The Puffer Forum

about to set up 110 gallon for my GSPs.... whats the ideal substrate to use? I really like my black tahitian moon sand, but i've read that aragonite is best for them.. I did find Black Beach arogonite sand... said its got live bacteria to control nitrates and such.. but thats its only for saltwater. Would Brackish count as salt water? What substrate would you suggest is best? Thanks for the input!

Hi,
I switched from white gravel to sand substrate "Nature's Ocean Premium Marine Substrates" http://www.petco.com/product/7534/Natur ... rates.aspx 2 weeks ago and I think my GSP likes it a lot. It's a very fine sand that can be cleaned fairly easily with a net, but the poop does stand out from the light color. My GSP rests his belly in the sand at night. As far as life reef sand is concerned, I talked to the aquarium guy and he basically told me that any specific gravity between 1.003 and 1.016 is considered brackish, marine is strictly 1.018 and above if you want to keep the bacteria on the live rock or live sand alive. I highly recommend that if you're changing your substrate, save the old one in a jar and leave it in the tank with the new sand and let your bacteria readjust and spread out.
Hope this helps,
joanne

GSP live in rivers and estuaries that open to the ocean , the most natural would be some sort of silt/sand.

Aragonite or other sands help keep the PH stable and a little high,(which is good)

I don't think your typical clean up crew in live sand (pods, etc) will live in brackish water, so i don't think 'live' sand would do the deal.


On another note:
Joane, I see you have a pair of F.Ocellatus, how are they doing? how long have you kept them?

There is so little information on it.. from what i gather, they require cold (14- 18 C) water?

I saw a pair at the LFS, their absolutely lively and stunning!.

Live sand is dead from starvation no matter how "live" it was when they shipped it. If you found black argonite sand you like, go for it, it will simply become "live" if you ever take the tank up to 1.018 and plunk a piece of live rock on top of it to recolonize it with bacteria.

so best bet is to buy the sand you want, because they are all dead anyhow.. dont bother paying the extra for the living kind with water in the bag?

I really don't think the ones with the water in the bag are any better, no.

Just like buying the junk, Cycle.

thanks, but i didnt mean the question to sound like i was asking mainly about the liveness of sand. that was just one sand i came across that happend to be black like i want, and arogonite, like i thought puffers were better off with. That was my main question..in all my reading i gathered that arogonite sand / crushed coral was best... is that not true?

I have changed my mind on CC for SW tanks, they are nitrate factories. I recommend aragonite sand (any color) exclusively now.

Sand looks better too IMO.

js97, My F.Ocellatus is doing great. I have had him for a month and I think he's grown about half an inch already. From what I've read about the Fugu puffers online I think they would do better in chilled water. I can't afford a chiller for now so I just try to keep my room cool and make sure the heater is unplugged for now. He's actually doing pretty good without a one (temperature hovering between 70-78 degree), eating well, active with a white belly, nice metallic green coat and pretty vibrant orange saddles. I'm getting worried about him for the summer though since it gets pretty hot in Los Angeles. Hope he'll stay healthy.

After that description--we need pics of that beauty!

Here's my cute little buddy--

he's adorable!
After a few more posts, enter him in the PoTM contest!

He is a cutie Gorgeous pictures.

I was wondering if an 8 degree difference in his water temp at times was a bit much.