I am currently in the process of setting up/cycling (fishless, with ammonia) a 10g tank for some dwarf puffers and I have some questions.
1. I would like more than one DP, however my LFS only sells them as juvies so I wouldn't be able to sex them before purchase. In this case would it be better to go with 2 or 3? ( if it makes any difference, I will be doing regular water tests and pwc's to keep water quality high as well as adding more plants and hidey-holes)
2. My city's water hardness is 2, Is this suitable for dps?
3. Is my current setup (below) okay for dps? or is there anything I could do/change to make it a better home for them?
Current set-up:
Tank size: 10g (bought as start up kit)
Filter: Top Fin Power Filter 10 + makeshift sponge pre-filter
Lighting: (?) LED lights that came with the hood
Heater: Top Fin 60W adjustable heater
Air pump: Top Fin mini aquarium air pump (only using to help aerate tank while I'm cycling, to be removed after?)
Substrate: National Geographic Aquarium Substrate
No CO2 or ferts being used
Decor/plants:
Malaysian driftwood
Big rock
One big fake plant
A good group of Java fern,
anubias nana
water sprite (I think)
some crypt
Christmas moss (currently weighed down in buckets until I figure out what to do with them)
a mystery plant (maybe water wysteria?)
I also have some ramshorn snails kicking around in there that I'm hoping to start breeding soon for snacks
Thank you for your input!