F8 Tank need help

[dafunk5446]

Hello I am getting ready to start up a F8 tank (planning on getting 2), this will be my first brackish tank (7 years freshwater, 5 years Marine experience...I think I can handle it ).
Anyway, I have a 29 gallon tank sitting around, I plan on using an aragonite sand, and making a fair sized rock formation, with lots of caves, using lace rock (I will epoxy it to make it sturdy), I plan on starting the tank out as freshwater and then bringing it up to brackish (since most stores where i can get these from keep them in freshwater ) , I will also be doing a fishless cycle. I am planning on using a fluval 305 I have laying around I will be running mostly sponge in it besides the top filter compartments which will be for carbon. I plan on making a spray bar for the the return to lessen the force (I am guessing F8 dont like heavy flow). I am also going to run a large airstone since canisters like to suck any and all oxygen from water. I also plan on loading it full of java fern, since that stuff can grow in the dark. How does this sound so far? Would I be better off getting a different filter? any and all tips welcome, Thanks in advance

[Nick]

Sounds good, though I haven't found my figure 8's to dislike a slight current.

[dafunk5446]

K so I have been doing some reading on the site and thinking about how to set up this tank.
-I think I might use crushed coral in place of sand, due to the face that I had a problem with a reef sand bed going anaerobic on me before (not sure if this is a problem in BW), and also for the fact that I could gravel vac it since these guys are so messy, I plan on keeping it very sparse a 15 pound bag in a 29 gallon.
-I was also thinking about just setting the tank up brackish and fishless cycling it that way, then drip acclimating the puffers later. It just seems like a better idea then running the risk of killing off my bacteria due to fluctuating SG levels.
-Another thought/question, is if I should plan on rinsing out the sponge in my canister once a week or every other week?, I have seen the unbelievable amount of nitrate a canister can pump out and this worries me.
Sound like a better plan of attack?

Nick- I was just guessing that they dont like flow since the SW puffers Ive had always seemed to stay away from heavy flow areas in my tanks, could have been my imagination though

[Nick]

You could use a sand "dusting" - just a 1/2 in layer that can't possibly go anaerobic, if you like the look. I have never had a problem gradually increasing SG. It's no harder to go up by only .002 per week than it is it keep it the same every week, either way, you'll have to monitor the SG, and if you have an established FW tank, you can get the new one cycled instantly using filter media from that if you set it up at 1.002 or less.

[bazil323]

I like your plan to cycle it as a brackish tank and then acclimating the puffers to brackish with the drip system. I've acclimatized 3 puffers (F8s) and 6 mollies that way with no problems.

[edmlfc1]

Nick- I was just guessing that they dont like flow since the SW puffers Ive had always seemed to stay away from heavy flow areas in my tanks, could have been my imagination though.

My saltwater puffer will get right in front of the powerhead. I guess it just depends on the puffer. I think he likes to ride the wave.

[dafunk5446]

Thanks for all the help got a couple more questions though

How much light would you think I would need to keep java fern alive? I was thinking a 55 watt Compact would be enough.

also If i do decide to start brackish and drip my puffers, do you think that would be alright for the java fern as well?

edmlfc1- Yeah sounds like a case of individual puffer idiosyncrasies, in one case I had just put a 2 inch Saddled puffer in my tank and I had about 1000 gph going through my return, the little man swam sideways right in front of the return, the flow hit him like a ton of bricks, he barrel rolled 5 times before getting control and barely stopped himself from crashing into the glass...LOL!!!! I was rolling on the floor laughing when it happened and I still chuckle at the thought of that. He is the only animal I can say I have seen in utter shock, terror and confusion.

[Nick]

Java fern will generally live under a single standard tank light, a 55 watt CPF would be plenty.