I own the 15 gallon flex, also used some filter floss to fill that first compartment, mostly to slow down the filter flow rate, I have eight cardinal tetras and eight rummy nose tetras and one small bristle nose pleco, change 50 percent of water weekly, have only enough gravel to cover the bottom and anubias plant on driftwood, the tank has been doing great.
Which filter floss did you buy? I need to find some for mine too. I have the same one. Can I put it on the bottom as well to keep the smaller fish from getting into the intakes? Also, do you know if this tank can handle sand? I just bought some, but I don't want to put it in until I'm certain it won't destroy the filter. (Yes it's for aquariums! lol. )
This video is so informative. Im going to start iff with my first tank . Ive got fluval flex 15 and im glad i watched your video before i even unpack it Ive learned so much from different experts on youtube. The aufgestion for "allowing plants to grow" and "wait before adding fish" is my way forward now. Thank you.
Now you've got me interested in this tank and I thought I'd made up my mind to not ever get another lidded tank. Had a biowheel filtered tank in the past, that wasn't the greatest filtration system. You'll grow to love those golden tetra once your plants are larger and provide contrast. They are subtly gorgeous.
Thanks for the videos! Starting my first tank, Fluval Spec 16 Gallon tank, planted. Your videos have been very helpful in planning out the cycling, maintenance, and stocking of the tank!
Looking good! I think some Hengel's Rasbora (trigonostigma hengeli) would look fantastic with that bright orange flash against the black background. Granted I'm very biased as I adore this little fish. 😊 When I was a newbie and thinking about stocking my tank I found a website called aqadvisor very helpful as it allows you to enter the exact measurements of your tank, filter brand etc to give you an idea of how you can safely stock it. I like to under-stock myself as I like that 'safety zone'. 😊
I stocked my moderately heavily planted Flex with small schools of Green Neon Tetras, Rasbora Espei, Celestial Pearl Danios, and Pygmy Cory Cats. Everyone is doing well and it's a beautiful low maintenance tank... as long as you don't accidentally throw away your remote. :P
I just stocked my Fluval Flora I finally got around to setting up about a month ago with eight of the Golden Tetras. They school so well with the spray bar current. I started with four and they mostly hid until time to eat, but now that I've added an additional four, they're really fun to watch.
Hi !! I would like to thank you,I live in the UK.... I've been watching your videos for a while and they have in couraged me to start aqua scaping, thanks again..
+Dee From Brooklyn so true. Knowing I'm going to make a video about what ever I do definitely pumps the breaks. But I see these people in pestsmart all the time with fish in the bag and aquarium in the cart. So sad.
Chain pet stores get a lot of pressure to make those kind of sales, but it's the LFS's that engage in that practice that really annoy me. They know better and should be teaching new hobbyists how to do it right.
I really enjoy all your posts pecktec! I'm actually gonna go nano for a while to give it a try. And I must say you got me interested in trying small tanks out. I got a couple of larger established tanks but I want some species only tanks and some of these nano setups will fill in some empty spots nicely in the house perfectly. I ended up getting some good deals and got a spec V, flex 9 and flex 15. So I'm very excited to start them up and will be doing so within the next couple of months. I'll have to send some pics to ya when I figure it all out. Cant wait to see more vids buddy! thanks
I don’t know how effective it is, but fluval sells a filter inlet cover. Their website has it for $2, but not sure if it would get the gap down to be safe for fry. Thanks for the video!
I've been wanting a fish tank for a VERY long time. I am a little intimidated when it comes to the maintenance but this Fluval Flex seems to be the easiest. Glad I didn't get the Edge when those came out because those tanks look amazing but hard to clean I hear.
That's a really nice looking tank and seems relatively easy to maintain... I have never seen those fish before and they go perfect for that tank. I would love this tank with tons of shrimp. Good job Peck!
I just purchased a Flugal Flex 15G a month ago, and immediately started setting it up without doing much research about stocking levels. I was able to cycle it pretty quickly by adding beneficial bacteria. I now believe I overstocked. Still, everything is working beautifully. I test multiple parameters almost every day or at least every other day, and the water remains very good and very consistent. I did add additional biomedia and a small bag of purigen in the first chamber. The tank is heavily planted and all its inhabitants seem very happy. So here's my list of critters. 2 amano shrimp 3 snails--1 mystery and 2 nerite 3 small gobies 11 cardinal tetras 7 harlequin rasboras 2 honey gouramis I know that's a lot. I'll keep up with testing, water changes, and other maintenance and see how it goes. If somebody needs to go, I think it will be the rasboras. They are little too active for my taste and seem to believe the entire tank is all for them alone.
