The Puffer Forum

After lots of debate and discussions with various Puffer People I have decided to strip my tank down and restart it as a marine tank for a Porcupine Puffer..!!!! Spoke to an EXTREMELY helpful and knowledgeable guy at our local fish retailer and he has talked me through it all. Im going next week to pick up all of the extra filters, coral sand, marine salt, etc etc that i need to start setting it up. I was always so scared of Marine tanks thinking they would be far too complicated and have wanted one for as long as I can remember but this guy talked me through everything today and I feel that while it isnt easy that it is do-able. Im sooooooooooo excited, its like a dream come true for me at last..!!!

good for you! Post pictures of your process

What are the extra filters for?

You probably don't need "extra" filters. What you probably need is a protein skimmer.

Make sure you cycle the tank before introducing the puffer.

Best of luck.

Obviously the tank will be cycled before the Puffer is introduced, the guy at the store said it will take approx 3 weeks to do this if all goes well. The extra filter is actually an external filter to overfiltrate the tank as Puffers are messy eaters. The guy said this is, along with regular water changes, is a good way of keeping on top of the water quality. The tank does currently have a filter system built into the hood. He has also explained the use of R.O. water and how to mix the salt up in a bucket etc before adding it to the tank. As I say, he was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and keeps Puffers himself.

You'll be much better off with a skimmer than a filter. The filter traps waste and and it gets converted to nitrates, like in a FW tank. But a skimmer takes waste out before it gets converted into ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Your nitrates stay waaaay lower with a skimmer, which will save you salt money over time.

thanks for the extra info, much appreciated
Have just sold my 60g tank to my Mum and am now looking for a 120g tank to set up for my Porcupine Puffer