I can't keep a GSP alive....

[CoCoPuffs]

for more than 3 weeks. It ends the same way, each time. The puffer seems fine for about 2 weeks or so then suddenly stops eating, then, invariably, dies 3-4 days later. My water always tested well with zeroes for ammonia and nitrites and nitrates are always low, <20.

The tank has been running for over a year with convicts and dempseys being it's last inhabitants. The substrate is sand and i have 2 pieces of what i believe to be cyprus wood with a flat rock bottom screwed or glued on....My LFS assures me that the water is hard enough (without ever testing it) and that algae presents no problem. I believe that the puffs are being poisoned some how, i just don't know how....

[CoCoPuffs]

Oh yes, and i do add salt, .001 or a tad above...

[J-P]

what kind of test kit are you using?
and
How many attempts has this been?

[CoCoPuffs]

The kind with test tubes and such, not the strips. And this is about 7-8 puffers in 6 mos. or so...
There is a pair of leftover guppies and a couple of snails remaining.

[J-P]

guppies and snails are almost indestructible.

Are you using any chemicals in the room any aerosols? What is the filtration you are using?

For now, last Q: Have you thought about upgrading to full marine from the start?

[CoCoPuffs]

guppies and snails are almost indestructible.

Are you using any chemicals in the room any aerosols? What is the filtration you are using?

For now, last Q: Have you thought about upgrading to full marine from the start?

The filter I have is a lower tier quality, and over the edge of the tank job. No harsh chemicals that i would be aware of....and yes, i've come to the conclusion of either going marine or trying to find a FW puffer, which, in SE Michigan is hard to find, in a LFS.

[Pufferpunk]

Are you buying them all from the same source?

[CoCoPuffs]

Are you buying them all from the same source?

No. But an ongoing theme around here is that none of the employees know anything about them and none have ever owned a puffer. I've bought from chain stores and specialty stores and they all have the same basic advice: "add 1 tsp. of salt for every 5 gallons of water".

[J-P]

Are you running the filter with carbon by any chance?
BTW.. what kind of salt?

The only thing I can think of is getting the salt out of that tank. Maybe a huge water change and running carbon for a week?

[CoCoPuffs]

Are you running the filter with carbon by any chance?
BTW.. what kind of salt?

The only thing I can think of is getting the salt out of that tank. Maybe a huge water change and running carbon for a week?

You know, that's a good question. I assume that the salt i bought was marine, but it wasn't marked so, it was a bulk buy from sea world and they knew it was for a brackish tank. The filter cartridge is another question, if it is carbon or charcoal.....hmmm. Anytime i do a water change, which has been every 5-7 days, keeping the nitrates down, the salinity drop dramatically.

[jus85411]

what size tank do you have? sorry you havent had much luck with puffs we will keep chipping away at information til we find a possible reason

[J-P]

carbon and charcoal are for the most part the same in this situation.


If you can check out Instant Ocean. I hate the stuff but it does the job.

How are you reading the salt content a refractometer or hydrometer? The former is the better of the two.

[CoCoPuffs]

what size tank do you have? sorry you havent had much luck with puffs we will keep chipping away at information til we find a possible reason

This one is a 20g long. The puffers i have been able to find are less than 2'', so i thought i could start them there and come spring, take some tax money my wife thinks will go towards a vacation and buy an undersea vacation land where her entertainment system used to be, alas...

[CoCoPuffs]

carbon and charcoal are for the most part the same in this situation.


If you can check out Instant Ocean. I hate the stuff but it does the job.

How are you reading the salt content a refractometer or hydrometer? The former is the better of the two.

I have a pond hydrometer that was recommended by the LFS, saying it would measure lower quantities better. I plan on picking up some instant ocean tomorrow. Funny thing about the salt they sold me, it's accumulating water in the bottom of the bag, due to the inability to seal it properly.

[J-P]

actually salt does that

The worst place to keep salt is on a concrete floor in the basement (if you buy buckets). Check ebay for a refractometer you can't go wrong and much more accurate.

Now the set up:

Other may disagree with me... but that is up to debate.

1) GSPs will be high end brackish or full marine. So why not start there? Start saving and set up the tank as full marine (live rock, proper substrate, and a skimmer) **
2) Once the tank is established and cycled add your micro fauna (a bottle of pods etc..)
3) Get the fish and do a quick drip acclime to full marine.

** you can short cut #1 buy purchasing dry rock and a bottle of Dr. Tims.

Essentially what I am saying is that you'll have to start fresh... everything you have is gone and the forum will walk you through the rest.

If you don't want to go that route, I'd still do the 50% water changes and keep the guppies (minus the salt).


Or keep up with the weekly water changes (minus the salt) and search for a true FW puffer. The SW set up will set you back some $$ initially. Please, by all means, don't make any purchases or put any more salt in the tank until you have have thought this through and discussed it with the family.