The Puffer Forum

I've been reading articles. And since aquiring my GSPs from a FW tank, I want to raise them in their optimal conditions.

I'm making a few runs today, and I figure I can get these things while I'm out

• Bio-Spira
  Marine Salt
  Rock Vacuum
  - Discomed, by Aquatronics, for the treatrment of internal parasites
  Hydrometer
  Heater
  Thermometer
  Aquarium Decor (rocks, plants)
  Water treatment (for chlorine & chemicals from tap water)
  Food - frozen/freeze-dried krill/plankton, gut-loaded ghost shrimp,
  glass worms, crickets, worms, and small snails

Anything I am missing? I have a few questions as well.

I need a new filter. Any suggestions on what kind? Charcoal filter?

Also, how do I measure the pH in the water, and the amonia, nitrites, and nitrates?

(forgive the newbness, I've only owned goldfish before. didn't know what I was getting into)

To measure the water parameters you'll need a test kit (liquid test kit not the strip kind)
Add that onto the list.

Whatever filter you get, getting one rated for more than the tank to provide overfiltration is a good idea.

You can get the Master Test Kit from aquarium pharmacuticals. It consists of liquid tests for PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate and some beakers with caps to conduct your tests. This item isn't cheap (about $30) but it will last you a very very long time.

If your looking for a filter for a 10 gallon tank I would go with a HOB (hang on back) Model with a Bio wheel. I would recommend getting one rated for at least twice the size of the tank. All Charcoal does is remove any smell you might have from the tank water. I removed the charcoal from the pouch and put in biomedia.

When you're looking for aquarium decoration don't get natural drift wood, once you raise the salinity the wood will rot very fast and contaminate your water.

You don't need to have this but I recommend it, get yourself a small eye-dropper. You can get them in the kitten/puppy aisle of the pet store. Use this to feed Puff his frozen bloodworms. It makes it alot less messy trust me!

Other than that you should be A-OK

Goodluck!

wouldn't it be easier just to raise the salinity in the curren tank rather than set up a whole new one?

I think I remember him saying they are currently in a fish bowl, and the new tank is a 10 gallon.

Do you guys have reccomendations for the type of rock/gravel i should use to cover the bottom of the tank?

The small pretty colored gravel, or the plasic pretty looking oval thingies.

Boxermom wrote:wouldn't it be easier just to raise the salinity in the curren tank rather than set up a whole new one?

I'm going to set up a whole new tank. My sister pitched in and we're going to buy a 55G. Just going to start all over and do it the right way.

Cool! Just make sure you do a drip acclimation.

I'm assuming you mean to adjust them to the salt water?

I was planning on starting out the 55G with fresh water, and then slowly raising the salinity in it... with the fish in it already.

Bad idea?

Nope, good idea actually.

For substrate personally I like sand. Its a little more tedious to care for but I really like the overall look.

You can use pretty much anything you want for subtrate.
Argonite reef sand or crushed coral are used alot in the hobby.

I can tell you that my GSP is in a tank with Tahitian Moon Sand (jet black sand) and it darkened up a fair amount. The belly is still white but the green on the top half of his body darkened up alot. I really like the look.

If you go with sand substrate you will probably want around 30-40 lb's of sand. I have 20lbs in my 30 gallon atm. Also keep the sand level to about 1in, you can make it deeper if you desire but you will then have to stir the sand once a week so no Anaerobic gas pockets form.

Purchase Prime as a water conditioner.

I took your advice and bought Prime. I got all of the other stuff too including a NICE 55G tank, with a 4' T5 light. Whatever that means. I got EVERYTHING.

2 questions though.

The guy says the hydrometer doesn't go low enough to measure brackish water. What do I do? I don't know how much salt to add!

& How do I know when the frozen food is thawed? It's cubes of brine shrimp. (probably a stupid question)

Brine shrimp isn't very nutritious. Bloodworms, black worms, mysis shrimp, stuff like that is better. But to answer your question, it'll fall apart usually when its thawed. If a whole cube is too much food, cut it in half (or more pieces as necessary) and put the rest in the freezer in a baggie. Only defrost enough to use and throw out anything defrosted and not used. Never refreeze it.