newbie needs help with new GSP

[verdethegsp]

Hi everyone, I recently added a young GSP to my tank. Which is currently FW (i got him as a FW fish, but I know he needs to be brackish) He is currently sharing an 80gal tank with a couple gobies and some live bearers (guppies and mollies). First I have to say he is the most amazing fish I have ever seen. Not only is he fun to watch, but he keeps my snail and fry population down *lol*

Now I do have another tank for him but I dont know if it's good for him. The tanks dimensions are 36Lx16Hx13W i was talking to someone another site who has her gsp in a 29gal. But I want mine to be the happiest as possible.

Okay so here are my questions,

1. Is the tank a described above big enough for my GSP, or should I find a bigger one?
2. How old/big should he be when he should be in full marine water?
3. What kind of decor should I get for the tank for him, I know I can't get live plants since he will eventually be full marine, what else should I get?
4. Will the equipment need to be changed, or added for when he reaches full marine? Like skimmers and stuff like that? Just a note, I don't know much about saltwater fish.

Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[Hilly]

30 gallon is the recommended minimum. I think you should be fine with the dimensions of that tank. Whilst a lot go full marine you dont have to you can go to high end brackish. As for decor in a brackish tank I go for aragonite substrate, Ocean rock and fake good looking plants that look fairly realistic. Plenty of time before you have to think about marine if that is the route you want to go down.

[Pufferpunk]

I think they're happiest with the footprint of a 55g. Plenty of swimming room & space for lots of decor & a couple of tank mates. Here was mine, before I went reef:


Here's a few articles for you to read:
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19348

[verdethegsp]

thanks guys,
i know its a long ways away, but i'm scared of going marine lol
i guess i have lots of time to prepare my self. lots more to learn! thank you!

[Pufferpunk]

I fent the same way at 1st. I worked in the LFS industry for 8 years & wouldn't even walk down the SW isles! 25 years later, I've got 3 reef tanks. You have plenty of time to slowly raise the SG for the next couple of years to SW.

[verdethegsp]

lol thanks, how often should i actually be raising the SG? once a week? i know i was talking to someone else with a brackish tank on another site, she raises it once a month.

[verdethegsp]

I think they're happiest with the footprint of a 55g. Plenty of swimming room & space for lots of decor & a couple of tank mates. Here was mine, before I went reef:

when you say before you went reef...are those fake corals? it looks so real

[Pufferpunk]

Yep, all fake. Once I went to marine, I added live rock & a skimmer. When the corals moved in & the puffers started nipping at them, the puffers got a new (much bigger) home.

If your puffer is really small, raising the SG 1x/month, is probably all you need.

[verdethegsp]

wow, that looks really good. my gsp is about 1.5 inches right now. I've had him for just over a week now. I was planning to start going brackish next week...after i get paid so i can go buy the salt.

[Pufferpunk]

I order it by the box, online. Free shipping on orders >$99.
https://www.petsolutions.com/Default.as ... D=51301400

[verdethegsp]

oh yay! i site that excepts pay pal! lol i dont have a credit card and this is the first online aquarium store that i've seen that takes paypal...now i just got to look around to see if they ship to canada?

[verdethegsp]

that sucks lol...doesnt look like they do i'm still searching...does anyone know of a site that excepts pay pal, that ships to canada?

[pufferpuggirl]

I just wanted to say that I'm taking the slow route in regards to raising my salinity and possibly going to marine, but I'm in no hurry.

Also, have you checked eBay, obviously they accept paypal and you might find online shops that will ship to Canada. I buy nearly everything off eBay, as it's much cheaper than paying the expensive prices the shops want over here.

[eieio]

Foster & Smith Aquatics may ship to Canada
they accept PayPal

[Flutter]

Check out your local Petsmart. We got a 160gal salt mix (Instant Ocean) for $30.