The Puffer Forum

Just to be sure--how exactly are you cycling the tank?

I'm using filter material from one of my current tanks and adding ammonia. Have done this multiple times before.

Great to hear this!

Are you gonna go full marine for the lil guy?

Not right away, just gonna string him along. I wanted to but still alittle unsure bout the whole marine system. I think going brackish then full marine would be easier for me at least to get used to it. It was really tempting to just set it up full marine but I chickened out. Plus I don't have funds to get all the live rock and skimmer and such.

Look on craigslist while stringing him along. Buy a new part every so often. Really all ya need a hob filter for now even if it was full marine. But you will spend more on salt in BW doing more wc more frequently. Ppl sell live rock dirt cheap on CL. I got a sump and skimmer($75 on CL with bio balls and tube upward to top of tank)/overflow box($75 brand new on CL (CPR overflow too it's the best overflow for none drilled tanks even came with aqua lifter to prevent back syphoning)and return pump($45.99 brand new at LFS)for around $200. Buying it all seperatly from different ppl. I even got the tank too on CL for 150$. Has a nice wood stand and canopy. Just keep ur eyes pealed on CL for stuff. If not where do you live. I kno a guy with a garage full of extra working marine equipment.

Alright I have a few more questions. One is the snails I'm breeding I believe they are pond snails but not sure. I got from one of my other tanks when I was breeding them for my dp. I know they arnt trumpets cuz they look like ice cream cones. Also when I go brackish do I use the API freshwater or saltwater drops? I have freshwater ones thanks again.

Oh Sam I'm not far from Detroit actually.

Hi,
I had the same question about the test kit and was kindly advised by Nick that FW and SW kits are same chemicals just different colour charts. Nick also pointed out that the master kits have FW charts and SW charts......and he was right

Also he mentioned that you should start using the SW chart at 1.004 sg at the latest....that was my next question so thought it might be your next one also.

Well that helps. Guess I have like 2 weeks to get the color chart for sw. Thanks

No reason to go SW when they're that young.

One more question, should I raise the salinity after my tanks cycles before I get my gsp? The gsps are I'm fw at the lfs

Bcummings8521 wrote:Can you vacume sand like you like do gravel? Never had sand myself but if so then I would think that the tiney particals will be vacumed up after a few vacumes and water changes.

No, you have to skim over the top very carefully.

Welcome to the forum, kibbles!

Keep it at FW, if that's what the puffer is in now. Give the tank time to settle with the puffer in there (about 2 weeks) & then start raising the SG no more than .002/week.

Alright thanks that's I think the last question till I get my puffer I think. So how long do I have to run my filter before my tank is cycled? The water looks clear. It smells nice too. Just joking I'm using ammonia on the tank and using test drops. Already have high nitrite. Got ya to think I didn't know what I was doing though =P