And then there was one...

[hazima]

its a 30 gallon filter, and no i had it tested about a week before so i didnt think there would be a need to

[Pufferpunk]

But you need your own test kit, preferably a liquid API test that contains tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. Please invest in a master kit..you should really check your water at least once a week.

And a hydrometer too. How do you mix BW for water changes without one?

[JRC3]

its a 30 gallon filter, and no i had it tested about a week before so i didnt think there would be a need to

That filter is about half of the size that you need for your puffers and I wonder if your water parameters are off. Just because they've been "fine" doesn't mean they haven't taken a turn for the worse so I would pick up a test kit or at least have it tested again. How often and how much water have you been changing out at water change time? I would definitely add another AC30 filter sooner than later and then a background and some more decor when you can.

Good luck with The Killer Lime.

API master test kit at walmart for under $20.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Freshwater-Ma ... ts/3635493

[hazima]

k i used your advice and ran out and bought my own "kit"
for my nitrate it read 0.0 so thats fine
my ammonia was slightly elevated tho .5-1ppm
i gotta hydrometer when i first go the tank, but it didn't go low enough so i add salt until the needle is slightly elevated (i ussualy just use the same point every time.)
im saving enough money to buy a refractometer...and now i gotta save to buy another filter lol. i guess tuition can wait lol

oops meant nitrate

[Pufferpunk]

No way your pH would be 0, that's battery acid! Test again.

[hazima]

sorry, i meant nitrite lol
i forgot the ph kit -_- ill have to get one tomorrow and report back lol

[jus85411]

something happened in the tank that caused some sort of cycle or it wasnt cycled to begin with. you should not be showing any ammonia(not even .01 if you had a kit that went that low). nitrites should be 0 and nitrates should be very low <10. i would do a water change ASAP. make sure you follow every direction in the test kits to the T though. if the bottle says to shake the bottle for 30 seconds, shake it for 30 seconds, 1 minute shake for 1 minute. if you dont follow them correctly then theres a good chance the results will be thrown off

[JRC3]

...make sure you follow every direction in the test kits to the T though. if the bottle says to shake the bottle for 30 seconds, shake it for 30 seconds, 1 minute shake for 1 minute. if you dont follow them correctly then theres a good chance the results will be thrown off

I have actually tested this on the API kit and if you don't shake the nitrate #2 solutuion bottle as described, it will give you a 0 reading.

I think you are showing ammonia because you don't have enough filtration. I would say to cut down on feeding and start doing daily water changes to keep the levels down until your new AC30 filter gets up to speed.

Good luck.

[RTR]

Even F-8s can remove chunks of F-8 tankmates. I have not had issues w/GSPs, but after my first GSPs, I never co-house any of them. And as for Fahakas, well, have you ever seen a largish puffer that looked as if it lost a machete fight? Or an adult female Fahaka with pectorals left as 1/4 to 1/2" stubs and caudal only a bit longer, plus many body lesions? She survived, but never really recovered and died about a year later

Never, ever,underestimate a puffer's bite strength.

[hazima]

KK I got all my new stuff that i need before class today;
Water testing kits
Another AC30 filter
Hydrometer that reads low levels
Background

Ill test everything when i get home and post my results.

[JRC3]

^
Very cool.

Isn't it funny how much it cost to keep a fish that only cost a few dollars?

[hazima]

haha yea, i spent about 60 dollars on the total order...almost cried lol

[xrayjeeper83]

its the set up cost that blows my mind, once its up and running well its cheap.

[purplecandle]

haha yea, i spent about 60 dollars on the total order...almost cried lol

But, you will be a good puffer daddy! Welcome to puffer parenthood!

[JRC3]

...once its up and running well its cheap.

That was my exact thought after I posted.