The Puffer Forum

edmlfc1 wrote:Wow....$15 is cheap. I paid $29.99 + $19.99 for shipping on a 3oz. package. I don't have a store near me that sells it.

Sweet Jeebus, that's highway robbery! :O

One thing I noticed today, My GSP (Still unnamed) was doing something odd today. Now and then (only a few times) it seemed to "dart" into an object deliberately, looked like it was itching it's eye area. Is that normal behavior? It was about 1/2 an inch away each time from the object, slowly drifted near it and when close he jutted into it quickly, not hard enough to damage itself, but more like a scratch. Should I be concerned? Haven't found anything online about it yet, so I thought I'd ask here and see. It's eyes look perfectly fine, not cloudy or bulging.

I think I pay about $15 for a 1oz to treat 30 gallons, $25 for a 3 oz for 90 gallons, there's one place in the area that sells it.

Fernzero wrote:

edmlfc1 wrote:Wow....$15 is cheap. I paid $29.99 + $19.99 for shipping on a 3oz. package. I don't have a store near me that sells it.

Sweet Jeebus, that's highway robbery! :O

One thing I noticed today, My GSP (Still unnamed) was doing something odd today. Now and then (only a few times) it seemed to "dart" into an object deliberately, looked like it was itching it's eye area. Is that normal behavior? It was about 1/2 an inch away each time from the object, slowly drifted near it and when close he jutted into it quickly, not hard enough to damage itself, but more like a scratch. Should I be concerned? Haven't found anything online about it yet, so I thought I'd ask here and see. It's eyes look perfectly fine, not cloudy or bulging.

It could be parasites of some sort. It wouldn't be a bad idea to treat for parasites anyway, most GSPs have them when you first get them.

Although this is probably too late, do an 80% WC before adding the B-S & add it directly to your filter. Do not change the water again for 48 hours, unless it really doesn't seem to be working. If is isn't, then it was left unrefrigerated for a time, before it got to you.

Also, next time nitrite gets that high, you must do much larger WC, more often--whatever it takes to get them to 0. I was doing 80% 2x/day at one point, until I found the source of my high ammonia & nitrite (a rotting carcass inside an ornament).

Pufferpunk wrote:Although this is probably too late, do an 80% WC before adding the B-S & add it directly to your filter. Do not change the water again for 48 hours, unless it really doesn't seem to be working. If is isn't, then it was left unrefrigerated for a time, before it got to you.

Also, next time nitrite gets that high, you must do much larger WC, more often--whatever it takes to get them to 0. I was doing 80% 2x/day at one point, until I found the source of my high ammonia & nitrite (a rotting carcass inside an ornament).

You are AWESOME PP! As it turns out I did a 70% change before adding the Bio Spira (directly to my Bio-wheel out of instinct, great instinct I suppose!). I felt it might be necessary to do such a change based on what the packet said (with the meds I had been adding). I hope the 10% difference won't be too much. I am SO GLAD you mentioned to NOT change again for 2 days! (phew!) I was in a water changing mentality. The BS WAS in fact in a refrigerator (took me 20 minutes of looking for it, only to be told it was in the store's fridge... lol). They sold it to me along with a baggie of Ice, so I think the store knows what they are doing. With luck my Bio-Filter will be awesome soon, Thank you SOOOoooo Much everyone! Much love <3.

Good to know about your store but it may have been neglected on the way to the store. I have a wholesaler-friend who was at a warehouse on a hot summer day & they had cases of thousands of bags of B-S sitting out in their warehouse in the heat for weeks. That's why I always write a disclamer when I suggest it now.

Pufferpunk wrote:Good to know about your store but it may have been neglected on the way to the store. I have a wholesaler-friend who was at a warehouse on a hot summer day & they had cases of thousands of bags of B-S sitting out in their warehouse in the heat for weeks. That's why I always write a disclamer when I suggest it now.

Wow... that seriously concerns me. I hope that expensive little bag I bought is ok! Thanks for the info.

I hope all is going well with the WC, levels and B-S

Only time will tell. I'm taking PP's advice and not gonna change the water for 48 hours after adding BS. Added it on Friday, so either today (sun) or tomorrow I'll do a 50% change and see what happens. I treated for fungus yesterday (Following Ich treatment recommendation), and I'll follow up with parasite Meds after the water change. You are all so helpful. I really do appreciate all the advice!