URGENT!! ceylon puffer Q

[pufferpuggirl]

I'm a big believer in using cheap easily accessible materials, and have used masonry blocks more than once, if they work, and that's all you can afford, nothing wrong with that.

[Jivenjune]

well i got him a 20l today..i just dont have the means to support a 40 gal...the stands already bending haha. he seems to like it a lot more then the 10. as far as cycling goesi got stress zyme(i was told the only legal live bacteria solution able for purchase here). as for the transfer over to brackish im still a little scared. if i have a 20 long how much do i add?

edit. also how do i lower the temp.. i keep the light off but its still around 84-86

Your temps are a little high for a puff, but that should at least clear up any ich problems you might encounter. Make sure your tank is away from the sun. If it is and your temps are still high, I would find a way to get a fan blowing air on the surface of the water to keep it a little more comfortable for your ceylon. Keeping the fan on low should lower the temp a few degrees.

As for my understanding of Stress Zyme by API, it does not work. You will likely receive false readings when having your water tested and only notice it is not correctly working when your cycle begins and your readings spike. I would advise you to go back to the store and possibly see if you can get a refund. You're better off attempting to get your hands on some used filter media. Try asking your local fish store if they will sell you one of their old sponges from their filters. Most places are pretty willing if you can spot them the cash to replace it. The used filter media should be sufficient to immediately cycle your tank. Since your Ceylon is four inches, however, you will likely need to maintain significant water changes on a routine basis.

As for salt, you are better off buying a hydrometer, preferably the swing arm type, since the water temperatures in your tank will likely give you false readings on your current salinity. The bobbing thermometer hydrometers are calibrated to work most accurately around 76-78 F. You'll likely see false readings if you try to use this in your tank with the current water temperatures you have. There's a rule of thumb that some people use, a certain ratio. However, I would not recommend this method for the inexperienced. Each brand of marine salt will change your specific gravity differently, and while the rule of thumb might work for some brands, it might not be accurate for others.

Good luck with your fat buddy. You'll grow to become attached to him like no other pet you have.

[jrchkn]

ok so update. tupac is enjoying his new tank and has not been swimming up and down in the corners for sometime now.

i just got a bag of marine salt and am scared as to how i go about adding it in. anyone able to help me. its a 20L

[Pufferpunk]

See the sticky on that in this forum.