So many choices

[Ralph]

Hi there. Just getting back into fishes, I’m setting up a 30x12x18(h) with a 2” deep sand substrate with a single rock, Bogwood with greenery from 2 establish tanks and some pipes for caves. With so many to choose from what does one do? From those cute DP’s
up to the likes of Suvartti’s. Ideally I’d like a minimum of two. So please all suggestions will be greatly received. I’m also willing to wait for the right guys.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Okay, so that's about 28g. Sounds like you're sticking with fresh water. Since it's a high, don't go for SAPs, since they love to have lots of floorspace, and they prefer to be kept in groups of at least three, which you don't have space for. DPs are great, and since you want at least two, I think they'd be a good choice. I'd go for about six or seven, plus some otocinclus catfish, and maybe some shrimp. You could also have an Abei puffer, but you could only have one, and they can be hard to find. You could also have a Congo - the PufferPedia says 30g, but I've heard from site gurus that 20g is fine, since they're so inactive. Check the PufferPedia for more ideas, and get back to us.

[lilacamy931]

I would just like to say that dwarf puffers are mighty cute and full of character! The tank would need to be heavily planted and if you went with dwarves a ratio of 2 to 3 females per male is recommended to spread the aggression of the male (from what I have read!)

[Ralph]

Hi thanks for the replies and suggestions . I'm going to go with the DP's and build up some experience with puffers then move on to the slightly larger ones of about 6". Picked up a load of greenery at the weekend and transplanted it. Now instead of looking like an underwater desert it looks like a forest of about 3" in depth with the exception of one thats about 12". Just waiting for the water to settle then will be going for the DP's. I've got about 24 snails in there ready and waiting. Two small bristlenoses to tidy up some of the algie from the other tank. They'll probably move into my daughters tank. Saw a lovely Ceylon puffer today and Milk spotted yesterday and was very tempted on both but held back to do some research first. Sticking with the DP's. I'll post some pic's of the setup once I find my camera.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Sounds great! They might like some more tall plants, and Idk if yours will grow (what kind?), so you might consider that. And I hope you don't expect those snails to breed! My DPs started hunting them about three minutes after they got into their tank, and they cleared them all out in a week! If you do want a steady population available, you'll have to breed them seperately. Anywho, I know you'll love the little guys. Congrats!

[Ralph]

Hi there LilGreenPuffer excuse the ignorance but what does ldk mean. Well if the snails breed prior to the DP's arrival good but not expecting anything long term. Is there any special requirements for a snail breeding setup. Just a small tank, water some plants and heat I'm guessing. Oh and some snails to begin with. LOL

[thekarens]

idk is short hand for I don't know. I only know this because I have a teenager who is a texting fiend

[Ralph]

Thanks for that. I'm not sure what plants they are but they seemed to get quite large in my cousins tank. So here's hoping they'll grow in mine as well. But I'll still get some of the larger types to go in.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Hi there LilGreenPuffer excuse the ignorance but what does ldk mean. Well if the snails breed prior to the DP's arrival good but not expecting anything long term. Is there any special requirements for a snail breeding setup. Just a small tank, water some plants and heat I'm guessing. Oh and some snails to begin with. LOL

Actually, a small tank and water would do it. Heater, no need. Plants, most species would eat them and kill them. Just the tank, water, and maybe a sponge filter and gravel. If you go for MTSs, definitely give them some substrate, since they love to burrow. You could do all of this in a Tupperware or some kind of plastic bin. Make sure that the pH is is least 8, or their shells won't develop well. A handful of crushed coral or some seashells would take care of that. Feed them algae pellets, nori (seaweed sold in sheets, used for sushi), dead plant leaves that you've taken out of your display tank, whatever. Water changes are no biggie, either. I've got a setup for snails, and I haven't changed the water in weeks, and they're still breeding like mad.