Figure8 tank

[Myaj]

I think a Figure 8 does just fine anywhere in the 1.003-1.008 range myself.. but I haven't kept the species for extended periods of time. Just going by others' experiences.

I'm with Hilly on stressing the SLOW part of raising it when it comes to plants though. You've got a lot of nice plants in there and I would do everything you can to give them their best chance to survive. If it was me doing it, I would do 50% water changes each week, adding one more tablespoon of marine mix to the new tank water every week (for example, the first week add 2 tablespoons of salt to your new water, the next week, add 3 to the new water, next week add 4, and so on). So it would be a barely readable increase but it would increase, and the plants would have a much better chance.

Also, if those plants stay healthy and do well for you, they will help a lot when you do introduce the Figure 8 to the tank. Planted tanks are a lot more forgiving when it comes to adding a bit more bioload than the tank is set up for, between their natural abilities to use "nutrients" and the loads of bacteria on their surfaces.

[Redspotter]

The first puffer has arrived today, I'm so happy!!
It was on the internet, trading place, as snail-eater finished job. He had began eating the tails of the guppies.
So he won't be suffering anymore, going from tank to tank, just to keep the number of snails down.
Some pictures of the little fellow, after eating some tubifex

[mikeosoft]

Have you started adding salt yet? I'm eagerly watching this thread to see how things turn out. I have a single F8 right now that I'm going to be moving into a 40g breeder. I'm debating if I should go planted or not.

Are you using C02? Ferts?

Good luck!

[Redspotter]

Last week I put the first tablespoon of salt in the tank. I'm putting one table spoon per 10 liters of water by the waterchanges. I will keep it on one tablespoon for about three weeks and than I raise it to two tablespoons per 10 liters for two weeks ect. Hoping by this very slow increase of the saltinity the plants will live. Maybe if everything is going well I will speed the things a little bit more up. Because in this way it will take me a few months to get to 1.005
I use for the plants easycarbo (2-3 times a week) and profito (once a week)
I really hope the plants will stay alive.

[mikeosoft]

I wonder if you might have better success only going to 1.003 or 1.004 without having a negative long-term impact on the puffer.

[Redspotter]

Ok Boeli the puffer has been in the tank for a few days, I'm wondering if I do best if I stick with one little guy instead of putting in a second one. I have to make a decision before adding more salt. At the moment there are 6 bbgs and 1 F8puffer in a 30 gallon tank. It should be possible to put in two puffers. Would it be more fun with two?? Or stick with just one?

[my name is mike]

if you can find two that are about the same size, id go for it -- there is a chance that they wont get along, but with enough hiding places and decor to break the line of sight, youll give them a good chance -- and with all your plants, you should be able to maintain water quality no prob. good luck

[mikeosoft]

I say it would be fine with just 1 puffer. I'm going to be putting a single F8 into a 40g breeder. You shouldn't have to wait to get the second puffer before you start adding salt. A F8 should be able to acclimate to different salinities pretty quickly, especially since you aren't going over 1.005.