The Puffer Forum

Because no-one normal shares my intense enthusiasm for my plan to get a big fat 1000l fish tank when I move out of my parents house

Constructive criticism and advice is appreciated

So i'm thinking of housing a Porcupine puffer in a 1000l tank (maybe a bit more)

I reckon I'm gonna need a ground floor as It will weigh a lirrle over a tonne.

The more interesting of my half=baked Ideas so far include:

Built in macro-algae refugium. The neat bit is that I wanna have the refugium basically as a backdrop/background for the tank. - I,e, have a seperate section along the back of the tank to house the macroalgea and maybe some little critters which can replace ones that my puffer fish manages to chomp.

In the tank I'm thinking about having some small (I know this goes against the typical advice but bare with me ) fish which are mainly inactive but very fast moving - The idea being that they only come out to pick up scraps when the puffer is eating and be fast enough that it's not worth him going after them. I reckon it will go tits up eventually whether i have big or small tankmates but at least if they are small then It will be a quicker and less messy death

I also might keep some small live crabs or whatever for him to hunt for when he's bored

The decorations are going to be a load of different plant pots, some large ones as caves, some small ones all puttied together to make a rock-work style thingy which the tank mates can hide in.

As for the fish himself, I was having a slight dilemma regarding the morality of keeping a wild caught pet (there's a few reasons but I won't get into them unless anyone's interested). My sister has a great idea which is to try and get one which someone can't look after anymore. So iI'll probably put something out on craiglist saying something like''good home for preloved porcupine puffer'

I've been thinking about this all ALOT so I'll stop blathering on for now

Any thoughts?

The microalgae refugium would be best if under 24/7 lighting, so is unlikely suitable as a backdrop. You say plant pots for decor, don't forget the large amount of live rock you will require will take up lots of room. Good plan in general though, a ground floor would be good, a concrete floor better/ essential

Thanks for feedback!

Is the live rock essential?

As far as i understand it comes from reefs so I'm just a bit worried about environmental issues, sustainability etc.

I was at a store some months back and interacted with a little porcupine puff that they had so I can totally understand why you would want to do a set up for one. There are some things in the fish keeping hobby I would like to try my hand at and one is a salt water tank. I think you have a cool goal to reach toward!

Yes, LR is essential, unless you want to be doing 50% weekly WC. Very $$$ on SW! You can get it from an established reefer's tank that is known not to have any pests.

Thanks for the kind words

It's not gonna be cheap but I'm a little bit obsessed!

A lot of problem solving involved which is what i like about keeping fish

Pufferpunk wrote:Yes, LR is essential, unless you want to be doing 50% weekly WC. Very $$$ on SW! You can get it from an established reefer's tank that is known not to have any pests.

50%?? Wow
Have you any experience with DIY live rock?

I have not but you'll still need to seed it with the creatures/bacteria living in real LR.

If you are close to me I can seed base rock for you, provide base rock well in advance to set up and I will set up an additional overflow into a spare tank with some live rock in. It will take a while to seed but if you also throw a few kg of live rock in you will be well on your way.

Thanks very much

I will remember that!

I'm pretty far though i'm in Hertfordshire.

We've had this discussion before I believe? I forget real quick and I'm sure you told me that before lol

No idea. cos my memory is pretty bad also