Labored Breathing

[Pufferpunk]

I'd say that was 0. Stop the WC for now. Test again tomorrow.

[signnet]

OK, so why is he sitting in the sand behind the artificial plants and his belly is turning grey. He's also not eating. There are snails for him and he is not hungry.

Also, I have two airstones and two filters, should I cut that back to one filter?

[xrayjeeper83]

you can cut back the air stones, but keep the filters....you can never really over filter

[signnet]

Tank levels the same as yesterday. Puffer #2 is still living. He was out oday and looked good then this afternoon he has been in his little log a lot. Each day he is alive is a good day. How do I tell if he is male or female?

So what's my next step? New tank arriving Monday. 45 Gallon. So in the meantime, I need to keep him going. Have not changed the water today at all. removed one of the airstones. He still isn't eating ver much.

Also, what kind of vaccuum for this sand? I have one that doesn't really work well. Is there one specific to this Aragonite Sand? Is there a link?

[xrayjeeper83]

I just use a plastic hose to vacuum my sand. Once you get a suction going they work great.

For now I would just monitor your tank make sure you dont get anymore spikes.

[signnet]

Well it's been a long week with water changes and for two days, no water changes, took out an airstone and stopped one of the filters.

We are at "0" PPM for Ammonia!!!! yeah

Now, my little guy comes out when I turn off the light, but will not come out when the light is on. Strange. Why is he doing this? He still looks sad though without his friend.

Tank is coming on Wednesday. It's a 45 Gallon. I will put the Aragonite Sand in first. It has a built in filter system also, but I will stll purchase another one as well. So can someone tell me about the water I fill it with and how many weeks for cycling?

Also, what about my current tank? Do I start changing the water to brackish now?

[xrayjeeper83]

First congrats on the 0 ammonia. But now check your nitrites and nitrates.

He may still be upset over the loss of his friend(puffers are emotional lol)

With your new tank Id start with freshwater, since that is what your current filters are cycled for, and then slowly start moving it over to brackish water.

Your current tank, I would do nothing new. Just do your weekly water changes till your new tank is cycled. Dont mess with brackish yet imo.

[sevenyearnight]

What about moving the sand and filter media to the 45 gallon and just moving him over asap? Whatever amount of bacteria cultivated thus far should transfer and he'd have the advantage of more water volume to dilute his waste, and more room to swim.

[signnet]

Move over the entire tank? I am going frm a 10 gallon to a 45 gallon, there wouldn't be enough water and I wouldbe back to cycling water again. Is that right?

[signnet]

Also, the filter system that is in the 10 gallon is attached to the tank. It cannot be used for a different tank.

[sevenyearnight]

Take the media out of the filter and fit it into the other filter, like it might be all mickey mouse buk buk, but it still serve it's purpose. Mix the sand in with the new sand. The bacterial cultures cling to surfaces, so the addition of new water shouldn't affect them.
I'm thinking since you've been doing so many water changes, that your water should be close to the source water as far as likeness, so it wouldn't be a huge shock to him, you could just add the ten gallons of water that he is in into the 45 along with the new source (tap) water.
The cycle, assuming it is incomplete, should continue onward, it shouldn't be like starting new since the bioload remains the same, as in the ammonia that he excretes.
It's just an idea, I think he'd be more comfortable in 45 gallons.

[xrayjeeper83]

I didnt even think about that. That makes perfect sense.

The water has nothing to do with cycling, its the filter, sand, decorations that hold all the bacteria that keep the tank cycled.

And like 7 said, the bioload wont change so it shouldnt harm your cycling.

[Pufferpunk]

I'd transfer over as much of the media as you can, along with all the water & then fill up the rest with tap water. Add the Prime, lots of decor & the fish. There should be quite a lot more dilution of the puffer's waste in the 45g. You could bag up the gravel into a stocking leg, to seed the aragonite. Be sure to rinse that stuff really well!

[signnet]

Ok, so first, leave the tank that the puffer is in the way it is for now. Do I do ay water changes thi week?

Second, get the 45 gallon and put the Aragonite Sand in. How do you wash the sand? Once the sand is in the tank, fill up the tank about 3/4 of the way with tap water, add prime. How many days do I lt this cycle? In the 10 gallon, all that is in there is one fake plant and the log that the puffer hides in. Do I take the sand out of the 10 gallon and only leave a little in the 10 gallon for him? Then tranfer him and the 10 gallons of water with log after a couple days?

Can I get a second puffer later for him to have a friend?

[xrayjeeper83]

Id leave to 10g alone.......do your weekly water change when time comes but thats all id do.

You can move everything over to the new 45, all the sand, the filter you can move, all the media from the other filter, the plant and the log. Then go get more plants and decor for him to feel comfy.

You really cant get another puffer, the 45 is to small since each GSP needs 30g