Choosing a Puffer

[Sentinel138]

I have officially decided on which puffer I'm going to get. I'm planning on trying 1 Abei Puffer. {Yay! Me!} It shall be my first Puffer, I will keep him in a 20 Gallon tank till he gets to 2 Inches and then move him into a bigger tank. (If I can find someone who sell baby's. Which I am determined too.)

Does anybody have any ideas how I should set the tank up. I'm thinking of using sand and live plants.(Does this sound alright? Will the plants do okay in sand?){Never used sand before, only gravel.} Using a filter for a 55 Gallon tank, with a canister filter as well for a 55 Gallon tank. (Yay, for over filtration. Does this sound okay too.)

Also, does anybody know any website/anybody who will sell baby Abei Puffers. (I have to order them seeing as my pet store doesn't have any. They voluntered to order them but they could mistreat them and that would be upsetting me to see a Puffer unhappy.)

Help is wanted. Please Respond.

P.S.
This probably won't be done until somewhere in January, because I have to move my Eel into a bigger tank and I won't be able to do it till I get the water right.

[marksrush]

I've always had really pretty good luck with live plants and sand, although at first it can be a bit difficult to get the plants to stay down in the sand. In fact all my freshwater tanks use sand and have live plants. My dwarf val really seems to like it because it's sent out runners all over the place. One thing you have to keep in mind when using sand, though, is that if you get too thick of a layer (more than an inch), pockets of toxic gas may form without regular stirring up of the sand. While Malaysian trumpet snails are normally not so great to have, in the case of a sand substrate they're actually beneficial because they like to stay buried while they cruise around, which stirs up the sand a bit and helps keep those toxic pockets from forming.

Oh, and you really don't need to ask for people to respond. Someone will, eventually, although you may have to be patient for a little while.

Eeek, that sounds like a bit too heavy on the filtration, in my opinion. Overfiltration is good, yes, but I'd be surprised if your Abei will appreciate that much current.

I would not be too reluctant to let your LFS order one for you; they will probably take your phone number when you give them the go-ahead, and call you the day it comes in so you can immediately go pick it up. I can't see how that would be any worse than having one shipped directly to you, something I'm terrified to do because I just have these nightmare visions about some dock worker tossing his box around, or leaving it sitting in some unheated holding room.

[Sentinel138]

I've always had really pretty good luck with live plants and sand, although at first it can be a bit difficult to get the plants to stay down in the sand. In fact all my freshwater tanks use sand and have live plants. My dwarf val really seems to like it because it's sent out runners all over the place. One thing you have to keep in mind when using sand, though, is that if you get too thick of a layer (more than an inch), pockets of toxic gas may form without regular stirring up of the sand. While Malaysian trumpet snails are normally not so great to have, in the case of a sand substrate they're actually beneficial because they like to stay buried while they cruise around, which stirs up the sand a bit and helps keep those toxic pockets from forming.

Oh, and you really don't need to ask for people to respond. Someone will, eventually, although you may have to be patient for a little while.

Eeek, that sounds like a bit too heavy on the filtration, in my opinion. Overfiltration is good, yes, but I'd be surprised if your Abei will appreciate that much current.

I would not be too reluctant to let your LFS order one for you; they will probably take your phone number when you give them the go-ahead, and call you the day it comes in so you can immediately go pick it up. I can't see how that would be any worse than having one shipped directly to you, something I'm terrified to do because I just have these nightmare visions about some dock worker tossing his box around, or leaving it sitting in some unheated holding room.

So try not to use more than 1 inch sand?(Any type anybody would recommend personally?)

Are they're any other snails that go through the sand other than MTS? Because I'm worried the puffer would eat them.

How much current should I provide then? Puffer Punk recommends two filters, a little bit more overpowered for the thank. I was planning on doing a canister, and a bio. What would you recommend?Anybody?

Thanks for the info about the Abei/Fang's being ordered. I'm still searching for that website for baby Abeis. So... if anybody has any idea of a website that could do that.... please respond.

[bazil323]

Eh, you can use as much sand as you want, and a good deep bed is recommended if you are going to have live plants or they will never stay rooted (not without weighing them down anyway). However, you need to make sure the sand gets stirred up. You don't need MTS for this, though they can be helpful. The best way is to do it youself. You can simply use your fingers and gently stir it (make sure you get down past the top layer). I know some people attach chopsticks to their gravel vacs to do this, too. With rooted plants, you don't need to stir it near the plants because the roots will be kinda doing this for you, and you would just be disturbing the roots. However, the rest of the tank would need it.

I agree to go ahead and get it from the LFS if you can and be sure to pick it up right away. When I've done this, the LFS calls me the day they come in. If you go this way, LFSs usually have some sort of a return policy so that if it dies you might be able to get it replaced at no charge or half price or something. Not all online places do this, and not all stores do this either. be sure to check that out.

You don't need a canister for a 20g tank, but there are some models out there that won't overpower the tank. IMHO, I would just get a power filter that's rated for at least a 30 or 40g tank. AC filters are highly recommended, though I've never owned one and can't tell you personal experience with them. However, I would recommend starting the fish out in the tank that it's going to be in when it's full grown rather than hoping you move it out before it starts getting stunted.

[Sentinel138]

Eh, you can use as much sand as you want, and a good deep bed is recommended if you are going to have live plants or they will never stay rooted (not without weighing them down anyway). However, you need to make sure the sand gets stirred up. You don't need MTS for this, though they can be helpful. The best way is to do it youself. You can simply use your fingers and gently stir it (make sure you get down past the top layer). I know some people attach chopsticks to their gravel vacs to do this, too. With rooted plants, you don't need to stir it near the plants because the roots will be kinda doing this for you, and you would just be disturbing the roots. However, the rest of the tank would need it.

