The Puffer Forum

The fish is puffed? Can it swim or is it floating?

You mean 0 nitrite? Nitrate has a test kit for that too.

You are correct about why you need the powerhead, it is to mix the salt. See if that guy you are buying the tank from has a used one.

You're doing great & learning fast! That new tank should hold them for a year or 2.

Yes she looks puffed out. The guy doesn't have a powerhead, I asked. She is swimming when she is not hiding in the log. She doesn't want to eat. Yes, I spoke to the guy at Petco and read off the things you told me about. He said they have a liquid test kit there for Nitrate, Amona and yes Nitrate 0. So I am going with my daughter at 2:00 to get the items come back and run the test on the water and get back to you with it.

See if they have any of those live crabs at Petco & also look for bloodworms, Earthworms or nightcrawlers. I was there the other day & they had all of that.

Read: library/hospital/help-my-puffer-is-air-filled/

Here are sme pictures of her. I have frozen bloodworms and frosen brine that I feed them. I only feed them once a day and that's in the evening around 8 pm. He mouth is constantly moving, she does swim round but likes to hide in the log.

Add to your list: Aragonite sand, for the new, larger tank. Enough for a 1" layer. "Live" sand isn't necessary though.
Do you have an AC 110 for the upgrade?

I'm thinking he's constipated. Get Epsom salt from the drugstore & add 1 tbsp/5g.

The guy calld it gravel but it looks like sand. Here's a pic of the tank I am picing up all inclusive. I have on my list the 110 Filter also. Epsom salt? You don't think she is puffed from air?

Nice tank! I can't tell what kind of sand that is.

If she's puffed with air, it would be floating upside-down.

So I will get some epsome salt and add one tbs to 5 gal of water. How often, just once? Also, won't that throw my readings off today, should I take the readings first? If the amonia and nitrates are above 0 what do I need to do then?

Hey,
If your readings for ammonia or nitrite are above zero, do a partial water change with the mixed solution from your powerhead bucket as you've gotten the hang of, until those levels are 0.

If you add Epsom salt at that ratio (1T/5G), and you take out five gallons later, just add another tablespoon with the next five gallons. Once dissolved, the salt remains mixed evenly in the water, which makes it easy to figure. Keep the ratio like that until he poo's.

That shouldn't throw your readings off, but I would mix the Epsom salt in the bucket as you've mixed everything else. Don't want to add un-dissolved solids to your tank.

Happy your guys are looking better!

You only have to dose the 1x. Ammonia/nitrite should always read 0. If it is anything other than that, do a 50% WC & replace the epsom salt you have removed.

PufferPunk, the Hydrometer says 1.004, I am testing the water right now. In addition, I asked Petco to test also, they said Nitrates were high and I told them I did a 75% water change, he said that explains why. He did say Amonia up .07. I am testing here right now, I'll be right bck with the answer

PufferPunk, Amonnia is 1.0 so do another 50% water change and then put a tablespoon of Epsom Salt dissolved before pouring in tank

ok he doesnt know what he is talking about. Water changes are the only way to lower nitrates

Ok, don't shoot the messenger, I am listening to everyone here, just thought you'd like to know what the guy said. Hydrometer says 1.004 and the Ammonia reading says 1.0. PufferPunk you stated that after the pictures you thought my puffer might be constipated as it is not floating on the top of the tank. So should I do a 50% water change first then add the epsome

signnet wrote:So I will get some epsome salt and add one tbs to 5 gal of water. How often, just once?

That is 1 TBS pre 5 gallons of water so 2 TBS for your 10 gallon tank. You will probley have to dose more than once with all the waterchanges you will be doing.