Question About Betta And Fluval Spec V Intake

Hey all

I recently ran into a situation that spurred me to pick up aquarium-ing again. Long story short, someone was walking around the main building trying to get rid of a Betta in a jar.

Thus began a few days of rushing to get equipment again, etc. Not ideal, but better than the toilet that the Betta was apparently headed towards.

We had a rough transfer to a Fluvial Spec V yesterday, though Bob seems to be doing well (VERY energetic, curious, and ate well right off the bat). I still have major concerns about that transfer, seeing as how the jar mouth was too small for hands, nets, etc. It was pretty.

Anyway, Bob seems to really, really enjoy the intake. He doesn't struggle at all with the flow, but what he does is slowly swims up against it, then.. seemingly goes to sleep.

He never struggles to pull away after he is done, but this is a new one for me and its been a while since I cared for fish. I have screen material on the way to prevent snags and the like, but can this harm him? I'm worried about something like the pressure interfering with normal bodily functions.

He does have a hammock, and uses it sometimes, but the intake really seems to be his thing. I'm still building up the tank, so definitely a work in progress.

Thanks in advance, it may be my first post, but this site has been great getting started again.

 

Doesn't the spec line have adjustable flow filters? I would turn the pump down if the suction is pulling him against the intake. It shouldn't be doing that.

I'd beware the screen because it is also something that can easily snag a betta's fins. Try placing a piece of filter sponge or foam over the intake so he doesn't get sucked against it.

 

Doesn't the spec line have adjustable flow filters? I would turn the pump down if the suction is pulling him against the intake. It shouldn't be doing that.

I'd beware the screen because it is also something that can easily snag a betta's fins. Try placing a piece of filter sponge or foam over the intake so he doesn't get sucked against it.

Perhaps I wasn't all too clear; He intentionally uses the flow of the intake.

Its already at its lowest, and it never just happens as he is swimming. He makes sure his fins are nice and flat, then just hangs out. He can swim, even float, without much effort centimeters away from the intake.

I figure ill check the screen material out. I needed it for other stuff, but if it fails the pantyhose test it won't go in the tank. Will need to find the hose though..

Since he seems to really enjoy it, I'm hesitant to destroy that by using something like a foam filter (thus the post ). The outflow nozzle is going through foam though.

 

The foam on the intake is to protect his fins, not to prevent him from hanging out in the current.

 

The foam on the intake is to protect his fins, not to prevent him from hanging out in the current.

I have tried a few foam filters I had around, and they diffused the flow too much. The next step is to try out the screen, as well as a slip of foam cut "paper-thin," and a couple other ideas I have.

The issue then becomes a matter of whether or not that type of pressure is detrimental to his health. Its novel behavior to me, so even if I don't think it'd be harmful, I'd like to be sure.

Do you know if constant pressure like that will impact anything like gill movement, etc? Obviously its not a substantial force, but the unknown is a concern and I'd like to dispel that ignorance. It also gave me an excuse to join. *shrug*

 

I have a halfmoon in a spec v that sometimes does the same, it's pretty normal. Only thing to worry about is that if Bob has long fins, they might get a little tattered. I bought some plastic embroidery mesh and cut it to fit over the intake and tied it in place with some fishing line. He still sleeps up there sometimes, but his fins don't get caught in it anymore.

I can take some pictures later if you want to see how I set mine up?

 

I have a halfmoon in a spec v that sometimes does the same, it's pretty normal. Only thing to worry about is that if Bob has long fins, they might get a little tattered. I bought some plastic embroidery mesh and cut it to fit over the intake and tied it in place with some fishing line. He still sleeps up there sometimes, but his fins don't get caught in it anymore.

I can take some pictures later if you want to see how I set mine up?

I'd really appreciate that! On that note, any tips for pics that get good lighting without massive glare? Been trying, and failing miserably.

I thought the morimo balls I had would give me some time before they sank, but.. yesterday I walked up to the tank to see Bob cuddled up between the intake and a 2" morimo.

I'm glad to hear others have experienced this without much issue. Bob actually seems to be extremely careful with his fins too, but no reason to tempt fate.

I have quite a few screen materials coming, so have lots of choices there. I also have the itch to use my 3d printer, but am unsure about the plastics I have.

Overall, I'm really happy to see he is doing well. I'm glad I took so many hours with a dremel on resin parts, etc. He seems to use them as racing pylons more than anything.

Thanks for your input

 

I have the same tank and my betta gets sucked up on the intake and rests there too. I'm not worried about it because he swims away just fun afterwards and his fins aren't torn up. I added some extra sponge in it to kind of slow it down a little bit but it doesn't do much. He's okay so I don't worry about it. I've even put his leaf hammock in front of it because that's where he likes to build his bubble nests. My betta is a super delta dumbo ear betta so his fins are pretty large and contented, if you have something like a crowntail though I would get something like a piece of mesh plastic to stick over it. You can look up Solid Gold Aquatics videos on YouTube on how she modified her Fluval Spec for her betta fish, it helped me a lot with mine (my water is low right now, it evaporates quickly. I have to top it off in the morning.)

 

I'd really appreciate that! On that note, any tips for pics that get good lighting without massive glare? Been trying, and failing miserably.

