emergency--too small a tank

[puffermichigan]

Earlier this evening I purchased 2 GSPs from a local fish store. I am prepared to return them tomorrow because the information they gave me about the fish was completely wrong, and my own ignorance about their care has put them in danger. I am very concerned about these fish, and I would like to do whatever I can so that they will survive. I have one 40 gallon FW community tank that has been running beautifully for several years now, and a 5 gallon tank that housed my single beta fish for 5 years until he passed away last month. I went to the store looking for a new inhabitant for my 5 gallon tank (which has an aquaclear filter, heater, light, a lot of plants) and they pointed me toward several options, one of which was to get TWO GSPs. Had I read even a little bit about these little guys, I would never even have considered this, not in a million years. As it were, housing 2 inch-long fish in a 5 gallon tank did not seem that ridiculous. So, firstly I fault myself for purchasing a fish I was not familiar with, secondly I fault the store for the ridiculous information they gave me. I am hoping someone will have some advice for me.

My options are:
1) return them immediately (tomorrow).
2) buy a 60+ gallon tank tomorrow and start cycling it tomorrow, and try to keep the little guys alive until it is ready. (I've already picked out some options based on recommendations on this site.)

I am concerned that there is not a chance these guys will survive until I can get a larger tank cycled. I am also concerned that, upon return, the store will sell them to another unsuspecting customer. So far, the little guys have eaten some snails I gave them (from my large tank), some frozen bloodworms, and are exhibiting signs of boredom (not at all surprising). I would love to be able to create a wonderful home for them in an appropriate tank, but I am not optimistic of there being any way to keep them alive in my current woefully inadequate set-up while I get a new tank in working order. Ideally, this is what I would prefer to do because the thought of returning them to that store makes me sick, but I am prepared to return them if there is no way I could adequately care for them in the interim.

At this point, all I want to do is what will be the best for the GSPs, because I am sick over this situation. Thank you for any and all advice - -

[trekenk]

If you are willing to go out and buy that 60 gallon here is an article on emergency cycling.

library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

Welcome to The Puffer Forum.

[JRC3]

That pet store is disgusting! If you return them or not it really doesn't matter because they will just order 2 more in there place...IMO.

What filter or filters do you have on your 40 gallon? I'm guessing your 5 gallon has an AC20 up and running on it.

Also, a 75g would probably be a better choice than a 60g as they have similar footprints and you could even find one on craigslist...Maybe even one that is up and running...Who knows.

[puffermichigan]

Thanks so much for the link. If I used the Prime dechlorinator in a 60 gallon along with every second day water changes, would it work for me to introduce the healthy bacteria from my established tank, or would that not work because of the salinity difference? I really appreciate your help!

[puffermichigan]

My 40 gallon has an AC50 filter with a sponge, a bag with a resin filter and the bio-rock material.

[Nick]

Just use all the filter media from the 40 on the 60, and that should be more than enough bacteria to instantly cycle the 60 for the needs of two 2" fish.

[trekenk]

Thanks so much for the link. If I used the Prime dechlorinator in a 60 gallon along with every second day water changes, would it work for me to introduce the healthy bacteria from my established tank, or would that not work because of the salinity difference? I really appreciate your help!

Cycle the tank at FW don't worry about raising the salinity until you get things settled. JRC3 had a good point about craigs list. Check it out for your area lots of deals on aquariums usually to be had.

[JRC3]

Just use all the filter media from the 40 on the 60, and that should be more than enough bacteria to instantly cycle the 60 for the needs of two 2" fish.

That's what I was thinking. And I'd throw the AC20 on there too.

[Pufferpunk]

You are exactly the kind of fishkeeper those puffers need for their care! A 60g with 1/2 your filter media should be great. Just move over the resin filter and the bio-rock material & that should leave plenty in the 40g for the fish that are already housed in there. Do 80-90% water changes in the 5g, 2x/day, until you get the tank set up & move the puffers right away. You could also add Tetra's Safestart to the filter too (please don't try any other bottled bacteria product). Be sure to use aragonite sand for substrate.
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

[puffermichigan]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful ideas, I'm out and about checking on tanks from Craigslist! (I did a 80% change for the 5 gallon this morning) The fish store did actually keep their GSPs in brackish water (they told me 1/8 Tsp per gallon) but I will do fresh in the new tank until it has good readings. I'm sure a little bit of shock is unavoidable at this point, but will the sudden switch be too hard? I read somewhere about switching them from brackish to fresh very very gradually, but I don't recall where I read this. Do you guys know what they might have been referring to?

[hazima]

dripping the fish?

basically you put the fish in a bucket and put a knot in a piece of tubbing and siphon water from the tank through it. make sure it goes very slowly tho. it helps a lot with getting the fish used to what ever water parameters you have.

[JRC3]

1/8 teaspoon per gallon is unnoticeable...Heck, Walmart recommends more salt than that. (Don't make me post my Walmart pic again) lol

Great job btw for springing into action.

[puffermichigan]

I have to say again how glad I am that I found this forum . . .my fiance and I just picked up a 75 gallon from Craiglist that worked with our budget--it's a long shape, and has an AC110, heater and light, and even though I'll have to get a new light to support plants, it should work fine for now. (It's only two years old, so I'm really happy to have found one right when we needed it the most!) We're pretty excited now, and even though this (somewhat rushed insanity) is never how I imagined setting up our next ecosystem, I think that if I'm able to get things balanced this should work out ok.

And since the store had used such a negligible amount of salt, I won't worry about the salinity to start, but add gradually the way I've read about on this forum.

[purplecandle]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful ideas, I'm out and about checking on tanks from Craigslist! (I did a 80% change for the 5 gallon this morning) The fish store did actually keep their GSPs in brackish water (they told me 1/8 Tsp per gallon) but I will do fresh in the new tank until it has good readings. I'm sure a little bit of shock is unavoidable at this point, but will the sudden switch be too hard? I read somewhere about switching them from brackish to fresh very very gradually, but I don't recall where I read this. Do you guys know what they might have been referring to?

The GSPs believe or not can handle salt fluctuations, it is the bacteria that cannot. The slow increase is to allow your bacteria to adjust. Since you are going to use FW media..you need to increase the salt slowing over several weeks!

Good luck!

[JRC3]

Uhm, we are gonna need some pics, btw.

...and even though I'll have to get a new light to support plants...

Can plants grow at a GSPs SG? I've seen people do some plants with low end brackish but what about higher up? IDK.