The Tank

[jimi]

pluse puffers and wiggleing creaures never mixes to well ( my firends gsp eat a violet gobys gills once and all it ever did was sit there ( they had 70 gallons to the 2 of them and some shrimp)

[Camaro95]

New updates.

Added two dates worth of activity and added third alternative stocking plan.

[Camaro95]

I can't decide what I want... do I want a nice brackish setup with 2 figure eights or stick with my totally understocked idea of 3 or 4 dwarves with some plecos?
Let's some opinions!

[Pufferpunk]

Ottos work better than plecos, w/DPs.

[Daria101]

I would love to find some ottos at my LPS but when I asked the guy if he had any he just gave a blank stare & blinked at me. LOL

I got a new tank for my DP. i'm excited!

[Camaro95]

Ottos work better than plecos, w/DPs.

That's what I've read. I've just never had much luck with them for some reason. When I had some...probably a year ago... they died within a couple of months so I got some more and same thing. Now they are hard to find. Maybe out of season.

[StormySkiez]

I can't decide what I want... do I want a nice brackish setup with 2 figure eights or stick with my totally understocked idea of 3 or 4 dwarves with some plecos?
Let's some opinions!

If that tank was mine I would put big fish in there. That's probably because I have small tanks and do not have the option to have a variety of large fish. On the other hand if I had my heart set on smaller fish, I think I would put more then 3 or 4 DP in there. The figure 8's IDK about because when I see them kept together at 2 or 3 inches they seem to fight a lot. I have no idea if the DP's would fight like that. FW is so much cheaper and easier to do. IDK it's all up to you. I'll be waiting for pictures .

[Camaro95]

If that tank was mine I would put big fish in there.

I'd like big fish, but I notice that most of them aren't quite as interesting or active as smaller fish. Another thing is, I'm a fan of understocked tanks simply because it's a bit more natural. I believe the fish are happier in something they have room to move around in freely than they do in a smaller tank. As an example, 10 people could live in an average sized house, but would they really want to? Even though that house can fit 10 healthy people, the people would be a lot more comfortable if there were only two or three.

That and I love trying to find the fish.

[billysgirl4e]

Personally, if the tank size will allow it; I'd go with a fahaka. A puffer like that would be SO beautiful...I love their design. I have a dear, dear love for GSPs...If you want to keep it low stocked, I think it'd be go to get maybe two GSPs in there, and then as they become adult and need marine conditions, you could convert it to a saltwater tank, and MAYBE add some other fish it you do your research. They're the greatest fish ever, though! (imho). If you can find one, either a ceylon or a t. sabahensis. (I've seen both at walmart....I know, horrible place to buy fish, but if you can nurse them, they turn out pretty good and you save their life ). I'm not sure about their compatibility to have more than one together? anyone know?
-Jess

[StormySkiez]

I'd like big fish, but I notice that most of them aren't quite as interesting or active as smaller fish. Another thing is, I'm a fan of understocked tanks simply because it's a bit more natural. I believe the fish are happier in something they have room to move around in freely than they do in a smaller tank. As an example, 10 people could live in an average sized house, but would they really want to? Even though that house can fit 10 healthy people, the people would be a lot more comfortable if there were only two or three.

That and I love trying to find the fish.

I understand . When is the big day to put your fish in the tank?

[Camaro95]

The first fish will be moved likely tomorrow or Wednesday. I will actually be taking the larger population of Black Mollies and moving them first. I will then take my seven kuhli loaches, my dwarf puffer raisin and my two clown plecos out. I have massive hair algae infestation and it won't go away, so I need to dismantle the tank. Once that has been done, likely within a week. Java fern should already be in the larger tank and bumblebee gobies should be arriving at my new store.

Ah yes, I've decided to go Brackish so this needs to be moved to the Brackish Puffer forum.

[Camaro95]

The first new fish will be coming tomorrow. I will be purchasing two figure eight puffers with about six bumblebee gobies. The tank has been giving me this lonely look for a week now, just begging for company. Unfortunately however my connection to the customer orders has been unable thus far to get java fern so I may be plant less for a little while.

Jared

[cobra1713]

it sounds like you made your own lights did you? and if so are they power compact and could you tell me how?

[Camaro95]

I went to my local hardware store, purschased two 32 watt compact bulbs. At the same time, I also purchased one ballast (it can hold two compact bulbs). To hold it above the water, I laid two pieces of 2x4 across the width (front to back) of the tank, screwed 6 smaller 2x4 pieces across the two (3 on each side) to act as supports and then I screwed a piece of dowling on to the top of the "supports". I attached the ballast chain to the dowling with a screw to keep it in place. I now have 64 watts of lighting with the ability to add two more 64 watt ballasts for a grand total of 192 watts. But I doubt I'll ever use much.

[Camaro95]

So now I have my puffers and my gobies. Two figure eights with four bumble bee gobies. I plan on getting 2-8 more gobies though. Unfortunately my java fern didn't arrive so I have to wait until the lfs gets some in. The figure eights have already started eating like little finned pigs. I've provided some thawed shrimp and they love it, they eat it straight from my hand, play tug o' war with each other when I let it go. The gobies tend to circle or just sit and watch and try to sneak in, but the puffers lunge and scare them off. When the gobies do manage to get a small little hunk, the puffers will ignore their larger pieces and try and take the goby's.

I've added more fake plants are on the way tomorrow as the Java fern may not be arriving for another week or two.

I've tried to get some pictures but they don't seem to like the camera. I bring it out and they take off and hide. I'm experimenting with different techniques now, but its hard to get a decent picture without capturing my entire bedroom in the reflection.