The Puffer Forum

I recently switched from gravel to sand, the water is extremely cloudy even after a day. I threw in my GSP as I figured he was better off in the tank rather than the temporary bucket. I waited about 8 hours before he was placed back into the tank, and now after about 18 hours of being in the new sanded tank the skin on his stomach seems to be peeling and he refuses to eat which is very unusual. Please help! Any advise on what the next step I should take in regards to correcting this problem is highly appreciated!

Lazeeyemt

Is it peeling or just the "dust" sticking to it? That would make it appear it is peeling. Catch him in a net & see if it wipes off.

Pufferpunk wrote:Is it peeling or just the "dust" sticking to it? That would make it appear it is peeling. Catch him in a net & see if it wipes off.

I just caught him in the net and checked to see if it was dust or actual peeling. He put up a good fight trying to escape so it appears as if he still has his normal energy, and it also appears as if it is simply "dust." Great sign so far! Thanks for the quick and most helpful tip Pufferpunk! I'll be keeping a close eye on him over the next few days as well as thinking about switching back to gravel. Either I didn't do my research or this sand is a mess, whatever the case is, it sucks. Thanks pufferpunk!

Lazeeyemt

Aha... I figured as much.

Add some filter floss to your filter. Or if you have an HOB filter lying around hook it up put some floss in it and run it until the tank clears. When I first added sand to mine I had to do this. It gets all the free flowing particles out of the water. Another thing you can do is daily water changes. When putting water back in try not to stir up the sand. If you use a python point it over a rock or on the glass of the tank. If you use a bucket go very slow.