Some questions on my setup. GSP

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:52 am

*I searched a bit and got alot of good info, but since I really want these guys to do well I have some specific questions*
So, my girlfriend and I were at wal mart the other day *yeah i know a terrible place to get fish but they had just gotten them and the only place that had them) and we saw some Green spotted puffers and fell in love with the fish. I had an old 34 gallon tank that I had not used in a couple years, which I used to use for

I went home and set it up (water treatment, filtered it and set the thermostat to maintain their ideal temperature (80-82)) then let it set.)

I was wondering if my filtration setup was adequate for two baby puffers.
and also what S.G I should start them at since they were in fresh water in the store. I know they need 1.05-08 but I was not sure if I should just put them straight from fresh water to that, so I just added a bit more than the typical amount that you would use in a freshwater aquarium.

Well here is my filtration setup
I have an under gravel filter with two of the filtration towers one on each end of the tank.
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-a/APPCFU20.JPG
Connected to each tower is a dual 5 watt pump (10 watts total im assuming, its got a little knob you can adjust. So two units, one to each tower. And then at the top I have a Whisper J power filter.
http://images.bizrate.com/resize?sq=160&uid=1316628521

I know the J is not the correct size for the tank but I was wondering if the whisper filter with the UGF would be adequate for two baby puffers.
I would rather wait and see if I get into this if my current setup is adequate and then when I am sure buy a nice canister setup later instead of buying a slightly larger top filter to use for a month or so.

My intentions are to raise them in the 34 gallon till they are about two/three inches and then transfer them into a 75 gallon tank with canister filter and full setup.

I put them in the tank about 24 hours ago. They are very active and look healthy. They are all eating and swimming about. The water is slightly cloudy, I cleaned everything very well and skim after each feeding. is this likely to just be cycling?

also could anyone give me a timeline on how to transition them from freshwater to brackish. Like I said I only added a bit of salt so they are at 1.005 right now.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:55 am

Some reading for you:
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
library/water-filtration/fishless-cycling/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
library/category/feeding/

LilGreenPuffer · Post by **LilGreenPuffer** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:00 am

Welcome to the forum! You're in the right place for all the answers.

So, you didn't cycle? Here's the crash course on what comes next!
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

You can't cycle a tank with puffers in it like that. It's very dangerous for them. Being scaleless, they are extremely sensitive to poor water quality. Do you have test kits?

I'm not clear on something - are you using "aquarium salt" or marine salt, like Instant Ocean or Red Sea?

This article and profile will clear up some questions.
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:03 am

Haha, I beat you to it!

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:12 am

Well what i did was I added tap water. Put water treatment in it for chlorine and ick. then let it sit for about two days, filters and heater running.
Then I added the fish.

I used marine salt.

as for test kits i have a thermometer, hydrometer and later today I will be picking up a ph test kit.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:14 am

Exactly why you must read the fishless cycline & emergency cycling artices right now, if your puffers have any chance of surviving. More important than knowing pH right now, is testing for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate.

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:17 am

Ok I read the link about cycling. The only thing I cycled was the bacteria, water treatment and dechlorination.
Like I mentioned, I have a thermometer, hydrometer, what other tools should i get?

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:21 am

What do you mean you "cycled the bacteria"? Please explain. Sounds like you have all the right tools, other than test kits. Got marine salt?

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:23 am

Well I added existing bacteria colonies to the filters. Yes I have marine salt. So Im guessing since it is mention so many times that aquarium salt is not ideal for these guys?

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:25 am

Aq salt does not make tanks Brackish. According to the fishless cycling article, all you've done is seed the tank with bacteria, it's not cycled. On to the emergency cycling article...

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:45 am

Oh ok that makes sense. How would you guys suggest I go about transitioning them? They were in freshwater and I have heard I cannot just put them in brackish water right away. How long should I slowly increase it for?

Ok so I read the article. A bit of it is new to me.
I have
started the bacteria colony
de-chlorinated the water.
swapped out some of the water.

so whats left is
purchase and use some biospira
purchase and use some test strips
is this accurate?

and another quick question. when I swap out water, should I add dechlorinator to the new water before I put it in, or add it to the aquarium after?

Thank all of you, I never expected this much help so quickly

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:16 am

Also, am I seeing things or can these guys change colors a bit. Twice now one of them has been how it normally looks just slightly faded. This only happens when it is briefly resting. Once it starts swimming around like normal it is back to a much brighter color.

pufferpuggirl · Post by **pufferpuggirl** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:26 am

They can and do change colour. If they go very dark that usually means they aren't well. I'd be keeping on the water changes until you're sure your tank is cycled properly, just to make sure you keep these guys alive.

Solace · Post by **Solace** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:05 am

Yeah they did not go dark, just the color became less intense, but it comes back right away.
Will do, I just changed some of the water and have some dechlorinating for tomorrow.

I added the dechlorinator to the water before I put it in the tank. Seemed more logical to me.

pufferpuggirl · Post by **pufferpuggirl** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:36 am

Yes, I always add the water conditioner to the water before it goes into the tank. I believe you can do it the other way, but I don't.

Good luck with your GSP's, they are very nice puffers. Just a tip, mine seem to love having some place to hide. If you can get anything that serves as a cave -- half a coconut shell, PVC tube -- anything they can go inside to feel safe, I think you will see that they like that. Also, if yours are like mine, they sleep alot and you will find them resting on the bottom of the tank. Don't be alarmed, mine do it all the time. Just keep your water clean, free of ammonia and nitrite and your puffers will be happy puffs!

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