The Puffer Forum

I don't expect to need on but I plan to build one over the winter just in case for the summer. As my house can get very cold, I intend to keep a heater in the set up but use an external controller set to 16 degrees (the lowest the controller will go).

I notice the requirement for this fish to have high levels of oxygenation is this best achieved by use of an airpump with a wood diffuser (I find these give the finest bubles) or a venturi from a pump?

O2 is best supplied via surface agitation. That is why an airstone works. Very little of the air pumped into the stone becomes O2 but it provided great surface water movement. BUT, once you start going salt the stone and wood will degrade more rapidly than you expect and in turn will cause other problems.

One way to get good agitation is via an oscillating powerhead pointed towards the surface. They are not that expensive and are quite quiet.

Thanks J-P I will get one on order.

Does anyone have any info on whether LED lighting would be suitable for this set-up? I was just thinking this would help keep the temperature down.

That's an idea, but I'd keep the lighting fairly subdued either way.

Hi again guys.

It's been a while but I picked my little guy up last week on Friday, all seems to be going OK so far. Tank parameters are good, and he seems to have a massive appetite. I'm currently using a 7w energy saving bulb to provide some subdued lighting, I'm going to wait until I've had a full week or two of steady and stable readings before I begin the slow and steady change to full marine conditions. Tank temps are ever so slightly on the high side at around 21 degrees c, so I'm currently putting together a peltier powered cooler (once complete I will post details). I am also constructing a Nitrate reactor which again I'll post details of once finished.

Here are a few pictures of the little chap, these were taken during feeding time.

So cute

One very quick question, my research has suggested that it is a good idea to add vitamins to the food to help the fish. Does anyone know the brands that I would be able to get in the UK or anywhere online I can order some from?

Also what do you guys think to the name Taki for this little guy?

You can order vitachem and selcon concentrate online.

So had my little fella 2 weeks now, all seems to be going well. The weather the last few days has been mega hot and my chillers not all finished yet, so I've been running it with ice in the cooling system as my peltiers aren't ready yet. So far so good the tanks staying a touch over 20 degress with an ambient of 28, just a pita to have to change the ice twice a day.

It was mentioned that the best way to introduce oxygen into the water is to increase the surface movement, at present the return from my cooling system is attached to a spray bar which is mounted under the surface with the holes pointing upwards to make the surface ripple. Do you guys feel this will be enough?

Also my DIY nitrate reactor seems to working very well keeping the nitrate level between 0 and 5ppm between water changes. I will continue to monitor the results and post some details on how its put together once I'm sure its having a definite impact.

I can't believe what an appetite the little guy has, so far he's eaten mussel meat (which is his diet most days), crab meat, some bloodworm and a few brineshrimp (spare from feeding my dwarfs and SAP's) any ideas on what else I can feed him?

Hey fantastic job so far!
Earthworms, snails, tilapia, little tiny octopi, squid, etc.
It sounds like there is enough surface agitation. If you are very concerned, there are oxygen tests.

I am really interested by these puffers. I can't wait 'til the day we know EXACTLY what they need to thrive.

Best of luck to you with your new puffer! You're doing a very nice job so far

Hi Guys,

So a quick update on my little fella, all seems to be going to well. Just about had a full week of completely stable readings, so looking to start make the change to full marine. Am I right in assuming not more than a 0.002 increase per week? is it possible to go any quicker than this? Also as regards to temperature I'm running at 18 degrees c with my shiny new chiller (a present from the missus), do you guys think this cool enough? I've seen temperatures as low as 15 in literature I've found. I will post details of my homemade version soon it did work but was only able to knock 3-4 degrees off ambient which wasn't quite enough but still good for a materials spend of around £25.

Also what do you guys think about growing some macro algaes? Also are there any temperate clean up crew guys that could be added? Finally what's the consensus on live rock with these guys? I'm finding that my guy seems to be fairly chilled out only being skittish when theres major movement in his tank such as moves or hooking up new gear. Also are there any temperate corals I could add?

Macro algae is great in a refugium. Otherwise, it will quickly take over a tank.

I was just thinking along the lines of trying to set up good biotope tank, does anyone have any info on there specific location? In terms of growing very quickly are we talking weekly maintenance or more? I only ask because I have floating plants in my freshwater puffer tanks (by the way if anyone in the UK wants any just send me your address) so clearing plants out is something I'm very familiar with.

they have several at my lfs nice looking puffers. you r so lucky