llobrao’s pico Fluval Spec V

[Llobrao]

Sup everyone after almost 2 years out But im back! Although not what I expected but I can’t control myself I wanna see corals growing and glowing!

 

Almost 2 years ago I took down my 75g mixed reef because maintenance was getting to me and was planning on moving. In the mist of everything I fount a cheap fluval spec on let go for $30! And decided to take on a planted tank they seemed easy and simple and easy to move around but I realized it’s not my passion I like corals! 
 

started a planted tank with it because they seem easy but that didn’t last long about 6 months i saw my same tank full of mushrooms and pulsing Xenias and guess what! My betta is gone smh
 

this was my lil beta sanctuary but now he got evicted my niece is taking him

 

yes this will be a photo heavy journal lol 

 

Last week I walked into my LFS Manhattan Aquariums and saw my same lil tank full of Xenias and I knew it! I wasn’t gonna contain myself and here I am!

 

doing research already cycling my mini reef slice!

 

so specs

 

Fluval spec V

MP10 (Flow)

stock lights( soon to be upgraded to current marine)

apex jr

ATK for water top off

Titanium heater 

Dry sand(“live” is a scam)

LR( not in the tank looking for specific shapes and size)

 

I will not use mechanical filtration on this build I saw a few reefers do “dirty” tanks and on my old 75g I used to so 5-10 gallons every 3-4-5 months at one point went a whole year without a water change and that’s when my tank looked the best! But I will be doing weekly bi-weekly 1-2 gallon changes on this pico or as needed since I will be dependent of natural filtration.

 

future stock

corals:

jawbrakers

gold hammer

toxic green hammer

Blastos

acans 

 

inverts:( I love lil creates)

pair of sexy shrimps

1 red leg hermit 

2-3 blue legged hermit crabs

2-3Nassarius snails 

1-2 small turbo snails

and I’m sure I will find other lil things to keep me company 

 

fish: 

NONE!! If you are reading this plz don’t put a marine fish into a 5g even those tiny clown fish grow pretty quick I’ve had a few pairs on my older tanks it’s just cruel 

 

Day one!!!! 
getting some pods and rocks today it looks so clean and empty! 

 

[WV Reefer]

11 minutes ago, Llobrao said:

Sup everyone after almost 2 years out But im back! Although not what I expected but I can’t control myself I wanna see corals growing and glowing!

 

Almost 2 years ago I took down my 75g mixed reef because maintenance was getting to me and was planning on moving. In the mist of everything I fount a cheap fluval spec on let go for $30! And decided to take on a planted tank they seemed easy and simple and easy to move around but I realized it’s not my passion I like corals! 
 

started a planted tank with it because they seem easy but that didn’t last long about 6 months i saw my same tank full of mushrooms and pulsing Xenias and guess what! My betta is gone smh
 

this was my lil beta sanctuary but now he got evicted my niece is taking him

 

yes this will be a photo heavy journal lol 

 

Last week I walked into my LFS Manhattan Aquariums and saw my same lil tank full of Xenias and I knew it! I wasn’t gonna contain myself and here I am!

 

doing research already cycling my mini reef slice!

 

so specs

 

Fluval spec V

MP10 (Flow)

stock lights( soon to be upgraded to current marine)

apex jr

ATK for water top off

Titanium heater 

Dry sand(“live” is a scam)

LR( not in the tank looking for specific shapes and size)

 

I will not use mechanical filtration on this build I saw a few reefers do “dirty” tanks and on my old 75g I used to so 5-10 gallons every 3-4-5 months at one point went a whole year without a water change and that’s when my tank looked the best! But I will be doing weekly bi-weekly 1-2 gallon changes on this pico or as needed since I will be dependent of natural filtration.

 

future stock

corals:

jawbrakers

gold hammer

toxic green hammer

Blastos

acans 

 

inverts:( I love lil creates)

pair of sexy shrimps

1 red leg hermit 

2-3 blue legged hermit crabs

2-3Nassarius snails 

1-2 small turbo snails

and I’m sure I will find other lil things to keep me company 

 

fish: 

NONE!! If you are reading this plz don’t put a marine fish into a 5g even those tiny clown fish grow pretty quick I’ve had a few pairs on my older tanks it’s just cruel 

 

Day one!!!! 
getting some pods and rocks today it looks so clean and empty! 

