The Puffer Forum

At what temp should I move it?

If it goes over 86, back it up. Keep a close eye on it, all day if possible. After that, if it doesn't go too high, you should be okay.

Thanks LilGreen!

Don't forget the 80% water changes every other day. I'm afraid as long as they continue to be stressed by living in a tank that's too small for them, they will continue getting sick.

I still haven't gotten that dang siphon yet! They don't have one at the place only 10 minutes away so now I have to convince my parents to drive me an little under an hour to get one! I feel aweful for them.

You need a syphon to transfer them to a larger tank?

Syphon to clean it. It's disquisting. It's got off the charts ammonia, nitrites/ates.

You don't need a siphon to change water. While it won't be as effective, you can just dip water out with a clean (clean, clean, clean, RINSED) container, instead of siphoning. If you don't start doing these water changes constantly, and *now,* your fish will die.

Go to the local hardware store and pick up some clear vinyl tubing, they sell it by the foot, somewhere around $1 or less. Buy enough to go from a tank to a bucket (around 5 feet). Really don't need a python with this method. I have 3/4 in tubing that I use to change water in my 75 gallon. I bought 40 feet, enough to reach the sewer drain in the basement, I start the syphon and I can drain the 75 gal in about 5 minutes.......Oh, don't get too close to the bottom because this creates one heck of a powerful syphon and will suck out your substrate. I emptied all the sand out of a 50 gallon that way when I needed to change substrate.

Oh, I also bought another 40 feet and now I mix all my salt water in the 2nd floor hallway closet. I can attach the tubing to a pump to change water in the 55 gal on the second floor and I can just syphon it to the 75 gallon brackish on the first floor. Again, the 75 fills in minutes....gotta be careful...wives don't like saltwater on their nice clean floor.....

Okay, do you need a pump or something or how do that start up?

I just dunk a section of the tubing inthe water and then bring it over the side to start the syphon. The logical option is to suck on the tubing until water flows...be careful not to swallow......

Really? Mine never starts? I suck on it until its all the way almost in my mouth and then hang it down and it STILL doesn't work. Oh, LilGreen, right now I am doing water changes, with a cup. 50% twice a week.

Guys, aren't we talking about a 5g tank??? Just stir up the substrate thoroughly & scoop out 1/2 the water with a large cup. Start doing this every day or your puffers are in dire straights!

Heh, I didn't realize we were talking 5 gallons.....

I'm really only focusing this on my 10 gallon, I really need to get that cleaned for my little DP's. I feel bad for them in the 5 gallon. I don't mind doing water changes with a cup on the 5 gallon, super easy.