The Puffer Forum

Hi guys

Just a bit concerned with my saltwater tank condition

Ive had a drop in ph from 8.2 to 7.8

and ammonia has shown at 0.5
and nitrite at 0.25
and nitrate at 0

200 litre tank (will upgrade as it gets bigger)
porcupine 6cm

my porcupine is in it.

fed him last night, showed some energy and activity.
he is less active, just staying under the live rocks.
not showing any signs of distress, just looks lazy?! =)



background info: mature tank leaked had to pull fishes out put in a smaller tank as i get the new tank cycling. Its been a month or so.
so i believe the tank is still cycling. Had to remove the puffer out of a smaller tank due to it biting a clown fish. and now has an infection on the mouth region.

So ive rushed the introduction of the puffer. Been doing water changes to try and reduce the levels of ammonia and nitrite.
feeding kept at minimal.

I understand it might take a while for me to get the ammonia/nitrite on maneagable level


My question is porcupine able to tolerate this levels of ph/ammonia/nitrite?

also is there a possibility that ph will return to 8.2 once cycling has finishes?

Thanks guys...

Porcupine puff probably isn't liking those toxins... Do you have Prime dechlorinator out there in Oz? If so, pick some of that up, as that will still allow your tank to cycle, but will remove the toxicity in the meantime.

As for the pH, I'm not quite sure. Have you tried measuring your water hardness? Also, what kind of substrate do you have? If you aren't using aragonite or crushed coral, you're probably going to have to switch to it, as it will buffer your hardness and pH back up to the 8.2 range.

More water changes!

thanks guys!!!

Agnate wrote: As for the pH, I'm not quite sure. Have you tried measuring your water hardness? Also, what kind of substrate do you have? If you aren't using aragonite or crushed coral, you're probably going to have to switch to it, as it will buffer your hardness and pH back up to the 8.2 range.

I have used aragonite last time and it kept the ph to 8.2 i think its due to this cycling process that caused the ph decrease.

hope it goes back to normal as it cycles


im not too sure if i have the dechlorinator thing.. i migh thave to investigate..