Spec V vs Sea Evo

[Friendly]

they appear to be identical aside from the light.

 

I'm making this post to check in case there is something that I missed?

 

I just bought a Spec V with the plan of making a Betta south Asia biotope, but this pico reef has grabbed my attention and I want to know more.

 

can anyone advise what I need to do, if anything, to use the Spec V?

 

yesterday I purchased the following off Amazon:

- Fluval Spec V
- Hydro 50w Heater
- Signstek SS Aquarium-scaping Tools
- Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temp Controller
- Leviton LT113-10W Digital Timer w/Remote
- Mag Float 30 Cleaner
- Fluval Edge Pre-filter 3pk
- Coralife Digital Thermometer
- API Master Test kit
- Seachem Flourish Excel
- Seachem Prime & The Bag
- Fluval SPEC Biomax
- Glass droppers for the Additives

 

I would like LR and hopefully simple soft corals, so I'm going to guess all I really need to do is buy a better light?

 

Anything you can share or recommend would be appreciated.

 

ZOMG! I'm so excited now!

 

edit - okay, so reading up on El Fab's thread, I need to get a refractometer. what would you recommend?

[ninjamyst]

Necessary:

• Upgrade return pump (inTank Media Basket sells one that fits in the back chamber)
• Upgrade light (Nanobox Tide is nice)

Nice to have:

• InTanke Media Basket for the Spec V. Or make your own out of eggcrate.

 

I love my Spec V. What are you going to run for filtration. I run floss and chemipure blue.

[Friendly]

hey nm, I'm totally open to suggestions about filtration. I'm guessing the built in system with the Spec isn't suitable? or were you talking about the addition of an AC50 or AC70?

[ninjamyst]

hey nm, I'm totally open to suggestions about filtration. I'm guessing the built in system with the Spec isn't suitable? or were you talking about the addition of an AC50 or AC70?

By filtration, I meant mechanical filtration like floss and chemical filtration like carbon / purigen. The Spec is fine. Here's mine. I recently upgraded to the bigger Evo 12 though.

 

[Friendly]

that is SO awesome!!!11oneoneon1!!

 

I know I'll need a better light. I want LED. what would you recommend?

 

also, is the included pump enough, or should I consider something that creates more movement? or, with the addition of an AC50 or AC70, the flow that it would add is more than sufficient?

[ninjamyst]

that is SO awesome!!!11oneoneon1!!

 

I know I'll need a better light. I want LED. what would you recommend?

 

also, is the included pump enough, or should I consider something that creates more movement? or, with the addition of an AC50 or AC70, the flow that it would add is more than sufficient?

I answered both questions earlier =P. You need a better pump and I recommend the Nanobox Tide. I am running the old version right now.

 

this pump fits. you dont need AC50 or AC70.

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Aqueon-QuietFlow-Submersible-Utility-Pump-600-ES06616.htm

[Friendly]

I'm dumb, deaf and blind.

 

and I think I will want a fuge as the tank will be alone over the weekend as it's being setup at my workplace. give it that extra bit of buffer. it will also have all the equipment on a UPS in case the power goes out.

[ninjamyst]

I'm dumb, deaf and blind.

 

and I think I will want a fuge as the tank will be alone over the weekend as it's being setup at my workplace. give it that extra bit of buffer. it will also have all the equipment on a UPS in case the power goes out.

are you setting up an ATO then for evaporation? 2 days without fresh RODI will increase salinity by quite a bit in such a small tank.

[Friendly]

gadzooks! the NanoBox Tide is as much as all my purchased gear put together!

[Friendly]

well, keeping KISS in mind, what alternate lighting options can I consider for keeping softies happy?

[ninjamyst]

i have seen a few Spec V use marine orbit LEDs. you can try searching for that.

[Friendly]

egads. those are still 3x the cost of my aquarium.

[Rural]

egads. those are still 3x the cost of my aquarium.

 

friendly, think about it this way, all you have done is purchase 30gallons of gasoline. you can either run a honda civic or a lamborghini . the choice is yours. now PIMP your tank!

[Friendly]

 

friendly, think about it this way, all you have done is purchase 30gallons of gasoline. you can either run a honda civic or a lamborghini . the choice is yours. now PIMP your tank!

but then it won't be KISS.

 

though, with the bit more ejumication I've gotten, I understand the lights are expensive.

 

I'm going to look at those PAR lamps. would a PAR30 be enough for the Spec V with the simplest of softies?

[Rural]

but then it won't be KISS.

 

though, with the bit more ejumication I've gotten, I understand the lights are expensive.

 

I'm going to look at those PAR lamps. would a PAR30 be enough for the Spec V with the simplest of softies?

Yeah. And I wasn't saying you need all the gadgets but the KISS ones can cost a lot easily.

[Friendly]

hey Rural, KISS, by it's very nature would imply minimal expense and exclude the necessary but hyper expensive accessories. however, that is IMHO.

 

not that I have anything against spending money...or buying good gear. I did just buy a $100 tank and spend $300 in necessary accessories, LOL!

 

query tho. what would the softies do if I only used the included LED with the Spec V? would they die off or would they stay relatively dormant with little to zero growth?

[Rural]

Slowly and painfully die.

[Friendly]

Slowly and painfully die.

that's what I thought. so scratch that idea.

[Reefkid88]

For a light you could make your own,and it would be simple. If you cant solder,Rapidled has Solderless leds and get a Nano driver with pot from them as well and order a MakersLed slim headsink,the 6" for about $40 shipped with a hanging kit should do. Or just get a Par38 from reef radiance on amazong for $50 and get a reptile dome light with a dimmer and call it a day.

[Aquathumb83]

Check out SB reef lights nano sprite light. Just ordered myself one for $129 with free shipping.

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-nano-reeffuge/7-sbox-sprite-reef-nano.html