10 Gallon or Fluval Spec V for RCS?

Hello All.

Need your thoughts and opinion on my next tank build for Red Cherry Shrimps.
I will have two tanks freed up by next week after my fishes are done being cured for camallanus worms. I also have all the parts and equipment.

See below for tank specs.

Standard 10 gallon tank:
Aqueon 50W heater, AQ 50 (going to drop AQ30 impeller in), 72 LED lighting

PROS: Easier to maintain water parameters. Space for more décor. Possibly put some nano fish.
CONS: Will not look as tidy as the Fluval Spec V, since I can't hide the heater/filter.

Fluval Spec V (5 gallon):
Aqueon Pro 50W heater, EHEIM 300 compact pump (replaced stock), InTank Media basket, 36 LED lighting

PROS: Set-up will look a lot cleaner than the 10G since I will be able to hide all filtration and heater.
CONS: Will not be able to put any sort of nano fish. Less room for décor. Harder to maintain water parameters.

* Even though I listed water parameter as a con for the Spec V, I am not way too concerned as I am pretty diligent in doing weekly water changes. Also with the InTank media basket upgrade I am able to fit a large amount of bio-media, along with a bag of Purigen, sponge and floss. Along with all the plants I had in the tank I was able to over-stock it with fishes (Yes, I am guilty of that. And I will never do that again. I felt horrible. Thus, I upgraded everyone to a bigger tank.) I was still able to hold 0,0,20 water parameters weekly.

--
With that being said, I do want to do a red cherry shrimp only tank. However, if I do decide to go with the 10G it would be neat having the option to put in a school of nano fishes in the future and the RCS's will have plenty of places to hide so I am not too worried of it picking off some shrimps.

Down to the fun stuff.
Substrate: I currently have black sand to use. Though, Fluval Stratum looks neat too.
Plants: Anubias, java fern, java moss, and moss balls. Pothos hanging up up.
Décor: Either Malaysian driftwood or manzanita branches.

What are your thoughts?
Which tank would you go with?
What substrate would you use? and why?
Which décor with you go with?
Any cool low light plant suggestions?

Cheers.
Benjamin

 

Id go with a 10 gallon, just because of the space and workability of it. Also low light plants like water wisteria is one I know of. It does well if you don't have large snails. I have a banana plant that is doing well.

 

I think the 10 gallon would be good because there's more space for the shrimp (which multiply rapidly) and you may be able to put some fish would which be really cool.
Some low light plants:
Staurogene Repens
Anubias
Anacharis
Pretty much all mosses
Marsilea Hirtsuta
Amazon Sword
Pygmy Chain sword
Vallisnera
Appongetton
Dwarf sag
I think the driftwood would be good. You could attach some Java moss/ferns to it.

 

I would definitely go with the 10 gallon, a lot more space for the RCS to breed and flourish, also the parameters are much more stable,
I have black sand and enjoy iut so go with black sand!
For decoration go for a more natural look with Porous rock and lots of driftwood.

One of my favorite plants are Cryptocoryne WendettI the red variant, very colorful and spreads easily and is extremely low light!

 

I would definitely go with the 10 gallon, a lot more space for the RCS to breed and flourish, also the parameters are much more stable,
I have black sand and enjoy iut so go with black sand!
For decoration go for a more natural look with Porous rock and lots of driftwood.

One of my favorite plants are Cryptocoryne WendettI the red variant, very colorful and spreads easily and is extremely low light!

Did you have any secrets to planting plants to sand substrate? I always found it a bit challenging.

I love driftwood. However, I just found out how cool "dragon stones" are and just want to do the entire tank full of that too... Perhaps dragon stones and manzanita branches?

I think the 10 gallon would be good because there's more space for the shrimp (which multiply rapidly) and you may be able to put some fish would which be really cool.
Some low light plants:
Staurogene Repens
Anubias
Anacharis
Pretty much all mosses
Marsilea Hirtsuta
Amazon Sword
Pygmy Chain sword
Vallisnera
Appongetton
Dwarf sag
I think the driftwood would be good. You could attach some Java moss/ferns to it.

Thank you for your plant suggestions!
I think I am going to go with staurogene repens and dwarf sag.
Just now to hunt for them...

 

Did you have any secrets to planting plants to sand substrate? I always found it a bit challenging.

I love driftwood. However, I just found out how cool "dragon stones" are and just want to do the entire tank full of that too... Perhaps dragon stones and manzanita branches?

You can try the bottle cap method!
Drill a large hole in the bottle cap, fill it with sand put in the plant and wallah a planted plant

 

So a couple notes... one the Spec I would recommend a heater that fits in the filter compartment.

Second... why no nano Fish? Badis, Endlers and some rasbora can be with RCS in a Spec V. Remember it has a good long swim lane at 17 plus inches.

 

Scarlet Badis would be okay with RCS? Wouldn't the Badis eat them all day?

I decided to take in everyone's advice and go with the 10G since I'll have more space for decor.

