The Puffer Forum

Myaj wrote:I would not be scared to be doing 50% daily changes at all since you already do 50% once a week, but maybe for the first couple wait a few days in between.

Definately test your water in a non-reactive container though (plastic or glass) after its sat out, just to be sure your tap water hasn't changed.

There could also be something in your tank that while it didn't react years ago when you put it in there, its starting to break down and release things into the water now.

Great points the Myaj

I do 80% weeklys on my FW tanks (I tend to overstock--just a lil bit) & 90% on my discus tank. They are practically laying down after draining.

So here's the tank...discuss



Bottom left is my Silver Dollar, right under sitting on a worm on the substrate is my Mbu. As you can see he's got plenty of room in there for the time being. I have that piece of wood which is pretty old, at least a year in water...don't know if wood can affect pH...

The particles you see are bubbles, I just did a 50% water change 20 minutes ago. There is some algae on the filter tubes etc...I don't really clean it, unless one of you think it could be beneficial to get it off?

Substrate is fine aquarium sand, there one large rock and half a flower pot in there, which he never uses. My puffer never tries to hide, he only goes lay down and relax on the substrate.

Filtration is 1xFluval 304, 1xAquaclear 70, and that small underwater filter I use to make bubbles. It keeps the water surface clean.

Firstly you dont need the bubbler, it serves very little purpose unless your Mbu enjoys swimming in them. I would be tempted to hack a bit off the pot and the rock and test them for their effect on PH. As for algae only remove it if it bothers you, all you need is an abbrasive cloth like you would use to scrub pots. Thats a nice bit of wood it reminds me of a tooth with its root!! Maybe you could turn this upside down and provide another retreat for him by placing it in the corner, a more natural looking cave.

It might be worth adding more points of interest for him but I'm not sure what the other guys think about that?

Well, considering you only have 3 ornament type things in there it would be easy enough to figure out. Take out the rock and the pot, my guess is its the rock.

Then give those fish some real decor, like plants, real or fake, give them something that can keep them busy! Hehe.

The driftwood can affect water, but it generally lowers pH.

Have you tested your water after sitting out yet?

And finally, check the expiration date on your pH test!!

Myaj wrote:Well, considering you only have 3 ornament type things in there it would be easy enough to figure out. Take out the rock and the pot, my guess is its the rock.

Then give those fish some real decor, like plants, real or fake, give them something that can keep them busy! Hehe.

The driftwood can affect water, but it generally lowers pH.

Have you tested your water after sitting out yet?

And finally, check the expiration date on your pH test!!

Ok sor as for the tap water sitting, I seriously doubt that is the problem...I have 3 other tanks running, all bigger than 50g, and no problem whatsoever. But just for the sake of it letès try. Theres water sitting in a cup at home since last night, i will test it later tonight.

I had the same idea with exp date of test, so i just bought another one. Same thing.

So not itès time to take out the rock and make a few tests...I also doubt itès the flower pot, but just in case ill take it out too. Tomorrow ill buy plants to replace the rock and pot, later when pH is stabilized i will add more decor.

Will post update

Ah, I didn't realize you had other tanks going that weren't having this issue.

It has to be something in the tank, the sand, the rock.. something. Most likely the sand or rock.

Definatley let us know what you figure out!