FW conversion with a Fig8

[Pufferpunk]

I agree--mine loved to hang out in empty shells.

[socalsprinter]

Good to know. How are GSPs as another option to the figure 8? Too big for my tank?

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, your tank won't be big enough for even one 6" Nerfball-sized singleton.

[socalsprinter]

Ya I kinda figured that with the GSP but had to ask!

Well I took a trip to my LFS and they have both Fig 8 and some BBG. They have some in a brackish tank and some in a FW tank so looks like I can pick up a fig 8 and 5 BBGs put them in my current FW setup and slowly raise the salt. I am going to go ahead and change out the substrate(don't really like what I have anyway) and maybe add some java fern(I swear nothing kills this stuff). They had their brackish at 1.006 is that what I should be aiming for?

Also would it be a good idea to start a small pond snail tank?

[Pufferpunk]

+1 to all the above, great planning!

[fugu99]

I have Java Fern and Watersprite in my tank. Java Moss is a plant most ppl really go for but I havent had success, just ask around on here about it. But Watersprite grows rapidly and makes a nice full plant if you want some coverage. I have even started moving cuttings (it grows roots out of the upper portion of the stalk) into my other tanks and theyve flourished in the FW same as the brackish. And the fish love to graze on them and swim through them.

It would be a great idea to get a snail breeder tank going. Your puffers need snails to eat to grind down their beaks! Unless you are able to get a more ready supply of snails than I have, but in all its just easier to start your own stock. The stores will generally give them away free Ive noticed, and I would go with either pond snails or ramshorn snails for F8s. Make sure not to get the Malaysian Trumpet snails... their shells can break the puffers teeth.

[socalsprinter]

Thanks for the tip on watersprite I'll look into it. I was planning on using a 10 gallon for the snails that may also get some rummynose tetra tank mates that may need to be rehomed. I'm not sure of the name of the snails but I was going to use the pests that tend to hitch hike with plants and breed like rabbits.

[RTR]

If the pest snails are MTS, do not use them. Their shells are too hard.

[socalsprinter]

After some googleing pond snails are what I am talking about although MTS are quite interesting looking! I set up the 10 gal snail tank last night(had a spare tank in a closet) and am cycleing it now with some filter material from an established tank so it should be ready to go in about a week.

[RTR]

The good news is that you do not need to cycle a snail-only tank for common pond or ramshorn snails. I have used them to cycle tanks without harming them. By the time the tank is productive, it will also be fully cycled. A useful bit of trivia.

[fugu99]

Also, another tip I should have mentioned... Watersprite needs mid to high light if you want it to be really happy. If it sits low in the tank and gets all yellow and doesnt show growth for about a week, its probably not getting enough light. But its hardy... as soon as you get it enough light, itll shoot up.