 

 

Look forward to seeing what you do with it. 😊

[Llobrao]

16 minutes ago, WV Reefer said:

 

Look forward to seeing what you do with it. 😊

I’m super excited it’s like a clean canvas!! Btw when I shutdown my 75g I said next build HAS TO BE!!! 120g or better lol, now look at me excited about a 5g! 
 

 

 

[WV Reefer]

1 minute ago, Llobrao said:

I’m super excited it’s like a clean canvas!! Btw when I shutdown my 75g I said next build HAS TO BE!!! 120g or better lol, now look at me excited about a 5g! 
 

 

 

It’s so cute, who could resist! 😂

[Llobrao]

Here’s a few pics of my old 75g

 

 

[Llobrao]

14 minutes ago, WV Reefer said:

It’s so cute, who could resist! 😂

It is!!! Btw your build is amazing! Truly inspiring! Simple does it! I was up late last night going through your build 

[WV Reefer]

13 minutes ago, Llobrao said:

Here’s a few pics of my old 75g

 

 

Wow!! Very nice! 😃

12 minutes ago, Llobrao said:

It is!!! Btw your build is amazing! Truly inspiring! Simple does it! I was up late last night going through your build 

Thank you. 😊 most of that 75 thread of mine is pure nonsense though. 😂

[ECLS Reefer]

5 minutes ago, WV Reefer said:

Wow!! Very nice! 😃

Thank you. 😊 most of that 75 thread of mine is pure nonsense though. 😂

It’s business in the front and a party in the back.

[Llobrao]

4 minutes ago, WV Reefer said:

Wow!! Very nice! 😃

Thank you. 😊 most of that 75 thread of mine is pure nonsense though. 😂

I was very curious about your maintenance routine, I skimmed most of it looking for numbers as well temp Alk cal etc, I won’t be doing much testing on this build that’s one of those things that get tedious no sps for me really easy LPS corals 

[WV Reefer]

Just now, Llobrao said:

I was very curious about your maintenance routine, I skimmed most of it looking for numbers as well temp Alk cal etc, I won’t be doing much testing on this build that’s one of those things that get tedious no sps for me really easy LPS corals 

I don’t really test except when I start up the tank. My maintenance is mostly just a water change and stirring the sand a bit during the week. Easy peasy. 

[Llobrao]

2 minutes ago, Dirté Sanchez said:

It’s business in the front and a party in the back.

Lmao we all in here for the party! But low key we all want that magic sauce lol 

[Llobrao]

6 minutes ago, WV Reefer said:

I don’t really test except when I start up the tank. My maintenance is mostly just a water change and stirring the sand a bit during the week. Easy peasy. 

What salt do you use? Lucky for me I kept most of the stuff from the old tank I have The 200 gallon box of reef crystals this should last a bit at one gallon per week lol ... and sry for all the questions 

[WV Reefer]

Just now, Llobrao said:

What salt do you use? Lucky for me I kept most of the stuff from the old tank I have The 200 gallon box of reef crystals this should last a bit at one gallon per week lol ... and sry for all the questions 

I use Reef Crystals. I like it because it’s cheap and readily available at most pet stores if you need some in a pinch. 

[Llobrao]

22 hours ago, WV Reefer said:

I use Reef Crystals. I like it because it’s cheap and readily available at most pet stores if you need some in a pinch. 

Funny the reason I switched was that, I used to mix with coral pro went to my lfs he was all out and gave me a bag of reef crystals since I didn’t see a different in the corals I stuck with them ever since, it’s available everywhere and it’s so much cheaper 

[Llobrao]

Added some LR last Thursday and played around a lil with the aquascape but is a working progress, will definitely add more slowly I’m looking for specific pieces will go for the 2 island and try to leave as much sand expose as I can

 

also added some Tisbe pods last night to start seeding my sandbed and picked up a few zoas from a friend to test if by tomorrow they don’t open up completely with the new lights (they were getting blasted by radions+T5) they will be going back for another week of cycling.

 

For lights I found some good reviews on the HIPARGERO and for $60 let’s give it a try only concerned with light spill since the tank is in my room want to keep it at a minimum that’s why I wanted the current orbits but I might house at least one sps rather give it some decent light.

 

Also sold the MP10 and might add something more pico appropriate any suggestions? The smaller the better I seen a few picos use the hydor pico evo but aesthetics is important to me and I kinda do like the look might end up hiding it behind the scape.

