The Puffer Forum

ok here it all is =]
i just got my GSP a couple weeks ago and (unfortunately) had to keep it in a 5 gal. for the past 2 weeks
anyway the past is past and now im about to set up my 44 gallon
its long

neway the hood only has two lights.. no filter... nothing

so i need to know what all i need to get on a budget of 100 dollars max, preferably around 75

i already have 7.5 lbs of marine salt but im not sure how much i need
(when he has been in the 5 gallon hes only had aquarium salt... how do i transition?)

i have 1 bubbler for a 10 gallon

i have one 5-10 gallon filter

gravel... thats about it

so please help me make a list of what to stock and how to transition my puffer to it

last 2 q's

can i use my well water after i condition it? or bottled only

and

where can i get small ramshorn snails for my puff..
all this has to be ordered online BTW

THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYZ

You can use tap water, just condition it.
You will need a refractometer or a hydrometer to measure the SG of the water.
Because you used aquarium salt, you are basically starting from scratch. You don't want to increase the SG of the water more than .002 per week or you will kill your bacteria.
You'll need a filter. I'm not sure which ones do better in marine then others.
If you're going to eventually convert to full marine, I would just set it up with sand to begin with.
I would add in some live rock once you hit a higher SG to help with filtration, and don't forget that once you hit marine, you'll need a protein skimmer.
You'll need good, liquid test kits. They range around $40.

It's going to cost you a lot more than $100 to get all the bare minimums for the tank now (just warning you). Plus, are you ready to cycle your tank for 3-5 weeks?

Are you in the U.S.?

yes i am in the US, in NC and i plan on only getting it to brackish, preferably not full marine
and the original tank is already cycled and i plan on using the gravel so hopefully only a mini-cycle

Do you already have enough gravel for the bottom of the tank?

yes i do already have enough gravel

From drs foster smith:
Filter: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/ ... 02&catid=3
I would get the 75 for $29.99
Heater: Stealth Heater 150W $22.99
https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/ ... 82&catid=3

29.99
22.99
9.99 (shipping)
_____
62.37

Sign up with ebates.com and get 6% cash back on every drsfostersmith purchse.

thats great
thanks so much
so do i need to just plop the gsp in freshwater first then add like .02 every week after?

Now you will still have money to add a power head for more circulation.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4609
Model 600 (160 gph), CD-517514
$21.99
order this with the filter and heater and your shipping will only be $2.00 more.
Total with powerhead, heater and filter
$86.36
This gives you a general idea. You can always upgrade later to a better filter. You didn't say if you have lights for the new tank.

Sorry forgot about the hydrometer:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4952
Ok new total:
$93.55 with shipping.
You can always get the powerhead later to save a little money for now.

If you leave out the powerhead the total with shipping is $69.56 well under your $75 budget for a little room to spare.
Do you have test kits?

have light =]
what exactly does the powerhead do?
and how do i go about adjusting the puffer to the new tank? start to finish with salinity and everything

I'll answer your other question in one second. Do you have the test kits? You will need these they are very very very important.
If not these are what you need:
amm. , nitrite, nitrate and ph all of these are for fw & sw so during the transition you will not have to change test kits.
CD-110821 Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Test Kit pH High Range $4.79 x 1 = $4.79
CD-150201 API Test Kit Ammonia $7.49 x 1 = $7.49
CD-110809 API Test Kit Nitrite $5.79 x 1 = $5.79
CD-150214 API Test Kit Nitrate $7.49 x 1 = $7.49
CD-116658 Hydrometer 1.000 to 1.030 specific gravity $7.19 x 1 = $7.19
CD-18713 Stealth Heater 150W $22.39 x 1 = $22.39
CD-29162 Bio System Power Filter & Oxy Surface Skimmer 75 $29.99 x 1 = $29.99

Subtotal = $85.13
Standard (Within 7 Business Days) = $11.99
TOTAL = $97.12

The list has everthing (minus the powerhead) to get you started. All of this is from http://www.drsfostersmith.com some items are on sale and I'm not sure for how long.

thats perfect, thx so much for tht info

thats great
thanks so much
so do i need to just plop the gsp in freshwater first then add like .02 every week after?

Your very welcome and no do not just plop the gsp in. Once you get the new tank set up with the gravel the filter and the heater, before you move your gsp make sure the temp in the new tank is at the same temp as the old tank. Put your gsp in a large bowl and slowly acclimate him into the new water. Don't forget to use declorinator in the new tank also. After the puffer has been acclimated to the new water then you can plop him in.

what exactly does the powerhead do?

A powerhead makes a current in the tank which will be very helpful with oxygen levels. Also puffers love to play in the current. I have powerheads in all my tanks. They are a great benefit but if you are on a budget it can wait.

and how do i go about adjusting the puffer to the new tank? start to finish with salinity and everything

Acclimate first, use declorinator in the new tank once filled, move your old filter from the old tank over to the new tank, leave the old filter running with the new filter for no less than one month. This will also help to cycle your new tank. You will likely have a mini cycle. It's also possible since you are moving everything over you may not. Just keep an eye on your param. and do water changes as needed. If you go through a mini cycle I would wait until the cycle is over before adding marine salt.

Once the cycle is over and amm, nitrite are 0 then and only then start adding marine salt. Your puffer is still very young and another month without marine salt won't kill him.

Now for the salt, get a bucket mix your salt (not sure how much you will need so you will have to do a little at a time until you get it right) mix it well. If you have a power head put it in the bucket and let it mix until all the salt disolves. Important: Never put salt then water (this will always give you cloudy water that won't clear up) always put water then add salt for clear water. Use your hydrometer to measure after the salt is totally disolved or you may have mixed readings.

Now how to get the right level: If you do a 50% water change you want the salt in the bucket to read 1.004, once you drain 50% of the water from your tank and add the saltwater that you have mixed your tank water will be 1.002. Hope I'm not confusing you. Any questions so far?