Hiya all!

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
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GunSmoke78
Puffer Fry
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Hiya all!

Post by GunSmoke78 »

I've been perusing the site for a bit, but finally purchased a GSP today. However "Bubbles", as my daughter calls him, is still sitting in the LFS as I wait the arrival of a new tank to replace the one smashed in my recent move. I was mostly into FW aquaria and was prepping a dwarf tank before my life got turned upside down 2 years ago, but I'm back in the business and have decided to go brackish. I wanted to get some feedback as to what I should replace and anything extra I should get to make "Bubbles" life more comfortable. Aside from a 32 US gal tank on the way, I currently have an AquaClear 200 Power Filter, a double fluorescent canopy, a 150W Heater and a surplus 50W Heater (neither are submersible) and a large assortment of plastic plants and decorations. Also, how should I cycle the tank before introducing him? I've had someone recommend I dump in a bottle of Cycle and wait overnight, others seem to rave about BioSpira (which I haven't seen in any LFS). Last time I cycled a tank I used Danios, but I don't want to go that way.

Well, that's enough questions for now. Glad to join the puffer keepers community!
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Boxermom
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Post by Boxermom »

Cycle is useless. Biospira is the only one that contains the correct live bacteria you need. If you can't find Biospira, you should do a fishless cycle. Great article on it here:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... hless.html

BTW, welcome! :)
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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Peregrine
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Post by Peregrine »

I second Boxermom's thoughts, avoid cycle or any of the other instant cycle products...the exception being biospira, and I would only use it if it was in the fridge at the store, or if you cant find it...order it on line. Being Canadian, we cannot get biospira locally, (and I am not keen on ordering anything alive via the mail, especially something you cannot tell if it is dead when it arrives), I generally go with using ammonia to fish-less cycle a tank, quicker than using fish, and ready to handle heavier bio-load when its done.
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PetPirate
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Post by PetPirate »

Hi GunSmoke! Welcome to the community! Looking forward to updates on your GSP.
Created a User Gallery yet? Go On!

Affordable Metal Halide Lamps: http://www.petpirates.com
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Phaedrus
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Post by Phaedrus »

:hiya: Welcome aboard!
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GunSmoke78
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:31 pm

Post by GunSmoke78 »

Not sure where to post this, but for any fellow Canuckians who want BioSpira, I think I've found an answer.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/biosp02.htm
Seems they ship from a distribution center somewhere in Canada, and provide a free ice pack with delivery.
Gonna give this a try.
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Pufferpunk
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Post by Pufferpunk »

If you can't find B-S, then read the fishless cycling article in our Library.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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kass
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Post by kass »

It looks like its free shipping also. Let us know how it goes.
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Hilly
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Post by Hilly »

Welcome Bud :)
Hilly
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dc519
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Post by dc519 »

welcome to the forums...I also just started an adventure with a GSP :D
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GunSmoke78
Puffer Fry
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Post by GunSmoke78 »

For one GSP in a 30gal tank, what kind of GPH should I be aiming for? My AquaClear HOB pushes out about 150gph. However, I really want to replace it because it occasionally leaks through the lid. Unhappy landlord it makes when 2 gallons have seeped through the floor into the garage...
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dc519
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Post by dc519 »

Its always good to have over filtration. do you plan on staying with the HOB style?
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GunSmoke78
Puffer Fry
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Post by GunSmoke78 »

I'm looking at canister filters. Fluval 204, 304 or Filstar XP1. Kinda pricy, though they're all on sale RIGHT NOW. I can save about $40(CAD) if I go for the 204, but it'll give me 180gph instead of the 250gph the others push out. Just wondering if 180gph is enough or if I should go for broke.
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Boxermom
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Post by Boxermom »

Rena baby! :lol:
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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GunSmoke78
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:31 pm

Post by GunSmoke78 »

kass wrote:It looks like its free shipping also. Let us know how it goes.
Free it definately ain't. Over $45 to ship 9oz of Bio-Spira overnight. :?

I've found a shop that'll repair my damaged tank for $50, so I don't have to wait for the new tank to show up. So I'm gonna try a fishless cycle. Gonna keep a log too, see how well it goes. That way I'll be sure it's ready for Bubbles without him spending much more time at the LFS.

Another question: I found out the LFS is using FW Aquarium Salt, not Marine Salt in their puffer tanks. Not to mention they don't seem to keep track of salinity either. How should I go about adjusting the water so Bubbles doesn't go into shock?
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