The Puffer Forum

Well I got the most lively one in the tank, and the healthiest looking. He was already fairly large, and I think that the shipment had just came in 2 days before. Whenever they put the net in, he was the one going the craziest, so I choose him.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:The blue water is actually good. It's got meds in it to prevent them from contracting diseases.

Really? That's cool! Although not all Walmarts use it.

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I still wouldn't recommend WM though. I always see dead fish in their tanks. Anyways, so long as you got a healthy puffer it doesn't really matter where it came from.

It would be better if they had clean water--and more of it!

True that!

Well anyways, I saw on that turbo cycling info page I should get a used sponge filter. I'm a little confused, does this mean like a filter pad that is used? Also, I don't think any place remotely close sells Dr. Tims, but I did see something called stress zyme or something I think. Is this worth it? Thanks!

StressZyme doesn't work.

A sponge filter is a type of filter, but a used filter cartridge from any filter will do just as well. Make sure that it's been out of the tank for only a couple of hours and is kept wet.

Alright. How long would it take to get the cycle running?

Should be instant.

I like the sounds of that. So, if I can get a piece of it, should I drop it in my tank or in my filter box?

Unless you can find something large from an established tank with enough bacteria on it to fully cycle a tank by supporting the bioload of your puffer, you'd only be seeding the tank to BEGIN your cycle with ammonia.

Look harder for Dr Tim's or Safestart. You can order it online too.

Yes, when I say filter material I think I need to be a little more clear, I assume too much. You do need a large size piece of well established material to make it instant cycle, like a full filter sponge from a power filter or such not a sponge filter. Once you get your tank well established you may want to consider adding a second filter to make sure you always have a back up filter. It will be instant cycled if you need it too. Keep in mind though that the filters combined will only produce as much bacteria as can be supported by your current bioload so if you have to remove one you lose half the bacteria and if you have to add one of them to a tank you still may still go through a mini cycle. I keep one like this but I also have a habit of over planning for disaster...

Well, I went to my local pet store and got 2 pieces of this sponge that was laying in the bottom of one of the tanks. Each piece was about the size of a 50 cent piece. I put both pieces in my filter. Should this work?

Not instantly. It needs to be fed with 5ppm ammonia and allowed to grow.

Well I did a test and I have no ammonia it seems. Either the bacteria helped, or my frequent water changes have kept it down.

Probably a combination. Cut back on the water changes.