Need Tips. Newbie at Brackish Tank.

[Aqua Cat]

Hello all! I'm a newbie to the brackish world, although I have had cichlid tanks & community tanks in the past. I apologize if these questions have been answered somewhere else, just didn't see this discussed anywhere. I have an interest in Figure 8 Puffers & Gobies. I have obtained a used 55 gallon tank that came with a Fluval 304 canister filter. I have not changed the filter media hoping to cut some time off of cycling. It has only been set up 4 days so I have some time to get some advice here.
I initially could not decide between an Oranda tank or a Puffer tank, so went ahead & started the tank as normal fresh water & used gravel as substrate. 1st question: Is sand the better substrate for brackish, do I have to take gravel out or can it be used successfully?
The second thing I'd like some advice on is, all of the LFS in my area keep their Brackish Puffers in freshwater, of course So when I bring these guys home, I've read to only increase the salinity by .002 per week to avoid killing off beneficial bacteria & to allow fish to properly adjust. Should I bring them home, put them in the freshwater & then start bringing the salinity up? Or add a small amount of salt before I bring them home. 1-2 Tbsp per gallon? Is that how much salt I add the very 1st time? How much marine salt should I be adding each time to only bring it up .002 per week? Do I drain out some water, mix the salt in new water in a separate container & then add the mixture into the tank? It is my understanding that you are not supposed to mix marine salt in an aquarium that has fish in it already.
Also, what is the best way to do water changes in a brackish tank? You would have to mix water up ahead of time, correct? Is this what you all do? If you are doing , say 30% water changes in a larger aquarium, what are you mixing the water in? You would need a fairly large container.
Thanks in advance for any help! I have a lot of questions here, I know! I appreciate some senior brackish knowledge, lol!

[Pufferpunk]

Should I bring them home, put them in the freshwater & then start bringing the salinity up?

You got it!
library/puffers-in-focus/fig8/
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19348
http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects ... shfaq.html

[I.Puff.Too]

I disagree with PP. It is easier to cycle a FW tank, so I wouldn't add any salt until the tank is cycled. But the F8 can go from the FW straight to 1.003. There is no need to put him in FW at home. I'd take out that gravel and use aragonite. It is a bit pricey but It keeps your KH up. Using aragonite the puffer will do best at a salinity 1.003, without the aragonite 1.005. And yes, pre-mix the salt water in a big tupperware or something. You definently need a hydrometer at least, refractometers are much more accurate.

HTH

[geronimo69]

I disagree with PP. It is easier to cycle a FW tank, so I wouldn't add any salt until the tank is cycled. But the F8 can go from the FW straight to 1.003. There is no need to put him in FW at home. I'd take out that gravel and use aragonite. It is a bit pricey but It keeps your KH up. Using aragonite the puffer will do best at a salinity 1.003, without the aragonite 1.005. And yes, pre-mix the salt water in a big tupperware or something. You definently need a hydrometer at least, refractometers are much more accurate.

HTH

By the sounds of the OP, the tank is already ready and cycled. The fish will be in fresh water at the store.... So I'd put him in fresh for a few days until he's a little more familiar with the new surroundings, then start bringing up the salinity.

[Pufferpunk]

I'd give it a week, to be sure with the extra bioload the system stays stable.

[Aqua Cat]

Thanks all, for your replies!