The Puffer Forum

midgetwaiter wrote: On the subject of brackish algae eaters, we may be getting some Columbian Algae eating gobies soon. The exporter calls them Awaous Taiasica but they are something else, I found a description in a book once that was close. I just saw them on a list today but we won't be ordering for a while, I hope we can get some.

Hey!
Keep us posted on that subject will yah?

Elkando - what brand of salt are you using? We had a long thread on this subject (how much salt to get to 1.005) earlier. I'm using Instant Ocean, and I use about 1.5 tablespoons per gallon to get to 1.005 which is pretty close to half a cup per 5 gallons.

In the prior thread, we were all over the spectrum, though, ranging from me at the low end to 1 cup per 5 gallons for 1.005.

Regardless, it makes you glad you're not doing a full SW tank, doesn't it? I'm not sure how folks can afford that.

Eric

You are the guy that sold me the fish? That is cool heh, it is nice to see LFS guys that care about the fish the are selling. I am sure you get tons of people that think the puffers are cool but know nothing about them, so the questions are a good idea. When you get those algae guys let me know, I will come and get one!

Btw did I get the # of puffers you had right? I remember you naming off a bunch of different ones you have, sounded like a lot. How many tanks ya have?

Are the F8s being fed snails at the store at all? Seems they are too dumb to find the snail I dropped in there yesterday or they don't know they should be eating it lol.

Eric - I am not quite sure which brand of salt I am using. I got it in the Marine section of Pisces, it’s the stuff with the clown fish on the box. I think it was instant ocean but I chucked the box last week. I need to find a cheap source of marine salt, looks like I am going to need a lot.

Yeah I am glad I don’t have a full SW tank lol, I would need salt by the truckload instead of by the tub lol.

I think that is instant ocean with the clownfish, but I'd have to be at home to look at the box (it's lunchbreak time at work).

If I had a larger tank, I'd buy the stuff by the bucket, too.

And I agree it's great to find LFS workers knowledgable about puffers - they seem to be one of the least understood types of fish commonly available on the market.

Eric

My F8s won't eat snails. They eat everything but. I even squished one to try and get em to eat it but they will not. Thought these things loved snails?

What kind of snails and how big were they? If they're too big the puff might not consider them food...but that crushing thing usually works. Maybe try a different sized/type of snail and if that doesn't work try slipping in snails once in a while to see if he/she has a change of heart.

Eric

Pond snails I think, just common brown round-shaped snails. I put in real small ones, size of the puffer's eye. I will keep trying.

Along with a bunch of small pond snails, I have two big yellow snails in another tank. Hoping they will lay eggs so I will have a ton of lil ones. They love spinach, devour a whole leaf in 2 days.

The puffer's color change when they sleep is crazy. I thought they were sick at first lol, but when they wake up the color comes back in like 1-2 minutes.

Maybe try slightly larger snails? My figure 8 easily crunches through snails about the size of 3 eyes combined...maybe what you were offerring was too small for him.

Eric

Will try tonight

Regardless, it makes you glad you're not doing a full SW tank, doesn't it? I'm not sure how folks can afford that.

Hmmmmm... I'm starting to realize that...

I was actually thinking of you when I wrote that! Your reef tank is beautiful, but my first thought upon seeing it was, "boy, I bet that takes a mess of salt!"

Eric

That makes sense and also explains the value of skimmers...

Eric

There is a comparable dichotomy in FW planted tanks. One school goes with large frequent water changes for planted tanks, the other for extensive testing and replenishment of needed materials. I'm in the first group, but either side can be argued. When I did SW, I was in the second group with lots of testing.

Day 12:

Ammonia - 1ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
PH - 8.0

Exact same #s since day 3 I think I may just get bio spira

They do not sell bio spira in Calgary...or Canada. U will have to order from the states...use some prime and water change until in stabilizes.

Can u put the puffs back in a cycled tank? If not water change at least once or twice a day...huge 50 percent or more per change...

good luck


js