The Puffer Forum

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found you all, I've learned so much in the past couple hours of reading.

Long story short... my husband, meaning well and knowing how much I've been wanting to set up an aquarium, surprised me today when I got home from a short trip with a 3 small GSP's in a 20 gallon tank with a marine-land bio-wheel filter. He obviously didn't research them at all and just went on the word of the LFS employee... I suppose I should just be thankful that he at least bought & used dechlorinater, since the fish are alive and happy although in danger in an uncycled tank. I did an immediate 50% water change to delute any ammonia etc.

So tomorrow morning two of them are going back, along with a print-out of info I learned here to give the store (not that i expect it will change much, but worth a shot). I'll be picking up some bio-spira to use for the remaining puffer to cycle his tank. I've also got instant ocean and a hydrometer (sp?) on my list so I can start slowly changing his water from fresh water to brackish (expect more posts from me regarding that in the future <wink> )

I also would like to get a new tank this week, as I know the 20 gallon won't be enough for long and I'd rather start out early with everything. I have about $200-$250 to play with for a tank/hood/filter etc.

I'm thinking about the Sea-Clear Eclipse 3 Compatible Aquariums, a 30 or 40 gallon, and a Eclipse hood/filter system. What do you all think of those? I know the puffers require lots of filtration on top of weekly water changes, would the Eclipse 3 hood/filter be enough or am I better off with a couple marine-land bio-wheel filters on the back of a standard hood/tank instead? I want whats best for my little "dragon" (aka Dragon the Magic Puffer Fish) but also a filter system that is simple to use as I'm also the mother of a very busy 2 yr old daughter, a cat, dog, and a beta fish too... so something with replaceable cartridges if at all feasible is what I'd like to stick with.

Thanks for any advice!

Candi

Sounds like you've got everything under control.

I'd go with the 40 gallon

As for filtration, get the best and biggest you can afford. A canister filter might be an idea due to the greatly increased capacity and flexability of media. Though they lose their value in marine conditions (live rock is more appropriate). In the meantime though, a canister could certainly fit your needs.

At any rate, something with distinct biological and mechanical filtration. aquaclear comes to mind specifically and would be a lot cheaper in teh long run compared ti the eclipse/penguin models.

Welcome Candi!
You've got the right attitude for this board - we'll look forward to hearing from you soon!

If you print out 1 thing to bring with you, it should be PP's article in the library about the GSP. But don't expect much at the LFS - their job is to push fish, not to educate.

I don't know much about the Eclipse systems except that their dimensions don't "look right" to me and they may be under-filtered for messy eaters like puffers. I think your budget may be better off if you go more traditional. (I openly admit that I'm biased against the all-inclusive rigs like that anyway) I'd use the LFS for the stuff you can't get easily on a company's website - such as the basic aquarium itself. I'd try to get the biggest tank for the space you have. A 48" glass 55 gal would be great. My GSP is in a 30 Long and will need an upgrade so I'm researching the perfect combination of tank dimensions/volume/price. Its hard to beat a 55 when buying new. Figure about $100-125. Avoid any "tall" tank. Filters are best bought at places such as http://www.bigalsonline.com (free shipping over $50) through 2/15. Their filters are often half the price (or less) you'd find in the LFS. Search this forum for filters and you'll get lots of good advice. I like the eheim cannister (I use the 2213 in the 30) but that's the only one I've used, so others may be ok, and prefer the Aquaclear line of HOB (hang on back) to the Whispers (having used both), but search the threads - you may want to try RFUG (I'll try with the next new set-up). The biowheels are ok, but some object to the salt spray. Yes, I'll be buying more before the free shipping ends! You want biological filtration - no replaceable cartridges needed!
Don't underfilter puffers.

The place to save $ is the cabinet - if you have some base cabinets, they can make nice aquarium cabinets. One guy here bought a cedar chest for $5 and used that. I think with your daughter and the critters, it would be best to hide filters, elec. cords, water hoses, etc inside a cabinet - maybe even with a childproof latch. I think the little one rules out the open steel or wrought iron tank stand. A lot of people make their own cabinets to save money.

Personally I woudln't get the Eclipse system, as if one part breaks, you have to either try to repair it or buy a whole new hood. A friend of mine is going through that problem right now, trying to find a replacement ballast.

I'd personally stick to an AquaClear filter, probably the 70 or 110 and try to get a 30+ gallon tank for the puffer. The reason I say an AquaClear, they are very good filters and very economical, so when you are full marine and think about switching to a skimmer you won't have spent a ton on a filter you are no longer using. Also, the 110 is big enough to do a little tweaking if you are handy, to be able to turn it into a mini-refrugium for your tank when its full marine.