Fluval Spec V and Suitable Fish

[omega59]

Hey all it's been so long since I posted here and had fish haha. I will be receiving a 5gallon fluval spec v, and was wandering which fish would be fitted, for 8 or more. Will it be over kill. I wont be adding anything else, maybe plants and snail.

Chilie Rasbora
Or
Emerald eye resbora
Or
Endler fish

Below is image from my list of the Emerald eye rasbora.

 

[Colin_T]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website (Water Analysis Report) or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

 

[omega59]

hi @Colin_T , here are the information i can find.
The tank itself size is, 52.1L x 19.1W x 29.5H Centimeters
For the water information, i was directed to this link... it is 5 pages long. I pasted 3 items you were asking about i'm not sure about the KH.

Loading…

www.toronto.ca

General Chemical and Physical Parameters

Alkalinity mg/L 30-500 1/01 - 12/31 118 5.0 118 99.8 84.0 91.1
Hardness ( as CaCO3 - calculated ) mg/L 80-100 1/01 - 12/31 112 1 112 126 115 120
pH 6.5-8.5 1/01 - 12/31 979 979 7.8 7.1 7.5

 

[elephantnose3334]

I don't think schooling fish (rasboras and endler's livebearers) would go in a 5 gallon. A single betta splendens would be a much better choice for this sized tank. Schooling fish would need a lot more room in order to be happy.

 

[omega59]

elephantnose3334 okay thank you so i shouldnt.​

 

[elephantnose3334]

elephantnose3334 okay thank you so i shouldnt.​

Yes, unfortunately. Just make sure to do your research before putting fish in 5 gallon. Options are very limited in this sized tank. Shrimp or small snails might be another good option for a 5 gallon, but other than that, you can't really put fish in a 5 gallon. Most require at least 10-20 gallons of tank space depending on the species (excluding fish over 8cm and longer).

 

[PheonixKingZ]

as others have said 5 gallons isn’t a whole lot of room at all for any fish. if you would be interested, you can make a super cool shrimp tank with only shrimp and snails as livestock. make it heavily planted and do frequent water changes and you should be good to go

 

[MaloK]

I have the exact same tank, hosting shrimps at the moment.

In my opinion it's not suited to host bettas because of the pretty strong filtration system included that is somewhat restrictive on the water flow control and directions. It gives a great general movement. But it's nearly impossible to have the surface to be still enough for a betta to be happy.

At the risk of getting flamed, I would say that this tank is oriented for mini fish that likes to swim with some place with current to have fun, and hiding spots to relax.

I wouldn't be afraid to try ember tetras, celestial pearl danios, chili rasboras... In there. All are under an inch adult and the tank is 17 wide.

These guys are an example of low bioload mini fishes that would do great with that tank.

I would go with a nice planted decor, give it a good cycle and one shoal of a dozen individuals.

What defines happiness in a fish head. Is not necessarily in the same order in our head.

But they agree on: Good water, enough place to play around, a bunch of bodies to hang with.

Easily doable in this little tank. It's sold as a 5 gallons but in reality it's 6 and the filtration system is low maintenance.

 

[Back in the fold]

Little aquarium like that and any of the fish you mentioned sound good but the Endler’s will overrun it quickly .

 

[Back in the fold]

At the risk of getting flamed

I’m going to chance that same risk and say that the lowly five gallon doesn’t get the respect it’s due . My first real aquarium back in the 1960’s was a five gallon and I kept a lot of different fish in there successfully . I still have two five gallons and keep fish that the majority of aquarists say I can’t or shouldn’t in them . Go by your own observations . Let the fish tell you if things are okay or not . You’ll pick up on their vibe . Figure you’ll have to do twice weekly water changes and stick to that . You will be fine .

 

[MaloK]

I’m going to chance that same risk and say that the lowly five gallon doesn’t get the respect it’s due . My first real aquarium back in the 1960’s was a five gallon and I kept a lot of different fish in there successfully . I still have two five gallons and keep fish that the majority of aquarists say I can’t or shouldn’t in them . Go by your own observations . Let the fish tell you if things are okay or not . You’ll pick up on their vibe . Figure you’ll have to do twice weekly water changes and stick to that . You will be fine .

By today's standards what was done in the 70's with a 5 gallons was like 12 cories, as much harlequin and 3 powered dwarf gouramies. It was a job to keep on top of. And there was a lots of action in there.

Misconception sprinkled with ignorance made me do stuff like that. Where the fish mistreated that bad... I don't think so... While none ever reproduced for obvious reasons. They lived too long.

Or a tank completely over run with guppies, that looks like a school yard at recreation time. all the time.

What can make a fish happier in life than sparing with one of his buddies and a little pump of adrenaline. As long as there an escape place and you are there to intervene if things get sour.

Endlers... Will overrun any tank anyway. Let nature take course. They are promiscuous loving critters and feel at home when the only thing they can see and feel are, Endler's as far as they can.

So the question is. Assuming being able to maintain good water quality and lovable environment.

Who is happier, the tank with 6 lost or the one with a hundred shoaling in front of the water output ?

 

[Back in the fold]

By today's standards what was done in the 70's with a 5 gallons was like 12 cories, as much harlequin and 3 powered dwarf gouramies. It was a job to keep on top of. And there was a lots of action in there.

Misconception sprinkled with ignorance made me do stuff like that. Where the fish mistreated that bad... I don't think so... While none ever reproduced for obvious reasons. They lived too long.

Or a tank completely over run with guppies, that looks like a school yard at recreation time. all the time.

What can make a fish happier in life than sparing with one of his buddies and a little pump of adrenaline. As long as there an escape place and you are there to intervene if things get sour.

Endlers... Will overrun any tank anyway. Let nature take course. They are promiscuous loving critters and feel at home when the only thing they can see and feel are, Endler's as far as they can.

So the question is. Assuming being able to maintain good water quality and lovable environment.

Who is happier, the tank with 6 lost or the one with a hundred shoaling in front of the water output ?

Wow Man ! That said it all perfectly . That’s all the things I had in mind but didn’t know how to word . “ Misconception sprinkled with ignorance “ , that’s it in a nutshell but the line about a tank completely overrun with guppies looking like a schoolyard at recreation time conjured up an image that I have seen many times . What a great post !

 

[MaloK]

Wow Man ! That said it all perfectly . That’s all the things I had in mind but didn’t know how to word . “ Misconception sprinkled with ignorance “ , that’s it in a nutshell but the line about a tank completely overrun with guppies looking like a schoolyard at recreation time conjured up an image that I have seen many times . What a great post !

While it's looked at as cruelty today... These guppies where waking up in the morning knowing that food is falling from the sky and "I'm going to meet a lots of new friends today !!!"

And where exited to live and made the top of the tank looks like boiling water at feeding time.

You could follow multiple "Love affairs" going on at the same time and lots of males showing off their beauty and strength. Ladies parked around waiting for every occasions to look as best as possible to be chosen.

Honestly, we where calling it partying. And nobody's up for a party when not happy... It might come from the misconception part, But I assume they where happy.

What you can do with these little tanks is Absolutely underrated.

 

[omega59]

Yeah, some say its fine others no. I know they don't get really big and having 5-6 is decent. Also lots of plants help and keep up with water quality maybe an issue. I seen people stuffing sponge inside the filter, bc yes it seems too strong. I may just get a 10-15 gal i guess.

 

[MaloK]

The best is going with the largest you can fit where you want it.

And then adjust the other parameters. You might en up stuffing stuff in bigger tanks too.

5 gallons have possibilities but you must not be afraid to get wet.