20G High for an A. Silus

[groovitudedude]

Set up my 20G High today since I had a sore throat, a cold, and a sty under my left eye, and left school after 3rd period. I had a test in Chemistry and Spanish... ANYWAY, It's running right now with no fish. I did some aquabotany on the 10G and took some overgrown underwater plants and buried them. I rinsed out the sand that I have that a guy gave me from MFK. I used the filter cartridge from my 100G that was old, smelly, and nasty, and I hope that it cycles double time, but I'm gonna wait a while. I'll put a small bala or two in there tommorrow, and maybe a couple zebra danios to see if it sustains life, and I think that I might get the Silus within a week or so. Any suggestions/ comments/ flamingfornothavingtestkits/ questions/ changes to the plan? Thanks guys, hopefully pics soon.

Tank: 20 Gallons, Glass (24''x12''x14'')
Substrate: Sand (first time for me!)
Extra Stuff: Filter (Whisper 20-40), Light/top, heater, no air pump
Inhabitants: None yet, will try some more hardy fish tommorrow if the temp is okay, watching closely
Temp: 77*
Plants: Some plants from the 10G

[Pufferpunk]

You should test it with ammonia, not fish.

[groovitudedude]

I'm only gonna add like one or two extra hardy fish, and if they look stressed at all, I'll put 'em back. It's free of charge. And I don't need to get refills. I think that I'll wait like a week or so, so chillax, gee. Last time I had an ammonia spike, I lost my modestus, and two loaches to ich. I'm gonna be smart(er) this time. Even w/o test kits, there are ways that I can keep the tank working fine. Thank you for your consideration.

PS: I saw the same modestus that was with mine when I got him at the LFS today. I swear, that guys is 4 1/2 inches, but I didn't have a ruler and a camera, so no need to update the pufferpedia He's dark, though, and I couldn't put him in the 20 or stuff him in the 100, so it's a no-go for him

[yunachin]

Here it is: Get some test kits!!

[Steelgeek]

20g highs can be rough for plants. Unless you have really good lighting, and I don't mean just a plant bulb in whatever lamp came with it, the light doesn't get down to the bottom of the tank well enough. The difference in just 2 or 3 inches in height of your light can really change what will and won't grow in your tank.

As for test kits - make them a priority. Until you really understand what your water is doing, all of your fish keeping will be hit and miss.

[groovitudedude]

Okay, thanks for all the suggestions and stuff. Not that I hate test kits, I just can't find anything good for anything less than 35 bucks.... I know that they are important and I am seriously planning on getting one for my tank(s), but I can not afford it. Yes, it is hypocritical to have a semi-rare puffer and no test kits because of money, but I'm looking for a good one, and don't want to waste any money. Can you guys suggest anything?

Got the Silus yesterday, ate bloodworms last night and tonight again! He's in there with the 3 zebra danios that he hasn't bugged yet, but I'm keeping a close eye on him. Haven't gotten him to eat krill yet, but it'll take time. He looks great, and is very active. If worse comes to worse, I can put him in the 55G or the 100G, whichever is more stable. The fish in the 100G will probably pick on him though, and I don't really trust my mom's tank with a fish like this, so I'm trying to keep in line with the tank. This guy is amazing.

[SpockthePuffer]

I think most people use aquarium pharmaceuticals

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4454

15.99

[groovitudedude]

Tank

[groovitudedude]

Silus

[groovitudedude]

One more...

100_3364.JPG

+BONUS! FIRE EEL!!!!

100_3365.JPG

[By_a_coo]

I had never seen a puffer like this, really nice!!! How about the decor??

[Jase]

nice silus groov.
... about that decor?

[manutius]

Nice puffer but you really need to pack that tank out with more decor IMO

[yunachin]

Healthy looking puffer. A tropical background on there would look awesome IMO. And he will think he is at the beach.

[premo]

Hi

I agree re decor, your puff will definately appreciate the addition of some plants, rock and
wood, it made one hell of a difference for my Abei, I spent just GBP 20.00 to achieve the
attached set up, he loves it.

Chris