Recommendation- Further F8 versus GSP?

[lilacamy931]

Thank you for the advice PP, will look into all avenues, I really love the colours in that tank, that is absolutely awesome, what size tank is that and how have your two GSPs gotten on in their more adult size? Really love the rocks and colourful corals (real or good resemblances, assume your tank may be towards the marine end - not good at guessing!) LOVVVVVVEEE the colour!

[bazil323]

Well, it looks like you've settled on GSPs. You're right 2 GSPs would not do well in a 50g tank. You'd need at least 60gs.

But, if you are still thinking about figure 8s, then I would go with 2 or 3 figure 8s, at least 10 bbgs, and maybe a male molly or 3 for a little color. Do provide clay pots or other cave-like areas for them to go into, but mine mostly ignore them and swim about the tank.

I currently have a 44 gallon corner tank with 1 F8, 8 bbgs, and 2 adult female mollies with about 10 of they fry of various ages (got rid of many, many fry and the male adult as they were taking over the tank). All are doing very well. The F8 and bbgs have been together for nearly a year, and the mollies have been in there for about 8 months.

I find that the bbgs spend about 50-75% of their time at or near the bottom with plenty of time "attached" to the glass in the middle to top of the tank. They are actually quite active and have no fear swimming into the middle of the brine shrimp/mysis shrimp/bloodworm cloud when I feed them even with the mollies greedily swarming around them. The F8 mainly hangs around the edges, but he doesn't seem to be stressed at all and gets his share. Mine is actually quite shy (hubby chased him around the tank to get him to puff up before I gave him a verbal lashing).

[lilacamy931]

HI bazil323

yep I am pretty set on my ONE Gsp lol! Even going through potential names for him/her. The F8s are definately sweet and depending how my first additions go then I will probably end up with some along the line I do really like the idea of BBGs to add activity to such a tank.

My Gsp tank is gathering slowly but surely..have my wonderful tank and stand a 160l (thought it was 180l but my measurements and cleaning of the tank thought otherwise) is cleaned and sparkly for the addition of equipment. I have some plastic plants, and have bought my two feature pieces for the tank this month.

Next month the sand (coral gravel),deciding whether to get new heaters..the tank came with one but was thinking of getting two smaller ones to make up for the one and keeping the older as a spare (we will see). Month after that filter decided mostly on the Fluval 205 external, any other extra bits. The month after that ensuring have all the parts and then getting the salt, dechlorinator, test kit, etc and onto cycling! (P.s.this is not a complete list!)

You may be asking why on earth am I spreading it like this over the months? (it is agony for me I assure you!) I am doing so as I dont earn terribly good amounts and do not wish to leave myself short! I LOVE to plan though, and getting even just the background is exciting (I am a bit weird..hopefully perhaps not )

Not to get too ahead of myself but me and my partner (mostly me) have also in the works are planning to set up a small 10US gallon for some dwarf puffers. Hopefully for the recommended one male and two female, as I imagine one little dwarf puffer may get depressed? and two may fight without balance? (though please do tell me! as I have seen dwarf puffers in pairs never singular and it would be a dwarf puffer tank only)

I may hear you cry one tank at a time!!! Yep have considered this but with the deals I am currently looking at I could obtain a freshwater tank quicker and cycle for some lovely puffs much sooner (though not rushed), it may be good to start on water changes, but we will see. Birthday being in September I have my friends and family all offering help towards my puffitis which is becoming epidemic (my partner always having been interested in aquariums) catching some too.

Anyways one last blab..eventually I hope to have a GSP, 3 dwarf puffs, 2 F8s and a beautiful porcupine. (there are others I have fallen for but this is my very narrow minded eventual list!!!) Sorry to blab!

[lilacamy931]

New development, i have been offered a free tank! Do not know anything further except it is a friend of my dad's and need to get rid off, watch this space. Fingers crossed

[bazil323]

Sounds like you are doing the right things by planning and being patient. We always, always like to see that. And you will be much happier in the end because your fish will have much better chances at being healthy and living a good long life.

As for the dwarf puffers, you can keep just one, and he or she will be just fine. It might even be happier without the competition for food and territory. Remember that, with the exception of SAPs, puffers tend to be loners and aggressively territorial. But, if you would like to have more than one and can find males and females, then yes get 1 male and 2 or more females. Or just females (I think females are okay together). If you only have 2, they are more likely to pick on each other, while having 3 or more will spread it out. I believe 3 is the max for 10g, though.

[lilacamy931]

I did wonder if the females would be ok by themselves, as I was getting the tank myself originally I was going to go for the 10g for three. But as being given a tank I am thinking of how many to that tank. I really will have to wait and see as my dad says from what he remembers that it was around the size of my tank now...I know what he is like though, so I will definately wait and see! (my current tank is 160litre).

I have to say everyone that I talk to and excitedly squeak "Im getting a pufferfish" look at me like i am mad and all my old uni mates think it is typical of me (I always dragged them to the oceanrium and my best friend had to suffer poses ) what can i say, the more reading on here, the more loving the guys!

Thanks bazil323 on the advice on the dwarves!

[lilacamy931]

sorry me again, decided on the coral sand for the GSP tank thinking of this:

http://www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/ool ... -710-p.asp

its 24kg for just over £15 and would order some other bits, does it seem too good to be ture or just the right stuff?