Media for Fluval Spec V

I'm thinking of getting the fluval spec v for my first betta tank and curious if I need additonal Media. I will be using Biorings from fluval, seachem bio matrix media, and carbon. Is carbon necessary and do I need filter floss as well?

Thank you in advance for your help on this.

 

I'de do the filter floss and forget about the carbon. It's usually only used and needed to remove smelly tank water and if you need to medicate.

 

Thanks for the helpful advice there. What about polyfilter? Do you know if I really need that as well?

 

I’ve had the fluval spec 5 for about 5 months and for the most part it’s my favorite betta tank. I highly recommend getting craft mesh to cover the large gap before putting a betta in there as it’s an easy jump out for them.

In my opinion you don’t need anything else but what comes with it. You certainly can customize it but I’ve never seen a huge need to.

 

I’ve had the fluval spec 5 for about 5 months and for the most part it’s my favorite betta tank. I highly recommend getting craft mesh to cover the large gap before putting a betta in there as it’s an easy jump out for them.

In my opinion you don’t need anything else but what comes with it. You certainly can customize it but I’ve never seen a huge need to.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will make sure to look out for that. I didn't know there's a large gap for the tank. Do you know what it comes with? I know it comes with bio rings and charcoal? And the charcoal is the carbon that you need to sometimes replace, correct?

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I will make sure to look out for that. I didn't know there's a large gap for the tank. Do you know what it comes with? I know it comes with bio rings and charcoal? And the charcoal is the carbon that you need to sometimes replace, correct?

From this shot you can see the gap and the mesh! It really is a very lovely tank visually but some design flaws.
Yes, comes with the filter media sponge which houses the bio rings and the carbon (they use different types depending on size of filter media I think, rings, gravel and such). I know many people recommend going without the carbon but I’ve had such wonderfully balanced tanks with their filters just the way they are so have been afraid to mess with it much. :/

 

Ah wonderful, thanks for the great tips, I will look more into that to make sure that no betta will be jumping out. Lovely tank btw, Looks very decorative and great plants you got in there. Can't wait for when I get mine.

 

I'm thinking of getting the fluval spec v for my first betta tank and curious if I need additonal Media. I will be using Biorings from fluval, seachem bio matrix media, and carbon. Is carbon necessary and do I need filter floss as well?

Thank you in advance for your help on this.

The spec uses a filter just like the flex. First thing I did is throw out the carbon and replace it with another bag of bio media. I used Seachem matrix because I had some, in a media bag. You could dump the carbon out and re-use the bag for the matrix, or buy some more bio rings already in a bag. Then I shoved a piece of filter floss at the top as a pre-filter.

 

I was always thinking that once I start I will need carbon but filter floss would also work as the alternative in this case. Good to know. Thank you!

 

I was always thinking that once I start I will need carbon but filter floss would also work as the alternative in this case. Good to know. Thank you!

I use the filter floss because I find it gets particulate much better than the sponge, so I use a layer of it as a disposable pre-filter.

 

I use the filter floss because I find it gets particulate much better than the sponge, so I use a layer of it as a disposable pre-filter.

In terms of filter floss, it does make the water clearer and removing particulate. Do you happen to know anything about poly-filter? Do I need both filter floss and poly-filter in exchange for carbon? Sorry if I asked too much, I'm trying to find out.

 

In terms of filter floss, it does make the water clearer and removing particulate. Do you happen to know anything about poly-filter? Do I need both filter floss and poly-filter in exchange for carbon? Sorry if I asked too much, I'm trying to find out.

I've never used poly-filter, I don't really believe in using chemical filtration unless I have to remove medications...therefor I don't use carbon or poly-filter or the likes. Floss is only for mechanical filtration, it gives the water a nice polish.

 

That's good to know. I was just looking at the best stuff out there and kind of getting blindsided by the simple care of it all. So basically, all in all, I can do carbon with the pre-filter floss if need be. Thank you so much!

 

That's good to know. I was just looking at the best stuff out there and kind of getting blindsided by the simple care of it all. So basically, all in all, I can do carbon with the pre-filter floss if need be. Thank you so much!

