Dwarf Puffer Set-Up Ideas

[Prof. F]

What would be a general rule for Filtration in a 10 gallon tank with 1 Dwarf Puffer? I plan on having loads of plants including Anubias Nana, Water Wisteria, Java Fern, Java Moss, and Anacharis. Would those be acceptable? Also, would Play Sand (Thoroughly Rinsed) be a problem? Sorry for all the questions, but I want to make this tank beyond perfect BEFORE adding a Puffer since they are super sensitive. Thanks!

[Pufftastic]

DPs don't seem to have any kind of requirements for substrate. Play sand would be fine, as is gravel. It basically comes down to your personal aesthetics.

Doesn't matter to the DPs if the plants are live or artificial, they just appreciate having LOTS of them. Busy tanks keep them from getting bored. My DPs have enjoyed having rock caves, shipwreck ornaments, you name it. I switch it up periodically when I do water changes to keep things interesting.

As for filtration, more is always better. DPs are messy eaters, leaving a fair amount of debris behind after a meal (little bits of bloodworms, or blackworms, or snail fragments). As long as your fish isn't being blown around the tank by the current, you can totally go nuts with the filtration. I aim for 8 to 10x tank turnover per hour (for example, if I have a 20 gallon tank, I want a filter that's rated for 200 gph). DPs do enjoy having a bit of current in the water to swim in, so I aim the filter outflow so that they can choose to "surf" the current in one area when they want to.

More important than the filtration, in my opinion, is large frequent water changes. I do 75% weekly, which keeps things clean and my fish happy and healthy.

You're going to love your future puffer -- they're incredibly entertaining little guys!

[bertie 83]

Pufftastic is bang on. Just to add plenty of decor or plants will diffuse the flow somewhat giving slow flowing areas for the puffer to chill. If you put just 1 dp in there you should be able to reduce water changes a bit too so long as you clear out waste food. However it's always better to change too much than too little, once in a routine waterchanges are no bother

[Prof. F]

That all sounds fantastic! Only thing is, I'm now going to have to get another filter lol. Probably an Aquaclear. I don't know why, but for some reason I thought that I could use two leftover sponge filters from a bulk buy. Should've known, oh well.

[bertie 83]

Grab yourself a decent eheim canister, they last forever. It's all I will use. Everyone has personal preference but I have some real old eheims

[Prof. F]

I don't know much about Canister filters to be honest... Is there a certain model or size? Perhaps just look for one with about 100 GPH?

[Pufferpunk]

I prefer Aquaclears for my smaller tanks & Eheims on tanks >50g.

[Prof. F]

Honestly, I'll probably try the canister. If it doesn't work out I can swap it for my Aquaclear 50 on my 20 gallon.

[Prof. F]

I've been wanting to try a canister, and I guess I've found a good reason lol.

[Pufftastic]

Like Pufferpunk, I like HOBs (hang-on-back filters) for smaller tanks. Canisters are fantastic for big tanks, but a bit too much fuss and bother for a small one, at least for me. Aquaclears are my go-to HOB as well.

[Prof. F]

You would think that the better filtration capacity would help since they're so messy. Thanks guys! I'm so thankful you're all here to help!

[bertie 83]

You won't regret it, the eheim eccos are great little canisters for small tanks. I got one on a whim and love it. The pro series are fantastic but would turn a smaller tank into a whirlwind lol. I have ran the eccos on 2 ft tanks I just aim the spraybar at at the glass, they seem super