Getting Figure 8's on Friday

[Donna_G]

I'm sooooooo excited, I've had to special order them as typically no one has any at the moment( loads of GSP about though) I've been trying to read up as much as possible because this is going to be my first brackish tank, so any tips, advise or anything that you've experienced and want to share, please do

[kcartwright856]

Jealous! I'm planning a tank for a Figure 8 for next year.

I'm sure you'll be a great F8 momma!

[Donna_G]

I hope it goes well, it's the adding salt thing that's got me nervous Am going to let them settle in for a couple of weeks first though, so might do a dummy run to check I'll be doing it right
Cant wait to see your tank when it's ready, will you be doing a F8 log? Hope so, you can pass on some underwater gardening tips, I just don't have green fingers

[Gooburz]

I had my F8's for a year until what happened today (posted in Hospital section), however i never dealt with any fin nipping or anything like that. I would tend to use larger snails when feeding them and would just crack the shell and they were like pack animals feeding together taking turns hitting the food. they did a real good number on the few crabs i'd give them from time to time, they never got hurt even though i know people say that is a concern for them. 3 of mine were approx 2" and the big one was 3".

I had my computer next to my tank and being that I live on my computer they were always watching me, and when i finally got a circulation pump they literally took turns swimming up to it and "riding the wave" basically. I do miss my little "water dogs" as the wife calls em. They literally paid her NO attention because they knew who fed them and took care of them.

[kcartwright856]

I hope it goes well, it's the adding salt thing that's got me nervous Am going to let them settle in for a couple of weeks first though, so might do a dummy run to check I'll be doing it right
Cant wait to see your tank when it's ready, will you be doing a F8 log? Hope so, you can pass on some underwater gardening tips, I just don't have green fingers

Yeah, the thought of that made me nervous for a bit, but I feel comfortable with the process now that I've read a lot more about it.

I will be doing a log, for sure. Doing a heavily-planted lightly-brackish tank will be an adventure.

Tomorrow is the big day! Take lots of pictures!

[Donna_G]

Had a phone call earlier from the place that was ordering the puffers, letting me know their supplier had sold out but I've managed to find another store that's had them in for just over a week( in quarantine) they're going on sale tomorrow so I've reserved 3 as its about an hours drive away and would be gutted if they'd all gone by the time I get there.
I put my wood in the tank tonight but it's still kind of floating even though I've tied rocks to them, apparently it can take months for it to sink!!!
Will post some pics tomorrow

[kcartwright856]

I boil my driftwood, which has the dual benefit of sucking most of the tannins out and getting it waterlogged very quickly. If yours is big enough to fit into a pot, I'd definitely recommend it!

Can't wait for pictures!

[Nuclear_Glitter]

I boiled some driftwood I got, three times and that stuff STILL made the water look like tea. I finally just started using it in my toad tank because I got tired of looking at tea water.

[kcartwright856]

Purigen in the filter should suck it right out.

[Nuclear_Glitter]

Purigen in the filter should suck it right out.

That's great to know if I ever use driftwood in a tank again. Thanks! =]