Getting new Puffer, How Should I cycle?

[artsygirl21903]

Hello all!!

I am thinking of getting a Dwarf Puffer, mainly because I have a 5gal tank. I LOVE puffers, they have the most personality out of any fish I have ever met! My husband has a salt water 180gal tank, so I am starting my own freshwater. I want to put one Dwrf puffer in but this tank is only 2 weeks old and I read that it must be cycled properly to make sure the puffer survives. I have owned many salt water puffers and i know most of them are very delicate creatures, but I have no experience with freshwater.

The history.... When I set up the tank I started with a betta, I then added 2 African dwarf frogs and a Pleco. Not a week went by when the frogs were dead and the betta followed the next day, so i am left with a pleco, which I am getting rid of since I got expert advise that it will NOT survive in such a small tank, even if it's tiny. So now my tank will soon be empty. It has a bad smell also, so I did a 100% water change (which I learned destroyed the good bacteria). The pleco seems good, eating. He will be out of there in about a week. I read cycling should be done with fish, but is there another way if it is empty? And If the pleco lived there for 2 weeks and i leave it empty for another 2 weeks would that collect enough goood bacteria? Please HELP!! Thanks..........

Jennifer

[Pufferpunk]

If the tank smells OK now, keep the pleco in there until right before you put in the puffer. Then do an 80% water change & add the puffer. Be sure to acclimate the puffer to that water by adding 1/2 cup of the tank water to his bag (while it's floating) every 10 minutes, for 1/2 hour. Then scoop the puffer out of the bag with a small cup (like a Dixie cup) & put him in the tank.

[artsygirl21903]

If the tank smells OK now, keep the pleco in there until right before you put in the puffer. Then do an 80% water change & add the puffer. Be sure to acclimate the puffer to that water by adding 1/2 cup of the tank water to his bag (while it's floating) every 10 minutes, for 1/2 hour. Then scoop the puffer out of the bag with a small cup (like a Dixie cup) & put him in the tank.

Hello, Thanks! But the tank still smells bad, even after the water change it started to smell bad. What should I do? Should I take the pleco out and try to cycle with some feeder fish, like small guppies or goldfish? My husband can always feed them to his lionfish when the cycling is finished? or should I try it with the pleco? Thanks Again.

[Pufferpunk]

What does it actually smell like? If the pleco is fine, I don't see why there should be a problem with your water. Test your water parameters: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH.