The Puffer Forum

Okay so I'm going to go get a 37 gallon tank today I don't know what parts of my old filter to put in the new one? Also should I make the water marine when adding water to the tank or should I add fresh water then slowly make it marine water?
Sorry for all the questions lol but this is helping me a lot!

If you have the budget get everything you need to set up a marine tank. Make sure to get the Bio Spira that I linked and some cured Live Rock to get it going and stable ASAP. If you have not seen a Marine GSP you should look one up as they are so much more active and healthier looking. I am so glad I went that route with mine.

Yah I'm definitly gunna set it up marine. Should I add the salt now or when its cycled?

If you're cycling as marine, then make it at least 1.018-22.

So with no fish in the tank I can just add the water with all the salt I need in it? No taking it 1.002 at a time?

Its gonna need to be set at a minimum of SG 1.018 from the initial setup but it can be raised to 1.022-1.026 as a lot of LFS stores set their marine tanks to that SG level. Get a hydrometer and/or refractometer to make sure it is measured properly.

Okay thanks for the information!

Just know what you are starting You will want to get live rock a minimum of 1 lb per gallon. If you don't have live rock, you'll be doing frequent, expensive water changes. Look on Craiglist for anyone selling live rock, or breaking down their tank, you can pick it up at a reasonable price. Equipment for a SW tank is much different that what you'd get for a freshwater tank. Doing it right the first time, will save you money having to "fix" things you started out with, that don't work well for SW.

What else other then live rock is needed for a sw tank?

You will need a protein skimmer since puffers have a high bioload and are messy eaters. Decent ones brand new cost $200 upwards. I got lucky and got mine for virtually nothing on Craigslist.

hmmm...i though skimmers were only really needed when corals and anemones were involved. with enough porous live rock the fish should be fine no?

So I can just add some live rock to the aquarium and that's it? Does it need any special treatment?

Nikki77D wrote:So I can just add some live rock to the aquarium and that's it? Does it need any special treatment?

circulation is important. and a lot of water changes in the beginning. your live rock will have some die off that it needs to recover with due time. the die off also needs to be removed before ammonia takes its toll

1lb of live rock per gallon of water. Live rock is pretty much an amazing living pet filter rocks that feed on your leftovers and fecal matter

I do not agree with sgtmyers88's suggestion of raising the SG >1.022 for a fish only system. 1.025-26 is for corals. I do agree on a protein skimmer though. You'll also need a couple of powerheads for flow around the rock.

Okay thank!