The Puffer Forum

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

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.

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.