The Puffer Forum

I have to do that for some of my really old ones but shouldn't, for a brand new one. Yes, it does need to be filled with water, 1st but after started, the impeller shouldn't be rattling.

Pufferpunk wrote:I have to do that for some of my really old ones but shouldn't, for a brand new one. Yes, it does need to be filled with water, 1st but after started, the impeller shouldn't be rattling.

And that is what it does. = / Even if I have to "kick start" it by using something long and skinny, it's only two weeks old and has not filtered any thing but water. Tank's just cycling. And to answer the question, yes I prime it every time after I dump out all the water and start over. But it never, never starts up like it should when I first plug it in. Going to Petsmart to see if they won't let me exchange it without the filter media. They can keep the new stuff, I want to keep the old stuff LoL

Pufferpunk wrote:I have to do that for some of my really old ones but shouldn't, for a brand new one. Yes, it does need to be filled with water, 1st but after started, the impeller shouldn't be rattling.

Mine don't rattle or anything, just need a little kick in the impellar sometimes lol....

In my experience and opinion, filters are very weird. I've bought brand new AC's that need a kick right from new. I've got a Fluval 405 that takes 10 minutes to prime sometimes (seems to be only every 4th time I switch out the floss?). Also, I have a Fluval 305 that hasn't missed a beat for over 10 years. It also primes immediately in about 2 pumps.

The best thing to have is a good pump, like the Quiet One 6000 I have on my 150 gal and run a sump. They' re 10 x better than any canister or HOB. These pumps are pricey, but seemingly indestructible, in my experience.

Just got the new filter and put it in....runs like a dream! I didn't have to kick start it the first time I plugged it in, and I can unplug and re-plug the plug and it works every single time. /whew. Almost puffer ready!!!! /squeal! LoL

^5

Sounds like you had a lemon.

goldielocke76 wrote:Almost puffer ready!!!! /squeal! LoL

The mark of a true pufferdict. Good on you!

Reaperpilot2014 wrote:

goldielocke76 wrote:Almost puffer ready!!!! /squeal! LoL

The mark of a true pufferdict. Good on you!

Thanks! ^.^ I am totally stoked. I have to admit, as much as it sucks having to watch little PZ go thru all this treatment and whatnot, it is definitely good practice for when I get my little F8. That way I am not so panicky if something goes wrong, and I have a good but general idea of what to do =)

Glad it was a simple swap and all is good

goldielocke76 wrote:Thanks! ^.^ I am totally stoked. I have to admit, as much as it sucks having to watch little PZ go thru all this treatment and whatnot, it is definitely good practice for when I get my little F8. That way I am not so panicky if something goes wrong, and I have a good but general idea of what to do =)

Agreed. Be ready for brackish water for that too.

Does treatment change overly much for brackish water? I have a little notebook I am keeping notes in for all of this stuff. Eventually when money isn't so tight I am going to get the puffer notebook from our store so I can move everything over there. I am a freak about keeping notes and steps/procedures and whatnot so I am always prepared.

Brackish water is going to be a whole other beast I have to work on. As my BF pointed out to me-- what am I going to do next summer when we take our 3 week road trip to Alabama? LoL so I need to get down a system that's easy making brackish water for the weekly WCs. That will be an expensive pet care person. But these little fish are totally worth it. I am thinking two 5 gallon buckets and a pump to get the water back in the tank. At least it's a year away. Hopefully I will be a F8 pro by then xD

Treatment really doesn't change that much with brackish water. Ich shouldn't be a problem in general due to the middle-range salinity. You could just adjust the SG one way or the other to treat FW or SW ich, plus heat. Anyway, BW is a lot of fun, and F8s and GSPs make it worthwhile.

Reaperpilot2014 wrote:Treatment really doesn't change that much with brackish water. Ich shouldn't be a problem in general due to the middle-range salinity. You could just adjust the SG one way or the other to treat FW or SW ich. Anyway, BW is a lot of fun, and F8s and GSPs make it worthwhile.

@xray, thank you! Me too!

@Reaper, glad treatment doesn't change overly much and that ich won't be such a hassle. Ich is a little frustrating. Just want it to go away LoL. I am looking forward to getting a F8. I really want a GSP as well, but alas, I would put him in nothing smaller than a 55 gallon and we don't have the room, my BF would kill me, I am not ready for marine just yet (BW first, baby steps LOL) and my apartment is waaaayyyy to small. One day I will have a little GSP =D