what would make my tank more interesting?

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:07 pm

this is my 20gal GSP tank and at the moment and i think it looks a bit boring. i want to make it look a bit more natural and more interesting for the puffer with more broken lines of sight etc. whats their natural habitat like? would driftwood lower the pH?

heres the tank as of today

any suggestions?
what are your GSP tanks like?

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:11 pm

I would say add rocks (not flat ones).

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:23 pm

so you'd say something more like river rocks?
what about wood? i think branchy bits might be good but i dont know for sure

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:33 pm

You are going to have to be using crushed coral or aragonite substrate eventually, to raise the pH to around a steady 8.
Check out some of my tanks for ideas.

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:47 pm

messy_da_legend wrote:so you'd say something more like river rocks?
what about wood? i think branchy bits might be good but i dont know for sure

IMO don't use wood, it will rot eventually.

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:50 pm

wow pp i really like your tanks! your GSPs are really nice!

IMO don't use wood, it will rot eventually

is that true for store bought/aquarium treated bits as well?

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:54 pm

You also need to keep your GSP in brackish water, which will kill the plants you have in there now.

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:58 pm

the tank is currently brackish (about 0.007) and i have noticed some leaves dieing off and i have taken dead leaves out but new sprouts are appearing i dont know if they will survive long though. might have to look for some plastic/silk plants or corals. i did read that this plant has a chance in low brackish but i suppose they wont last too long

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:54 pm

if i were to convert the substrate to coral or aragonite, how would i go about it? would i have to remove the fish? would it dramatically alter the pH? could i put the fish straight back in or slowly adjust their water to the new pH in a different tank then put them in?

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:03 pm

Even if you buy it from your store, the wood will rot. They are intended for use with freshwater.

Fella · Post by **Fella** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:40 pm

I think it looks great. Get the plants out of there, and remove that big flat vertical rock from the back, add a few more interesting rocks and it could be great

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:04 pm

What is that fish on the right hand side below your puffer?

crazyforpuffs · Post by **crazyforpuffs** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:30 pm

Looks like a red scat to me. Being such, it will need a much larger tank...as will the GSP eventually.

messy_da_legend · Post by **messy_da_legend** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:59 am

yer thats a red scat but that is going back to the lfs asap. its a nice fish, nice markings, but its just unsuitable i know.

ive had an idea (a scary thought) but i saw these pics

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubW ... k_Rolf.JPG

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubW ... c_Rolf.JPG

and i like the idea. would it be suitable for the puffer - would it have enough swimming space. i know the gobies would have lots of hiding places. i like the idea of the mangrove roots coming out of the rockwork, and then the puffs would have somewhere to swim round.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:26 am

Looks like a fun tank to live/swim in!

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what would make my tank more interesting?

what would make my tank more interesting?