The Puffer Forum

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

You should test it with ammonia, not fish.

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

Here it is: Get some test kits!!

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.

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.

I think most people use aquarium pharmaceuticals

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

15.99

Tank

Silus

One more...


+BONUS! FIRE EEL!!!!

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

nice silus groov.
... about that decor?

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

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

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