Compatible crustaceans and driftwood for gsp

[BiggieSmalls]

Hello,

I just got a 2.5"-3" gsp (Biggie) and am trying to pimp his tank out but am really new to brackish decor and was wondering if other than tannnis and ph changes are there any real dangers in keeping driftwood in brackish water? From what I understand the salt causes decomp. but is it that significant since we see driftwood all the time washed up on shores of sw bodies?

I have several pieces in biggies tank now but am just getting ready to start the change to brackish. They have always been in my fw tank and I've never noticed any affects on ph. I did boil them multiple times so maybe this has had some affects on tannins.

I also would like to know if there are any brackish water clams or mussles that I could keep in Biggies tank as decor and filtration. I know that they could possibly be dinner but I think they would look really nice.

[SammyDee]

someone else will have to chime in about BW and driftwood to be certain. If im not mistaken thou I think at a Higher salinity the driftwood will grow fungus and look bad.

About the clams and mussels they would be instant food. Not sure where to get any thou but IMO theyd be nice but a waste of money. Theyd become constant food for him and if theres too many he may overindulge and kill himself. Try adding some shells of clams n mussel or buy the clam frozen uncooked at the market or LFS. Let em eat and leave a few shells from his dinners in there. Or just buy a few decorative shells. It just not a good Idea IMO to spend money on live clams n mussels for them to not survive. Especially when those are staple foods for puffers in the wild...

[Brandon8521]

If you dont already have the driftwood its a waist of money to go buy some and let it slowly rot in a brackish tank.

As for clams or mussels unless you have a well established tank that creates alot of sludge the clams and mussels will die from starvation and reak havick in your tank. I dont know of any clams or mussels that could handle the rise in SG that your GSP will need and really woudnt mess with them since they are ticking time bombs that are hard to find since they will barry themselfs and when they die you wont know it untill your ammonia reading go off the charts.

[pufferpuggirl]

I agree with all that's been said. I noticed the bogwood that I had in my brackish tank was becoming mushy, so I removed it and let it dry out and have put it in with my Vampire crabs.

As to crustaceans with a GSP .... as has been said, the puffer is going to look at it as food. And if I remember correctly, I think Neale Monks said that it's very difficult to keep mussels and/or clams alive in an aquarium set up. I've thought about buying some myself, they have some on eBay, but I don't want to get them only to have them die on me.

[BiggieSmalls]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It looks like the crustaceans are out. I do like the idea of a few empty shells lying around though Sammy Dee. I plan to pick some up this weekend.

As for the driftwood, it wasn't store bought so no money wasted. I think I'm gonna leave it in his tank for now until I notice any ill affects on the wood or his water parameters. He currently uses one piece as a little hammock and I really hate to move it until I have more decor in his tank.

Will post pics as soon as my camera charges.

Thanks again for your replies.

[RTR]

Wood rots faster in BW and SW, so they are damaging water quality and making a mess for you to clean - lowering pH and KH, staining the water, and shedding particles - totally negative. If you want the look, buy artificial. NIMFT.

[SammyDee]

yes we'd love to see pics of the lil bugger...

[BiggieSmalls]

Thanks for your advice RTR. I'm raising the salinity very slowly so maybe I can get by with it until I can afford to sink some more money on the fake stuff.

As promised here are some photos. My digital camera is on the brink so these were taken with my video camera and are not very good quality.
You can click on the pic below for a larger view. The link below picture is to my gallery which has a few more pics. Better pics to come.



ug.php/v/User_Galleries/BiggieSmalls/

[By_a_coo]

Well I guess everyone already told you everything about the wood and inverts in BW.

What I have to say is that your GSP looks REALLY cute and healthy! Congrats!
My GSP didn't like the woods and fake corals I added to the decor, I don't know why but he was so scared that he started to pace up and down the glass and stoped to eat for some days. He just acted normal when I changed the decor to what I already had before... rocks and green plastic plants. He explores the rocks try to find some snails... it's so funny!

[SammyDee]

WOW beautiful GSP. I love His/Her spots. And so bright. The tank looks immaculate too. How old is the tank? what size? Im just amazed at his coloring in FW..... his tank must be real healthy. Excellent Job

[pufferpuggirl]

As said before, your GSP is looking really nice, I love to see pudgy puffers.

[BiggieSmalls]

Thanks for the compliments on my handsome fellow. I think he's quite the cute rolly polly myself.

WOW beautiful GSP. I love His/Her spots. And so bright. The tank looks immaculate too. How old is the tank? what size? Im just amazed at his coloring in FW..... his tank must be real healthy. Excellent Job

You know, I always thought this tank was a 30 gallon because that's what I was told by the dude I purchased it from years ago. After ready your comment I decided to bust out the ole tape measure and check it on one of those nifty tank calculators. To my dismay it's only 25.5 gallons. Do you think Biggie will be ok in here for a few weeks until I can get him a bigger tank? I was already scouring craigslist for a 55 gallon just didn't think it would be this soon as money is a tiny bit tight right now. I can do 2 water changes a week and maybe get a bigger filter since I'll need one any way when I get the 55g.

The tank was set up in January of this year with an established filter insert and gravel from a friends tank. It's a really old ghetto fab set-up but it works. My bf and I have been talking about a 55g for some time but can't agree on style. He likes bow front/modern and I want a traditional/wood cabinet. We'll see who wins.

[SammyDee]

Well he definetly seems to be thriving in there as is. But a larger tank would be nicer. Id dig the bowfronts with a stand and canopy

[Pufferpunk]

A few weeks should be fine. A 55g would be fantastic!

[BiggieSmalls]

I found Biggie a new tank today. Not the 55 gal I had hoped for but found a pretty nice 30 gal with stand, light, hood, canopy, Aquaclear 50 filter, 150 watt sub. heater, a piece of fake driftwood and a large rock all for $20.00! Couldn't pass it up. I still plan to put Biggie in a 55 gal someday but I think the 30 will work for now. Will post pics as soon as I get it set up.