Starting out!

[tford92]

Hi there,
I'm new to both puffer fish and forums!
I'm looking at setting up a tank for South America puffers, but there's so many different opinions on the Internet, I'm a little lost!

From what I think, to start out (right from scratch) you had a little water, then some sand (this seems to be the best choice out of sand and gravel) then the rest of your water and cycle it? I'm still looking at how to cycle it... Is this something the filter does and then you check levels?
Again, there seems to be so many different types of sand, is there one that's best for saps?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated! I've loved these little creatures for so long, want to make sure it's just right!

Thank you!

Tammy

[bertie 83]

Hi and welcome. First off saps may be small but are active swimmers and need other saps around so a long tank is a definate essential. A second tank for farming snails is a must too, if 95% of their diet is not snails you will need to do dentistry every 6 months. Have a look in the library for the article on fishless cycling to clear up your confusion on how to set up a tank. Finally sand is not essential, choose a substrate you like

[scpion]

Welcome! SAP would need a tank with larger footprint as they are one of the most active species around. As bertie said, they would require regular dentistry and the procedure can be tricky.. Not really recommended for new hobbyist though..

[Pufferpunk]

Start with these articles: library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
library/puffers-in-focus/sap/

[wetmartini]

welcome Tammy

First I would make sure you research and gather all the information you can before purchasing the puffers. They have some very specific needs (and potential issues) so it is important that you are well educated and prepared if you want to ensure they have long, healthy lives.

Your choice of substrate (stuff on the bottom of the tank) is of greater importance if you decide to raise live plants in the tank. If not, then you are more flexible, though I would advise choosing a substrate that is neutral (does not affect the pH) or slightly lowers the pH. From what I have read and gathered, the water in SAPs' natural habit is slightly soft and acidic. So you want to avoid stuff that raises the hardness and pH like aragonite sand.

[tford92]

Hi there,

Thanks for your advice...We've set up the tank and we think its almost there..went for a black sand with a little bit of slate scattered around... just trying to decide on Saps or Dps!

Tammy