I agree to go ahead and get it from the LFS if you can and be sure to pick it up right away. When I've done this, the LFS calls me the day they come in. If you go this way, LFSs usually have some sort of a return policy so that if it dies you might be able to get it replaced at no charge or half price or something. Not all online places do this, and not all stores do this either. be sure to check that out.

You don't need a canister for a 20g tank, but there are some models out there that won't overpower the tank. IMHO, I would just get a power filter that's rated for at least a 30 or 40g tank. AC filters are highly recommended, though I've never owned one and can't tell you personal experience with them. However, I would recommend starting the fish out in the tank that it's going to be in when it's full grown rather than hoping you move it out before it starts getting stunted.

Thanks for the info on the sand, and the LFS.

I could keep the Abei in the 20 Gallon tank but I figure if I get him past the 2 Year Point I'll just upgrade the tank to like a 40 Gallon for more room.

So if I got a like 50 Gal Power Filter do you think that would work?

[marksrush]

If it's a filter recommended for a 50 gallon aquarium, that seems a little excessive to me. If I were doing a 20 long, I'd get two HOB filters rated each for a 20 gallon and put one at each end of the tank.

It would help if we knew how fast these guys like their water. I've looked around a little in an attempt to get some information on their habitat, but I'm not getting an idea as to how much current there is where they live..I mean, how fast is the flow in a river basin? Slow-ish, I would think, but I don't know for sure. Some puffers like water with a lot of movement, some like slow flowing water, and ideally one would tailor the tank to the puffer's liking. Maybe you can poke around and find out more info that what I was able to find.

[Sentinel138]

If it's a filter recommended for a 50 gallon aquarium, that seems a little excessive to me. If I were doing a 20 long, I'd get two HOB filters rated each for a 20 gallon and put one at each end of the tank.

It would help if we knew how fast these guys like their water. I've looked around a little in an attempt to get some information on their habitat, but I'm not getting an idea as to how much current there is where they live..I mean, how fast is the flow in a river basin? Slow-ish, I would think, but I don't know for sure. Some puffers like water with a lot of movement, some like slow flowing water, and ideally one would tailor the tank to the puffer's liking. Maybe you can poke around and find out more info that what I was able to find.

Is that a hang on? Or a inside filter? I'm sorry I'm not familiar with my filters what is a HOB exactly?

[marksrush]

Oh, sorry...Hang On Back.

Well, it turns out that "river basin" is simply a geographical area where all the streams and creeks in that area empty into a particular river, so of course there could be huge variations in flow rate throughout that area. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekong) says that the flow rate of the Mekong varies greatly throughout the year, depending on the season, but overall it seems that the upper Mekong runs fast, while the middle and lower parts run slower. Not knowing any better, I'd shoot for moderate water movement overall, with perhaps some quieter areas in the tank where your Abei could chill out for a while if it felt like it.

[Dadof4]

When you are setting up for a puffer, especially one like an Abei, you are best off to start them in the tank they are going to live in. I would honestly skip the 20 gallon and go right to the 40 gallon. The reasoning behind this is that puffers are more susceptible to stunting from their own hormones. All fish give off hormones but puffers do not have scales to slow the resorption and if kept in too tight of living space as juveniles they will stunt very rapidly due to this.

The filter question is actually a pretty good one. What is recommended is a flow of 10 times the tank volume per hour because these guys are so messy and have a high bioload. So for a 20 gallon you want 200 gph, and the 400 gph for the 40 gallon. Honestly you really don't need a canister filter, just a good hang on back filter that can reach the required flow rate. on my 30 gallon tanks, one with a Brown and one with a Suvatti, I run HOB filters that have 340 gph flow. The good thing about HOB's and high flow is their outlet set-up, its right on the surface so you flow is faster the closer to the surface, and current in the bottom (where Abei's lurk) is lower. You get great oxygenation too because of the agitation of the water in the filter box. I highly recommend the AquaClear filters, they do list the GPH flow rate so you can choose accordingly.

[marksrush]

...The reasoning behind this is that puffers are more susceptible to stunting from their own hormones. All fish give off hormones but puffers do not have scales to slow the resorption and if kept in too tight of living space as juveniles they will stunt very rapidly due to this.

This is interesting information, Dadof4, and if possible I'd like to read more about it. Did you find this online, and if so, can you provide a link?

[Myaj]

I'm not sure if this particular thread has any scientific links in it, as its been a while since I've scanned through it, but its a good read on the topic (and its a sticky in the General Discussion forum to encourage more people to read it):

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4030

[Sentinel138]

I'm not sure if this particular thread has any scientific links in it, as its been a while since I've scanned through it, but its a good read on the topic (and its a sticky in the General Discussion forum to encourage more people to read it):

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4030

Well thanks! I'm just trying to get a puffer, and offer the best home I possibly can.

[Sentinel138]

Okay taking everybody advice I think the best filter would be an:

AquaClear 50 (200) Power Filter would be best. Does this sound right/good? Would you recommend attachments as such as the Quick Clear Power Head? And such.

[Dadof4]

...The reasoning behind this is that puffers are more susceptible to stunting from their own hormones. All fish give off hormones but puffers do not have scales to slow the resorption and if kept in too tight of living space as juveniles they will stunt very rapidly due to this.

This is interesting information, Dadof4, and if possible I'd like to read more about it. Did you find this online, and if so, can you provide a link?

I have read it in other area besides here. I'll see if I can find the study...

[Sentinel138]

This is a question for people out there that have fish in a sand bottom tank. If you stir the sand with your hands.. aren't you messing with the bacteria and making the puffer have bad water? If so could you explain the way you can prevent this from happening and still stop toxic gas bubbles in the sand from forming.

Respond Please.

P.S. I could be wrong and in that instant tell me so please.