Need advise on setting up my puffer tank

[bertie 83]

has anyone here been bitten by a fahaka before? I really dont want to experience this but can imagine it being bloody ....I try to leave mine alone, but i am guilty of the occasional pet...I try not to do that ..lol i do things i shouldnt do gahhh

Yes it ain't pretty, trust me. I will see if I can find the pics of the wound.

[boosted23]

Yess p.p. I have been following the instructions to a T. Adding ammonia. Have a nitrite reading so backing ammonia to half dose. Temp is at a constant 80.6 degrees. I was asking because i have been dosing ferts to my plants and they say after 7 days, change the water to remove the excess ferts and waste. I dont know that if i dont would it hurt my plants. Thats why i asked if i should do it or wait.

defool, i feel you on that. I would love to be able to interact with the puffer by being able to "pet" it. Lol bit after what bertie has said, i am second guessing that situation.lol waiting on pics bertie.

[RTR]

Water changes do not affect bacteria cycling if you re-dose ammonia after the water change to keep positive titers.

If plant ferts are being dosed, 50%partials weekly are pretty standard practice. It avoids excess fert build-up exaactly as it does for nitrate and DOC build-up from fish. That is frequently called EI or Estimative Index handling.

[Lil' Swimz$]

I don't know what it is with the SunSun filters, I have one too and every once in a while when I'm done cleaning it out, the seal decides to not stick and spills water all over. It's happened 3 times to me today.

[boosted23]

Thank you rtr for that info. I will wait a couple more days then probably do the water change. I need to put my root tabs in my substrate for my plants anyways.

little swims, i think on how it seals with the two latches having to lock first. My cascade was as simple as can be to lock up when it was close to getting full. Maybe a little silicone paste to lube the seal up on the sunsun will help. I will let you know how that goes.

i visited both my l.f.s. That i put an order in for a baby fahaka. To no avail, neither of them have found a fahaka for me yet..... All in due time i guess.

[bertie 83]

Vaseline is great for lubing seals, Could help solve your problem with the sunsun

[Pufferpunk]

I would not use Vaseline! Use a silicone lubricant.

[boosted23]

I am a mechanic by trade so i have 3m silicone paste at work that i can coat it with. Plus side is it is not water soluble so it wont mix with the water that goes into the tank.

[boosted23]

ok, I did a waterchange on my 36 gallon tank and removed my iridecent sharks to donate to my l.f.s. that is by my house where i purchased my equipment that got me started in getting my tank for the fahaka puffer.

i drove down there and the guy that sold me my co2 equipment and cascade filter with all the media was there. i told him i was there to donate my iridecents cause they were outgrowing my tank. he took them andput them in a tank. another guy came by and asked me about my iridecents and asked why i brought them in. i told him why and why i cantput them in my 150gallon dueto it being for my puffer. he then asked me how big my puffer was and i told him i dont have it yet and i was looking for one but can not find one. He then stood up and said follow me. took me to a tank and said is this what your looking for? There it was!!!!! a little 2" baby fahaka!!!! i about sh*t my pants!!!

the guy that sold me my equipment came back over and i asked him how much. he told me and i asked if he could hold him for me until my tank was cycled. he said he cant. he said this was the only one in phx and they were not slated to get another one for awhile cause they are hard to find right now. i was mad!!!! He told me to go home get a water sample and he will test it. not sthe strip test neither.

i went home got the sample came back and he tested it. he said i should be good to take him. i told him i dont want him to die and he better be sure. he said yes he is positive. he said to be extra safe get this tropical science nitromax nitrifying bacteria solution and the liquid gravel vac solution that has heterotrophic bacteria in it and dose it each day. he said if i do that and i see signs of him not accomodating to the tank then bring him back and he would house him for a week free then $20 after that. since i bought him and took him home, they now can house him without selling him if i bring him back for this issue. i said ok. My lady is here 24/7 now so if she see' s any signs of distress she will do this.

he said my tank was far enough along that would be ok. i know its not the best thing to do but i couldnt pass up the one in a few chance to get my little buddy. i hope you guys dont get mad at me. he is doing great and looks to be ok and happy. here is a pic of my new best friend!!!

fahaka puffer by boosted23, on Flickr

[defool89]

Personally I understand. Couldnt you stick him in your fully cycled 36 gallon while it finished? I would consider that a suitable hospital tank for his current size. Dont quote me though.

[boosted23]

I would love too but the only issue is i have a 10" african birchar in there that would probably take his tail off cause he is so small. I have been constantly watching him for the last 2 1/2 hours and he seems ok. He is exploring the tank. I am gonna be keeping a strict eye on him for the next couple of days.

[bertie 83]

+ 1 or do massive daily waterchanges. Congrats on the new puffer

[defool89]

Good looking fella though! Name yet?

Remember when you change your water treat the ENTIRS volume of the tank not jushe new water. Lets avoid ammonia spikes

[defool89]

Also your light serves no purpose but now to help grow yor tank plants. Try not to have your lights on for more than 6 hours. Your fahaka could care less. Its a new tank Nd you got a lot to learn, you dont want an algae bloom to teach you a lesson in a tank that size. Its a nightmare

[boosted23]

thanks guys. i havent named him yet. i am thinking of calling him sal. lol. I am gonna have to do the water changes like bertie said. i have no other choice right now. I idid a 50% change today and added pfertz root tabs to my substrate. now my plants are pearling and everything seams good. i put a bunch of plant snails in this tank a couple of days ago from my infested 36 gallon. he has been swimming around and anihilating them. lol his appetite is there so thats a good sign.

i will cut the lights down for sure now he is in there. i will be checking levels of ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate in the morning before work and when i come home from work. just to make sure he is safe. i got a better pic of him in front of the tank now.

new guy by boosted23, on Flickr