Figure 8 Puffer tank

[Corey]

Hey there,
I've been reading and research F8's for awhile now and have been lurking the forum for the past few weeks and I was wondering how my tank check list looks so far. As of now I only plan on having one F8 in a 20 gallon tank.

My check list for it.. Add or advise if you want.

Bought/Have:
-Water conditioner/Ammonia test kit
-Plenty of plastic and silk plant decor
-75W Marineland Stealth heater
-Cone feeder
-Hydrometer
- Some rock decorations.. etc
-20g with hood
-Seachem Silver Shore aragonite substrate
AquaClear 50 filter

Purchasing:
-More rocks and decorations for the puffer to hide/explore
-Dr. Tim's one and only (possibly to help cycle the tank more quickly?)

Do I need any type of airstone or anything?

I'm already working on breeding my own snails, we'll see how that goes!

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Corey

[taureandragon76]

I would try and get a refractometer instead of a hydrometer as they are more accurate as for filtration something like an Aquaclear 70(formerly 300) would be great.

[Brandon8521]

If you dont have the money for the refractometer although advised to get one you can get a instant ocean hydrometer since they go down to 1.000 (some start at 1.010.) I second the Aquaclear in my opinion the best filter out there. Although a 70 would be real over kill you could go with a 30 and for double the filtration and incase you want to upgrade later on to a 30 or 40gal later you could go with the 50.

[Corey]

I actually have the Instant Ocean hydrometer, so that's good news. I was planning on getting the Aquaclear 50 before posting this thread. I felt the extra filtration couldn't hurt. The 30-40 gallons filtration unit should be sufficient.

[Pufferpunk]

I agree--BW doesn't have to be as exact as a reef tank. Hydrometer should do for now.

[Dukeskeeper36]

I have a F8, and i would recommend atleast a 30g though 20 with the right decorations could work out great. i have a 30g for mine and he is very comfortable. I would also suggest some sort of gravel vac. while the puffer or its tank mates will clean up some of the leftover food, they do make a big mess on the ground XD there isnt much help i can give for filters... there are so many out there its like trial and error lol

good luck and let us know how it goes : ]

[Corey]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I plan on getting a lot of the rock decor that is $2 or so per pound so I can create my own caves and what not. Anyone have suggestions for a substrate? Any links or something would help! Thanks again

[Corey]

Well doing research on my own, I picked up some aragonite substrate.. this to be more exact: http://www.seachem.com/Products/product ... hores.html

[Dukeskeeper36]

pictures when you get it all set up

[Corey]

Of course! I have my F8 in a 10 gallon tank right now (temporary of course!) Here is what it looks like:


New tank has more rocks/caves, some Malaysian driftwood (We'll see how that does in brackish), more silk/plastic plants, and of course the aragonite substrate.

[melzchels]

Of course! I have my F8 in a 10 gallon tank right now (temporary of course!) Here is what it looks like:


New tank has more rocks/caves, some Malaysian driftwood (We'll see how that does in brackish), more silk/plastic plants, and of course the aragonite substrate.

I like your tank set up! I am in the same situation with moving my F8 into a bigger tank.They don't allow more than 10gal in the dorms :p. Can you please keep me updated about how the driftwood does in the Brakish, because I was thinking about getting some when I move my F8 into my 20 gal back at home.

[Corey]

Will do, it will be after finals week though (about two weeks), before it's done soaking and everything. I've heard so many mixed reviews online so I'm hoping for the best

[Corey]

Change of plans, the driftwood I ordered wasn't as big as I expected so I'm going with a large fake root like piece of decor and a smaller log + some natural (boiled) rocks for my set up. Pics in a week! I have a build thread going on over on this forum: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/brackis ... post580868