New to puffers

[Phoenix91]

New to the forum, hi!
I have a 5 g and am planning on a dwarf puffer. I have a few questions. I'll be doing a planted tank, which plants do puffers like? Is sand okay for the substrate? Also, for decorations are rocks and driftwood okay?

I'm setting up the tank probably this weekend to start the cycle, can I add the plants while it cycles or should I wait?

Thanks

[I.Puff.Too]

Using a 5G you can only have one DP in it, the sand is fine as is the driftwood. I'm not sure about the rocks as I think certain rocks contain metals which will kill your fish, some of the experts will chime in with more/better advice.

I'm unsure if the plants will be OK during the cycle, but I know they're great for the overall condition of your water.

[xrayjeeper83]

Plants are fine during the cycle. A 5g will only house 1 DP due to the bioload.

As long as the rocks dont have any sharp edges that they can cut themselfs on they will be fine. DW is always good, and puffers dont "prefer" and kind of plant. but plants are good to have. With DP's the substrate doesnt matter so much cause they dont bury like other puffers do.

[J-P]

Welcome to the forum!

all good suggestions above. Avoid the softer rocks like limestone. They WILL change the water perams.

[I.Puff.Too]

Also, instead of using plants your puffer prefer's ( see Xray's post) consider doing a biotope.

[Pufferpunk]

DPs like Javs moss but I'd add an assortment.

[Phoenix91]

i.puff.too, i plan on only 1 dp in my 5 g. i had no idea some rocks contain killer things. i suppose i should have realized this, i'll be careful what i pick. thanks for the welcome!

xrayjeeper83, i like live plants and have been having some success in my other 2 tanks so i think i'm getting the hang of it. i.puff.too suggested a biotope, i'll have to look into this. i don't have any drift wood in my other tanks but am hoping to get a nice piece for this new tank. i might avoid the rocks and just go for driftwood unless i can find some smooth rocks.

J-P, thanks. thanks for the warning.

Pufferpunk, i wanted some java moss but wasn't sure if a puffer would like it, glad to hear they do. i'll add an assortment of plants. thanks!

[Flutter]

This is a good site for biotopes:
http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

I think DPs would be in the Indian river one (or it would be the most suitable).

[Phoenix91]

Thanks for the link. I'm looking forward to creating a nice home for my eventual puffer friend

[Phoenix91]

Another few quick questions, what type of aeration is good for a 5 g? Any brand recommendations?

Also, are puffers bothered by a strong current from a filter?

[bertie 83]

Dps don't really do great in a strong current especially when small Pretty much any small airpump will be fine they love bubbles

[Phoenix91]

Good to know, if the current from my filter is too strong i can baffle it. i'll look for an small airpump and see what i can set up.
Thanks

[bertie 83]

no problem, just please make sure your tank is mature before adding dps, if you dont they will die, do you have another tank you could take filter medium from? they like plants so would advise that route, they like to hide. keep an eye on filter until you build them up they often in poor shape straight from lfs and good luck

[xrayjeeper83]

Flutter that is a cool site, thanks for posting it

[Phoenix91]

no problem, just please make sure your tank is mature before adding dps, if you dont they will die, do you have another tank you could take filter medium from? they like plants so would advise that route, they like to hide. keep an eye on filter until you build them up they often in poor shape straight from lfs and good luck

i'm going to cycle it not sure which method i'll use yet, i've told my friend who is also looking for a dp that it'll take between 6-8 weeks and then we can start hunting for dps after that. hopefully she's fine with that. my local lfs doesn't have any dps in just yet and they're not sure when they'll get them in. i'm planning on plants. thanks