The Puffer Forum

Hi All!
I’m in the process of setting up/cycling a new solo tank for a Green Spotted Puffer and looking for guidance on a few things. Appreciate any input!

I’d like to optimize cycling it from the start to the best long-term SG as opposed to having to increase it gradually down the line. It seems the tank equipment and maintenance requirements differ fairly significantly when getting past brackish and into marine. With respect to my current setup (further down my post), do you feel like I could adequately maintain an SG between 1.018- 1.022 to keep a happy/healthy GSP long term?

I want to avoid the need to add more specialized equipment (sump system, RO water, protein skimmer etc.) and cannot go any larger on tank size. Essentially, I’m looking for a sweet spot where I can maintain the tank with weekly 25-30% water changes with regular tank/gravel/filter cleanings and maintenance as well as keeping the below parameters.

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: < .2ppm
Nitrate: < 10ppm
Specific Gravity: 1.018-1.022
Temperature: 75°F-82°F
pH: 8.0-8.1

This is my planned setup. Any recommendations or considerations? My thought was that 2 filters would handle oxygen/water movement but would be helpful to know if I should plan to add anything else to help. Bubbler(assume I should purchase this even if it’s just used for the initial drip acclimation process, power head, air stones, live rocks?

• 36 Gallon Bowfront
• Aqua Clear 70 Power Filter
• Fluval U4 Underwater Filter
• 2x Aqueon Adjustable PRO Aquarium Heater Up to 20 Gallons, 50 Watts
• CaribSea Arag-Alive! Special Grade Reef Aquarium Sand
• (Cycling) Dr. Tim’s Aquatics Saltwater One & Only Nitrifying Bacteria & Ammonium Chloride Solution
• Assorted artificial plants/driftwood/rocks

Additionally, would you foresee any issue if I cycled the tank with Dr. Tim’s and have it remain empty for some time before adding my GSP? I want to get started cycling and comfortable with the tank prior to adding livestock and also would have to wait for a GSP to arrive at my LFS. It would be ideal to have my tank cycled and ready to go for when a fish becomes available. I’m just not sure if there’s any potential issue with the cycled tank sitting vacant for too long.

It looks good!
To maintain the nitrifying bacteria bioload, you will have to feed it ammonia.
I think with a single GSP, 30% WC weekly, should suffice.
An airstone will produce salt spray & make a mess. The Aquaclear should agitate the surface well enough for O2 exchange.
You would benefit with a HOB skimmer added.

Thanks for the welcome and great info!

I’ll be maintaining during the “vacancy” with DT’s Ammonium Chloride Solution.

I’ve read mixed thoughts on skimmers in similar cases. That’s why I’m here to hear from an actual source! I appreciate the guidance. Do you have any reccs on what an appropriate unit would be given my setup? Thanks so much again.

Check out if you have a local reef club. Someone may have a used one they're looking to get rid of.