GSP Rescue - New Puffer Owner - HELP!!

[Suka]

So, my husband's cousin lives beneath us. Recently her grossly overstocked 2.5 gallon crashed, to which she responded by purchasing a betta, 5 tetras and a GSP. Well, as I told her it would, the GSP went on a rampage last night. I am being asked to take the puffer and all I currently have cycled and empty is a 5.5 gallon tank. The puffer is 1/2"-3/4", will he be okay in this tank temporarily while I get a new home for him figured out? I just had a baby so finances are VERY tight, though I may be able to swing a 10 gallon, I can't afford a heater for it. I know he will need brackish and eventually full marine as well as a 30 gallon tank. I quite like the little fellow and am willing to do what I can to take care of him. Does anyone know what they feed the puffers at wal-mart? That's where he's from and I need to get him eating something before I can start transferring foods.

Thank you,
Suka (sue-kah)

[bertie 83]

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I think you should let this one pass and get the puffer rehomed elsewhere. With a newborn and limited tank space and funds it will likely end up too stressful for you. A 10g would be ok as a temporary quarantine tank but much larger would be needed very soon.

[Suka]

How fast would he outgrow the 10? I have a 20H I just don't have a hood/filter for it.

[eieio]

please do what you can to convince your husbands cousin to not have any more pets of any kind

[eieio]

considering what this little fish has gone through already, it needs to have everything corrected right now!
oh, and Petco is having one of their $1 per gallon aquarium sale (for 2 more days, I think until April 12th)
bite the bullet, get an appropriate tank, filter, light, heater, etc.
might your husbands cousin help out with the cost of re-homing with a loan or donation?

[eieio]

do you have water parameter test kits?
if so, what are the readings from his current tank?
if not, please get a kit to monitor his water conditions

[Suka]

We don't have the money right now for the 29 or I would. She won't help at all she's "a college student". (Her dad pays for her schooling so it's BS.) I do have a test kit, API Liquid Master. The parameters are ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5. I've been keeping fish for over 13 years so I am confident that I can take care of him. I don't have an issue with daily water changes until we get the little one situated.

[bertie 83]

The gsp will likely be too big for a 10g in a matter of months. With a new nipper finances will likely still be stretched when he is in need of a bigger home, plus marine salt, live rock etc etc. I just think you might set yourself up for a hard time here. Are there any good fish stores near you that would trade him in? Perhaps for a dwarf puffer for your tank

[Suka]

The only place that will actually take him back is Wal-Mart and I am not comfortable with that at all. I can have the stuff for the 20 in a couple months and the transition from fresh to brackish will take some time anyways, so I can get the dry rock then. (I would prefer to use dry rock as not to introduce unwanted critters to the tank.) I am confident that I can do this, even on limited funds. I have tanks that get large daily water changes so my commitment won't be an issue in the least, even with a newborn. I don't work so I can spend almost all day changing water if I need to.

[Suka]

After so many posts will I be able to just post instead of having a moderator approve it first?

[Pufferpunk]

I'm not sure how many posts it takes not to have to be approved. Hopefully, 5 is enough.

Continue with daily WC & don't worry about adding salt just yet. You are dechlorinating with something? What's the temp in there?

[Suka]

I'm dechlorinating with Seachem Prime and the temp is 86F for two weeks because he did come from Walmart and I honestly expect he came with ich even though I can't see any on him. I was to nip it in the bud while it's not an issue. After this I was going to lower it to 78F. Is that a suitable temperature? I think I'm going to skip the 10g and get the stuff for the 20H instead.

What turnover rate should I be looking for on a 20? I was thinking 265gph canister. I always over-filter and I will be planting moderately as well. I know that won't last when I need to start upping my SG, but it'll grow them out for other tanks anyways and help with ammonia/nitrates in the mean time.

ETA - Five posts was enough.

[bertie 83]

Is the 20hex a tall tank? If so the gsp will need bigger sooner. Look out for second hand set ups, bargains can be had and you get extra stuff too

[Suka]

It's a 20 High not a 20 hex. Standard tank. I've been keeping my eye on craigslist but so far no luck.