The Puffer Forum

This is my first post on this forum. I have a GSP in a tank by himself, and I'd like some advice on controlling algae. I use an algae brush on the sides of the tank, but the sand and his cave are rapidly turning green. He'll eat any snails or shrimp within minutes, so what else can I do about the algae? Are there any algicides that are safe for puffers?

Thanks,
Ryan

No, algicides are not safe.

What are the levels of nitrate and phosphate in the tank?

What is the lighting (wattage and timing)?

Control of nutrients and light is the best corrective measure for algae, and those are strictly tank-keeper operations.

What is your water change schedule like? Do you vaccuum the substrate? What kind of filtration do you have? What size is the tank? How big is teh GSP?

I try to do a 20% water change weekly. He is unfortunately in a 5 gallon Eclipse hex aquarium, which has built in filtration (typical blue sponge cartridge filled with carbon and a bio wheel) I believe the light is 10 watts. He's just a little guy, a bit over an inch. I'm saving up for something bigger, either a 29 or 55 gallon. I don't have a nitrate/phosphate test kit, but I will get one if needed. I have not tried vacuuming the substrate in this tank, as I assumed sand would get sucked right up. I do stir it up when I do water changes.

Well, I don't need to tell you tha that tank is too small.

Having a larger volume of water will help with the algae by diluting the waste. Right now the tank is just far too small to accomodate him. He may already be stunted.

Start doing more frequent and larger water changes and try and vaccuum out some waste by stiring the sand as you vaccuum. Sand is not a good substrate for a GSP imo.