The Puffer Forum

I want to upgrade my 2 inch puffer's 20 gallon tank to a 40 gallon tank. He's been in it for about 5 months now and it's been fully cycled. I currently have 2 HOB filters running on the back of the tank, a non-living 1 inch sand bed, some decor, and a 100 watt heater. His SG is 1.018. My question is if I take my puffer out and keep him in a separate container while I put all the old tank water into the new tank along with all of the sand (and some new sand), decor, an extra 100 watt heater (creating 200 watts for the 40 gallon) and the two filters that are already seeded with bacteria will I be able to immediately add him to the new tank? Or will this tank need to be cycled again for some reason. I mean all the bacteria should be held within the filters, decor, and sand correct? So if that bacteria just goes straight into the new tank will it basically be like cycling the tank without having to create the bacteria because it's already all there? If anyone could respond to this I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

aslong as new water is at the same sg you need not transfer all the old water just stabilise temp and run existing filters add puffer and all good, move any decor etc when filling. its what ive always done and been ok for me. just acclimatise puffer as you did when first introduced to tank to be safe.

Do you think 40 gallons is too small to add a second green spotted puffer? The one I have now is only about 2 and a half inches and seems pretty nice (he's very "gentle" when eating the ghost shrimp I feed him...if that makes any sense lol) So if I decorate the tank well with a lot of hiding places do you think he'll be okay with a tank mate? Also, how long will that tank be big enough until I have to possibly upgrade to a 55 gallon tank?

40 is too small for two GSPs as is 55. 55 gallons is just the optimal space for one. 30 is the minimum yes, but 55 is optimal for one. So if you want two you need at the very least a 60 gallon. However, I'd say shoot for a 75 if you really want two. Also he's gentle now but there's a large chance he will become more aggressive with age. Also, keep in mind all the marine costs of stuff if you plan on upgrading them to marine one day.

I know, I've looked into the whole upgrade to marine deal. Do they necessarily NEED to go to full marine conditions when they're older? Or can they stay in the high end brackish level range (1.018) over the course of their lives?

it is advised as is best condition for them

Okay sounds good. That's pretty strange, I mean, what changes in them that causes the need for higher salinity levels ya know? It's pretty odd.

they just seem to live longer in a marine environment

My understanding is that the switch to full marine for a GSP is often made for the convenience and pocketbook of the fishkeeper (fewer water changes are needed in full SW as opposed to high-end BW, and thus, expense for salt is much less as well), and not necessarily because the GSP itself will be healthier in full marine as opposed to high-end brackish.

Pufftastic wrote:My understanding is that the switch to full marine for a GSP is often made for the convenience and pocketbook of the fishkeeper (fewer water changes are needed in full SW as opposed to high-end BW, and thus, expense for salt is much less as well), and not necessarily because the GSP itself will be healthier in full marine as opposed to high-end brackish.

Yep!