 

Anyone else with the fluval spec v have issues with that lil slit at the bottom of the filter panel ? Im considering covering it tonight to make sure all my water goes from top to bottom of the filter media I add in the future, im not getting good surface skimming from my “filtration” 

[Kered]

i purchased the little silicone covers for usb ports on computers.  its the perfect size and slides right in and they are crazy cheap.

 

Here is my planted Spec V in my office.

[Llobrao]

40 minutes ago, Kered said:

i purchased the little silicone covers for usb ports on computers.  its the perfect size and slides right in and they are crazy cheap.

 

Here is my planted Spec V in my office.

Beautiful 😍!!

 

did you feel a different in the way the filtration works? Because even when it was fresh water that lil slit was unnecessary 

[Kered]

for me it keeps larger particles and sediment from finding its way to the bottom of the pump and clogging it. by forcing the water to go the whole length of the filter it catches more and i can go longer in between taking the pump out for cleaning. 

 

the whole purpose of the slit is so the water level doesnt get too low from evaporation that the pump runs dry. if your actually paying attention to your tank that will never happen. 

[Llobrao]

12 minutes ago, Kered said:

for me it keeps larger particles and sediment from finding its way to the bottom of the pump and clogging it. by forcing the water to go the whole length of the filter it catches more and i can go longer in between taking the pump out for cleaning. 

 

the whole purpose of the slit is so the water level doesnt get too low from evaporation that the pump runs dry. if your actually paying attention to your tank that will never happen. 

I’m setting up an ATO this weekend in 5g steady water level has to be key 

[Llobrao]

Got some goodies in!!

 

yesterday I got the Hipargero leds but came home late and was not able to play around too much with them 

out the box I must say for $60 these are good I’m just praying they last! Few things could make these lights sell even more like an adjustable arm that can move back and forward for pico tanks and peninsulas which are very popular for nanos from what I see. I had to do a lil modifications drilled 2 tiny holes on the side of the panel to add the hold bracket 

and now it’s a light for a peninsula hopefully the screws could hold but the fixture it’s self is very light and quiet. I was also worried about light spill since the tank is in my room but none at all since it’s only a few LEDs spread throughout 3 clusters

 

They have the a good color blend and good brightness, my previous tank I ran T5 with Radions G4 combo and must say compare to that aesthetically I like the look and light blend, currently running them at 100% blue 30% white to see how the zoas react they have not opened since they went in few days ago, I will be doing a 30% water change tomorrow see if that also encourages them. 
 

Starting to see diatoms on my sand bed which is a good sign in my opinion so might get a few nassarius snails tomorrow to get that sand moving and mixing also got a baby shroom from a fellow reefer he definitely liked the lights since he opened right away I switch to the Hipargero leds 

 

 

[Llobrao]

few of my favorite pics of my old build! 
figure put them online to let others enjoy and never loose them 
 

this guy literally made my coral grow a certain way he would camp there for hours, my 2 cleaner shrimps had a cleaner station right under I think he started stalking but eventually gave up 😆 

always creeping!

Cliff hanger!

slimer growth that’s about 3 months about one pic per week sometimes 2

[ECLS Reefer]

6 minutes ago, Llobrao said:

few of my favorite pics of my old build! 
figure put them online to let others enjoy and never loose them 
 

this guy literally made my coral grow a certain way he would camp there for hours, my 2 cleaner shrimps had a cleaner station right under I think he started stalking but eventually gave up 😆 

always creeping!

Cliff hanger!

slimer growth that’s about 3 months about one pic per week sometimes 2

what kind of fish is that??

[Ratvan]

Slimer growth is great, good photos

[Llobrao]

25 minutes ago, Dirté Sanchez said:

what kind of fish is that??

It’s a fuzzy dwarf lionfish, these guys are definitely pets he would come out of hiding as soon as anyone approached the tank to beg for food full of personality.

 

20 minutes ago, Ratvan said:

Slimer growth is great, good photos

Thanks bud, best advice I got for sps was keep hands out the tank don’t touch anything I think for about 4-5 months I didn’t put my hands in didn’t buy anything and things picked up fast!

[ECLS Reefer]

3 minutes ago, Llobrao said:

It’s a fuzzy dwarf lionfish, these guys are definitely pets he would come out of hiding as soon as anyone approached the tank to beg for food full of personality.

 

Thanks bud, best advice I got for sps was keep hands out the tank don’t touch anything I think for about 4-5 months I didn’t put my hands in didn’t buy anything and things picked up fast!

Wow he's gorgeous!!! I wondered if it was some kind of predator but couldn't see it all that clearly. What a cool tank member.