F8's with GSP

[kaylas]

I just bought a very small Figure 8 puffer. I had originally planned to get a GSP but when I got to the fish store, F8's were all they had, and I couldn't resist. If I get a small GSP soon will it live happily with the F8? I know they are more aggressive when older, but I've also heard if they live together from the start they won't be?
Before the fish, I added some 'stability' my tank to make sure the ammonia levels stay under control, and the LFS said to wait to add a second fish. How long?

[Bonsai_girl]

Have you tested your water parameters?

[kaylas]

Yes, I have testing strips and everything seems normal.

[crazedpuffer]

Don't bother with the stability, it will do more harm than good.
GSP's and F8's both live in different waters. F8's are low brackish, while GSP's like high brackish-full marine. So no don't get the GSP, if anything get another F8.... what size tank is it?

[kaylas]

25g

[Pufferpunk]

How did you cycle the tank? That's a good size for 2 F8s.

[kaylas]

I cycled it with Stability.

[Pufferpunk]

How's that working out for you? Have you tested the water yet?

[kaylas]

I've had the puffer for a week now and he seems fine. I have tested the ph and its normal, and sg is good, but I haven't tested for ammonia or nitrates.

[Pufferpunk]

Ammonia & nitrite are the 2 most important things you should be testing for in a new tank.

[kaylas]

I went and bought more detailed strips and just tested my tank-

ph 8
nitrates 20
nitrites .5
ammonia .25

This is after adding the F8 and adding stability every day for a week. So, it seems like ph and nitrates are good. Could I add another F8 when my nitrites and ammonia are 0? And, should I try to add something to lower the ammonia or is it best just to wait it out? I feel like if I wait long then my first puffer might get territorial.

[Nick]

If you move the GSP to another tank, a 25 is a good size for two figure 8's. Do large volume water changes daily until ammonia and nitrites stay at zero.

[kaylas]

I don't have a GSP, just one F8 in the tank. The LFS told me to wait two months to add another fish but when I can get ammonia and nitrites to stay steady at zero I can, right?

[Pufferpunk]

Actually, you would have been best to fishless cycle the tank, before adding the puffer (read the article on this in our Library). Cycling a tank with fish--expecially one as sensitive to those toxins as a puffer--is never good for the fish.

[kaylas]

Well, I've had several fish before and actually never took special care to "cycle" a tank. I've never had problems with fish, but i guess the puffers are just a lot more sensitive. My LFS told me to use the stability with the puffer and he would be fine. I figured they knew what the were talking about b/c they only have fish- and hundreds of them at that. I never saw dead or even sick fish in there. Anyways, the puffer is doing fine and I can't go back now . But- I am asking if I can add another when these levels are constant at 0.