The Puffer Forum

Alright well he (or her) has been living in a 29 gallon high brackish tank for a while now, but recently i have fallen behind on maintenance (i know i'm a horrible fish keeper!) but just havn't been satisfied with the tank since i took it down from full SW.

Anyway was driving along and saw a 35gal hex at a garage sale and bought it lol. Getting a custom glass hood made (although it was a pain, had to make a die of the lid from cardboard for the glass cutter) but my question is i need ideas! My plans are so far to use new gravel and some lava rock as well as all the live(well dead now) rock that is in my tank now. Do you think that the live rock will be enough to keep the cycle up or should i cycle the new tank all over?

Second to those who have had great success with brackish tanks, what should I be using for filtration, I have a HOb filter but what should I be using as media? and how much water flow do they like? I have a Koralia Nano and maxi-jet 1200, should i use both or just one or neither? And secondly what is the going consensus on suggested SG for a GSP that is prob 3.5-4"?

Lastly, He has begun to be rather jumpy, is it normal for them to get very jumpy and anxious any time i come around or the lid is open. Kinda scares me that he will jump out when im working on the tank, any ideas?

I know it's alot of question and I should know most the answers by now but ive been so busy with school i've unfortunately let my fish knowledge go for political science knowledge lol

Not really sure on most of your ?'s but as far as filters i use a Aquaclear 200/50 for my 40 gallon GSP tank and it works just perfect. I double up on the sponge for more liveing space for the bacteria and thats the only media i use. I plan on puting some purigen in there eventually to see what all the hype is about i hear it works great. I think the best turn over rate is no less then 8-10 times an hour. Good luck on with your new tank.

Also In PP's gsp article she gives her suggestion at what sg is best for what size GSP.

Same filter i am using right now, I know im due for new media so ill just grab a pack of sponges and slowly swap them out.

I'll Check out her article.

If you have an aquaclear there is no reason really to get new sponges I have kept the same sponges on my cichlid tank for about 6 years now. I just rinse them in tank water and put them right back. I allways double up on sponges since there is plenty of room in those filters. In my mind the best filter available.

well I only have one sponge, so ill at least need to grab one more. I agree it is an awesome filter, It was used for about a year when i got it and it is still running stronger than my penguins that are half as old as it.