The Puffer Forum

What is the nitrate titer of your tap?

It is normally 20ppm, but it seems to fluctuate from time to time. I am also slightly behind in cleaning the tank, so im sure that is also another reason.

That is pretty high. I would have to pre-process that before use. PITA

Well, yesterday i picked up two 5 gallon boxes of instant ocean marine salt, an instant ocean hydrometer, and RO water.
hopefully this will clear up the problem.

-John

_ edited for accidental miss-information_

Watch the aquarium salt as it may act like a laxative to puffers.
My puffers have flash alot and even after trying to rid any parasitic infection with multiple types of chemicals. If you have planaria in your tanks thay may irritate the puffers. If your tanks is cycling properly you shouldn't need nitra-sorb as if it gets old and you dont change it, it can release the absorbed nitrates.
I oversized my filtration system to cycle the tank more and the nitrates have dropped....Just clean regular and enjoy....

Wait a second, Tix... You're mistaken about a few things. Aquarium salt is not a laxative, and planaria do not bother puffers. If your fish is still flashing, it still has parasites. Start up a fresh thread if you need help, answering all the questions outlined in the announcement, in the Hospital section.

Larger filters do not bring about a decline in Nitrates. That is the job of water changes.

I have been told by the pro's that aqarium salt in large amounts can act like a laxitive to puffers. I stated this as I was told to bring up salinity to use aquarium salt....turns out that person was an idiot. Your supposed to use sea salt.
Large amounts of planaria in your tanks can and will bother fish is what I read in an article online. It can make fish flash or dart...
Concerning oversizing the filter system is also from an article to help rid waste as puffers are messy eaters. It doesnt help against nitrates alot but does help maintain good bacteria to cycle better.
My fish have been healthy.

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) acts as a laxative / diuretic, perhaps that's what you're thinking about. Aquarium salt (sodium chloride) does not, at least not in non-lethal concentrations. You're absolutely right about needing to use Marine Mix, though.

Large amounts of planaria are indicative of water quality issues which may correlate to disease outbreaks and the corresponding flashing behaviour. I have seen a puffer gently shake a little worm off its head but this is a far cry from the flashing behaviour of an infected fish.

Oversized filtration is a good idea for puffs, you're right there. The higher flow rates and greater surface area provide a home for greater quantities of beneficial bacteria. They do not help against nitrates at all; nitrates are in fact the product of those beneficial bacteria. From there, nitrates are sequestered by algae, metabolized by plants, or physically removed from the tank via water changes. This goes for all but very specialized systems which incorporate plenums or nitrate removal coils, etc.

I agree strongly with Bred's comments, second that.

Yep, totally agree with Bred. Epsom salts are used for constipation and planeria is more of a symptom than a cause, the worms show up when water quality is bad, the bad water quality triggers the flashing and other illness signs...

Myaj

My water parameters a great...so why do the planaria exist in my tank?

The pet store says its over feeding..

Inverts such as planaria multiply in response to organics in the water, and in the substrate especially. Our standard parameter tests do not check for organics. Overfeeding of inadequate substrate cleaning or insufficient water changes or too heavy a bioload can any or all result in planaria, nematodes, etc. in the tank. No ammonia or nitrite and low nitrate titer do not guarantee that the water is high quality.