One of my first grader's teachers gave all the kids a betta fish as sort of a science project. Then she moved to a different school and we were stuck with "Sam" Betta. I've never had a fish before so we borrowed a tank from a family member, but it's a turtle tank and of course not appropriate for Sam. So I looked into it and purchased the Fluval Flex 15. We're not planning on adding an aquarium mate because we've read that betta fish don't take kindly to "friends" and we don't want to be responsible for a violent crime! However, our fish seems lonely and depressed---he just seems to hide behind whatever he can find and doesn't move around much. I think he's getting used to the move to the new tank but I wonder how we can make him happier.
I've been thinking about doing a 10-gallon planted tank, would you be willing to do some sort of "how-to" guide in setting one up? I've been looking online but everything is either way too technical or too basic since I'm new to the aquatic hobby. You make this information INFINITELY more accessible without being too basic and I love it so much. Thank you!!
+Cierra Nicole thanks for the kind words! I made a video called a "simple ten gallon aquascape" that you can check out. It's pretty wierd though.... I have some playlists that narrow down my content a bit. Most of my tank setups are different every time. But it may give you some ideas! I'll be doing a really easy to keep 20 gallon soon. Check out the corner filter one I'm excited to try that.
I did 3 months before adding fish to my planted, Its like being a child and not opening that collectable toy in anticipation but is well worth the wait for sure.
I have the 9 gallon flex, with 6 guppies with 3 babies in the breeder box, a Siamese algae eater, and a couple shrimp. I kick myself every day for not getting the 15. I’ve had no deaths other than a shrimp. I think I might up the anti and get the 32.
Hi again, Sean! Loved the chit-chat style of this video. Very enjoyable, low-key delivery. Question: Which do you prefer Endlers' or Guppies? I had Guppies years ago but have never gone down the road with Endlers'. Have you bred them, Endlers' that is? I agree with you regarding the Brass Tetras blending in with the rock. Perhaps some black slate would lift them toward your eyeballs. Hope you and your family stay happy and healthy.
Modifications for the filter holes and feeding hole on Etsy and things to hold the lid up when you need to work inside I have shrimp in my spec and also modified it
hey again, i cut up some fine mesh bags and siliconed them in place over the intakes (top and bottom) and its suitable for my smallest fish like my chili rasboras :)
"hair algae" Yeah I'm abandoning my current shrimp tank over it. The stuff destroyed my java moss wall. I actually found your videos because I'm looking at replacing my current tank with a fluval flex 9g after christmas... and giving everything the comes out of my current setup a good bleaching 😅
+Marks Shrimp Tanks you'll have to go to the thrift store and surprise your wife with one like I did. I walked in and she went NO! No no no no no. LOL I promised to hide it from guests. But umm the internet doesn't count right?
Getting the 15gal in a few months. I'm wanting maybe a betta and either some diamond tetras, galaxy rasboras or harlequin rasboras. I've heard that the filter is a bit strong for bettas though but that pointing the output straight up and/or making small holes in the tube. Really excited either way.
Hey, great video. I’m looking at buying this - running my plants in there for a month then hope to add some blue dream shrimp and chilli rasbora - do you think it’s a good tank for this? Thank you!
Question: I've heard bad things about the customer service. One person said the black seal was not glued well and they were stick with it and didn't get a replacement. Have you ever dealt with customer service? Thanks in advance. I'm pretty anxious to go ahead and order this from Amazon so by the time you answer I will probably have it ordered already! But I still value your opinion greatly. I love your videos. Your the only one I really watch!
have baby shrimp already and i saw a baby pygmy or hasbrosus cory wiggling around today too but some of the baby shrimps got into the back filter area which is going to be a pain to get out. i gotta do what another commenter said and stuff the bottom with some filter floss or something
great info! im really starting to like these specs ..... I think I'm going to get one and make a review video also the back prefilter side looks so versatile....✌️
fluval says it is 7500K or something close to that but yeah especially for high light plants ,it's worth checking out you think?I sure like the curve front sorta like a reverse bowfront
So Pecktec, you're obviously very experienced with planted tanks. So I've got to ask; what are your favorite substrates/substrate mixes for planted tanks, and why? Curious to hear it. Love your vids. :)
Was watching that one fish beat up all the other fish behind you all the way through this lol hate it when you get a bully in the tank it drives me nuts lol
That tank looks great. Not seen this species of fishies before. Made me tempted to hunt some down this side of the pond! I've seen that you're pretty into monte carlo for your carpet plants at the moment, what others have you tried? I'm pretty addicted to s repens at the moment.
Hi . How about keeping. Only male guppy .with the following. Cori catfishes ..how is the USA I will be visiting next year down south love the USA .and your videos
I'm currently looking to get back into the hobby. I've always liked the all inclusive euro style nano aquariums. In past experience with similar kits, I always felt that the lighting provided was lacking for optimal plant growth, even for low/medium light plants. It was always frustrating to have to replace the stock fixture with an aftermarket unit. Which kit would you recommend for low/medium light plants?
