The Puffer Forum

Hi I am new and this is my first post. I Have had a puffer tank for about 2 months. He was doing great and eating great. I did water changes every 2 weeks of about 25 % but real didn't vacuum the gravel. My GSP puffer stopped eating and was spending alto of time at the bottom of the take. Every now and then he would go to the top of the tank to get some air.. I tested the water and found ph 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrates 10. nitrites .3-.5. I realized I had a problem with the nitrites. After reading many of the users posts i decided to do a 50% water change. I then did a 40 % water change the next day after the nitrites didn't go down. I added a powersweep to help the oxygen in the water and that didn't do much. The salinity is 1.011. I used cycle in every water change. The only thing I can think of is I had a missing fish about 4 months ago and never found it. I have a fake rock that has a hole the size of a dime in it. I'm wondering if the fish died in it and it took this long to decay. I read about one of the members having this same problem and found the carcass. If I take the rock out will it shock the tank too much and take to much of the bacteria that it has on it? What do I do? The fish is hanging on and surprised it hasn't died yet. I'm trying everything but am stumped. Help[/list][/list]

I used to have a fake rock until I realised a lot of crap was in it. When I took it out (never to put it back again) it smelled awful (and I never had any dead fish in it). I don't think that taking it out will hurt your bacteria. Most of the bacteria are on your filter media.

Is there any chance you have killed a lot of the bacteria in your filtration and that you are going through a mini cycle?

It's possible. I think Ill take your advice and take the rock out. My water changes dont seem to be helping so there must be a problem somewhere. Do you know if I can put more of that "cycle brand" liquid in or should I wait until my next change.

Stop adding cycle. It's dead bacteria, and I'd guess it's a big part of your nitrite problem. Keep up on the water changes to get those numbers down. Good luck!

Take out the rock & if there is a carcass in it (that was me), do an 80% water change. Continue w/daily water changes, being sure to clean under all decor. Stop using Cycle for the reasons lisalisa stated.

If I do an 80% water change should I put anything in the water minus the conditioner. He has also wedged himself in between the filter and the wall with his mouth at the top sucking air.

I just checked my water after it had been running for 2 hours. Everything looks better. ph8 nitrates0 nitrites.1-0 ammonia 0. Now i just have to see if my GSP will survive it all.

The only extra (other than dechlor) is salt, to keep the SG at 1.011

Well my GSP just died The change must have been too much. I dint want to give up on the puffers. What should I do with the tank before I get another. Should I get a starter fish or should the tank cycle itself with the bacteria that's already i it. I have three small ghost shrimp in it that were meant for food. Should I leave them in or take them out. All my numbers are good so do I have to wait.

Have you read the Fishless Cycling article? Your other option is to instantly cycle w/Bio-Spira & add the new fish immediately. I'd do a very large water change beforehand.

Thanks for your help. Ill have to try to find that bio-spira. I'm going with a F8 this time because my tank is smaller. I may start a bigger tank later once i get this tank set up. Ill let you know how I make out with the F8. I should be getting it Monday if the tank is fine.