Where to find a F8 near DC.

[Newton1357]

I have been looking for a figure 8 for the past two weeks in northern VA. There were two at Super Petz in Annandale, but they were sold an hour before I got there? Does anyone know of a place near me that might have a figure 8 for me? I am in Arlington, VA. Thanks.

[Ting]

You could ask your LFS to order some specially or call you as soon as they have some more in.

I shopped around and couldn't find any so I chose the most knowlegable store to order me some. I used the waiting time to make sure the tank was fully cycled and mess around with the layout etc.

If they had some in they will no doubt be getting more

[blb]

I live in maryland and have found figure 8's here in petcos. I have 9 of them now. Let me know if you are willing to drive and I will let you know when they get more in.

Beth

[Newton1357]

Thanks for the input. I have been talking to one of the stores nearby and they will contact me if they get any in. I would like to get one for this weekend. This will be our first puffer and have done a lot of research so of course I am a little excited. Thanks again.

[crazedpuffer]

Try petland discounts they have them far more around here then any other store.

[Newton1357]

I checked Petland but they are in the New York / New Jersey area and that is too far for me as I am in the Washington DC metro area.

[spoot]

Newton1357, my name is Newton too Well in real life that is. Do you have access to bio-spira? Otherwise it would be a good idea to start cycling your tank.

[Newton1357]

Newton, I have had the puffer tank setup and running for two weeks. I used some filter material from an established freshwater tank. While dosing with Cycle and also some flake food for the bacteria to feed on.

[spoot]

Nice! Hope you find an F8 soon! And don't forget to post pictures

[Newton1357]

I finally found a store that had some figure 8's in stock. I had to drive to Gaithersburg, MD for him. Thanks for your support everyone. I will put up some pics as soon as Fredrick settles down.

[Ting]

Do you have water test kits? I'd keep a close eye on the parameters as I'm not sure the cycle and flake food will cycle a tank in a couple of weeks, even with the old filter media.

I might be wrong! I'm not an expert! Just keep a close eye on it though for ammonia and nitrite spikes.

So tell us about your F8! How big is he? How is he finding his new home?

[RTR]

I use foods (judging quanity is easiest for me using flake) to hold cycled tank routinely - it helps support the full bioload, not just of the nitrification bacteria, but much of the heterotrophs as well. It can certainly be used for a full fishless cycle from scratch, but is harder to control than ammonia alone for me. Timing of a cycle is impossible for me to predict on anyone else's tanks. I know what I ususally get in my own (most often no positive ammonia/nitite readings at all, because i mostly use preconditioned filters), but there are too many variables, the biggest being the size of the inoculum of the needed bacteria.

[Newton1357]

Thank you all for your responses. Mr. Puffy seems to be doing quite well. He was the best looking in a tank of roughed up f8s and GSPs. Dropped in a couple ghost shrimp and they were gone in the morning. I had been using the not so reliable test strips and an ammonia liquid test kit. There has been no ammonia and minimal nitrites. Again, I had taken several ceramic pieces from a fully cycled tank to help get it started. I will have pictures up as soon as I get the time this week. Thanks again for all of your ideas.

[blb]

Congrats on your new addition!!
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[Newton1357]

I finally got around to taking some pictures of Mr. Puffy. Again, thank you all for your support and comments. Now here he is.