Getting a figure 8 puffer fish soon. Maybe in a month.

[Markgilst]

I made this thread on AC and after lotsa problems with trying to cycle to tank, it's somewhat stable now. It currently houses 2 bumblebee gobies and when my LFS has the next sale (that's when they'll also have figure 8 puffers) I'll get my fish but other than that they usually sell GSPs. I go to Strictly Fish in Lakewood BTW.
Pictures here:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/sh ... 60&page=16

[Markgilst]

Here's what I will do.
1. My tank IS cycled, but it only has enough bacteria to support bumblebee gobies, which are in there right now.
2. So when I purchase the puffer in maybe a week or two, I will purchase some bio spira or safestart or whatever.*
3. I will buy some small hideouts for the bumblebee gobies.
4. After a day of letting everyone acclimate, I will do a 25% water change and replace the once totally freshwater 5 gallons with 5 gallons mixed with half a tablespoon of sea salt.**
5. One week/month after the first water change, I will do ANOTHER water change but this one will half half more of a tablespoon mixed in the water. 1 table spoon maybe.
6. After that water change I will replace 25% of the water with 1.5 tsp of sea salt. I'll continue adding slightly more salt till the tank is brackish.

* Just in case I mess up and the safestart dies, I will have saved half of it.
** I don't want anything to mess up and safestart is expensive so I'll spoil the bacteria as much as possible.

[LilGreenPuffer]

You need to have a hydrometer or refractometer for the salt. You really do.

After you open SafeStart, you can't save the rest. It won't be good anymore.

I'll let someone else explain the ins and outs of salinity. It's not my forte.

[Markgilst]

After you open SafeStart, you can't save the rest. It won't be good anymore.

Even if you refrigerate it?
Also I do have a floating hydrometer.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Just be sure to properly calibrate the hydrometer, to clean it periodically to avoid algae buildup (which weighs it down and makes it float lower in the water), and to check the salinity of the water you're about to add. The saltwater must be mixed for 24hrs, and then you should check the salinity again.

Also, to my knowledge, SafeStart won't last, even in the fridge.

[Markgilst]

The next sale is in October which give me time to try any cycling method I can. On AC I said that I was going to get media from my pond and use that for my tank.

[bazil323]

I thought it was already cycled? If it is cycled, then just add fish gradually and keep an eye on parameters. If you have a minicycle or you are simply concerned that it will be adding too much, then go ahead and add media from the pond or SafeStart.

[Markgilst]

I currently have 3 gambusia and 1 bb goby in the tank. I tested the parameters in the filter last night and the ammonia is good. I also have 2 TINY MTS in the tank and a ghost shrimp that is about 1.5 cm. Would that bioload be good enough for a small figure 8 puffer? I'll take out as much fish as possible once I get it.
Ever since I moved the tank to the side of my bed on the floor, I have been feeding the fish at least 1/4 a chunk every other day/every 2 days. Beginning last week, I feed the fish a cube of frozen brine shrimp every 2 days/every other day.

[LilGreenPuffer]

How big are the gambusia?

Did you check nitrites?

What is a "chunk"?

[Markgilst]

How big are the gambusia?

Did you check nitrites?

What is a "chunk"?

Gambusia are about 1.5 inches at largest. I'll take them out and return them to the pond after I get the puffer fish.

I haven't checked yet, I'll check soon though.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Well, they'll need a more varied diet than that. Brine shrimp are pretty low in nutrition.

How big are your gambusia right now?

[Markgilst]

Well, they'll need a more varied diet than that. Brine shrimp are pretty low in nutrition.

How big are your gambusia right now?

I think they are 1-1.5 inches each.
I'll probably end up feeding them things like insects or ghost shrimp or something like that.
Nitrites: 0

[LilGreenPuffer]

Great! You can go ahead. The gambusia should be producing plenty of ammonia. Remove all of them when the F8 arrives. You will also need to remove the snails and only put them back in at feeding time. When you add the salt, it will kill them, resulting in an ammonia spike.

[Markgilst]

oh look.
My LFS is selling f8 puffers tommorow. CAN I GET ONE?
Also, as of a few days ago, I haven't been feeding the fish the brine shrimp cubes every other day, but now every day.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Go for it! While you're there, get a variety of foods, including some shrimp and whatnot. Don't forget to quarantine all live food for at least a week.