Considering larger tank yippee

[lilacamy931]

Ok guys sorry to keep going yipee lol.

We were in the LFS the other day and saw a 60x24x15 which is a 354litre tank with heater, filter, light for £225. We were considering something unusual especially for my partner to get interested in. But then it clicked what if I were to condense all my iddy biddy tanks and replace my medium 160 litre for this baby and have my irrubescos and SAPs all in one tank and that would make a lovely view. What do you guys think? I have been look at other tanks from 250 litres upwards and think it would be nice to upgrade, sell the 160 litre and spares and just keep a spare for hospital or quarantine.

What sort of stocking could I try with irrubescos and SAPs? I currently have 2 male and 2 female irrubesco. The males and females are getting along fine separately, so need to see how the group go together and enlarge upon this, also of course how the SAPs went.

And of course now I am thinking of the situation I want the tank now, though rehoming a couple of fish first and making sure the tank switching is the right thing to do.

Still considering F8s for my 100 litre cube which I will be keeping as fond of this tank, though very undecided on one or two. I have heard two may not get on whereas 3 spread the aggression which of course cant fit in these specs. Loner or Pair?

Sorry to blab I get terribly excited, especially as I have always had small tanks the 160 litre being my largest, a little intimidating thinking of a large tank.

[SilasMortimer]

Hiya. The new tank sounds exciting. And that is one of the best deals I've yet seen for a tank that large. With all those extras, too.

I don't have a lot of experience with puffers, so this is mainly speculation based on study and what I've learned from fish keeping in general.

In stocking with that combination, I think the ones I'd really worry about are the irrubescos. You may want to keep your old tanks until you're sure that they'll do well with each other and other fish.

The size of the tank will be very beneficial. And don't be afraid of getting a tank so large. It's in fact much easier to care for a large tank than it is a small one (with the exception of water changes if you use buckets). And there will be a little added expense, as you'll really want to include enough decor (rocks, driftwood and such) to provide hiding places, which will help to keep both the irrubescos and any other fish you have in there calm and safer.

I also suggest planting the tank. (I nearly always do, but I think it would be especially beneficial in this case.) Since it's a very large tank and likely comes with standard lighting, I would definitely suggest a low-tech setup. Some inexpensive plants I've used with a lot of success in tanks with low lighting include Java moss (just let it grow across the substrate), water wisteria, and anacharis or hornwort to float at the top. Hornwort is a safer bet, but be prepared to do a lot of cutting. Anacharis can also be planted.

As far as other fish to stock, I would start with a school of inexpensive tetras with short fins (i.e., not black skirts). There are plenty of options in that category and it's best to start cheaply in case you lose any to hungry puffers. Start with 8-10 and if they survive, you can increase that number. Then you can consider other fast, short-finned fish. Any tetras will do, as will danios and rasboras (though avoid the scissortails, obviously). I love rainbowfish, but you'll want ones that will enjoy the same water conditions as your puffers, so I could only suggest Praecox (aka dwarf neons), though there may be others who like soft water and I don't know about them. I do keep otocinclus with my dwarf puffers and they might work, as they don't draw a lot of attention to themselves by moving around much and, when pestered, can zip from one side of the tank to the other in a flash. If you get them, though, be prepared to supplement their diet with algae wafers, as they are strict herbivores and only eat algae and decaying vegetation.

That's about all I can think of to suggest. I hope it helps.

[lilacamy931]

Thanks very much for that! We are going to review the tank this Saturday and if all is well then put a deposit down. Otherwise it would be a 260 litre for £160 for the tank then £30 second hand external a heater chucked in and then the problems of lighting. So going to negotiate on delivery and make sure it doubly does come with what I first thought

I have the irrubescos with neons at the moment but stocking wise was unsure how many irrubescos and how many Saps.. a larger neon does sound good to perhaps help calm them down with a shoal (thank you!). Great suggestions x

I would pass all my current living plants and decor into the larger tank from a 160 litre and 100 litre so hopefully at least half the tank would be heavily vegetated! Thanks for the great low tech suggestions x And especially thank you for easing my mind alittle about the tank, Im sure once it is in place!

[SilasMortimer]

Not only will a shoal calm them down, but the more neon tetras you have, the more beautiful the display. One neon is pretty, twenty are brilliantly beautiful.

For the number of SAPs, you could probably keep several. The Pufferpedia suggests 15 gallons per SAP, and the tank would be 93 gallons. A lot of plants and decor in the tank increases the number of overall fish you could keep.

Hopefully someone with more experience with puffers can add something a little more knowledgeable.