The Puffer Forum

THANKS AGAIN bred!! but not finished...sorry, hope you don't mind...

...what light do you recommend? I've seen the ones like one tube across the tank - not a complete cover - then the old-fashioned ones (like my current which is warped from the heat of the bulb and the light isn't flattering to my puffer) which is a full cover...

sorry...still confused about the water changes...I have to use a separate heater to HEAT the water in the container before adding to the tank each time? is it bad to use warm tap water?

what is a beater? can't I just hand stir the salt till it melts?

Thanks Pami...a common house spider fell into the tank and my puffer ate it! he even eats lint floating on top...what a weirdo...
Maybe the better question is what CAN'T puffers eat??

Is my puffer bored or greedy? he's always swimming back and forth along the front of the tank especially when he sees me...also been feeding him with a syringe (frozen brine and bloodworms) and he just takes it out of the syringe as I squeeze it. He's not getting much hunting this way but I thought my tank would stay cleaner...

can we move this? he's no longer in the NanoCube...

No worries... A moderator can split this thread if you want. What would you like to call it?

RE: Hoods and Light
The best thing to do is buy a glass top to fit the tank. These are a breeze to work with if you ever decide to change lighting fixtures or add more equipment. Avoid plastic full hoods because they limit your options.

For lights, the cheapest are single-strip fluorescent lights. A double-strip will give you more light and bulb options. For instance, you could put an Actinic bulb in one of them and give the aquarium that cool "saltwater glow"

Or you can buy a Compact Fluorescent fixture. These are brighter than normal output fluorescent lights and are a little more expensive.


RE: Matching temperatures.
However you go about it, you want to match the temperature of replacement water to tank water. Specific Gravity (measure of salt in the water) is dependent upon temperature, but more importantly you don't want to shock your fish by filling the tank with water that is drastically hotter or colder.

Different people go about it different ways -- there are a couple individual techniques already discussed in this thread.

Once you start mixing full strength salt water you are going to want a dedicated mixing container with an internal powerhead to stir the water and a heater to keep it at tank temperature. Add salt, add water, turn on heater and powerhead and let it do its magic overnight.

Can't thank you enough Bred!!
Going to the aquarium store this weekend...I'm excited!
Also, went to the local library and got out tons of books on marine aquariums including "Marine Aquariums for Dummies" - how appropriate!! so I can understand what the heck all this terminology is ! (mostly, so I don't have to rely on LFS advice)...


will keep you informed...

(p.s. does anyone know what it means when your GSP has dark lines on each side of his mouth? it comes and goes...)