Puffer Suggestions?

[carsona246]

Do you guys think 1 gsp(or an equivalent sized puff) would make the tank look empty? Honestly I'd prefer to just put 1 puffer in the tank, I like seeing a fish with plenty of space, and from what I've read about gsp's they have plenty of personality to keep the tank entertaining. They also get 6" or so according to the research I've done, and while 6" isn't huge, I think 3 might be pushing it seeing as this tank doesn't exactly have the typical 150 dimensions.

[Terrance]

I'm assuming the tank is 72.5 x 18.5 x 28.5

Not optimal, but reasonable. Gets smaller as you put more fish inside the tank =/ which will probably happen.

[sevenyearnight]

I totally agree with you on keeping a puffer alone, and you are right, their personality could fill a room.

[carsona246]

The dimensions are 48"long 35" tall and 20" wide.

[sevenyearnight]

That's going to be a super happy GSP

[Terrance]

whao thats tall!

1 gsp will be the most happy fish in the world in that 150g! lol

[carsona246]

That's my goal!

[sevenyearnight]

If I could, I'd get Balki a tank that big, I'm in an apartment though.

[jus85411]

Jus with SW it is possible to have all 0's.

yeah its just not something the average hobbyist can really achieve with just HOB/canisters or just live rock setups. above average setups can probably get it pretty easily, not something i have ever done yet but i looked into at one point

The tank is fully equipped with a skimmer/sump, and I'm adding a refugium area soon, so hopefully nitrates will not be a problem. In the up and running tank there is a black clownfish, and a red tang, and have apparently been in the tank for over 5 months with no waterchanges . Tested the water yesterday and there were 0 nitrates

whats in the sump?

[sevenyearnight]

I consider myself an average hobbyist, and Balki's FOWLR , no sump or refugium setup consistently had undetectable nitrates. I know the test works because it picks up nitrates from the other tanks.

[carsona246]

Ok, non related puffer question if this is acceptable. The tank in question has this nice area that could be used as a live rock/macro algae fuge. However there is this really bulky skimmer in there instead that will make it difficult(but not impossible) for me to grow macroalgae in the sump. Being a freshwater plant fan it's almost blashphemy for me to consider a tank without some plant filtration going. Should I remove the skimmer? I understand the concept of the skimmer, but think growing a macro algae would be more beneficial, just becasue I can increase the amount of algae in the tank over time, but the skimmer will only work so efficiently. Any opinions? I've had no experience with a skimmer, other than the fact that it's apparently doing it's job in the up and running tank
To answerJus85's question the sump is half bio balls, and half empty with a skimmer inside that's been running. Exact same setup in the tank that's open. The tank I was referring to is covered in algae, so i'll be growing some macro algae in the puffer tank regardless, but I'd prefer to use the whole half of the sump just for growing algae.
Also, been trying to look this up on the web but without the library/pufferpedia up I can't seem to find any definitive answers. I've looked this up previously but would like a refresher before I bring up stock selection to the prof. What's the main staple for GSP's? From the search, clams, shrimp, and frozen krill all seem acceptable staple foods? So I could keep frozen krill in the freezer and feed him that during the weekdays when I'm busy, and run by the store and feed shrimp(people shrimp)/clams/something to wear his beak down on the weekends? Acceptable or no?

[I.Puff.Too]

Krill should only be offered on occasion as a treat, it can cause lockjaw in puffers. My GSP's staple is freezedried bloodworms, but I also feed them snails, oysters, shell on shrimp and tilapia. HTH

EDIT - realizing that the tank is only 48" long, I withdraw my statement regarding the three GSP's.

[jus85411]

I consider myself an average hobbyist, and Balki's FOWLR , no sump or refugium setup consistently had undetectable nitrates. I know the test works because it picks up nitrates from the other tanks.

see i was never able to get it down past 5... maybe it came down to water source too. either that or i was just a bad dad

[sevenyearnight]

I think considering krill can cause lockjaw, and sometimes they can develop such a strong preference to eating it, I don't like to suggest it, even as a treat.

I don't think you should remove the skimmer, it's an important part of filtration that macro algae cannot replace. But since GSP's are not usually plant eaters, you could try some more decorative macro algae in the display. It's not overly common, but people do marine planted tanks, and they can be quite magical.

[sevenyearnight]

Also on feeding, a smallish 5+ gallon freshwater tank for breeding snails is virtually a necessity. Pond snails or ramshorns, no malayasian trumpets, they're too hard.
Snails are important for their ever growing teeth.
You can get some non-seasoned, uncooked seafood from a grocery store, like mussels, shrimp, squid etc. I also like to include tilapia and red wriggler worms, (available in bait shops or the bait section at Wal-mart) to offer some thiaminase (An enzyme that inhibits the body's ability to uptake b1) free/low food sources. If the seafood is fresh, freeze it first, and thaw/ soak the food in a bit of tank water (Don't use straight tap) with the addition of vitamins, such as Vitachem and Selcon to make sure they are getting balanced nutrition, as freezing does break some of the nutritional value, but it is important to freeze to kill bacteria and or parasites.