Puffers are gateway drugs to MTS...

[Infinity8]

Feather has bewitched me into buying a ten gallon. I'm starting to see how multiple tanks syndrome unfurls...

"Moar puffers!" he says. "MOAAARRRR!"

So, I've started a fishless cycle in the smaller tank for (hopefully) a pair of dwarf puffers. My questions for right now, since the little puffs are a ways off, are these. Forgive me if these are answered somewhere, I've read through the puffers in focus on dwarfs, and a few threads, though I could have missed something.

Sand vs. gravel for dwarf puffers? Right now I have gravel in, but if sand would be more beneficial I can switch.
I'd like to get a pair...would I be better off with two females, or a male and a female?
How do you guys feel about LED lighting vs. fluorescent? The LED hood seems to have softer lighting than Feather's fluorescent, so I'm wondering if that's easier on puffer eyes?

I'm also wondering if the tree-root decoration I scored on sale looks too big in their little tank, but I don't have pics quite yet. So excited!

[Pufferpunk]

Gravel is fine. I find LEDs to be very bright to my eyes. Less heat, though.

[RTR]

+1 to Pufferpunk's comments, above. Dwarf puffers don't pay much attention to the substrate, pure personal choice there.

[JRC3]

IME/IMO sand is easier to keep clean.

[Infinity8]

Good to know on all accounts. Haven't decided if I like the LED hood all that much...may switch it at some point. Think I'll stick with gravel for now, just for a different look though I'm inclined to agree with you JRC3.

As for a pair, am I better off with two females or can I get a female and male? Don't want them harassing each other, though there will be plenty of caves. RTR, I hear you're the experts on these little blimps

[Pufferpunk]

I think 2 females would be better.

[bertie 83]

2 females is always the safest option, temperament does vary from puffer to puffer but you are almost guaranteed that females will live just fine together

[Infinity8]

Two little puff ladies it is!

[RTR]

I had better luck with breeding DPs in 15s or 20-longs or 33-XLs (1M/2F, 1M/3F, 1-2M/3-4F respectively). In a smaller tank or with more fish per tank, all-females is better. Breeding can lead to fighting (males get highly territorial). Very dense planting is helpful, as is separated feeding areas if more than one male is present.

[Infinity8]

Oh, I don't really intend on breeding at all. Too much of a newbie for that. But yes, definitely going to get a pair of gals.

My last question is more aesthetic.

I found one of those tree-root decorations on sale (been eyeing it when I worked there since before I even had real tank plans), and I know the puffs like to hide in them...does this look too big and clunky for the ten gal? My mom thinks it overpowers the tank, but I kinda like it. Thoughts?



Planning on getting some live plants this weekend, likely Anubis or something else really hard to kill. Maybe another cave and definitely a background. I think I shop for the fish more than I do for myself. XD