Hi...I'm NEW to site and pufferkeeping! SOOO many questions!!
I got a Nano Cube aquarium (12g) and practiced keeping 3 dwarf puffers for about 2 months. (did everything the fish store told us for setup incl. cycling tank for 2 weeks). I've now graduated to a GSP (just one!) which is now 1 and half inches. (gave the dwarfs to my nephew). I am VERY stressed about keeping this guy because I'm in LOVE with him already (only had him 5 days!) and don't want to be parted with him or see him get sick.
First Q: does anyone know about these tanks? why does my tank have so much algae?? When we first started the tank, it was clear and clean for about a month. The algae got bad quickly - not overgrown but noticable on sides, in gravel and on rocks.
Q 2: what can I do about the floating film of oil on the water (I assume this is from the bloodworms and brine.) What do you recommend for cleaning this?
Q 3: how often should I test the water quality/salinity?
Q4: Marine salt or aquarium salt? LFS said aquarium salt...
Q5: Is my tank big enough? how fast will my GSP grow? I saw 2 in a 10g tank at the fish store...
Q6: is it stressful for the puffer to remain in tank while I clean it?
That's it for now...have lots more but out of time...THANKS for your help!!
GSP in NanoCube
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Myaj
- Tech Team
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- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
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If you haven't yet, read the sticky on GSP care, it is located in the Brackish fish board.
First, a single GSP needs 30 gallons as it matures, so you'll eventually need a bigger tank. 12 gallons would be good for a figure 8 or some of the smaller puffers, but it won't last for a GSP. The sooner you can give it a bigger tank, the less you'll stunt its growth and the healthier it will be.
For the oil, yes, thats generally protien from food. You can skim it off with a paper towel or napkin, but make sure your filter is strong enough as well. Most of us aim for 10x the flow rate as there are gallons, soyou'd want a filter that moved at least 120 gallons per hour. Also try to get your hands on some snails, they are a good food for him to wear down the teeth and they won't foul the water as much as bloodworms, etc. Are you thawing frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp? If so, don't dump the water you thawed them in into the tank, try to feed them with forceps or strain the thawed food in a net before feeding. Dumping that water in the tank will pollute it and add lots of protien that you don't need in the water.
As far as algae, what kind do you have? Brown algae (diatoms) are very common when a tank is first set up. Be patient, and usually they will go away. If it is green algae or black algae, there could be several reasons. Are you near a window or other light source? How long do you leave the tank lights on? How often and how much water do you change?
At least until the tank is stable and you are comfortable with it, you should be monitoring ammonia, nitrites nitrates and salinity. This may be several weeks to a year, and I personally never stop monitoring nitrates and salinity...
Marine salt! Experience shows GSP's need brackish conditions when younger and will grow best when moved into full saltwater as they get larger. Bet the store didn't tell you that! Make sure if you start using marine salt you dont' raise the salinity more than .002 each week or you could kill the bacteria and re-cycle the tank.
No it is not stressful for the puffer to stay in the tank while you clean it.. assuming by clean you mean gravel siphon, water changes and wiping algae off the glass. It would be much more stressfull for it to be taken out of the tank and put back in later. If anything, you'll find the puffer chasing you around nipping on your fingers, just be careful you don't suction him up into the gravel vaccuum. You don't want to take the gravel out and scrub it or anything, that's where your bacteria lives. A good gravel vaccuum gets all the gunk out and siphons the water as well, so you are already halfway to your water change. Don't be afraid to do big water changes either, just match your temp and use a dechlorinator if you are on treated/city water. I do 50% or more each week and the puffers are always right there nosing around trying to figure out what I"m doing...
I hope some of that helped. When you have time, make sure you read the various articles posted here on basic puffer care, they will answer a lot of your questions.
First, a single GSP needs 30 gallons as it matures, so you'll eventually need a bigger tank. 12 gallons would be good for a figure 8 or some of the smaller puffers, but it won't last for a GSP. The sooner you can give it a bigger tank, the less you'll stunt its growth and the healthier it will be.
For the oil, yes, thats generally protien from food. You can skim it off with a paper towel or napkin, but make sure your filter is strong enough as well. Most of us aim for 10x the flow rate as there are gallons, soyou'd want a filter that moved at least 120 gallons per hour. Also try to get your hands on some snails, they are a good food for him to wear down the teeth and they won't foul the water as much as bloodworms, etc. Are you thawing frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp? If so, don't dump the water you thawed them in into the tank, try to feed them with forceps or strain the thawed food in a net before feeding. Dumping that water in the tank will pollute it and add lots of protien that you don't need in the water.
