Double-check my plan?

[PuffTheMagicFishy]

Hi all,

I was on this forum a few years ago, when I had a couple different species of puffer, but I had to find new homes for my fish due to unemployment after graduation and consequently living in my parents' spare bedroom. Now I'm finally in a living situation where I can keep fish again. I'm planning to set up a 30-gal tank for a single GSP (no tank-mates). They are usually only available in freshwater in my area, so I am planning to transfer a spare filter from my established lungfish tank to the puffer tank, then gradually raise the salinity. Since it's been a while since I've kept puffers, could you let me know if I've forgotten anything? Also, is pool filter sand acceptable for an eventually-marine tank, or should I go for aragonite or something else? I've only kept one marine tank, years ago, and I'm a little hazy on the substrate and buffering issues.

Already have
30-gal tank & stand
CPR Bakpak skimmer
Heater
Hygrometer
AC-70 filter (established), plus some spare filters if I need more
Pond snails breeding in my 20-gallon feeder-breeder
Powerheads and air stones (spare, in case of dead zones)
Bucket
Siphon
A selection of foods (mostly soft for the lungfish)
Test kit (Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH)
Clove oil

Need to purchase
Refractometer (more accurate than the hygrometer)
Marine salt
Plastic plants and hides
Substrate
Live rock (eventually)
Frozen hard-shelled foods from the recommended foods list
Possibly a sump (eventually) to breed marine feeders and macroalgae

I'm re-reading the GSP, feeding, dentistry, and brackish/marine conversion articles as time allows. Anything else you can think of? I'm always happy to be corrected and informed!

Thanks,
MagicFishy

[Terrance]

You need to buy stuff for mixing saltwater. A 5g bucket might be adequate for doing the regular water changes, but you will need something bigger when you do large water water changes. I use a small Brute trash bin for this purpose. Buy 2. One for taking water out of your system, and another one for mixing the new water. Mixing will need a powerhead and a heater.

IMO its easier to setup the saltwater system from the start if you know what you want for a saltwater system. For example, my plan for ceylon in freshwater/brackish water would be fake plants and other fake decor, HOB/canister filter, and colored substrate. For saltwater, I'd stick primarily large live/base rocks, aragonite sand, and drill a hole in the tank for refugium. The two setups are entirely different and takes a lot more resources (expense) for the conversion. Lights would also be significantly different when if I ever try soft corals.
If you're not sure how all of this is going to work, then its worth your time to go fresh-->brackish-->salt. Gives you time to research what you need to do.

[Pufferpunk]

A Python hose will make quick work of draining your tank for WC.

[Pufftastic]

You probably already have one, but I didn't see a thermometer on your list.