Need quick answers

[My HD PVR]

is that real or fake mangrove on the first pic? and is that java moss as well?

[Black Widow]

What type of rock should i buy? just some dead live rock at my LFS?itslike 6 bucks a pound... expensive

Definately get some coral sand when you can as coral sand balances your Tanks PH by providing a source of Calcium Carbonate and just looks better.

As for the rock because your not really running high-end brackish to marine SG ( 1.015 - 1.020 +) then the need for live rock isnt really necessary as I am sure you will be running a canister filter or HOB filter etc.

But you could always get some dead live rock / other porous rock or even ocean rock / granite will give a real natural look to your brackish tank. When your tank matures bacteria will settle on the rock and assist in filtration thus improving your water quality even more.

The pictures I posted above give idea of the kinda rocks / aquascape you should go for, but take your time plan everything theres no rush. The last picture I posted above is a brackish tank using granite rock which looks good for your type of tank

[My HD PVR]

where should i get me some granite rock...

[Black Widow]

is that real or fake mangrove on the first pic? and is that java moss as well?

Thats a real mangrove root that has been cut at the top, you could have mangroves or java moss in your brackish tank but live mangroves need a high end brackish SG and strong lighting to thrive.

The Rock you have to find yourself cant do everything for you

[My HD PVR]

bleh but a sump isnt necessary for my tank, right?

[Black Widow]

bleh but a sump isnt necessary for my tank, right?

No you dont need a sump your tanks way small and your SG is low-end brackish, all you need really is a good canister filter and water changes to keep on top of water conditions!

[My HD PVR]

canister filter ain't happening.. look what i stumbled across!
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/to ... -aquarium/

but really... i just google searched granite rock and i just kept getting table top granite

[Black Widow]

here are some tanks where someone is growing mangroves in their main tank:







Some granite tanks, it might not be granite rock maybe something similar you just know the look of the trock when you see it. Your LFS should have these kinda rocks :

http://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0801.php

[fugu99]

yes, yes i do live in hampton. anyway, like the tank, itll be a good interesting place for a puffer. I still havent gotten me some flowerpots. i do recommend that you get some live rock (dead lol) but especially get some aragonite coral. White looks nice. Make sure you wash it thoroughly first, unless you want your tank to cloud over for a day or more. rinse it through in a bucket a couple of times. sand works too. something bright, otherwise youll never see your puffer. it looks like your SG is low, is it about 1.002? close though, should be between 1.003-1.005. the latter is preferable. also, i cant tell really from a video for sure, but i do use a similar test kit to that one. that ammonia level looks between .25 and .50. which means those barbs are in danger. i would do some WC and add Prime. At least, thats what I would do. Is that good advice? Or would it be better to remove the fish and let the cycle go? its going to take much longer with fish because youre going to be fighting a battle with the ammonia, and then afterward with the nitrite and nitrate, until your tank is cycled.

p.s. 'DEAD' live rock? lol i know what you mean but it sounded off somehow

[sevenyearnight]

I agree, the ammonia looks close to .50

[Pufferpunk]

Actually, I think that is fake mangrove root:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... lmdn=Brand
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... lmdn=Brand

[My HD PVR]

the SG is at a 1.005, it just doesnt look it.. if you look closely you can see the 1.004 mark... i was away for a few days.. gonna check the ammonia in a sec

[fugu99]

Okay 1.005 is where you wanna be, it shouldnt go any higher than that. It would be nice if the fish from the store were kept at 1.005 because the transition would be so much easier then for the fish... but, no guarantee. Unless you can get the people to test their water in the store for you, but I doubt they would. Unless they really want to sell you a fish. I asked our one fish store employee what they keep their tanks at, but she seemed pretty uncertain what the exact SG was so I couldnt trust what she said. I had to carefully acclimate our new puffer to our tank. I keep mine at about 1.004.

No, you dont need a sump. Thats for saltwater tanks. Low-end brackish is very similar, although not entirely the same, as freshwater. Your alkalinity will be hard, and youll notice that testing pH you might need to use high-end pH test to determine your pH level, but for your test kits you will use the freshwater parameters not the saltwater ones. Also, not all freshwater plants will do well in low-end brackish, Id recommend watersprite and Java Fern, Java Moss. There are others, thats just what I use. I tried to transfer some plants that I was using in freshwater but they died, so you have to pick and choose. Theres a list in the forum if you need it. Some rock wont be right for your brackish tank, you dont want to bring in live rock with parasites or saltwater critters. Make sure you wash your rock in water really well.

If youre keeping those fish in the tank, make sure you get that ammonia out of there! Your reading should be 0. Any ammonia is bad ammonia.