As far as algae, what kind do you have? Brown algae (diatoms) are very common when a tank is first set up. Be patient, and usually they will go away. If it is green algae or black algae, there could be several reasons. Are you near a window or other light source? How long do you leave the tank lights on? How often and how much water do you change?
At least until the tank is stable and you are comfortable with it, you should be monitoring ammonia, nitrites nitrates and salinity. This may be several weeks to a year, and I personally never stop monitoring nitrates and salinity...
Marine salt! Experience shows GSP's need brackish conditions when younger and will grow best when moved into full saltwater as they get larger. Bet the store didn't tell you that! Make sure if you start using marine salt you dont' raise the salinity more than .002 each week or you could kill the bacteria and re-cycle the tank.
No it is not stressful for the puffer to stay in the tank while you clean it.. assuming by clean you mean gravel siphon, water changes and wiping algae off the glass. It would be much more stressfull for it to be taken out of the tank and put back in later. If anything, you'll find the puffer chasing you around nipping on your fingers, just be careful you don't suction him up into the gravel vaccuum. You don't want to take the gravel out and scrub it or anything, that's where your bacteria lives. A good gravel vaccuum gets all the gunk out and siphons the water as well, so you are already halfway to your water change. Don't be afraid to do big water changes either, just match your temp and use a dechlorinator if you are on treated/city water. I do 50% or more each week and the puffers are always right there nosing around trying to figure out what I"m doing...
I hope some of that helped. When you have time, make sure you read the various articles posted here on basic puffer care, they will answer a lot of your questions.
Thanks Mjaj!! Don't know why the LFS is so clueless about their livestock! They also told me my 12g tank was fine as long as I only have one GSP and that tank size would limit their growth (ie. he wouldn't grow to full size). Actually, I read that elsewhere on the net too. I did read up on them before buying but I assumed the LFS staff would know what they're talking about. Guess I'll have to start saving for that 25 g tank - and fast! Any idea how long it will take the GSP to grow to 4"? The 12g NanoCube cost me $200 Cdn to begin with!
Also, I'm a bit confused about some of the live food items...I read there are no algae eaters that can live in brackish water/with the GSPs, then how can they have snails or shrimp? I guess the snails wouldn't last long enough to feel the effects of the saltwater...
Thanks again - this is a great site! (however some of you purists really make me feel guilty!)
Also, I'm a bit confused about some of the live food items...I read there are no algae eaters that can live in brackish water/with the GSPs, then how can they have snails or shrimp? I guess the snails wouldn't last long enough to feel the effects of the saltwater...
Thanks again - this is a great site! (however some of you purists really make me feel guilty!)
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Bred
- Former Staff Member
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I believe a 29 gallon tank purchased at Big Al's is something on the order of $35. Add ~$15 for the glass top and anywhere from ~$30 to $150 for lights, depending on your needs. Aquaclear 300 filter would do a nice job, and costs $47.99. Heaters are about $30.
These are CDN prices.
Depending on your lights, the bigger tank could cost as little as $160, not including substrate or decorations. Have fun customizing!
These are CDN prices.
Depending on your lights, the bigger tank could cost as little as $160, not including substrate or decorations. Have fun customizing!
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Myaj
- Tech Team
- Posts: 4587
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:27 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
- Contact:
Very true about the nano lighting.. it would probably be great for a freshwater planted tank (with the appropriate bulb) but with no plants or coral its just feeding the algae.
There have been studies to prove that fish release a hormone into the water that is actually a growth inhibitor, when it builds up to certian levels it can and will stunt their growth. The problem with that is it also stunts and inhibits their vital organs as well, leading to heath problems. That is why so many people try to keep goldfish in "bowls" and don't expect more than a year or so of life out of it. They don't realize that fish, if kept properly, will get over a foot long and live for 30+ years...
There are just so many types of fish out there, I don't think any fish store will ever have all their employees trained to know everything about all of them. And most stores just have employees making minimum wage, they aren't going to put the extra effort into learning and trying to teach people, they are just happy to have a job. So its best to research before you buy, and keep in mind that the store is concerned with making money...
There have been studies to prove that fish release a hormone into the water that is actually a growth inhibitor, when it builds up to certian levels it can and will stunt their growth. The problem with that is it also stunts and inhibits their vital organs as well, leading to heath problems. That is why so many people try to keep goldfish in "bowls" and don't expect more than a year or so of life out of it. They don't realize that fish, if kept properly, will get over a foot long and live for 30+ years...
There are just so many types of fish out there, I don't think any fish store will ever have all their employees trained to know everything about all of them. And most stores just have employees making minimum wage, they aren't going to put the extra effort into learning and trying to teach people, they are just happy to have a job. So its best to research before you buy, and keep in mind that the store is concerned with making money...
what shape tank do GSPs prefer? my nano cube is exactly a square...same height and width (approx. 16"). Do GSPs prefer a long tank or a tall tank? ie.do they like deep water or prefer to swim across ? (excuse me if I"m using ignorant terminology). Just wanted your opinion before I buy the tank.
