You have two options, I think. One is to go from here, with the large water changes. The other is to drip them back down to FW and get some bacteria from a friend's FW tank.
If you don't have tests for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, get them NOW. You will need them!
Full marine... I guess they had them confused with GSPs. Oops.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
Before I get a chance to cycle my tank.. I was wondering if I took out the puffers, and put them in a bucket with filter/heater attached.. and then swapped out my cichlid sand for live reef sand.. I read that it instantly cycles your tank.. and its on sale for $20 or so at my LFS..
Is that a good idea? Or am I missing the point?
Oh and thanks for all the help everyone.. I really appreciate it. It great to see a nice online community like this.
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
No such thing as live sand in a bag. Even live sand from an established reef tank would not work, as your SG would be much lower for F8s. Now sand from a BW tank... See the emergency cycling article in our Library.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
Just a quick reply to second most of what of what you have already been told, but also to clarify a couple of points.
First off, immature puffers tend to loosely school. It is a defensive trait in the wild with great survival value. But when puberty and sexual maturity arrive, so does territoriality. Protecting your home grazing area also has strong survival value. Some puffers spawn very frequently, so may be be more tolerant of con-specifics (fish of the same species), but many are only seasonal spawners and more or less territorial as adults. With two fish, there will always be a top-dog and an under-dog. This means that there must be sufficient area (floor space) and sufficient visual complexity (decor to block sight lines within the tank, but not so much from the viewer). The benefit of increased size also eases the maintenance of high water quality. Hobby tanks are not often so tall that the depth is significant for explorers such as snail and invert-eaters such as these puffers, they will helicopter around every object, deep or tall, examining the surfaces for prey. Depth is not much of an issue, but floor space does matter.
Salinity and/or osmolarity are directly related to survival time of F-8 puffers. They do best and live longest for me in low-density brackish water, say specific gravity of 1.003-1.005. Above that they might still approach ten years, but will average half again than figure in low-density water. A calcareous substrate (one that contributes calcium and magnesium salt ions to the water) is likely also beneficial. In the wild as adults they definitely visit and pass through full marine conditions. This does not mean that those are the best conditions for them in captivity. The fry are commonly caught in pure FW, or only barely BW, but that also does not mean that is the best long-term for them in captivity. Unfortunately, very very few LFS have any clue as to best or even sustainable captive conditions for any puffer.
Hey guys, I was able to find a 24g Aquapod, that comes with the filter, and basically everything included.. for 50 bucks, some one at my school is selling it.
The reason for the price however is there is a small crack on the back, about .5 inch that leaks some water, I assume it can be fixed with some epoxy..
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
The girl selling me the tank, poured water into show me, and it a small dripping leak on the rear left bottom corner.
It seems like it could be something that could be easily fixed with some aquarium sealant...
I'm still a bit hesitant.. but it does seem like it could be fixed..
What do you guys think?
*Oh and on a side note..
If I do end up getting this 24 gallon Aquapod... my friend was interested in trading one of his GSPs for one of my figure 8.
The other figure 8 i'll be gifting to my girlfriend for her birthday next week.
I did read that the minimum was 30 gallons for a GSP, however seeing as how its more of a sophisticated tank, and thats its only off by 6 gallons, would it be alright to comfortably house a GSP in there? I plan on buying a great amount of plants and decorations as well..
And I have to be honest.. I really fell in love with my friends GSP... its only about 2.5 inches or so now...
Any thought, comments, advice is greatly appreciated!
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
30g is the bare minimum & I doubt that tank will be 24g when full of substrate, decor, etc. The gallonage is usually off by a bit. Perfect for 2 F8s though.
I'd reseal the whole thing to be sure.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
My Puffers: I currently have one gsp just a little guy 2.5 inch 30 gal. long one betta crown tail in 10 gal. planted :) very happy 36 gal. planted bow front betta half moon 6 platies 7 tetra neon.planted
Like pp said try craigslist I just got 55 gallon tank filter rocks fake plant the whole shabang plus a stand for $100 and the guy delivered it for. Give it a shot hope, it all works out.
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
SxS316x wrote:hopefully having one of them in there should be ok?
if it's any consolation, my figure 8 has been living in a 10 gallon for about 7 months. i do 30 percent water changes once a week and check the levels in the tank frequently. he's happy, healthy, and about the same size as the ones you have. i do plan on upgrading to larger tank when the time is right, but in my opinion, a ten gallon should be plenty for now.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!
--Homer Simpson
