The Puffer Forum

Well after more research, looks like I'm going to go with the http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... 3-300.html instead of an 800. They are the same price, but the 800 will heat a tank double my size, but it's the same price, they both are going for 130$, just one is brand new and the other is used(6months).

That's fine if you have that kind of $$$ to spare, but I'm perfectly fine with a heater that costs $20 dollars. As long as it isn't known to break in the tank, and keeps a steady temperature, I'm good. http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Temper ... ml?tc=fish
I don't know what kind of long term benefit spending that much more on a heater would be, but if again if you have the $$$, it's your choice.
But I would need the $$$ to spend on other things, I'm poor.

Ok I have a quick question.. On the glass of my 30gal I have noticed a clear yet fuzzy film on just the glass of my aquarium. I have done searches on it but all that comes up is stuff about a clear fuzzy film on your LR. My puff is eating and is super happy, should I be worried? I can probably get a picture but idk how well it's going to show up.

Maybe your puffer sneezed.
jk, I don't know. Try to get a photo. Do you have snails?

I tried to get a photo but every shot just looked like the pic was blurry. I don't have any snails, my GSP is the only one in the tank, it came off with ease, and my puff seems to be happy..

I also have another question, I have been reading loads of info about HOB filters and canister filters, and the argument goes both ways in regards too which is better. I have been looking to get a pair of the AC 110's, they cycle 500gph for a total of 1000gph plus a powerhead in an 80gal. I have heard that the canister filters, when dealing with a tank larger than 30 is almost a no-brainer, but it doesn't even cycle half of the water that the AC110's would. I am only going to be keeping my GSP in the 80gal, along with some snails and hermit crabs. The canister holds more filter media than the AC110's, so I supposed the larger bio-filter is the trade off? I'm just a lost noober trying to find his way. If I was going to go with a canister, I would prob go with the eheim pro III 2075... Anyone want to give me some seasoned advice?????

Well, you won't want to use freshwater media with salt water because it tends to become a "nitrate factory". My personal vote is for the AC 110, because I think they're big enough to hide your heater in. I personally would just use powerheads for flow, and liverock for the biological filtration, but that's just my personal choice.

Very good day today, Puffer is doing well and I made the major purchases for my 80gal. I got 2 Aquaclear 110 HOB filters, and theDual CPR BakPak 2 protien skimmer. Should be here in 7 business days!

Edit:

Just got the JBJ true emp titanium heater 300watt....

I broke down my buddies freshwater 10gal about 2 weeks ago. He had one decoration in it, a piece of artificial drift wood and it was badly covered in algae. I soaked it in very hot water when I removed it from the tank and it has been sitting out in the hot sun since then. I am going to boil some water and try to dip as much of this thing I can into the boiling water. My question is, should I take more steps to make this decoration safe for my tank?

puffpaddy wrote:Well after more research, looks like I'm going to go with the http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... 3-300.html instead of an 800. They are the same price, but the 800 will heat a tank double my size, but it's the same price, they both are going for 130$, just one is brand new and the other is used(6months).

You've got to be crazy to pay that much for a heater whether you're loaded or not. Just buy 2 £12.99 heaters and have one for backup if the other gets broken. Myself I'd buy more LR.
Saying that though it is your money and you can spend it on what ever you want

hrmmm... watch that electricity bill with those heaters. 300w 24 hours a day is huge $$

I had 6 x 300W heaters on my 500 gal in the winter. My electric costs were in the range of $400 per month (all said and done, not the heaters alone). You'll have to be selective when having them on and off, and try to get ambient heating in that room if you can.

Arny wrote:

puffpaddy wrote:Well after more research, looks like I'm going to go with the http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... 3-300.html instead of an 800. They are the same price, but the 800 will heat a tank double my size, but it's the same price, they both are going for 130$, just one is brand new and the other is used(6months).

You've got to be crazy to pay that much for a heater whether you're loaded or not. Just buy 2 £12.99 heaters and have one for backup if the other gets broken. Myself I'd buy more LR.
Saying that though it is your money and you can spend it on what ever you want

Well I did a lot of research, those last a long time, not saying the traditional one doesn't, but I have less of a chance of it going out than the traditional glass heater. I don't know how much LR I'm going to do, it's the GSP alone, probably gonna do 20-30 lbs to start off with and as time goes on I'll get more for his tank.

I know where you're coming from about the money issue though, and more expensive does not always mean better. But I do have the extra money to spend, and I'm sure I'm going to be nothing less than satisfied with the heater.

J-P wrote:hrmmm... watch that electricity bill with those heaters. 300w 24 hours a day is huge $$

I had 6 x 300W heaters on my 500 gal in the winter. My electric costs were in the range of $400 per month (all said and done, not the heaters alone). You'll have to be selective when having them on and off, and try to get ambient heating in that room if you can.

Isn't the rule of thumb like for or 5 watts per gallon so that if/when there is a fluctuation in temperature the tank will be able to heat it up at 1 degree p/h? And so the heater won't over work and get too hot? All other heaters suggested 350 watts And please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm still a rookie, but I'm aware the heater is on and running 24/7 but it's not constantly heating up the tank 24/7, only when the tank needs to be heated is the heater "heating the tank". What I'm getting at is; aren't the 300 watts only being used when the heater is heating? Kinda like using a 400 watt metal halide, it's only costing you 400 watts of electricity when it's on... As far as room temp of the tank my room is usually 75-80 degrees, but rarely when the AC is on the apt will get to 72 degrees.

Just got done painting the back. Very happy with the results, and I got all of the equipment and sand I need. Going to start setting it up!!!!!

very nice dude

Update: Just got 36lbs. of LR from a guy on CL. Covered in coralline algae, 3/lb!! I got it in the tank about 3 days ago, Nitrate and Nitrite readings are at 0 and my ammonia readings are at .25, so the ammonia is on it's way down. Seems like some of the coralline algae is dying off which was expected since I put it in a fresh tank. I'm gonna get some more rock and add some fake plants. I was going to get a pre-made cave for hit but they all seem like the SW will eat them away. So maybe I'll make a cave out of the extra base rock I'm gonna buy.