 

Scarlet Badis would be okay with RCS? Wouldn't the Badis eat them all day?

I decided to take in everyone's advice and go with the 10G since I'll have more space for decor.

Badis are micro predetors... They would probably get some shrimplets but if well planted not all. The shrimp are way to big.

 

Those Fluval tanks are so expensive. I cast my vote for a ten gallon. I wouldn't worry about concealing the filter and heater so much; get creative with the decor and your hardware will appear less conspicuous.

 

Those Fluval tanks are so expensive. I cast my vote for a ten gallon. I wouldn't worry about concealing the filter and heater so much; get creative with the decor and your hardware will appear less conspicuous.

I have both tanks already. So whichever one I setup I'm putting the other one away in storage. The wife is kind of sick of my MTS all around the house lol.

As far as decor goes I want to go simple yet sophisticated. Reason being simple is because I want to be able to easily clean it. My 20G planted is such a hassle to vacuum.

Badis are micro predetors... They would probably get some shrimplets but if well planted not all. The shrimp are way to big.

Ah gotcha. I will look into Badis or maybe put some CPDs over once I have a well established RCS colony.

Will post pics of the tank once it's up and running! Probably in about 2 weeks. Too stoked.

 

I have both tanks already. So whichever one I setup I'm putting the other one away in storage. The wife is kind of sick of my MTS all around the house lol.

As far as decor goes I want to go simple yet sophisticated. Reason being simple is because I want to be able to easily clean it. My 20G planted is such a hassle to vacuum.

Oh gotcha. I just reread and you mentioned having both tanks currently vacant. MTS is a treatable condition, tell your wife. Dr. Kapitalfisht prescribes you setting up two aquariums, a ten gallon and a Fluval.

If that doesn't suit you, increase the dosage when Petco has a dollar per gallon sale.

 

Petco still has the $1 a gallon sale lol. That's how I ended up with some tanks

 

I almost went spec too. It probably be cheaper imo. But with a 10 gallon lots more options.

 

Just started working on the 10G tonight. So exciting. Have a spider wood on order too

 

Just started working on the 10G tonight. So exciting. Have a spider wood on order too

That looks amazing!!

Love the marimo moss ball and the black sand!!!

 

I didn't see anyone mention this in regards to the Fluval Spec V, so I thought I'd chime in, in case someone else is watching this thread and considering doing the same thing:

These tanks are awesome, and is the current home for my male betta. HOWEVER, I don't think these would be safe without at least a couple of mods for RCS. The inflow areas (the grate at the top and the little slit on near the bottom on the black siding) are dangerous and I've heard many horror stories of RCS and even some fish/fins getting sucked into them and dying in the filter compartment. is a great article on how to mod this tank to make it betta/RCS safe.

I see you already chose the 10G, and it's GORGEOUS! Just wanted to add my :

 

Thanks for the chime in. Yeah. I am well aware of of the inflow area and even the bottom hole. I've actually have my Spec V modified a bit. Was going to switch out pump and stock lighting too but returned those items as I am pursuing the 10G instead.



Work in progress with the scaping. Can't decide if I want the spider wood to resemble a tree or flip it upside down to make it look like a tree growing roots into the water. Any aquascaping thoughts?
(Ignore the fishes. They are just temporary in there as I was shifting fishes around)



This is how it looks upside down. Which I had intended to set it in the tank originally.

 

This is how it looks upside down. Which I had intended to set it in the tank originally.

Oh wow, i'm in love with that tank!!!
it's absolutely beautiful!!!

 

@Nart, I'm so jealous of your setup! It's gorgeous. I hope I didn't sound too preachy. Glad to hear you've got everything all good to go for whatever else you decide to put in the Spec V.

Also, IMO, I like the way you have it now, the "tree" look. You could even get some moss to grab onto the "branches" for a "canopy."

 

@ not at all. Some people don't know those little things and could cause a huge problem for them later. Currently the Spec V is a QT for some EspeI Rasboras to go into the 20G. And afterwards the wife is forcing me to shut it down because I have too many tanks around the place lol. So sad

I did try to attach some moss to the branches. And did some re-arranging. I am still not sure if I'm sold on this "tree" look. As for the carpet I will plant out the Monte Carlo once I get the fishes out of there.

Maybe I'll try the root look tomorrow and post a picture to see what y'all think.

 

@ not at all. Some people don't know those little things and could cause a huge problem for them later. Currently the Spec V is a QT for some EspeI Rasboras to go into the 20G. And afterwards the wife is forcing me to shut it down because I have too many tanks around the place lol. So sad

Oh no! Haha. I suspect that my husband is feeling the same way. What began as an impulse fish purchase is now slowly evolving our living room into what he affectionately refers to as a "Bond villain's lair." xD

Do whatever makes you happiest! If you do decide to switch things up post a pic! I'm loving the progress of this tank.

 

So here's how it looks the "root" concept

And here's the "twig" concept


Opinions on which would look best with RCS?
Tree, root, or twig concept? I'm leaning towards the twig concept because it would be neat for the RCS to crawl all over it.