Let's break down the role of a filter here...most importantly your tank needs enough surface area to house enough bacteria to remove the ammonia generated by the fish. Biological media helps with this, there is no harm in having too much...but with one betta you really don't need more.

Mechanical filtration goes before your bio media to keep the big chunks from clogging up your bio media and pump, and to polish the water so it looks nice. This is what your sponge and filter floss does; and I think the Spec can benefit from a little more pre-filtering.

Then you have chemical, which I really don't use and I don't think it a properly setup tank they do any good. Plus you have to keep replacing them which is costly and annoying. Chemical filters like activated carbon remove odors, tannis and other chemicals.

That's why on a spec I'd throw out the carbon, replace with more bio media, and add a handful of filter floss to act as a pre-filter.

 

If you have the space, I'd recommend a Fluval Flex 9 instead. No gap. A few more gallons. Similar, albeit more, filtration. I love mine, and so does my Betta. Also, the Flex 9 cost me the same as a Spec V. It's just a nicer tank.

 

Not sure what the standard media basket looks like, but I know you can find some custom/aftermarket media baskets for the fluval spec five. I would probably just jam pack as much biological media as I could in it and maybe a little bit of filter foam for clarity, however, at least as far as I know, the fish don’t care too much about how clear the water is just how clean it is

 

Not sure what the standard media basket looks like, but I know you can find some custom/aftermarket media baskets for the fluval spec five. I would probably just jam pack as much biological media as I could in it and maybe a little bit of filter foam for clarity, however, at least as far as I know, the fish don’t care too much about how clear the water is just how clean it is

Clear water is for us not them lol.

 

Let's break down the role of a filter here...most importantly your tank needs enough surface area to house enough bacteria to remove the ammonia generated by the fish. Biological media helps with this, there is no harm in having too much...but with one betta you really don't need more.

Mechanical filtration goes before your bio media to keep the big chunks from clogging up your bio media and pump, and to polish the water so it looks nice. This is what your sponge and filter floss does; and I think the Spec can benefit from a little more pre-filtering.

Then you have chemical, which I really don't use and I don't think it a properly setup tank they do any good. Plus you have to keep replacing them which is costly and annoying. Chemical filters like activated carbon remove odors, tannis and other chemicals.

That's why on a spec I'd throw out the carbon, replace with more bio media, and add a handful of filter floss to act as a pre-filter.

Makes a lot of sense from what you're explaining there. Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'm planning on getting filter floss as well for this.

Not sure what the standard media basket looks like, but I know you can find some custom/aftermarket media baskets for the fluval spec five. I would probably just jam pack as much biological media as I could in it and maybe a little bit of filter foam for clarity, however, at least as far as I know, the fish don’t care too much about how clear the water is just how clean it is

I will look into that, that would actually be very helpful and if not I would just stuff the filter floss as suggested as a pre-filter.

If you have the space, I'd recommend a Fluval Flex 9 instead. No gap. A few more gallons. Similar, albeit more, filtration. I love mine, and so does my Betta. Also, the Flex 9 cost me the same as a Spec V. It's just a nicer tank.

I would like the flex 9 but unfortunately, right now I only have enough space on a desk I'm planning for the spec v, I will look into the dimensions to see if it fits the desk, and who knows maybe the flex 9 could fit but most preferably just a small tank to begin with before I move into a new place. Thanks again.

 

The kit itself is more than sufficient (I have a Spec III), but if you want to spend more money, that's cool too.

 

The kit itself is more than sufficient (I have a Spec III), but if you want to spend more money, that's cool too.

Good to know and it's cool seeing an infamous guy like you into a fish hobby.

 

I'm thinking of getting the fluval spec v for my first betta tank and curious if I need additonal Media. I will be using Biorings from fluval, seachem bio matrix media, and carbon. Is carbon necessary and do I need filter floss as well?

Thank you in advance for your help on this.

Seachem matrix is basically the same thing as the Fluval biorings but with a larger surface area. I would use just the matrix and firget about the biorings. You will need foam pads. Aquaculture makes good ones. You won't need to change the foam pads or matrix until it is absolutely falling apart. I use purigen and some filter floss. The purigen last a month or two and the filter floss needs changing weekly. Hope this helps.