What can I do to make my tank more exciting for future GSP?

[AnneMarie]

I have a few rocks piled but I want it more exciting, I know they get bored. I really don't like plastic plants, so I'd like to avoid that if it's possible. Please help me out! I want him to be happy.

[Pufferpunk]

Here's my 55g GSP tank, before I traded out the decor for live rock. Everything is fake.

[Arny]

You could try silk plants, they look better than plastic plants

[AnneMarie]

I've ordered some fake plants from Foster's and Smith's. I bought eight in varying sizes from 6 inches to 18 inches. It'll take about a week for them to get here. I'll add a photo when I've added them to the tank. Thank you guys!

That tank looks really nice! All the coral looks so pretty!

[AnneMarie]

I've bought some fake plants, they should be here within a week or so. Your tank was so pretty Pufferpunk! My puffer should be here Wednesday. I have also set up two other aquariums to breed ghost shrimp and ramshorn snails. Thank you for the help!

[sgtmyers88]

Took this in the middle of a water change. I have since rearranged this setup but the plastic plants and Live Rock worked out great for me.



If you do it right the silly puffer might find odd places to sleep, like this fella did.

[AnneMarie]

Wow! That GSP looks so fat and happy! Do you think I should add more rocks as well as the plants? I'm starting out freshwater but I'm going to start moving up to marine conditions shortly after I get my GSP. My lfs sells large quantities of liverock, so I'll definitely have access to that. Is it cured if he keeps in swimming pools with water heavily circulated?

[Pufferpunk]

Depends on how long it's been in there. They get shipments weekly & keep adding to the pile.

[AnneMarie]

The shop specializes in African cichlids and has a small saltwater section. How would I tell if it is cured or not when I bring it home? Thank you!

[Pufferpunk]

You can't. If you buy small amounts (<5lbs) I wouldn't worry too much. You can add directly to your tank--just keep a close eye on the parameters. Larger amounts should be kept in a bucket with airstone & heater & watched for ammonia/nitrites.

[Rudy]

What is the required salinity for live rock? I went to my LFS and inquired because I wanted to get some for my tank but they told me that it wont work in brackish aquariums its solely for full marine. My current SG is 1.010

[AnneMarie]

I think liverock needs full marine conditions because the critters on it are full marine. I think they would all die off if you put them in brackish and then it wouldn't be 'live' anymore lol But that's just what I think, I'm a total newbie to saltwater things so maybe someone else can explain much better.

[AnneMarie]

Thank you! I missed your response Pufferpunk. I'll get the liverock slowly=)

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't add it to <1.018.

[RTR]

If you take the GSP to full marine and go FOWLR the tank will be far easier and less costly to maintain, but the set-up is more expensive. With long lived fish such as GSPs, operating costs are more significant than initial set-up.