The Puffer Forum

O.K., first off, very nice forum here. Anyway, I'm starting a brackish aquarium, and purchased it today. It is pretty a 46 gallon tank with a heater, biowheel filter, 40 pounds of crushed coral. Salt is at about 1.009, but I know that has to go down.So a few questions if anyone has some time to spare for a newby.
1.What can I do in terms of green spotted puffers? Any acceptable tank mates? I have heard so many different answers.
2.How do I get my tank going? It's all together and running now, when should I start testing, and do i need to add anything else to get bacteria going?
3.What tests to do before adding fish? I think im good on that, but doesn't hurt to be sure.
Thanks for the help.

Dozer!

A great place to start is the Library here, you'll want to read up on GSP's and their needs if you haven't yet.

Generally we suggest 30 gallons minimum per green spotted puffer, more is aways better and a 46 is about perfect for one. I would not try more than that, they get too big and agressive, so there simply wouldn't be enough room for 2 in there.

Tank mates are always a risk. Puffers are notorious for being nippy and/or killers, though individual personalities are all different. Plus you have the problem that GSP's need to start in brackish and move to marine and tank mates need to be able to handle that move as well. So its something you can try, but there are never guarentees.

There's also an article in the library about fishless cycling and I believe it touches on some of the other options such as BioSpira and using media from an existing tank. If you don't cycle your tank before adding fish, you're looking at the fish suffering in their own waste while the bacteria develops. Its something you can get through, but not recommended if you can avoid it.

Test kits... I make sure I have ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests. Since you want to go brackish/marine, you'll need a hydrometer or refractometer. Refractometers are more expensive, but a lot more accurate. Other tests you might want to have are pH (high end), GH and KH. I don't consider those to be absolutely necessary, but they definately can come in handy when trying to figure out a problem or making sure everything is stable.

Something you mentioned.. the salt being at 1.009 and needing to go down.. why? GSP's will need salt, even if the store is keeping them in freshwater its a good idea to get them into lower brackish. Either way, decide where you want to start your fish and cycle the tank at that salinity, the bacteria can only handle salinity changes of .002 per week or so. If you make sudden changes you'll kill off the good bacteria and re-cycle your tank.

Are you determined to get a GSP? Make sure you read up and are prepared to go full marine. Don't forget Figure 8's are also a good option if you want to stay lower brackish instead of ending up marine.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your puffer shopping!

Myaj wrote: Dozer!
Generally we suggest 30 gallons minimum per green spotted puffer, more is aways better and a 46 is about perfect for one. I would not try more than that, they get too big and agressive, so there simply wouldn't be enough room for 2 in there.

You might consider Figure 8 puffers if you can find them. Your 46 Gallon would be about the right size for 3 F8's. Rather than 1 GSP...

Something you mentioned.. the salt being at 1.009 and needing to go down.. why?

My lfs (living sea aquarium in chicago) told me about 1.008 to start. What do you suggest? Also on cycling. If I bought crushed coral in seawater, it already has bacteria. How do i start the ammonia cycle out? The article says to add ammonia, but if I already have the bacteria, do I still do that?

Adding ammonia (this is what the bacteria eats) will multiply the bacteria to levels enough to support your future fish. Did you get the substrate from one of their tanks?

You can cycle the tank at whatever SG the fish you are buying are at in the store.

(I hope you didn't buy all that stuff from Living Sea...)

No, I didnt get any from the tank, I used crushed coral, it's supposed to have bacteria. Any suggestion on what brand of ammonia to get? And why this-I hope you didn't buy all that stuff from Living Sea...) - youre worrying me here, lol. But thanks for all the help everyone.

Cause LS is a total rip-off! One of the most $$$ in Chicago, next to Old Town Aquarium. Go to Coral Reef for your fishy stuff.

Crushed coral has no live bacteria in there. PM me & you can come by here (Franklin Park) & I'll give you a scoop of my CC, it's at a SG of 1.005 now. Then you can start your fishless cycle w/cheap foam-free ammonia.

So i've been doing a little more research. In a 46 gallon, what can I do in the way of figure 8s? Are they at all compatable with any type of goby? I have heard they do well with bumblebee gobies, true? Also, do the figure 8s stay brackish, or go to full marine? Anyone know any good places i or aroud chicago to get figure 8s and/or bumble bee gobys?

http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... uffer.html

Aquatics Unlimited in the Milwaukee area often have F8s.

thanks alot boxermom!

Hey boxermom, do you know if they are kept in brackish or fresh water at aquatics unlimited?

I'm not Boxermom, but I do live in the area and stop in AU ocassionally. You would be best off calling them to find out.

The various times I've been there, I've seen them keeping puffers in everything from fresh to brackish to full marine... In the same day I might see one GSP in full marine and another over in the freshwater section.

I can't think off the top of my head what they keep their bumblebees and F8's at though, but considering the drive you have, I'd definately call. I'm sure there's stores in the Chicago area that have those species though, they are pretty common.

Ok, so I tried posting a new thread, but something is wrong with the spell check. Anyway, a few more question

1.How do you guys cycle your tanks? Share a few methods please!
2.I read you can use a piece of shrimp to start the cycle, any truth in that?
3.I've come to a conclusion that fig. 8's are probably the way for me to go, how many figure 8s and bumble bee gobies in a 46 gallon?
4. How many fish can i introduce at one time?
5. What is a good s.g. for figure 8s and bbg?

Thanks alot to everyone!

1. there is a good fishless cycling article in our library, check it out: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... hless.html

2. the shrimp would decay and produce ammonia. it's easier to just use plain store bought ammonia if you can find some without any additives. it's all detailed in the article.

3. you could probably get away with 3 or 4 F8s and maybe a 3 or 4 BBGs with great filtration, and great decore. I don't think I would keep any less than 3 BBGs together. They seem to do best in small groups.

4. if you do a fishless cycle with ammonia, you could introduce all your fish at the same time.

5. 1.005 is the recommended SG for F8s and BBGs.

I'm sure Coral Reef can get them for ya. Just call & ask: 708-456-0768.