The Puffer Forum

is drift wood good in a brackish tank? and if so what benefits does it have?

I've been told many times that driftwood will rot in brackish water. This means it will add some organics to your water (rotting) and also that your decor will pretty much crumble over time. That's obviously not a benefit. I can't really think of any benefits, its more a matter of personal design taste.

I'm not 100% sure that's true.. but the only time I've kept driftwood in brackish water was in low salinity for figure 8 puffers, not higher salinities like GSP's need. Mine didn't show any signs of decay, but as I said, it was low salinity.

If you want it to last for sure, they do make some pretty darn realistic looking resin driftwood. To be honest though, most people end up going full marine and using life rock with their GSP's in the long run.

what was the salinity in you tank?

My Figure 8 preferred low, so I kept the tank around 1.004 or so. With a GSP, you'll want between 1.012 and marine generally, so that's a big difference.

so another question.... is live rock really necessary in a sw tank

It helps a TON for filtration = le$$ water changes.

could the gsp live his full live in high end brackish water?

He could be perfectly happy in high end brackish water. But alot of people switch to full marine due to the expense of salts and for more choices on tankmates.

Yes, they do just fine in high end brackish. From what we are seeing, about the same as in full marine. Recent breeding breakthroughs have shown that they can only successfully breed in full marine though, but it isn't known if they travel to marine to breed or if they stay there all the time.

Most people switch them to full marine just so they can take advantage of the benefits of live rock and skimmers, but nothing says you NEED to do that. If you'd rather stay high end brackish, you certainly can.

Just don't try low brackish or freshwater, that will shorten their lives significantly.

so is a salinity of 1.014 good or do they need higher?

Adult GSP will need a Full marine conditions SG of 1.022

1.014 is a bit on the low side, but its certainly better than lower brackish.

Polish, they don't NEED full marine.. at least that's not been fully proven. Generally 1.015 and higher is recommended though.

IMO they need full marine as adults. Their behavior becomes much more inquisitive, and window pace much less. Besides how messy they are a skimmer is the BOMB when caring for GSP. Unfortunatly skimmers only work at marine conditions. Plus you can save a bit of time when you add live rock. Like PP said "less/smaller WC's" Live rock adds a whole different look aswell and can allow them to hunt for critters to eat daily. I wouldnt go lower than 1.015 as adults. But see thats why I hated BW bc my options for tankmates/plants/etc. were VERY limited. I think the benefits of taking them to full marine far out weighs keeping them in BW. Especially if you do a FOWLR its not much more expensive. And can actually be less maintanence and more beautiful. Thnyou could add some aggressive SW fish Like clowns or damsels.

how much live rock do you recomend for a 75gal

Hey, I agree its the smarter thing to do, but its not NECESSARY.