**********HELP NEW GSP'S(3) HALF HAPPY HELP********

[SammyDee]

ok guysthx alot here is were i stand now the puffers seem k in there 20g for the weekend i just set up a 55g minutes ago with mature filters from some one who had discuss fish i got two filters n aquaclear 110 g filter with just the sponge in it and also a canister filter which hangs outside the tank. both are running great now my question is should i hav a bubbler and heater in while its cycling ??????? and i added water conditioner nothing else"aquasafe" how long should i cycle for weeks months???? and or should just get the puffers outta thier screwy 20g immediatly an into the 55g?? plase any suggestions will help alot to!!!

[SammyDee]

also should i put aquarium salt in now rather than the marine salt one of the GSP is 2and a half inches the other two inches ****from nose to tail.*** the salinity i have the puffers in is 1.004 will they be good going back the the fresh water or should i match the salinity .002 a week till fully cycled ????????????? oh yeah i do have carbon in the canister (prolly old how longs this stuff last?) and also i dont have those bio max things which remove phospate i think will it be okay lemme now.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Don't put any marine salt in until you're 100% sure about the cycle being done and everything's been stable for a bit.

Don't do the aquarium salt, either. It won't really make a difference.

I hear that carbon only lasts a few days.

Don't worry about phosphates. That's no big deal unless you're working with a serious planted tank or a reef tank.

[Pufferpunk]

Put your GSPs in there now!

[SammyDee]

Pufferpunk do u think it'll be sAfe to put them in there without salt and without a cycle or it not good but better than what they're in now? Thx again

[SammyDee]

I do have live plants but not a ton some are for brackish and some fresh. How long do I need to cycle the new tank with an established filter/s I am thinking sand for the bottom too should I put gravel then sand. Can I set the tank up completly with the gravel plants etc but no fish or just toss em all in including the gsp"s? I have never had sand wat is good for high end Bw or don't matter I know u need live sand for marine or is sand too much a pain to keep clean. Maybe white gravel? Idk any suggestions plus don't puffers need live plants so they can nibble on them. I see they nibble on the live ones now but they don't consume it they just bite it and spit it out. All suggestions are welcome thank you again and again I have read alot of the puffer library but need more specic and personal experience ppl who have succesfully keep gsp"s thx

[Pufferpunk]

The tank won't cycle without an ammonia source. The fish are failing stuffed in that 20g. Put everything from the 20g in addition to the filters you took off the other tanks & put the puffers in the 55g NOW, before you leave. For more info about substrate, feeding etc, please refer to the GSP article in our Library.

Nice to see you're starting to use capital letters.

[SammyDee]

Ang I'm already gone til tomarrow hopefully they're ok some is feeding them but I am willing to be that he's no gonna want to do all that. I will do it as soon as I get home. I'll keep u posted too thx so much for all your help

[SammyDee]

Update: thx for all the help I put them in the 55g today n they're very happy now. And looking more healthy (no blk. Chin) all the levels are correct even though I used strips. But will they get that vibrante green once they're comfy after a day or so.... Or do they only get that way in BW and Marine??????

[SammyDee]

they do have their happy spots

[LilGreenPuffer]

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