 

And here's the "twig" concept


Opinions on which would look best with RCS?
Tree, root, or twig concept? I'm leaning towards the twig concept because it would be neat for the RCS to crawl all over it.

I love the root concept mostly because it looks more natural

 

I love the root concept mostly because it looks more natural

I thought that too. Also with the root concept I was going to string some pothos plants on top.

 

Here's the "tree wrap" concept. I think I might go with this one.

 

I really dig "tree wrap" concept! That and root concept. Looks like it's really coming along!

 

I couldn't help it... Saw a baby koi male betta at petco and just had to pick it up lol. Guess which tank it's going. I hope he doesn't eat up the RCS. That'll be some expensive food.

Will share pic later

 

Love moss trees... Absolutely love em.

 

My new fishy. Back into the Betta business. Isn't he adorbs?!

 

Ten gallon hands down, it's more comfortable for the rcs and you can put some otocinclus later on when the tank is older... also low light plants would include wisteria,anubias,java moss,java fern and Marimo moss balls.. you can plant in sand also so I would go with the black sand it really looks good

 

Oh he's so adorable! Is he a baby? He's going to LOVE that 10 gallon.

 

Oh he's so adorable! Is he a baby? He's going to LOVE that 10 gallon.

He is! It's going to be so exciting to see how he looks like in a few months. The wife doesn't know it yet, but I just started back up my Fluval Spec V just for the betta
She goes "why do you have to QT the betta if it's going in with shrimps?"

Secretly, I don't want to shut any tanks down. So all tanks will be up and running.

 

Haha! You're a man with a plan!

 

Look whose colors came out today?


Sorry as I am getting off track from the RCS tank. The 10G RCS Probably won't be ready until next week after I get all my tanks situated.

Stay tuned...!

 

That's really nice substrate. Is that gravel from Fluval?

 

Thank you. It's great substrate, it's my other layer of bb holder. It's actually from Seachem called Flourite.

 

Thank you. It's great substrate, it's my other layer of bb holder. It's actually from Seachem called Flourite.

Ooh, I'm gonna have to get some of that. Thanks!

 

Ooh, I'm gonna have to get some of that. Thanks!

With this substrate, 1.5 cups of matrix, Purigen, 1 small sponge and floss. I was able to run an overstock 5G holding really good water parameters 0,0,5 with bI weekly water changes. Good stuff.

 

With this substrate, 1.5 cups of matrix, Purigen, 1 small sponge and floss. I was able to run an overstock 5G holding really good water parameters 0,0,5 with bI weekly water changes. Good stuff.

Wow that's really impressive! I'll have to look into that as well. I have eco-complete and seachem's flourite as well. I can't wait to see how your little guy turns out. What are you going to name him?

 

Wow that's really impressive! I'll have to look into that as well. I have eco-complete and seachem's flourite as well. I can't wait to see how your little guy turns out. What are you going to name him?

I'm not sure...I never name my fishes. My wife loves to name them though. We have a rule, no names till a week later (to make sure they survive) haha.

 

Dude... Not cool. I was looking at the koi betta this morning and surely enough I saw a white dot. It's ich...... Cringe. I should've known not to get anything from my Petco/Petsmart. Sigh. I'm trying to back track in my head to see if I cross contaminated anything

 

Dude... Not cool. I was looking at the koi betta this morning and surely enough I saw a white dot. It's ich...... Cringe. I should've known not to get anything from my Petco/Petsmart. Sigh. I'm trying to back track in my head to see if I cross contaminated anything

Oh no, bump up your temperature and get some treatment asap!

Also is it only 1 spot or multiple?
I thought my cory cat had ich but it ended up being a piece of food stuck to his side LOL.

 

It was just one spot. It's gone now. I hope it's not ich! So this is my setup now. Was able to setup the RCS tank after all




And put the baby koi betta in it too. He seems to be leaving them alone for now. The shrimps actually attack him and he darts away lol. Hopefully he gets conditioned to not eat them since he's still young

He's getting so handsome!

 

I can't get over how cute he is! Your tanks are coming along super well!

 

littlesnete thank you! little man is actually pretty darn cute. he's completely not afraid of anything I do to the tank. he's getting used to my hand being in the tank with all décor re-arranging. he comes in close enough to my finger for a pet though I don't try to pet him.

 

hacksgirls Junne Tanks and Plants littlesnete Fishem02 justmerich

Hey y'all. Check out my baby koi betta. He gets so happy and giddy every time he sees me near the tank. He's like a little pet dog lol.
Anyways, teaching him how to jump

 

What a good find, he's so cute! I'm going gaga over him, haha.

 

REALLY cute!!!!

 

@hacksgirls @ @Tanks and Plants @ @Fishem02 @

Hey y'all. Check out my baby koi betta. He gets so happy and giddy every time he sees me near the tank. He's like a little pet dog lol.
Anyways, teaching him how to jump

Wow, you're able to hand feed him!!!
That's awesome.

I love your betta, he's gained so much color!