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Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:17 pm
by Woland
bertie 83 wrote:In full marine it may have hit it's full size? Hmm I guess this one is still open for debate?
I would guess that "she" is around 3,5" (exclusive tail).
As to marine/brackish/fresh; well, to many variables and uncertainties involved IMO.
She is vibrant in her colors, and seems to enjoy herself.
Good enough for me, but maybe not for Bobby McGee...

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:25 pm
by Arny
Do you think that someone may've been replacing your gsp's with new ones when they've died over the years :)

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:04 am
by Pufferpunk
Woland, he lives!!! :D How ya doing, buddy?

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:14 am
by Iliveinazoo
Arny wrote:Do you think that someone may've been replacing your gsp's with new ones when they've died over the years :)
?

It is widely believed that there are more than just the 2 species we recognise as being traded as green spotted puffers; it is conceivable that some of the species will grow larger than the others...

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:51 am
by RTR
Full size in puffers depends in large part on how the fish was handled prior to puberty. Fish which mature in insuffient space/current/exercise will be smaller than maximum size. As fish grow throughout their lives, they still may approach "full" adult size even if not well-housed and cared for when young. They will not be as large as they would be if well-tend while small. IME they will tend to die younger as well.

We have few results on fish with good lifetime care. The majority of hobbyists stay in hobby less that the lifetime of even the small schooling Tetras, much less the mufti-decade loaches, catfish, and Cichlids. Goldfish also can live a very long time.

GSPs we do move to full marine for the long-term cost savings. Set as FOWLR & skimmer, we can save a lot of money over mid- and upper-level BW due the lowered replacement rate of the water. So far as I know, no one has tried to check out the lifespans of GSPs under various upkeep protocols - it would take too long and cost too much. So we opt for the lower-cost option. It appears to keep the fish at least as well as with nid-level BW, and as the upkeep is easier and cheaper, it is more likely to be done properly. Beyond that we have no data.

HTH

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:17 am
by Woland
Pufferpunk wrote:Woland, he lives!!! :D How ya doing, buddy?
Fine thank you PP.
Joined Aquarists Anonymous some years back 8) , and managed to get down from "23 Puffers in 16 tanks equals 925 Gallons of water",
to a mere "2 Puffers in 2 tanks equals 125 Gallons of water.
Painful t'was... But in many ways a release!

I will however see the loveliests of GSPs Izabella to the end of her days (or mine),
and my palembangensis Fred, the second, will more than probably be living with me as well.

And many a greeting to my old URL-friend RTR!
Good to see you around and kicking!

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 11:00 am
by J-P
WB and glad to meet you. :)

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:20 pm
by Arny
Iliveinazoo wrote:
Arny wrote:Do you think that someone may've been replacing your gsp's with new ones when they've died over the years :)
?

It is widely believed that there are more than just the 2 species we recognise as being traded as green spotted puffers; it is conceivable that some of the species will grow larger than the others...
I was joking, The fact that her gsp stayed the same size for so long, I was just saying that maybe someone was replacing it with another over the years...I know not that funny

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:46 pm
by DGabbs
Pufferpunk wrote:I can't begin tell you how much $$$ you save on WC, with a SW system, compared to BW!
by WC do you mean water changes? And how does one save on WC if they are running saltwater as aposed to brackish?

Thanks

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:11 pm
by Pufferpunk
I do 30% WC every month on my SW system, compared to 50% weekly on BW.

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:36 am
by DGabbs
Why, because the live rock recycles the nitrates? Just a guess???

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:55 am
by RTR
It is far more than just the nitrate recycling (although that is highly important). It is also the replenishment of trace minerals from the aerobic anaerobic channels in the LR. The biochemistry of LR is incredibly complex and comes far closer to replicating the reef environment than we can do by any other single process. If the system is set with a macroglae refugium it is better still - the enrichment of the microflora and microfauna is definitely non-trivial. The whole thing is the closest setup we have been able to achieve to a closed system. It is not really close yet, but it is a big step closer than we have otherwise gotten.

Hello Woland - great to hear from you again! I am still trying to reduce my tank numbers and water volumes, without a lot of success. But I do keep trying.

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:41 am
by Pufferpunk
The biological diversity found on live rock is a microcosm of the natural reef environment. It is this diversity that helps replicate, in the home aquarium, the efficient use of nutrients found in nature. The balance struck between the import and export of nutrients provides effective control of aggressive growth of opportunistic organisms. All live rock inhabitants are important parts of the reef ecosystem (neither good nor bad) but some species become problematic when conditions in your reef system are out of balance.

Live rock bursts with a variety of life forms ranging from microscopic plants and animals to larger algae and invertebrates including coralline algae, sponges, feather duster worms, macroalgae, microcrustaceans, and countless others. This diversity of life and its rugged, unpolished beauty make live rock a prized addition to any marine aquarium.

Under proper conditions, this plethora of organisms flourish and each organism performs a different function and contributes to the overall health of the entire system. Live rock, rich with life, provides many benefits. For example, coralline algae and macro algae are very useful in controlling the growth of unsightly nuisance algae by actively competing for space and nutrients. Macro algae also provide food and shelter for other species and offer a visually appealing presence in the aquarium. Sponges and feather dusters, besides being beautiful inhabitants, filter out particles and organic materials to keep your aquarium clearer and cleaner.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/livero ... e-Rock.htm

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:47 pm
by DGabbs
So brackish aquariums are a bit of a money pit?

Are brackish tanks hard to stabilize?

I thought with my AC50 and 15 pounds of base rock that there would be lots of area for beneficial bacteria to grow on. I know that lots of water changes are still required due to nitrates, but 1.005 brackish wont be too hard on my wallet will it?

My nitro-cycle has started, because i tested for nitrites and it came up positive. Around 0.25. I was pretty exited about that. Because i wasn't sure if my established filter media piece was going to seed the tank. My water levels are about 1.003-1.004 according to one of those cheapie hydrometers. I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a refractometer.

Thanks!

Re: Starting a Brackish Aquarium!

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:01 pm
by sgtmyers88
A while back I bought three pieces of purple & green live rock which I later discovered had been covered with a lot of those feather duster worms. Adding them along with the Coralife skimmer that was given to me resulted in my water clearing up considerably. Hopefully my GSP's will leave the feather dusters alone.