Best layout for gsp tank

[abby]

I have a gsp in a 3 ft 35g tank. It has sand substrate and plenty of rocks, a few plants around the back and sides. It looks lovely but my puffer paces the glass quite a lot, how can i make it better for him?

[Nick]

Put tall plants nearly to the top of the tank in all the pacing areas, so at least if he does it, it will be in the front of the tank. Tall decor helps, makes them wonder whats is around the bend, a snail maybe...

[abby]

Thanks Nick, I've taken your advice, what do you think?
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/ ... ank002.jpg

[manutius]

I would say that nearly all FW/SW puffers would love that setup, it looks great. The poblem will come when you have to go hi marine I think unless all decor is plastic

[abby]

Some of the plants are fake, the vallisneria and the carolina fanwort are supposed to do o.k in brackish tanks but only time will tell, they can always be replaced with plastic if they don't do well. The pacing has stopped for now anyway,he's been investigating all day so hopefully he likes it!

[manutius]

That is good news, keep us updated wont you

[Hilly]

Nice looking setup.

[Nick]

I really like it, glad to hear the pacing has stopped. I think pacing is often the result of being able to , from almost anywhere in the top half of the tank, see everything in it. I'm starting to think the best way to come up with fish tank layouts would be to build them using one of those house-builder softwares that lets you look at your rooms from any position, that way you could see how the tank would look to the puffer from inside.

[Allan]

Very nice set up!

Al

[BigB]

my GSP never paces when im in the room, his tank is right next to the computer he sits and stares at me for hours while i do my homework LOL. He even proof reads my papers sometimes!

[Allan]

We too have our GSP right next to the computer desk. He is always splashing for my attention.

Al

[manutius]

I'm starting to think the best way to come up with fish tank layouts would be to build them using one of those house-builder softwares that lets you look at your rooms from any position, that way you could see how the tank would look to the puffer from inside.

There are a few CAD programmes out there for free, Google sketchup works well I think

[manutius]

here are some a guy on my other forum has done

[abby]

Since changing my gsp's tank around he is a different fish! He now spends his days exploring, attacking the decor and eating the plants! I honestly thought gsp's were strictly carnivorous but not my little chap! At first I thought maybe a snail had escaped his clutches and was devouring the greenery, my vallisneria looked like someone had taken a hole punch to it, rows of little round holes along each blade! I've since had to take it out and replace with plastic so he is now working his way through the cabomba!