The Puffer Forum

Hello folks, this will be my first post here. I am setting up a 29g tank for my wife, she has wanted puffers forever and I think wwe decided to get a pair of GSPs (they're common around here). Anyways, I know that you need a pH buffering substrate like crushed coral but would a gravel/oyster shell bottom be ok? I would rather have a darker sub. and I think by mixing oyster shell and my river rock I can get the color I want. Other than that I think we are going to try some bumblebee gobies (hope they're fast). Thanks for any help and nice site.

Welcome. A 29g tank is not sufficient for two GSPs. Its barely big enough for one.

If you want a darker color substrate, try something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113554

Sorry, I was under the impression it would be large enough for a while. It seems the F8's don't reach the same size, would that be more suitable? I don't think we want dwarfs. I will read up on some more but thanks for any suggestions.

You could have two Figure 8s in a 29. They are low end brackish though, very different water parameters than GSPs, which are high end brackish to full marine. Dwarves are freshwater.

Cool. I will see if my LFS can order F8's if not then I will get them mail order. I don't mind adjusting parameters to meet the needs of the fish, I just want to make sure there will be no surprises long term. Thanks again.

Just make sure the tank is fully cycled first either using a fishless cycle (articles on how in the library if you need them) or Biospira. Puffers are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite so it needs to be prepared well in advance.

id highly recommend bumblee bee gobies as tank mates -- they are very entertaining --- (especially at feeding time)

Tank is cycling now. I used some old tank water and some mulm from an established filter to help it along. I have actually kept bb gobies in freshwater tanks and really enjoyed them, after they finally kicked it I found out they were brackish (they did quite well in straight FW). Anyways, I am going to watch the parameters and order a few F8's when the tank is cycled. Any thoughts on decor, I'm not big on fake plants.

there are some good articles on brackish plants

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=143235

it doesnt sound like the easiest thing in the world, but i'm gonna give it a try in the next few weeks or so

thanks mike, don't have any special lighting or CO2 so I may try some low light stuff and see what happens. I really like amazon swords but not sure if they can make it in just over 1wpg. I have tried it before and while they grew and sent runners they faded away. Some people said they need substrate ferts to thrive and perhaps I will try that. I'll let you know how it turns out.