The Puffer Forum

I have some new concerns and I'm not sure if this is the best place to share them, but I think you'll see them here. We had to move somewhat unexpectedly. Our landlord decided to sell the house and we didn't want to buy it. So, now that we've moved and took great care to transfer my puffers tank and...

I'm glad to hear that. I did my first kh test today. It took 13 drops to change the water from blue to lime green.

Thanks for all the information. I've always tested for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH. kh was not included in my test kit so I'll have to pick one up today. My pH has been at 8.0 since I put him in his 20 long with the aragonite sand under your advice. He's alone in there, I do at least a 50% w...

What is a desirable KH?

I'm using an aragonite sand substrate. Is this enough to maintain a stable carbonate hardness, or should i test for it?

I've been keeping my figure 8 puffer's salinity at 1.003 but it seems a lot of people are saying 1.005 is the best.

I just received the refractometer I ordered from amazon. I calibrated it using distilled water as the instructions stated. My water tested 1.004, which is what I was aiming for. Should I attempt to raise it another increment during the next water change or is 1.004 a good level?

Well, I'm still not fully convinced that I need it. However, I believe in playing it safe. I just finished upgrading his tank to a 20 long from a 20 high and used an aragonite sand substrate. I rinsed each batch at least 10 times but it's still cloudy. Is he going to be OK in the cloudy water? I'm u...

I had a GSP, but he didn't make it. Now I have a F8.

Thanks for the link to the refractometer.

My pH has been very stable without the aragonite substrate. I continue to test it everyday though.

Thanks for the responses guys. Yes, I did test for Ammonia and Nitrites after he died and none were present. I do plan on getting a refractometer when I can. Nice looking tank by the way Purple.

The tank is a 20 gallon high. It had also been cycled and had freshwater fish in it long before I began to convert it into brackish water about a month ago. It started when I bought a green spotted puffer that was sold to me in freshwater. I moved the freshwater fish to another tank and I began to r...