I thought the morimo balls I had would give me some time before they sank, but.. yesterday I walked up to the tank to see Bob cuddled up between the intake and a 2" morimo.

I'm glad to hear others have experienced this without much issue. Bob actually seems to be extremely careful with his fins too, but no reason to tempt fate.

I have quite a few screen materials coming, so have lots of choices there. I also have the itch to use my 3d printer, but am unsure about the plastics I have.

Overall, I'm really happy to see he is doing well. I'm glad I took so many hours with a dremel on resin parts, etc. He seems to use them as racing pylons more than anything.

Thanks for your input

Photographing glass is always going to be a pain for most of us, I'm afraid. The best advice I can give is to make the room around you as dark as possible, and the light in the tank as bright as you can. Stand father away or press the camera right up to the glass to try to avoid reflections made in the light from the tank it's self. Also, if your subject refuses to hold still, you can try recording video and taking screenshots of those brief moments of stillness afterward.

Here is how I set up a little grate for my spec v (not my best photography, but eh):

Fish Grate

• Briggs
• Jan 19, 2018

Spec V mod

Fish Grate Up

• Briggs
• Jan 19, 2018

Spec v mod

I tied it on only a few holes down so I could flip it up and clean under it. As you can see, some algae does collect on it, but I upgraded my lighting for carpeting plants. The stock light probably won't give you as much of a problem there. I didn't bother with this mod until Ziggy started to show signs of tattered fins (and ruled out other possible causes) and adding it solved that problem. I also baffle the output with a prefilter sponge cut so it just fits over the spout. I take it off for a few hours every day because Ziggy likes to play in it for a while and it helps with protein film on the water surface. I can tell it's time to put it back on when I find him wedged in between in his pennywort and drift wood looking grumpy.

I took to this hobby with a gleeful DIY attitude, and I love seeing that in fellow hobbyists! Most plastics are likely fish tank safe, but if you need some easy key words for research, try 'water potable' which means it's safe to keep drinking water in, and 'reef safe' which means it'll stay stable in saltwater which is much harsher than fresh. My google tends to auto fill them for me now XD

 

Thanks for the further input, and the tips on pics.

Interestingly (well, if you're a nerd, and I am), there is a lot of debate about "food safe" 3d printing. Everything from crevices where bacteria form (possibly beneficial in aquariums), to nigh microscopic pieces of.. stuff that comes from the extruder.

PETG seems to be one of the better options to me. Currently my "manufacturing center" is in boxes for a move in the next couple months, but I'm looking forward to trying some stuff out.

Currently trying to deal with white film covering the surface of the aquarium overnight. I remember that this is usually caused by lack of surface agitation. I've ended up reining back the outflow filter so it just fits over the nozzle as well, but the flow just seems to slow overnight.

So, my morning regimen has become squeezing that filter out and letting it flow freely for a bit. Funny how different people start to do the same things

Bob also likes to build his bubble nest near the intake. When I got him, his fins were pretty tattered, so its been difficult to tell anything, other than they are looking better and he seems happy.

Will be trying pics a bit later using those strategies.

 

Thanks for the further input, and the tips on pics.

Interestingly (well, if you're a nerd, and I am), there is a lot of debate about "food safe" 3d printing. Everything from crevices where bacteria form (possibly beneficial in aquariums), to nigh microscopic pieces of.. stuff that comes from the extruder.

PETG seems to be one of the better options to me. Currently my "manufacturing center" is in boxes for a move in the next couple months, but I'm looking forward to trying some stuff out.

Currently trying to deal with white film covering the surface of the aquarium overnight. I remember that this is usually caused by lack of surface agitation. I've ended up reining back the outflow filter so it just fits over the nozzle as well, but the flow just seems to slow overnight.

So, my morning regimen has become squeezing that filter out and letting it flow freely for a bit. Funny how different people start to do the same things

Bob also likes to build his bubble nest near the intake. When I got him, his fins were pretty tattered, so its been difficult to tell anything, other than they are looking better and he seems happy.

Will be trying pics a bit later using those strategies.

I admit, I only know the basics of how 3d printing works and very little about the materials used. Most of my research has been for things like concrete, polymer clay, and paint pigments. I know some people have started small businesses with 3d printed aquarium hardware, but I want to say it's more saltwater folks who've been playing with it. I'd try looking around some saltwater and reef forums and see if anyone has shared their experiences printing if you haven't already.

Protein film is something most betta owners deal with pretty regularly. Betta fish prefer such still waters that often you have to baffle their filters which means little to no surface agitation. I got unbleached paper towels that I drag across the surface when I notice it building up, but honestly, normal paper towels would probably be fine.

I actually picked up a surface skimmer a few days ago to try out, but I haven't gotten a chance to set it up. This is it right here: but I can't personally attest to how well in works in the spec yet.

I'm glad Bob found a forever home with you! It sounds like his last owner might not be someone you'd want to trust with animals or small children.

 

My betta loves the flow too! I have a fluval spec V with a baffled filter so the water runs very slow. The flow normally feels like it doesn't exist, but when I pour water in the filter, oh boy does he swim to get to the flow! He just waits next to t for me to pour haha. He's a suntail so I'm not really worried about any tail collapse since halfmoons and crowntails are usually fine, and I give him lots of calcium, but his fins weigh him down a bit. Oh well :V