Also, my cube has a built-in 3 step filtration (yes, it was marketed for live coral and marine fish) which includes a chamber with sponge, a chamber with bioballs and ceramic rings and the filter chamber (not sure what else it's called). The tank attracted me because it 1) so quiet! not like the usual gurgling/whirring sound of regular tanks and 2) it looked really compact and neat (no tubes, wires etc. hanging out of the tank). I would buy a larger one for my puffer but unfortunately, they don't make them larger than 24g. Also, they so damn expensive! I guess because they are so advanced - this tank is only sold in specialty aquarium stores - you won't find it at Big Al's or Petsmart. My question is: with all your expertise, would you know what an equivalent set up would be (ie. if you were builidng an optimum 30g tank for my puffer what exactly would you buy?
Thanks for your advice!! (p.s. Bred...I live in Toronto too! Bought my GSP from Big Al's in Mississauga)
Also, my cube has a built-in 3 step filtration (yes, it was marketed for live coral and marine fish) which includes a chamber with sponge, a chamber with bioballs and ceramic rings and the filter chamber (not sure what else it's called). The tank attracted me because it 1) so quiet! not like the usual gurgling/whirring sound of regular tanks and 2) it looked really compact and neat (no tubes, wires etc. hanging out of the tank). I would buy a larger one for my puffer but unfortunately, they don't make them larger than 24g. Also, they so damn expensive! I guess because they are so advanced - this tank is only sold in specialty aquarium stores - you won't find it at Big Al's or Petsmart. My question is: with all your expertise, would you know what an equivalent set up would be (ie. if you were builidng an optimum 30g tank for my puffer what exactly would you buy?
Thanks for your advice!! (p.s. Bred...I live in Toronto too! Bought my GSP from Big Al's in Mississauga)
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Pufferpunk
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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
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well, I suppose I'd better decide soon before I get too attached to my GSP (have n't named yet for same reason). I'm not hardcore like you guys and don't have the time (with kids and other pets) so I may trade him for an F8 as reading up on this puffer makes more sense. Also, I REALLY like the nano cube - haven't seen other tanks like it. Not complicated and less parts to get knowledgeable on.
By the way, hearing mixed opinions on the tank size/stunting thing...some experienced fish keepers tell me that they've had fish for years (some more than 10) living in smaller tanks than required and their fish are smaller in size. This is a totally innocent question but...what IS so bad about fish being stunted?
By the way, hearing mixed opinions on the tank size/stunting thing...some experienced fish keepers tell me that they've had fish for years (some more than 10) living in smaller tanks than required and their fish are smaller in size. This is a totally innocent question but...what IS so bad about fish being stunted?
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RTR
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The question is, do you think it appropriate to house a pet properly, or that it is okay to keep a dog in a cage 24/7 or a fish in too small a tank to allow it a normal life? To me, if I cannot do it properly, I don't do it.
That tank would be fine with a trio of Dwarf Puffers, but is too small for F8s or GSPs.
That tank would be fine with a trio of Dwarf Puffers, but is too small for F8s or GSPs.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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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:
okay...first, I like my tank but I don't agree with keeping live coral as I hear they have to blast the reef to get the coral we buy from our aquarium stores and reefs are destroyed during the process. That being said, I'm sure most people don't intend to be cruel when wanting to own pets - of any species. And if they are on this very specialized board, they must care enough about their new family addition to want to know as much as possible about keeping it healthy. Now just thinking about trading in my GSP for the F8 at the LFS makes me sick because I know they will just throw my GSP in with the rest of the 30 or more there in the 10g tank (half of which are badly bitten and stressed). So if I return him, there's a chance he might get a better owner than me but I don't want to take that risk. (especially with the kind of advice the LFS gives!)
I really do wish that every fish at the LFS get owners like you but that's about as likely as world peace. So maybe I was asking for scolding when I mentioned stunting - I thought this was meant as a discussion board - obviously I care about your opinions on this topic since I've talked to many other aquarium aficionados (including a biologist) who have different views.
By the way...my dad said I could have his 25g tank (gathering dust in his basement) until I save up for a marine set-up.
I really do wish that every fish at the LFS get owners like you but that's about as likely as world peace. So maybe I was asking for scolding when I mentioned stunting - I thought this was meant as a discussion board - obviously I care about your opinions on this topic since I've talked to many other aquarium aficionados (including a biologist) who have different views.
By the way...my dad said I could have his 25g tank (gathering dust in his basement) until I save up for a marine set-up.