So I was reading the recommended article for starting a brackish tank in the Brackish puffer section here. In it he was talking about the substrate. In the article it says
"If you plan on keeping live rooted plants, you will need about a 1" layer of substrate (avoid larger layers as they can build up anaerobic spots) and for a fish only tank, a very thin layer is best. "
I am using argonite and it is much thicker than he suggests...probably about 3" thick in most areas...do you think this could be causing the problem that is killing my puffers? What would an anaerobic section do to the water?
Also, if I am going to recycle my tank I think I will use the opportunity to move up to a 33 gallon. We do have one LFS here that actually keeps the puffers in brackish. He is a bit more expensive so I have not bought a puffer from him. I am thinking I will pay the extra and get one from him as they will already be acclimatized to brackish. That means I will be cycling a tank with brackish water. So....do I just set it up with the sg at the same level as the store tank and just cycle it as usual or is there something else I need to do? Is there any difference cycling a tank with SG of say 1.008 than there is cycling a tank that is 1.00?
I appreciate all your help...I am determined to keep a puffer!
Jan
GSP problem
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
-
Dadof4
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Re: GSP problem
The theory of anaerobic pockets is plausible.....If you keep a sand bed more than about an inch you need to stir it weekly. I keep about 3 inches of sand and stir with every water change to avoid that happening.
Cycle your new tank at the SG the store has theirs at just like you would a FW tank. Just remember to premix the water before adding it to the tank (probably not a big deal with a fishless setup but good habit to get into). I mix mine in a huge Rubbermaid container and then transfer it to the tank. Water first then salt so you don't end up with cloudy water.
Cycle your new tank at the SG the store has theirs at just like you would a FW tank. Just remember to premix the water before adding it to the tank (probably not a big deal with a fishless setup but good habit to get into). I mix mine in a huge Rubbermaid container and then transfer it to the tank. Water first then salt so you don't end up with cloudy water.
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: GSP problem
Jase had to change his substrate because of this. It really can happen. While he was changing it, he had to leave because the gasses were giving him a headache. Here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17567&p=183386&hili ... he#p183386
By the way, if this more expensive LFS has brackish puffers in brackish water, they're more likely to have generally healthy fish, so I'd definitely pay the extra.
By the way, if this more expensive LFS has brackish puffers in brackish water, they're more likely to have generally healthy fish, so I'd definitely pay the extra.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
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NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!