week 3 - Couldn't say no. My uncle lives 3hrs away and has a 175 gallon reef. Sickest tank I've ever seen. He was coming to see family and I asked him for 1 anemone. I saw him and he had a 1 quart cup with about 40 anemones ranging from .5in to about 2in each. Needless to say I was hesitant to take them all but I had no choice. They were in the cup for about 7 hrs total and I didn't know if they were going to make it. Got home, threw everything into revive for about 5-8min and put everything in my tank. Even threw some down the drain by accident :/ Anyhow, it looks like all of them survived and are doing great!! I am willing to trade if anyone wants to. I'll post some pictures. They are beautiful!!



Week 4 - Water parameters are still at 0 and everything looks great. No spikes. I add another ocellaris clown, a bi-color blenny and a cleaner shrimp. At this point my fiance wants to kill me for buying so much stuff. I put some cheato algae in the back filter, I hope it lives. It has some light but not direct light. I know I don't have a protein skimmer but I didn't want to have the tank look so crazy. Hence more water changes and chaeto algae. Everything was fine but then after 2 days I had an algae bloom. The tank water became cloudy and the glass was tinted green. I was about to purchase a HOB UV filter but I decided to wait. I turned off the light for 1 day and didn't feed them. The next day it was almost all clear and the following was crystal clear. Clean up crew and no light did a great job to get rid of the algae. BTW water parameters were still at 0 but my PH did increase to about 8.3. I think it's still ok. Currently, everything is still alive except a snail and my water is still great! I guess I got lucky. But who's to say, it's only been 5 weeks.



Live stock in the tank:

- 2 ocellaris clown

- 1 Bi-color Blenny

- 1 green star polyp frag

- 1 cleaner shrimp

- 2 snails, 3 hermit crabs

- ~40 unknown anemones, I think they are bubble tip but not sure, any suggestions?

- 1 coral, I'm not even sure what it is but it made the long journey


I know everyone else on here has said the same thing but after reading your first post, one word came to mind, patience. I'm not going to be a dick, but I too believe you did not properly plan for this tank. All additions are at your discretion, but adding 40 nems to a tank that small and new? You don't need to be a bio major to understand ecosystem requirements. With that much livestock, I can't believe you are providing the best environment possible.
 
I understand what everyone is saying and get that everyone has their own opinion. I honestly would have liked to take more time to put things in my tank but since I was brought 40 anemones at one time, it was either I flush them or give them a chance in my tank. I was thinking of giving some away to my lfs but everything looks to be doing well in my tank. I've seen tanks way overstocked than mine before and people are going to do what they want. My water quality has not suffered nor has any of my livestock died. If it gets out of control, I'll remove and give away. I appreciate everyone's opinion but it's your opinion. You can have a 500 gallon tank and keep two fish in there, doesn't mean they won't die on you.

BTW I'm a biology major.
 
You should have left the last line out. Nothing worse then someone who studies lifeforms and should know better than doing what you are doing...

It is not about whether a fish will live or die but about giving the proper home for the lifeform in your care. It is not an opinion that the tank is too small for your clowns. IE I can keep my lab alive for his entire life in a dog crate but it isn't the right thing to do.

But its fine. Your dense and a college know it all. I will unsubscribe to ensure I don't continue to see your posts as you already know everything.....
 
You should have left the last line out. Nothing worse then someone who studies lifeforms and should know better than doing what you are doing...

It is not about whether a fish will live or die but about giving the proper home for the lifeform in your care. It is not an opinion that the tank is too small for your clowns. IE I can keep my lab alive for his entire life in a dog crate but it isn't the right thing to do.

But its fine. Your dense and a college know it all. I will unsubscribe to ensure I don't continue to see your posts as you already know everything.....

I actually have two large dogs that are loved and happy. You apparently did not go to college and quite bitter. I don't know it all and that's why I joined the forum, for people's opinions and to see what everyone is doing with their reefs tanks. Dogs are very much different than fish, so you're comparing two living things that have very different needs. Here's a quick lesson for you, before you comment in a forum, make useful and helpful suggestions everything else is just noise. Glad you left.

I don't think having two clown fish (1.25 inch) in a 5 gallon is torture, we do what we can to keep our fish and reef happy. Some of use don't have the luxury of a larger tank. The fish could be in someone else's tank and die for a number of reasons, mine are alive and seem to be doing well.
 
Found out all the anemones I have were majano otherwise pests and sting coral. I didn't want these guys in my tank anymore so I removed them all. No LFS wanted them so I ended up taking out all my LR and put it outside. I bought new LR for the LFS as one large 4.2 lb piece; chiseled and sculpted a new aquascape. I now have introduced the following frags: Zoanthids, candy cane coral and a cup coral. I've posed some pictures.
 

Attachments

  • 20160303_170942__1457043767_173.70.135.194.jpg
    20160303_170942__1457043767_173.70.135.194.jpg
    35.4 KB · Views: 2
  • 20160303_170953__1457043785_173.70.135.194.jpg
    20160303_170953__1457043785_173.70.135.194.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 2
  • 20160303_171014__1457043814_173.70.135.194.jpg
    20160303_171014__1457043814_173.70.135.194.jpg
    39.3 KB · Views: 2
  • 20160303_170927__1457043706_173.70.135.194.jpg
    20160303_170927__1457043706_173.70.135.194.jpg
    39.9 KB · Views: 2
Back
Top