Great vid. What are your pics for stocking a tank that has one Betta? I have a few snails and ghost shrimp (I can't tell if they're still alive cause they instantly went into hiding and never came out).
Have you got any idea what diameter the clear tube is that attaches to the filter pump I can't get the right replacement tube from anywhere, because mine split but sellers keep sending me the wrong size hope you can help 🤞🤞 thanks so much.
Did you make the video of the foam you mentioned to lower the flow of the water for betta's? I'm having a hard time finding it if it is up. Lol. I also need to find the foam to block the intakes some so my smaller fish don't get sucked in.
OK. I drank the Fluval koolaid and proceeded with purchase. Disappointed the pump's flow rate isn't adjustable like the Spec V. But that open chamber is highly modifiable, additional foam may help subdue flow rate and protect shrimp/small fish from being sucked into that chamber.
Hi Pecktec, thanks for this video, very helpful. I have a aqua one nano 40 (15 gallon) which has a very similar filter compartment. I have 5 neon tetras and was thinking about getting about the same amount of dwarf golden barbs. Would it be too much to also add around 4 red cherry shrimp? I know you can have less space for those and they look really cool so wanted to try them. A do have a few plants and other decorations. Thanks.
In the past I have always had worms in my aquarium, tiny white worms on the glass. (I think Detritus Worms, deffo not Planaria). How can I prevent these white worms in the aquarium or atleast a bloom of them? As a kid I never had the patience to wait for a month for the plants to settle, could that have been the issue? I am thinking of setting up a beta tank.
Trying desperately to go slowly adding things to my tank (my first in years so I have no other tanks to distract me). IT'S SO HARD! Even if you know its for the best. I keep walking past the fish at Pet Smart and I find myself thinking 'just one'...
@@pecktec I just love the looks of this tank. But I'm not sure if this tank is to nice and will look tacky if I add only plastic florescent plants and glow rocks.
So I’m in a situation where I was given a betta fish in a small bowl. I just set up the Fluval flex that I ordered shortly after the fish was given to me, and I planted it with Anubis, Java fern, crypto, and anacharis. Prior to today, I have only cycled the tank for a week. So... the question is, do I let the betta keep living in the bowl so that I can let the tank cycle, or should could it be justified that it’s having a worse life in the bowl than it would in a non-fully cycled tank. Keep in mind I also want my plants to do well and I don’t want to risk algae either.
Just do lots of water changes in the bowl. Or by a water test and put them head to head and see what worse. Depending on the substrate you may just put him in.
+Keith Johnson I use something different for every set up. Mostly. I always say what I'm using in the setup videos. So pick a tank you like and check out its video.
Afternoon Pecktec! I'm setting up my Fluval Flex 57ltr Tank the weekend which will be stocked with Tropical fish. Was just wondering if you could recommend a decent heater as I've done some research but confused as to what too buy? Someone has recommended the " FLUVAL E 50W " Also I've heard a lot about the COBALT NEO THERM? But if there's another which u could recommend That would be great? I value your Opinion as I've been following your RU-vid videos a lot lately and your videos give solid advice Your help in this would be much appreciated :) Many Thanks from the UK
Hi Pek, I did a fishless cycle for about 50 days before the ammonia was safe at 0. I used aquasoil amazonia type. How can I cycle faster? I heavily planted the tank at first, had algae after a month. I am still fighting BBA in tuffs.
+American horror GOREY it can take a while for the plants to settle in. They will have trouble growing and absorbing nutrients till the cycle has been going for a bit. Amazonnia and all soil type substrate will give off ammonia at first. You may be able to counter it with more bacteria than you would normally use. But I prefer to let the take grow out mostly empty as long as I can stand it. So I don't have to fight problems early on.
Most of my rummy nose tetra have that shinny green/silver spot on the top of their heads, where the red part ends, I love those colors. Also, one day I went fishing (with a net) in a local river and caught tons of guppies and golden tetras (which I put back in the river at the end). I'm from Colombia :P Also, isn't the concentrated biological booster, a mix of pure ammonia with other elements?
Hi it's me Toni again with another question. what's a great lite I can buy for a 55 gallon tank that grows plant's? and would you be able to send a link to where I can order one?
Love the channel, i used to have the flex 57(15) but sold my tanks i had as didn't have time to keep up with maintenance however I now want to setup a betta only tank thinking of using the flex 34 sand bottom ,live plants keeping it simple what I'm wondering is what other media could I use in the first chamber just to add an extra type of filtration was thinking of possibly some filter floss/sponge any recommendations
Sometimes you have to tug up on the filter part in the middle. The pump out area is where you will see the result of evaporated water so it will be lower than the rest. But in all these tanks I’ve noticed if you push the middle down to far it exaggerates it.
