The Puffer Forum

Hey, Its my first post on this forum. I've been fish keeping for over 10 years. I've recently became interested in puffers and Fahaka puffers caught my attention. I've been researching and have been lurking on this forum a bit. I figured I might as well join. Now back to the question. I've seen sand, gravel, and bare bottom. What are the pros and cons you've experienced using these substrates with your fahaka? Such as maintenance, your preference, and which your puffer liked best? Also, if you could be specific as which sand and gravel too. Thanks

Welcome to the Forum!!

I use Pool filter sand with my Fahaka...it's heavy enough you can vac it without sucking all of it up and it's light enough to look good...my puffs really seem to like it.

Thanks for the fast response. I've used both gravel and barebottom tanks but have no experience with sand. I've always been worried about anaerobic pockets building from not being stirred. Is it easy to turn without it getting the filters and ruining the propellers?

The pool filter sand is heavy enough not to get sucked up in to filters and kill impellers. Also if you keep the sand bottom below one inch you don't have to worry as much about anerobic pockets, they happen rarely at under one inch.

Pool Filter sand is looking pretty good so far. There is a pool store less than a mile away from my house. Going to see what they have tomorrow. Any specific brands I should look for?

My fahaka is perfectly happy on his crappy-colored gravel mixed with 1/2 black large-grain sand:


He loves hanging out in a big mangrove root/cave, I got from Petsmart:


I know what you're thinking about my gravel...

I also use sand, but its play sand.

I have a 50 / 50 mix of tahitian moon sand and black gravel. workd good when puffs was burying self (she dosent do it anymore) but when I finish my new tank the sand is gone. it is a nightmare for cleaning and I always find it in my filters.

*** I keep waiting for pufferpunks pics of filbert camo'd out disco style ***

I feel like trying sand since I've never had it before. After a bit of searching I found HTH for $5.35 for a 50 lb bag. I might go that route.

I've never had a problem with cleaning the filter sand, it's pretty cheap and very clean when you buy it. I've tried the play sand in some of my tanks and it's nice but a little too light for me..I lose alot while cleaning..I've had the pool sand in Pookies (my fahaka's) tank for about a year now and have never had to change it or add to it..I've not really used any type of gravel so I cannot comment on it

Best sand to use IMO is a silica sand. Finer grain than pool filter but not nearly as light as playsand. As soon as I switched my fahaka over to sand he starting burying himself that night. I like a nice deep bed so he can bury himself just make sure to run your fingers through the sand once in awhile to avoid those anerobic spots. Here is a pic of my setup with the sand.

No idea what happened to the bottom of this pic lol

I'm just going to go with pool filter sand, since I know where I can find it and its pretty cheap. I'll be sure to post some pictures when I'm done setting up the tank and cycling it.

taureandragon76 wrote:Best sand to use IMO is a silica sand. Finer grain than pool filter but not nearly as light as playsand. As soon as I switched my fahaka over to sand he starting burying himself that night. I like a nice deep bed so he can bury himself just make sure to run your fingers through the sand once in awhile to avoid those anerobic spots. Here is a pic of my setup with the sand.

No idea what happened to the bottom of this pic lol

Just noticed, is that lucky bamboo? I heard it was toxic to animals.

If it is toxic I better pull it out as he has taken a couple of chunks out of it. I know quite a few people who keep it in there tanks.

I was setting up some plants for my crested gecko and was told away from lucky bamboo because it was toxic. Maybe its deluded when its underwater and won't affect fish.