I'm in a bit of a situation.

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

I joined today, hoping for some aid to my situation. I would be pleased if you could be friendly.

I had ordered a single pufferfish after searching how to care for a GSP. I was very excited, thinking I had all my plans in the bag. I did not do my research as well as I thought I had and ended up ordering the pufferfish without getting the tank.
Having said that, I now have a 29g tank with lighting, a heater(76-82F), a filter(cascade 1000), and the perfect salinity and pH. I did not start my filter until today and I'm getting my puffer within a day or two through the mail. I am panicked as I do not have time to allow my beneficial bacteria to create colonies and establish a biological environment. I know nobody who has an already cycled tank to help me out.What do I do? I don't have any other tanks and since GSPs don't have scales they have a higher risk of death. I also need to add ammonia but I have no other live fish to add(besides, the GSP won't be friendly). I also need to convert my GSP from FW to BW, and I am not sure how to create a drip. I would take more time to edit what I have typed, but I am in a bit of crisis!
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Pufferpunk
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Pufferpunk »

[welcome]
You still have time to get this right. Here's what you're going to do: Drain the tank completely. Fill with fresh water, of the correct temp (78). Dechlorinate with Prime. Add Tetra Safestart to the filter, immediately before adding the puffer. Instantly cycled tank. Happy puffer!
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

After 2 weeks, you can start bringing up the salinity to brackish.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19348

What filter is on there? Are you using aragonite sand substrate?
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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bertie 83
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by bertie 83 »

+1 to pp. unfortunately it means starting from scratch but it will make your life much easier
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
RTR
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by RTR »

Another +1 to Pufferpunk's suggestions,
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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sgtmyers88
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by sgtmyers88 »

More info on Tetra Safe Start can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32416
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

I accidentally put safestart in my BW aquarium. Will it do any harm if I also put bio-spira in too?
RTR
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by RTR »

No.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
RTR
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Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by RTR »

I should have asked above: What was the specific gravity when the Safestart was added?
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32979
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Pufferpunk »

I wish you had just followed my instructions... Neither may work in BW. Safestart ain't cheap! At this moment you have a puffer in an uncycled tank. :(
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

Now I have a bigger issue. I never remembered ordering a second puffer, but we have one now. It's about 2 inches which is too big to keep with my 1.5 inch puffer. He looks sickly, grey underneath and scars running up and down its face. His belly is grey and there are a lot of bite-like marks on him. His fins are a brown color and he doesn't move much. What do I do?
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

To my other note: I have a 10 gallon pre-cycled(not rushed) feeder tank for fresh water but it's not the right temperature and doesn't have any of the needed equipment.
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bertie 83
Moderator
Posts: 5298
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis
Location (country): Brighton, England
Location: brighton , england

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by bertie 83 »

The 10g sounds like the only shot you got. You have really got your work cut out now. Remember not to panic and lots of water changes. Get the second one rehomed ASAP
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

He's doing okay. I've got him to low brackish without and stress and he's eating well. My 1 inch GSP is having ball in his tank, and I think he'll do fine. The 2 inch puffer is being regimes tommorow to my sister who recently moved into her house and wants a tank.
Kingsleys
Puffer Fry
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:07 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Albert- 2 in. GSP ::Newest:: Low Brackish
Einstein- 1.5 in. GSP Medium Brackish
Edison-2.3 in Fig 8 Low Brackish::Newest::
Location (country): Colorado, US

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Kingsleys »

Can I keep them together or will they be too aggressive?
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32979
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Re: I'm in a bit of a situation.

Post by Pufferpunk »

Not in <55g & when they mature, that'll be too small. I'm afraid there isn't enough bacteria to support both of them either. I'm still totally confused as to what you've done with that issue.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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