The Puffer Forum

I have been practicing on some Damsels, Clowns, Firefish Gobies, and Citron Clown Gobies for the past few weeks. The fish have gone through a couple of water changes and are doing great. I have developed multiple tank syndrome and I think I am ready to try again with a GSP.

I go to the pet stores almost everyday recently in anticipation of getting a GSP. I check out their tank to see which will come and greet me.

I have just set up another tank with substrate of crushed coral. I have fake plants, rock, and live rock.
Salinity is at 1.014--is this too high?

I set up my other tanks using an instant cycling solution like Bio-spira and my other fish are doing just fine. However, I am a little loathe to try this with a GSP. Any recommendations?

are you thinking of putting the GSP with the other fish?

Nope, I set up another tank today. Now, I have three tanks!

yay! im getting another tank on friday

1.014 is a bit too low for the live rock. If you want it to work properly, increasing the SG to 1.017 would probably be a good idea.

Thanks, Nick! Will SG 1.017 be alright for a young GSP?

Also, what do you think about using Bio-Spira to instant cycle?

Bio-spira is what you want. It contains live bacteria; but it is only good if it is kept refrigerated and hasn't expired. All the other stuff that has been discussed here is said to be dead bacteria and you need the live bacteria to cycle.

I have a 2" GSP at full marine right now, doesn't seem to be creating problems, but I have no idea how it may effect long term lifespan. I've used biospira and it seems to work if you get a good bag.

also your GSP may be being kept in fresh water in thr LFS .. and fresh to 1.017 is a long way for a fish to go even with dripping...

or are your GSP kept in marine in the LFS?

yeah, you may be better off setting it up with no more than 1.004 SG at the moment and drip-acclimating the puffer; followed by raising the SG by .002 per week over several weeks.

If in doubt, be prepared to adjust your salt content and show up at the LFS with your own hydrometer to check the levels in the tank.

Why the big rush to SW?