Setting up my first brackish tank

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
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Saviorself
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Setting up my first brackish tank

Post by Saviorself »

I am setting up my first brackish tank. I am not new to fishkeeping I currently have a 125 gallon planted tank. I am getting a figure 8 puffer for my 30 gallon long I have. I went to the fish store today to check out there puffers. They told me they keep them in brackish water but they use aquarium salt in the tank and not "instant ocean". Is there anything different I should do to acclimate him? I plan to use Instant ocean as I had read aquarium salt isnt a good choice.

Thanks
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Re: Setting up my first brackish tank

Post by bigfatfish »

Hello & welcome!
You're quite right - aquarium salt is completely different to marine salt & does not make water brackish. So those F8s are in freshwater with aquarium salt, not brackish water!
You can either cycle your tank at the same SG that the lfs has, or cycle it as brackish & acclimatise the new fish, using the trickle method.
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LilGreenPuffer
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Re: Setting up my first brackish tank

Post by LilGreenPuffer »

I would cycle your tank as FW and then raise the specific gravity (a way to measure salinity, AKA SG) by .002 per week for thee weeks or so. The slow change in SG prevents dieoff of nitrifying bacteria and keeps you from losing the cycle.
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Saviorself
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Re: Setting up my first brackish tank

Post by Saviorself »

Perfect I appreciate the help.
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