The Puffer Forum

I'll read posts and what not to my husband, and just early this morning he said to me, "Someone needs to ask cyberbob what he's smoking."
So I'm lmao @ this right now:

Pufferpunk wrote:

It was from a friend who was growing things in his closet.

Aha! This explains everything...

Oh, and on topic, I'm guessing you're using API liquid tests, the ammonia test will be a milky/cloudy yellow color, the mineral content of your brackish water (you're at 1.016?) distorts the color for that test. It's closer to the salt water color chart but not exactly. If you want to, you could mix a small sample of RO/DI water to 1.016 and test that so you can verify what color it is for 0 ammonia.

You said you had him for about a year, is this the same tank, or is it a newly cycled tank?

In addition to it *perhaps* being a K rating of the bulb, it's a good time to start looking for a bigger tank for him on craigslist or something. If you have the room, a 55 is an ideal minimum (But you can get him something larger of course) for an adult GSP, as they tend to either pace or brood in smaller tanks, and it's more water volume, which is better for a few reasons.
If you don't have room for that, a good second choice is the 40 breeder, which doesn't have the longer length of the 55 (which is ideal), but if you do the L x W x H divided by 231, the 55 only holds about 5 more gallons.

RO/DI water? pardon my ignorance. I'm actually using Nutrafin liquid test kit.
This tank has been running for 7-8 months. Thanks for all the help.

My mistake, I shouldn't have assumed in both those instances, Reverse osmosis deionized water is pure, (or virtually pure and therefore surely no ammonia) I *think* nutrafin has the same mineral distortion on the color. Either way, if your tests are reading low nitrate, and 0 ammonia and nitrite, and has been established 8 months, that should be enough to rule out water quality. *should*
I like having a control test sample color to go by, because I have trouble seeing differences in the colors on the cards, I find the liquid sample vs liquid sample more definitive for my eyes.

sevenyearnight wrote:My mistake, I shouldn't have assumed in both those instances, Reverse osmosis deionized water is pure, (or virtually pure and therefore surely no ammonia) I *think* nutrafin has the same mineral distortion on the color. Either way, if your tests are reading low nitrate, and 0 ammonia and nitrite, and has been established 8 months, that should be enough to rule out water quality. *should*
I like having a control test sample color to go by, because I have trouble seeing differences in the colors on the cards, I find the liquid sample vs liquid sample more definitive for my eyes.

I agree with that. I hate color charts hmm ... is this pink or salmon? wtf?! grrr
i know there are electronic testers out there, but they cost way too much for the casual hobbyist.
ok, done venting ... grrr ... color charts .... grrrr, ok that's it

CyberBob wrote: I agree with that. I hate color charts hmm ... is this pink or salmon? wtf?! grrr
i know there are electronic testers out there, but they cost way too much for the casual hobbyist.
ok, done venting ... grrr ... color charts .... grrrr, ok that's it

You sure you're not on anything?

BurntSnow wrote:

CyberBob wrote: I agree with that. I hate color charts hmm ... is this pink or salmon? wtf?! grrr
i know there are electronic testers out there, but they cost way too much for the casual hobbyist.
ok, done venting ... grrr ... color charts .... grrrr, ok that's it

You sure you're not on anything?

lol