The Puffer Forum

A few things, when should I do my next water change? I did the water change monday it is at 1.004, what SG should I put the water at for my next change? Also, if the nitrites and ammonia and such is fine, can I get F8's now at a 1.004? The fish store has about a 1.004-1.006, so would that be okay? I need to know soon... Thanks!

From what I know the SG is fine. I would say that you should do your water changes every monday 50% of the water. As long as the water parameters are good and steady you could add fish any time, but how long has it been cycling?

It has been a fresh water cycle for about a month or 2, but as a BW 2 days

so you raised the sg from 1.000 to 1.004 in two days? what are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings? how did you cycle it while it was fresh?

From everything Ive read that is possible to high of a jump in SG to fast. Should be .002 a week

Depends if the fresh water bacteria survive at that SG. Since its been BW only 2 days I would watch the water parameters carefully at least a couple more days just to be safe.

What are you doing to keep this tank cycled? What SG are the fish at in the store you are getting them from?

I dont understand what you mean "keep it cycled" my LFS said that he put his barbs in a 1.008 and they survived, so I did that with mine, they are just as happy and swimming a bit more. The LFS once again keeps them at a 1.004-1.006.

The question that is not being answered clearly is are there fish in tank now to maintain the nitrification bacteria?

The other question is what are the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate reading right now?

The FW bacteria are still the operational nitrification bacteria at F-8 salinity levels, provided that they survived the shock of that too big a change in specific gravity.

If you're going to listen to your LFS, who is interested in selling you more fish when yours don't live into their teens (like man of ours do) & more crap you don't need to keep them alive, because you are listening to them & keeping them in conditions that will cause their early demise, why ask us??? Tiger barbs are strictly FW fish! Surviving for a short time in high SG at your LFS, is not the same as thriving for many, many years, in the proper conditions for them. And why are they keeping them is any salt at all?

If your plan is to keep F8s in there, the SG doesn't need to be more than 1.003-1.005.

So what should I put in there, guys okay I understand your getting mad at me, but I am JUST a 13 year old kid! I don't know as much about fish as you do!! Im getting my barbs out today, but what should I put in there? I need to keep the nitrites and stuff up so what should i do? Also, my mom won;t take me to the fish store anytime till the weekend so i cant say my nitrites and such

we spoke before about raising the sg, did you follow the advise, now chill no-ones mad at you but your lfs will give duff advice, most do. now take a step back yea. did you raise the sg too fast? if yes then you may encounter problems, to keep it cycled a small amount of food should take care of this ( i asked this question recently) dont attack things too fast it will be fine ok.also please buy a water test kit and post your readings these guys cant give good advice if they dont know where you at. cool good luck

I can't drive on my own, can't buy one, im buying this weekend

i understand really, i made many mistakes at your age but i didnt have this resource for help. best bet get your water checked at weekend when you can get out and about, also get test kit and go from there. you may be lucky and all ok but the guys here know best, theyre not in a shop getting minimum wage trying to sell you more. they want whats best for you and your fish friends, really they do, sometimes the responses seem short and such, these guys go through loads of posts and sometimes simple things cannot be answered ie water etc- must be frustrating. dont worry you will get there ok.

So just pour in fish food to keep it stabilized?