The Puffer Forum

Hello peeps. I have some rambling to do and am thinking this is the very best place to do so...bear with me as I am a little dizzy with what I am hoping is going to turn into excitement (OH permitting when I run it by him tonight)

Ok, background...

I have a really groovy 180L Akva Stabil Effectline tank that's portrait shaped. I have a seeping condensation issue that's somehow resulting in water seeping down the inside of the metal frame of the tank and weeping out at the bottom a bit, but I do think it is just condensation at the moment.

It's a bit tall and I actually make the tank look small there (please ignore the odd socks)

but it is housing 3 fancy goldies that are being moved to this at the weekend

so that leaves me with a rather nice (empty) tank!

Some of you will remember a little while ago I was pondering the merits of Canthigaster sp vs a lurker puffer and the lurker puffer idea won at that time, but now, with an empty tank about to appear, I am thinking of those lovely tobys again!


Would a tank of this shape be suitable or does it not matter too much? I know the tank won't be filled with corals, I'll leave them in my other marine tanks, but if there's anyone out there who can give me tales of their experiences with these lovely puffers I would be most appreciative!
I'm thinking of trying some soft corals like mushrooms with the puffer as I have tanks they can go in to if it doesn't work, but I have visions of this tank being really nicely scaped with ocean rock and live rock with a feature Toby centre stage

I haven't put this to the OH yet and have a feeling I may have to condense one or two of my smaller tanks into one to make him feel I am making an effort, so to speak


Mad or monumentous plans?

Love the socks

Sounds FANTASTIC! I have no idea how the tobys would fair in there, but tbh think they would befine with lots to explore. It is a gorgeous tank and would look great with LR in, just a request...piccys if you do!

I'm sorry but those socks are worse than Filbert's gravel!

Dont feel bad about the socks lol my wife has like 10 pairs of striped and just plain out loud socks.

Colourful socks = happy feet!

LOL jennybugs if u hadnt mentioned the odd socks maybe no one would of noticed

Never seen a tank like that its really nice, maybe u can try siliconing the side the condensation is coming from?

I think that the tank will make a real nice looking marine tank with some tobys and other things u decide to put in...isnt the tank purposely for marine due to its height?

I love the socks, yes they put Filberts gravel to shame, but I love them none-the-less. Actually my wife has a few wool pairs just like that with toes (like gloves) and I smile whenever she wears them.

That's a fair sized tank of Toby's and the shape should give them swim room.

Oh yeah, I got so distracted by those socks--nice tank!

doraemon, I thought that when I first posted the photo up elsewhere but everyone commented on the socks and not the height of the tank To be honest I hadn't even realised when the photo was taken that my socks were odd! They are actually some of my quieter socks too! Today I have on dayglo orange and pink striped ones. I am not convinced that they don't glow in the dark yet

Anyway, back to the tank, it's got T8 bulbs in but that wouldn't matter too much if I'm not having corals in the tank
I see peeps have mentioned tobys in the plural. That's something I'll have to look in to as I thought they didn't like their own kind. I have the silicone at the ready to seal it all up to rid myself of the condensation issues but may run it open topped - unless tobys are jumpers?
I realise it's very much try it and see with any form of puffer, but I am now officially excited due to breaking the news to the OH last night! He saw my update on my FaceBook page and came in last night, stood in front of the tank in question looking at the goldies that are currently in it, and announced that he is afraid of what I have planned now He then added that he thought the tank perfect for the marine puffer idea but was still glad I had decided on 'his Smooch' a few months ago

So, it's off to the LFS this weekend to start discussions with my marine shop friend and get the ball rolling

Well it looks like it's full steam ahead for me! It's dangerous to go shopping on the internet after a few glasses of wine!
I now have an RO unit winging its way to me (at long last!) and have secured 18 kilos of prime live rock from a tank breakdown which I'm picking up Sunday week!
That gives me a week to decide where I am putting the tank and a week to sell my beach cruiser so I have the room to keep it somewhere without too much foot traffic in front of the tank
All I need now is sand, a heater, some new pipework for an external filter, phosphate and nitrate remover and circulation pumps and we're off and running I have a skimmer at the ready too as I guess that would be a good idea?

Then it will be time to set it all up and let it cycle before getting a suitable fish. I'm going to take my time with the aquascape in the hope of creating a nice interesting home for the future toby, giving it lots of nooks and crannies to explore with the odd cave here and there

I am SO excited :headbang:

I also have to move some fish around, condensing two small community tanks in to one and move the dwarf puffs to a larger tank with hopefully a few new puffs too this will allow me to shut down one tank which will make me feel a little happier about having another one set up and running. This weekend I am emptying the Akva tank when I swap the goldies over to their new home and then it's all systems go! I'm going to be very busy I can see that :hyperwoot:

definitely use the skimmer..cant wait to see pics

I can't wait either I had dreams about live rock last night Been trying to read up about the Canthigaster sp but there's not too much detailed info about. I'm not even sure what Toby I'll be getting yet as I have to have a good chat with my favourite marine supplier tomorrow, but she always comes up with beautiful fish. One good thing is my Fluval Edge marine nano tank is a breeding ground for tiny snails, so it will have loads of crunchies to eat.

nice.. but I hear puffers dont eat SW snails cuz their shells are too hard. I have some big SW snails my GSP leave alone. I havent tried eye sized SW snails thou...