The Puffer Forum

I have an 8gal planted with a neon green puffer. (small I know but I will upgrade when he needs it) It's green with algae. No algea on the glass, just the water. I do weekly water changes and my parameters read 0 (ammonia nitrites nitrates). I have the light on for less than 8 hours a day. I does get a couple hours of indirect sunlight a day. Maybe my white gravel is reflecting the light and making it more intense? I need to get rid of this because i can't even see my puffer. The plants are fine. What can I do to get rid of it?

What is a neon green puffer?
How big is the tank? How long has it been set up? Are you sure your nitrate is zero? How much water do you change weekly?
Lots of questions to be going on with!!

I change at least 10% a week if not more. I'm sure about the nitrites. I got the puffer at the ACA in April so the tank has been set up since then. I used to know the latin name but I forget it. I'll see if I can find it.

sorry...yes the nitrates are 0. it's an 8gal for now.

Have a browse through the pufferpedia. Whatever puffer he is, in a tank that tiny, you must do bigger water changes. At least 50% weekly, if not more. It would be extremely unusual in a fully cycled tank, for the nitrates to be zero.

My guess is that you have one of these guys: library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/

If so, the algae may be the least of your worries, with stunting and salt being more important.

Fact is, the tank cannot be cycled if you are getting a reading of "0" nitrates. And that really is a VERY small tank, that poor little guy needs more space than that. And I've never heard of a tank being so green you can't see the puffer inside, which I find very concerning.
Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade.

Nitrates can very zero, or very close to zero, in a heavily planted and lightly-stocked tank, but since this tank is so overstocked and the water changes are so small... I doubt it. What kind of test kit are you using, puffer_starter? What brand, and are they liquid or test strip?

Unsupplemented planted tanks, especially along with green water, are more often 0 nitrate than not.

But the first issue is the ID of the fish. If it is a GSP, it is severely stunted if it has been in an 8 gallon tank for almost a year. It is not possible to "move a fish up" in tanks size 'when it needs it". A fish needs the proper sized tank from day one or immediately after quarantine, or it may never reach proper adult size. They also need the proper water conditions.

ohhh I thought neon green was this guy:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_Cutcutia/

It's metalic olive green on top with a white belly. I got it at the ACA in Cincinati. They were calling it a neon green puffer. It's fresh water and for now has plenty of room. IMO. So aside from the space issue my nitrates ARE reading zero using strips and liquid methods. I knew this was odd so I wanted to be sure by using a variety. My MAIN question is, it there a chemical I can safely use?

And I know that may depend on the species. I can't seem to find it so any help is appriciated. I DO appriciate everyones input though on all parts of my situation.

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/A_silus/

that guy?

that guy.

A-Silly-us!

Well now we know where to start!