That's one of the reasons I'm interested in dwarves - supposedly a good starter puffer and no need for trims. Plus my tank size at 10 gallons. Good to hear about your puffers though- that makes me feel better!
Dwarfs are by far the easiest. They are a true freshwater puffer. Puffers like GSP require brackish water as they get older but dwarfs do not. They eat readily and take up little room.