The Puffer Forum

I've been doing my research and unfortunately my LSF, sold me 2 GSPs and I'm afraid they won't jive together in my 40gal tank. I also am concerned for the little guys health because they were put in an non cycled tank, thanks again LSF. Hopefully they won't get too badly damaged or hurt because this is my very first fish tank and I had no idea what I was doing. Must admit I'm addicted now.

My two GSP Pierce and Buster seem to be getting along pretty well at the moment. I had some concerns regarding their diet. I currently feed them a small amount of food at night when I turn on the tank light. I feed them frozen blood worms and snails (once a week). I was wondering what else I could include in the diet. They are still juveniles and are in brackish conditions I got them custom to the water first. My refractometer reads 1.014, is that too high? How often should I include snails in the diet?

I have a question regarding possibly breeding the snails I get, is it possible to breed them without setting up a tank? I believe the snails I get are ramshorn snails.

Any and all information is greatly appreciated. Thanks again and sorry for all the questions. Very much a newbie to fishkeeping.

I'm confused--with all this bad advice from your LFS, where have you been doing your research?

Lotsa more research for ya:
library/puffers-in-focus/an-introductio ... d-puffers/
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/
library/category/feeding/
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19348

The 2 puffers I purchased from the LFS told me the puffer I had bought would be alright in an uncycled tank. From what I read you only want to put them in a cycled tank. Secondly for the diet part I read they needed snails or small crustaceans. Right now I feed them daily enough for their bellies to get rounded. I feed them frozen blood worms 4-5days a week and snails once a week. The tank is only about 5days old. (Still in the cycling process.) My question is what should I do? Because my poor puffers are in an uncycled tank the LFS won't take them back because it's purchase as is.

Also, the majority of the research I've been doing is reading forums. From all over the place. I hope my previous post clarifies things for you.

I'm glad you found us! Please read ALL the links I posted for you. Your questions are answered in them. I pity all the fish sold at that LFS.

Thanks for advice and help. Is it likely my puffers will survive the cycling process?

The article on Emergency Cycling explains how to avoid this, as it can cause permanent damage to your puffer's skin, eyes & gills, causing early death. Please let me know if after you thoroughly read the articles I linked you to, you have more questions.

If I have any further questions I'll gladly ask. Any and all help greatly appreciated. I'm reading the articles now. .

Welcome to the forum, those articles will help you out but feel free to ask about anything you are unsure of. Personally I would get some fully cured live rock and up your salinity to accommodate ( drip acclimating your puffers to marine salinity) and bingo, you need at least 1lb live rock per gallon and it needs to be fully cured

Bertie you have lost me, I should go ahead and make my tank a marine tank? And up the salinity to about 1.022ish? Or higher at the moment the salinity is 1.017 just checked with my refractometer.

My puffers seem to be moving and swimming very actively. And what would the live rock do? Help create bacteria?

I attempted to add an attachment that is my current set up.

IMO, this tank is 20g too small for the minimum tank size for these puffers as adults. Adding 40lbs of live rock to that will take up a TON of real estate in there. Personally, I think you need to re-home one of those fish, if you aren't planing on upgrading.

Unfortunately I don't have the current funds to upgrade nor purchase another tank. However would there be somewhere that has a deal tanks? I really would hate to have to lose a fish. I was lead to believe this tank was around 35-40gallons.

This tank is probably 10 years old, been in my house forever finally decided to set it up as it was my dads.

I wrote this up to help with your cycling situation. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32416
And yes you can try craigslist.org for other tank options.

sgtmyers88 wrote:I wrote this up to help with your cycling situation. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32416
And yes you can try craigslist.org for other tank options.

As this is a brackish tank I am assuming Bio-Spira would be the best solution? Since it is more of a marine product? Also, I've visited glasscages.com and looked at a few different options. Is 700ish a decent deal for a sump filtration a tank and a stand? Please feel free to look around on the site and let me know.

I'd prefer not to purchase off Craigslist because of previous transactions.

B-S will be iffy at best, at your SG. A bit too low for SW bacteria & way too high for FW bacteria to survive. Be sure to add it directly to your filter. Expect some bacteria die off, unless you want to raise the SG a bit, to around 1.018.

I agree with Craigslist, you can find some kick-a$$ deals on there! I found a 180g gorgeous tank with oak cabinet & canopy for $400!