This should work..... help a noob?

alexk3303 · Post by **alexk3303** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:05 pm

Hello all,

I think what I'm going to go with is:
20 gallon tank (not changing that)
It has an activated charcoal filter (the kind that just blows bubbles through a plastic container holding the charcoal)- I hope that works... filters are expensive
A "medium" size rock gravel probably about THIS big each (well, a little bigger). Could I grow live plants in this?
3 Dwarf puffers
1 Otto Catfish
Pond snails (I'm going to keep them in a fry net thingy unless I'm feeding the puffers)
Will have live plants, substrate may need to be changed for that
Driftwood
And a few "caves" (I found them in the diy section)

Will the substrate work?
Do dwarf puffers bury themselves?
Is the filter big enough to support puffers? (I know they are very dirty)
Do the snails filter the water too?
Can the otto be used to cycle the tank before I get the puffers?
Will I need something to feed the otto or should he be OK with the algae naturally growing?
Also I've heard about needing to "mature" a filter when its cycled?

I know its alot of questions but yo guys are really helpfull

Thanks!

blondenblue · Post by **blondenblue** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:22 pm

Otto's need a really established tank to survive, they dont tend to survive in new tanks. Theres a fishless cycling article in the library under the learn tab! Hopefully someine will be along soon to answer your other questions

kelsi.nikoel · Post by **kelsi.nikoel** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:17 pm

The substrate might work, depending on what plants you get. You could get plants that get their nutrients from the water and not the substrate, like java moss.
Dwarf puffers do not bury themselves. So they will not care what the substrate is like.
You sould always overfilter with puffers, a 20 gal will need a 200 turnover rait. I would recommend a Penguin Bio-Wheel 200 by Marineland.
The snails do not filter the water they are also messy and add to the bioload.
You sould feed your otto algae waffers, especailly till ur tank can grow algae.

alexk3303 · Post by **alexk3303** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:39 am

The bio-wheel 200gph filter is for a 50 gallon tank! Is that really the minimum I need? should the otto help take some of the stress off?

Post by **Dadof4** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:41 pm

alexk3303 wrote:The bio-wheel 200gph filter is for a 50 gallon tank! Is that really the minimum I need? should the otto help take some of the stress off?

Seriously, that is the minimum. Manufacturers rate the tank size on regular fish, ie: guppies, swords, mollies, not ones that produce a huge bio load. On my 29 gallon tank with my Brown puffer, I have a Emperor 400 (400 gph and rated for up to 80 gal) to keep up with the load and if I don't do water changes on time I get ammonia readings in the tank. The reason, he eats like a pig, pieces fly, and he eats a lot, producing large body wastes. I know what we are telling you sounds like a lot but it really isn't.

alexk3303 · Post by **alexk3303** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:45 pm

Ok, I'll takeyouword for it. A 200gph filter it is, that could have been bad....

Post by **Dadof4** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:49 pm

A majority of your ammonia breakdown happens in the power filter and also the need for mechanical filtration is high, so the more water you can push through the filter that better you puffer will be. The Penguin filters are inexpensive and decent filters.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:50 pm

LOL, I have an Aquaclear 70 or whatever is the biggest they make (I'm assuming it's for a 70g tank?) on my 20g with a modestus & Royal pleco. The pleco poops alot though.

Sponge bob · Post by **Sponge bob** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:54 pm

alexk3303 wrote:The bio-wheel 200gph filter is for a 50 gallon tank! Is that really the minimum I need? should the otto help take some of the stress off?

And I have a cansiter filter for a 55gallon on my 12 gallon,I am using a magnum 250 I think it is?
Works like a beast.

kelsi.nikoel · Post by **kelsi.nikoel** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:26 pm

Ok this is a little off topic, but what are some good filters? I have a penguin 200 on a 20gal and I love it, but I am getting a new tank and was wondering if there were any other good options. Thanks

Sponge bob · Post by **Sponge bob** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:07 pm

Magnum from Marineland
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214124/product.web
that or a less power full model
and the new ones
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/235378/product.web

Those are the ones I like,Ok back on topic

alexk3303 · Post by **alexk3303** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:22 pm

What about lighting? If there are live plants in there I'll need lighting right? I'm thinking I'll jut buy a hood with a light in it (2ft by 1ft) any idea about how much that would cost? It currently has no hood, will I need one?

kelsi.nikoel · Post by **kelsi.nikoel** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:31 pm

Yah you will need light if you have live plants. I use fluorescent light, but I just went to my LFS today and they were trying to get me to buy some kinda light specifically for plants idk. But watts per wallen will depend on the plants. And yes get a hood, most fish can jump out.

LilGreenPuffer · Post by **LilGreenPuffer** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:16 pm

One comment on the otocinclus catfish: they prefer to live in groups, so two is minimum (I have a pair), and three or more is best.

kelsi.nikoel · Post by **kelsi.nikoel** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:30 pm

I just got an oto and getting another one would be fine, but im just worried about feeding it. What do yours eat?

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