The Puffer Forum

So, my husband's cousin lives beneath us. Recently her grossly overstocked 2.5 gallon crashed, to which she responded by purchasing a betta, 5 tetras and a GSP. Well, as I told her it would, the GSP went on a rampage last night. I am being asked to take the puffer and all I currently have cycled and empty is a 5.5 gallon tank. The puffer is 1/2"-3/4", will he be okay in this tank temporarily while I get a new home for him figured out? I just had a baby so finances are VERY tight, though I may be able to swing a 10 gallon, I can't afford a heater for it. I know he will need brackish and eventually full marine as well as a 30 gallon tank. I quite like the little fellow and am willing to do what I can to take care of him. Does anyone know what they feed the puffers at wal-mart? That's where he's from and I need to get him eating something before I can start transferring foods.

Thank you,
Suka (sue-kah)

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I think you should let this one pass and get the puffer rehomed elsewhere. With a newborn and limited tank space and funds it will likely end up too stressful for you. A 10g would be ok as a temporary quarantine tank but much larger would be needed very soon.

How fast would he outgrow the 10? I have a 20H I just don't have a hood/filter for it.

please do what you can to convince your husbands cousin to not have any more pets of any kind

considering what this little fish has gone through already, it needs to have everything corrected right now!
oh, and Petco is having one of their $1 per gallon aquarium sale (for 2 more days, I think until April 12th)
bite the bullet, get an appropriate tank, filter, light, heater, etc.
might your husbands cousin help out with the cost of re-homing with a loan or donation?

do you have water parameter test kits?
if so, what are the readings from his current tank?
if not, please get a kit to monitor his water conditions

We don't have the money right now for the 29 or I would. She won't help at all she's "a college student". (Her dad pays for her schooling so it's BS.) I do have a test kit, API Liquid Master. The parameters are ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5. I've been keeping fish for over 13 years so I am confident that I can take care of him. I don't have an issue with daily water changes until we get the little one situated.

The gsp will likely be too big for a 10g in a matter of months. With a new nipper finances will likely still be stretched when he is in need of a bigger home, plus marine salt, live rock etc etc. I just think you might set yourself up for a hard time here. Are there any good fish stores near you that would trade him in? Perhaps for a dwarf puffer for your tank

The only place that will actually take him back is Wal-Mart and I am not comfortable with that at all. I can have the stuff for the 20 in a couple months and the transition from fresh to brackish will take some time anyways, so I can get the dry rock then. (I would prefer to use dry rock as not to introduce unwanted critters to the tank.) I am confident that I can do this, even on limited funds. I have tanks that get large daily water changes so my commitment won't be an issue in the least, even with a newborn. I don't work so I can spend almost all day changing water if I need to.

After so many posts will I be able to just post instead of having a moderator approve it first?

I'm not sure how many posts it takes not to have to be approved. Hopefully, 5 is enough.

Continue with daily WC & don't worry about adding salt just yet. You are dechlorinating with something? What's the temp in there?

I'm dechlorinating with Seachem Prime and the temp is 86F for two weeks because he did come from Walmart and I honestly expect he came with ich even though I can't see any on him. I was to nip it in the bud while it's not an issue. After this I was going to lower it to 78F. Is that a suitable temperature? I think I'm going to skip the 10g and get the stuff for the 20H instead.

What turnover rate should I be looking for on a 20? I was thinking 265gph canister. I always over-filter and I will be planting moderately as well. I know that won't last when I need to start upping my SG, but it'll grow them out for other tanks anyways and help with ammonia/nitrates in the mean time.

ETA - Five posts was enough.

Is the 20hex a tall tank? If so the gsp will need bigger sooner. Look out for second hand set ups, bargains can be had and you get extra stuff too

It's a 20 High not a 20 hex. Standard tank. I've been keeping my eye on craigslist but so far no luck.