The Puffer Forum

Hello everyone, thanks for reading my post.

I am going to get a 55 gallon (36" wide, 16" deep and 21" high) fish tank this weekend. I am upgrading from a 15 gallon that has 2 green spotted puffers in it, they will go to the new tank.

I am going to get the following fish also to put in with my 2 green spotted puffer:

Picasso Trigger (just going to get a 2 to 3" one)
Dogface puffer (just going to get a 2 to 3" one)
Purple Pseudochromis or Royal Gramma
Yellowtail Blue Damsel
Coral Beauty Angel Fish
Yellow Tang

Maybe the following if :
Flame Angel Fish
Blue Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
Scooter Blenny
Blue Starfish

I am going to cycle the tank tank with pieces of shrimps, LS and 5 pound of LR for 4 weeks, then if the water is good, then I will add my 2 GSPs and a damsel in there. After that I will add 1 fish every 1 to 2 weeks.

I already have a powerhead, and I am going to get a protein skimmer plus more LR.

I know I need more filtration system. I have a freshwater hangon filter but its only good up to 20 gallon. I don't know what filter to get or another other method would be good for me here. The water will get dirty because I chop pieces of raw shrimps to feed my fish.

Also for the fish stocking on the tank. You think a paicasso tigger would attack a purple pseudochromis or the angel?

Thanks so much in advance,

I would hold of on the trigger fish just because they can be aggressive. Also these fish will eventually need a bigger tank.

Dab?

I don't have a clue about compatibility but that sounds like rather a lot of fish in a way. Also, although yellow tangs are one of the smallest, really people prefer to advise against any sort of tang in a tank under 75 gallons.

I dont know anything about marine tanks, but dont 2 GSPs need 60 gallons, and thats before you've add all the other fish. Sounds like it would be awfully overstocked?

I totally agree. You are fully stocked with 2 GSPs.

And to cycle for your GSPs I would just get a bunch more LR.
where are you getting LS? if from a bag, then it is dead...

If you want all these fish i would get a bigger tank and save some money not having to spend money on two tanks.

^which would be at least 600 gallons...

i agree with everyone else...the Dogface will need at least 100g+ when he/she grows up..

By the way I just bought my 55 gallon and a nice stand.

I put 30 pound of live sand from someone's aquarium in it.
I used 40 gallons of new water, put in prime water conditiner, mixed with salt and put in some cycle bateria solution and I poured all the water from my old tank to the new one.
I placed the LRs in the tank. They are already cured, I have about 10 pounds from my old tank. They are cured before I put into my old tank. I didn't have the proper lighting before, so the purple on the rock kinda turned a bit brownish. But now with my new lighting, and my powerhead aiming at them, they should get better.
I have a hangon filter running right now.
Then I put the two green spotted puffers in the tank. One of them was stressed out because he turned all black, but he was fine after 5 min. They look very happy exploring and coming in front of my face asking for food right away.
I may get a canister but a protein skimmer for sure within a few weeks.
I may work on a refrigium/sump in the future because I can fit a 10 gallon tank under my stand.

What do you guys think?

Just to let you know, Cycle is only dead bacteria & is a total waste of $$$. I'm glad your puffers are ok. Leave their stocking at that.

Oh that bateria, according to the bottle, it says it can used for marine and fresh water. And I got it for free when I bought my 15 gallon tank.

How much LRs is enough for 55 gallon to filter.

I hope a sump won't be too hard to make, I will have to read on how to make one online this week.

Oh yeah when I put them in the tank, the fat one was chasing the skinny one around the tank for like 7 laps. Usually the skinny one is the more aggresive one. One day I woke up at 4:30 am then I turned on my light. They both woke up, the skinny started attacking the fat one and bit a small chunk out of the base of his tail. They fought a few times when I fed them. But they are usually good together, sometimes they sleep right by eachother, too.

Oh I have one question. I live on an military base. So I am going home for 15 days. I have an auto fish-feeder. But I can only put dry blood worms in those. And I feed my puffers raw shrimps. So you think they can survive 16 days with just the dry blood worms with the lights on 24/7, or should I bring them to a LFS and get them to take care of them for me. But I don't trust them that much.

Oh that bateria, according to the bottle, it says it can used for marine and fresh water.

More proof that the stuff is garbage, as FW & SW bacteria are 2 totally different animals & neither can live in the other's environment.

I suggest at least 1lb/g LR for your tank. Be sure to make the stacking interesting, with swim-thrus & such.

Hey Army, check your PM

Hey Army, I've been helping you on another forum. What are the odds, lol. Looks like these guys gave you the same advice that I did.