The Puffer Forum

So I've decided to get some of your opinions on my future BW setup for a Figure 8 Pufferfish.

Tank size will be: 20g or 29g
Filter size will be: Aquaclear 30gallon at 150gph or Aquaclear 50gallon at 200gph
Substrate: Argonite Sand
SG Mixer: Instant Ocean Salt Mixer
Fish: One F8 puffer, maybe two depending on tank size (Maybe two for a 30gallon)

Live Plants: Perhaps some Swords? I've not familiarize myself with BW plants. Any suggestions?

Any any suggestions on some co-habitants? I'd like to keep the population to a minimum though.. but any interesting suggestions will be evaluated!
Also, if you recommend some brands for filters, or reliable brands for salt mixes, substrate etc... over my current ones?
Thanks!

8P8

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubW ... plants.htm

is your BW plant list ... limited by what the LFS can get

Definitaly go with the AC50 for the 20 if you go with the 29 you can get the AC70. There really good filter but there rated capacity should be cut in half.

Get a 29g or larger and buy 2 F8's. Aquaclear filters are top notch. Aragonite sand is perfect for ph stability. I use Instant Ocean for my brackish F8 tank and have no issues. Live plants will be tricky. My F8's chomped holes in all my live plants so all they get are plastic plants and a ball of java moss. I had java fern and some eel grass in my tank. Both are brackish safe, just not puffer safe. Lol. I have 3 Bumblebee gobies in with my F8's. The puffs pay them no mind thus far. Feeding can be tricky since the puffs try to hog it all down before anyone else gets any. Then if you try to add more you have an overfeeding issue. Keep in mind no matter what other fish you put in the tank it will not always be 100% safe. One day that puffer may think its a good idea to have a taste. Mine are extremely ornery and full of personality. Love em. You wont be disappointed.

J-P wrote:http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubW ... plants.htm

is your BW plant list ... limited by what the LFS can get

I actually found that link somewhere, definitely something good to work with, thanks J-P

Bcummings8521 wrote:Definitaly go with the AC50 for the 20 if you go with the 29 you can get the AC70. There really good filter but there rated capacity should be cut in half.

I see, well noted, as I know a good filter for any puffer is a good idea. Thanks, I'll probably pick up a AC70.

JoseDepacos wrote:Get a 29g or larger and buy 2 F8's. Aquaclear filters are top notch. Aragonite sand is perfect for ph stability. I use Instant Ocean for my brackish F8 tank and have no issues. Live plants will be tricky. My F8's chomped holes in all my live plants so all they get are plastic plants and a ball of java moss. I had java fern and some eel grass in my tank. Both are brackish safe, just not puffer safe. Lol. I have 3 Bumblebee gobies in with my F8's. The puffs pay them no mind thus far. Feeding can be tricky since the puffs try to hog it all down before anyone else gets any. Then if you try to add more you have an overfeeding issue. Keep in mind no matter what other fish you put in the tank it will not always be 100% safe. One day that puffer may think its a good idea to have a taste. Mine are extremely ornery and full of personality. Love em. You wont be disappointed.

I understand the risks, which is why I think I'll either go for pure puffers, or just one puffer. I'm glad the brands I've picked seem reliable. Perhaps I won't get live plants, thanks for your feedback.

There's a few links to brackish plants in this post:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=22741

Many people including me keep bumblebee gobies with their F8's but there are many species that you could try:

1. Orange Chromides (may bully the puffer if you get a mating pair).

2. Shoal of Brackish Glassfish (not sure which of the glassfish species are brackish but here's a link that should help http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/FAQ/6c.html).

3. Shoal of halfbeaks (I used to have 1 halfbeak but he bullied everything in the tank before he jumped, if you get a number of them they may keep the aggression amongst themselves).

It's probably worth stating though that some F8's are aggressive and may not allow any tank mates I've obviously been one of the lucky ones because mine are completely docile.

Hilly wrote:Neales Brackish Plant FAQ

Very good link!
Neales and Bob, AFAIK know work reasonably close together on these types of things, or I could be mistaken

Hey there, 20g brackish F8 tank you say? Check out my build thread, it's on another forum though. Their brackish section was lacking.

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/brackis ... hread.html

I've read a article here that most FW plants will hold up in a SG of 1.005 BW.

I wanted to share it with you I just cant find it now. ( I need to start using bookmark )

I'll look for that as well Polish, most FW are ok up to 1.005 and I believe I've also seen where Java Ferns can survive in water up to around 1.012 or so SG.