The Puffer Forum

K here's all of my tank info:
29 gallon tank
2 AC30 filters (one is brand new)
Ammonia: .5 - 1 ppm
Nitrate: .25
Ph: 7.4
Gravity: 1.012
50% water change last night. Used 1 cup of instant ocean salt and recommended dose of prime.
I did all tests exactly how the directions said to.
Puffer seems fine: white belly, eats, and no darkness.

I did cycle the tank when I first got it in early May. Added 2 gsp at the same time and of the same size. One was bitten and killed by the other this weekend.

That's the full rundown of my tank front to back.
What should I do to fix my levels?

hazima wrote:What should I do to fix my levels?

You are doing it.

1. 25%+ daily water changes. Don't let your SG change more than .002 or your filters will crash.
2. Recommended dosage of Prime for ammonia/nitrite detox.
3. Mix up the media between your two filters.
4. Cut back on feeding and remove any uneaten food.

5. Keep only the 1 GSP in your 29g tamk and keep up on your weekly water changes.

I bet there was even more ammonia and trites while both puffs were in the tank and it probably let up to the murder.

Great job on taking quick action and you'll be looking good in no time.

JRC3 wrote: I bet there was even more ammonia and trites while both puffs were in the tank and it probably let up to the murder.

Great job on taking quick action and you'll be looking good in no time.

yes good job on getting the needed supplies and taking our advice on the forum. you dont be disappointed. my GSP is my favorite fish i have ever owned personality wise and how personable he is to me. if they seemed fine for a while it might have been ammonia and nitrite in the water or horomones causing stress and making them feel cramped. at least your on the right track now. just keep up on the water changes until your parameters level out. and get some pics up for us once all is well

lessons learned! ill post a picture as soon as i can...kiwi wont stay still to let me take a pick tho! lol

Here is a video of the infamous Kiwi.. Also I just gotta new light bar on craigslist for $3! do you guys think it'd be ok to put in a blue florescent instead of a white one? i like the blue effect

wow, if kiwi did that to lime, i cant believe it! thats a huge chunk! its crazy that a little cutie can be so deadly. poor little guy. You should call kiwi "KiKi" short for Killer Kiwi I really like your tank set up btw. I know how you feel about spending lots of money, i just went through the same thing but its worth it in the end. I think im finally done buying supplies and tank decor. . . i think

wow mel i think you just renamed my fish for me lol...kiwi will now be known as kiki..the killer kiwi lol

he's looking good tho, been doin 25% water changes every other day to help with the ammonia and nitrite, but im still getting readings so i guess im just ganna have to keep it up until everything levels out again.

Forgive me if you have said it already but, what are you feeding KiKi?

Bloodworms, I was ganna try shrimp today. Is that ok?

Yes, uncooked shrimp..just tear of a chunk! But remember if you buy fresh seafood..bring it home, freeze it to kill of the nasties and then unfreeze it for your puff.

You can also do
scallops
Mussels (shell on so they chew the shell and wear down teeth)
Hammered crab legs (shell for the teeth)
Peas (Veggies are good!)
Snails (ramshorn or pond) Shell for teeth
Clams
Prawns

Many of these items can be for for cheap in the walmart seafood isle

However, I like to go to ethic markets, such as Hispanic markets for better quality and cheaper price.

Oh, and earth worms

haha yay Kiki is born!
I got some clams on the half shell at my LFS the other day. George seemed to like them the first day, but wasnt interested today. He is a little prince! He only eats certain things on certain days, i have to try a few out before i find out what he wants for the day.I also give him frozen uncooked white shrimp that i get from the grocery store. I tried a pea once but he nipped it and swam off. He ALWAYS wants blood worms tho. I really want to try feeding him an earthworm that would be fun to watch
So glad to hear Kiki is doing well. I know the water changes get hectic but if you stick to it, kiki will get big and strong (well he is already strong i suppose!)

i got some peas, shrimp, scallops, and a small king crab leg today....it helps working at a grocery store and i get lil things like those for free

kiki didn't seem to like the pea (he also nipped at it and swam away, made sure to nip me too on the way out too)
i did a water test and everything looks stable...

ph high - 8.0
ammonia - 0 ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 20 ppm

does this look good enough to go back to once a week water changes?
o and a pic of my laboratory

o and btw he looks a lot happier today! even came to greet me after a long day at work!

Dude, I just want to say "great job", again. If you can pick up a syringe it will make filling test tube easier. Connect some rigid air tube to it and it can be used for cleaning/sucking up uneaten food and poop.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... CI0554.jpg

That piece of tubing is 18", btw.