Figure 8 pacing up and down glass

[Pufferpunk]

Those are the fake mangrove roots that Petsmart sells. All sizes & shapes. I use them in all my tanks that aren't SW.

[yunachin]

I am going to have to get one definitely. Too cool not to buy one. Thanks!

[By_a_coo]

hey guys!

I'm getting annoyed... my F8 can't stop pacing... I bought him last thursday, and the next day he begun to pace. So I've researched a lot about "pacing" and everything led me to believe that puffers are bored when pacing.
This was the display I set up first:


So... I looked for some nice aquascaping... I've changed some things in my aquascape and I got this:


I did it today, though he's still pacing... I can't get anymore decor, I haven't too much room
I don't want my puffer get bored or sad or whatever and I really don't know what to do 'cause he's NOT pale, showing stress or something else... just pacing, and I don't think it's good!

[my name is mike]

nice looking tank -- ! Plenty of stuff to explore (watch the wood though as you increase the SG, it may rot and foul your water)

i would not worry about the pacing, it is totally common for them to pace at first (for a couple weeks even) -- i think my full grown fig 8 paced for close to a month --- do you have a background in there ?

[manutius]

IU would sya that the tank looks prefect in terms of interest. I would wiat a few more weeks and let things settle

[By_a_coo]

The tank looks perfect for me too! I'm gonna have to wait a few days, 'cause I'm not having any problems about feeding (he always eat snails and shrimp) and health, so I suppose my puffer needs time to adapt to the tank.

Mike - I just use one black paper as background (was that it what you wanted to know?)

[my name is mike]

yep, thats all i meant --

[spoot]

Ours ceylons paced a lot when we first go them. As they get used to the tank, they should feel more comfortable and stop pacing.

What kind of light do you have on the tank? Bright lights may leave them feeling exposed.

[Pufferpunk]

I like the 1st decor job you did better. He'll get over himself soon, dontcha worry!

[CoreyK]

I like the 1st decor job you did better.

2nd. More serene.

[my name is mike]

i agree, the first one looks cleaner (design wise) and still gives them plenty to explore -- your plants look healthy - congrats!

[By_a_coo]

I was using almost 110W in a ~19G tank... after changing the aquascaping, I thought he could be more comfortable with less... the I reduced it to just 40W the I also did the same with the CO2 injection. I believe plants are not suffering, they're still looking fine! And my puffer stopped (just a little bit) pacing up and down. He is exploring the tank to find some snails But when he sees me... whoa!! He swims like crazy, hoping that I give him some live shrimp to eat He loved that (and me too!!!)

PS: I'd prefer the 1st too, but it seems my puffer have more place to explore after changing decor.

[Pufferpunk]

You know you are going to move all that decor to stir the sand?

[By_a_coo]

I don't think so... I have a lot of plants that need a rich substrate, and some organic material could be good for them ( I'm just using aragonite sand, it's not fertile). I had have some experience with planted tank before.. and one more thing: I put the rocks and the woods onto the glass, there's nothing between both. And I can't stir the sand, 'cause I have a lot of plants with long roots...