The Puffer Forum

i currently have a fluval 205 external filter, and the internal juwel filter that came with the tank, in my 20 gallon. do GSPs prefer a strong or a small current, because those two combined filters are going at a rate of knotts? the puff seems to be enjoying himself in the current, but im not sure if its ok for him in the long run.

IME, they seem to like pretty strong current. Just make sure they have one or more resting areas where the current is blocked or at least not very strong.

I have 24x+ turnover in my gsp tank, and they love it. I agree with Ybe, make sure there is an area of refuge.

yer he has loads of rocks and caves he can hide in.
he seems nice and lively and looks like hes enjoying himself in the filter flow.

My little GSPs love playing in the filter flow. Its a strong current too, I have a 200GPH filter in a 25H tank.

GSP's are surprising - despite a shape more like a bus than a fish, they like current. In a 30 gal Long, I have one 2" GSP with an Eheim 2213 cannister with the spray bar at the bottom, facing up, and a Fluval 3+ in one corner for directional flow and mechanical filtration. I would have 2 smaller internals like the 2+, but was concerned about the noises of two underwater motors driving him batty and also because I'm not crazy about the appearance of the internals. I have a spare AC50 HOB new in the box, ready to put on there if he tells me the underwater motor noise from the Fluval internal is too much.

perek wrote:My little GSPs love playing in the filter flow. Its a strong current too, I have a 200GPH filter in a 25H tank.

8x turnover. I would add more if I were you!
(not necessary, JMO)

I have about 35x turnover in my 55g with two GSPs and plan on adding another 300gph powerhead later. Water flows are directed up, down and across the tank to generate more turbulence. The GSPs love it.

47x + tank turnover at last count(over 3100gph in the tank not counting the sump returns etc.). in a 55 gallon, they not only loved it, but all the fish were much more lively its all in how you place the jets, but these guys come from the estuaries wher you can have quite a bit of turbulance in some areas, and in others be very slow.

having areas that are very high flow and a few sleeping areas, is not only better for the fish, its easier on the maintenace since everything stays suspended in the water longer.

the more chaotic the flow the better, water jets that just blow one way are not good, having them blow into each other at certain areas keeps things more like they are used to.

lisalisa wrote:

perek wrote:My little GSPs love playing in the filter flow. Its a strong current too, I have a 200GPH filter in a 25H tank.

8x turnover. I would add more if I were you!
(not necessary, JMO)

Dont you think thats a little overkill? I already have the largest Bio-Wheel that doesnt take up more than two filtration spots. Plus I hand feed my pufs there is very little food waste. (they LOVE the fresh tiger shrimp I buy for them)

Read above ^^.

I think 8x is far too little, personally.

lisalisa wrote:Read above ^^.

I think 8x is far too little, personally.

I got double activated filtration media and my water is always superb 0-0-trace. You underestimate the Bio-Wheel

We're talking turnover/circulation here, not how just much water is pumped through the filter. Mine is a combination of submerged powerheads, a closed loop and the return from the sump. And no, 20-40x (plus) is not overkill at all. Turnover in most streams would be much higher than that!

Filter capacity and handling ability versus current are two separate and distinct things. All of my tanks are way over-filtered, not because they need the filter capacity, but because I think that the fish and plants need the current. I spend non-trivial time adjusting current flow to get just what I think is needed and appropriate. It can and does contribute to both the health and activity level of the tank.

Folks who have never played with the current in the tank might want to try sometimes IMHO. There is to me a world of difference between an HOB-filtered tank and a designed and engineered set-up. Very few of our fish are from small still ponds, especially the puffers.

What kind of current do Fahakas prefer? Mine seems pretty relaxed most of the time but i do see him darting around the tank for no real reason.