New Fahaka puffer!

[Pufferpunk]

Most LFS sells it. I use Kent brand for FW.

[eigo]

Most LFS sells it. I use Kent brand for FW.

im going to buy some tomorrow

[eigo]

how ofter should I change the water? I have alot of time on my hands so changing the water isnt a problem

[Pufferpunk]

Minimum of 50% weekly, although I do 75%.

[xxSarahxx]

PERSONALLY... I find that lots of small water changes are better than one big one if you have lots of time due to the fact that if you do a big water change the water chemistry can change quite substantially quite quickly and that in turn can cause problems... but that's just me!
Always make sure your water has been conditioned and is at as close to the same temperature of the tank as you can get it.
Also as the tank does not seem to have had a source of ammonia in it your bacteria levels would have been lost from your filter media and so on which is why there is a fear of your tank not being cycled... especially not that to the extent that a fahaka needs. The only thing that might help is the bacterial supplement may have had some ammonia in it (lots of them do!) and this may have cycled it effectively.
As pointed out the test strips are not great for accuracy so untill you get a more accurate test kit or get your friend to double check the water chemistry I would advise keeping a low level of food going into the tank. The more food = the more ammonia = the more nitrite = the more nitrate = the more water changes needed = and so on!!
Hope that all helps and that the puffer remains happy and healthy!!

[Pufferpunk]

PERSONALLY... I find that lots of small water changes are better than one big one if you have lots of time due to the fact that if you do a big water change the water chemistry can change quite substantially quite quickly and that in turn can cause problems... but that's just me!

Only true if you don't keep up with these larger water changes weekly. At this point, by doing these large weekly WC, my tank water is very close to the same chemistry as tap water is. Definately is a shock if you are doing this after no WC for a month! Small frequent WC does not equal 1 large one.
http://www.aquariumboard.com/forums/articles/4802.htm
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