hiya guys i have decided on a puffer to replace the cold water fish i have now other than the normal water changes and keeping the salt levels right is there any other care puffer fish need besides food etc. but could i just add the correct amount of marine salt to the tank i have now and make sure the temps are all right or is it best to start again from scratch. thanks in advance james.
Changing From Fresh Water To Brackish.
- Thread starter James B
- Start date
SLC Flyfishing
Fish Crazy
B)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James B @ Aug 11 2006, 04:58 PM) [snapback]1275397[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
hiya guys i have decided on a puffer to replace the cold water fish i have now other than the normal water changes and keeping the salt levels right is there any other care puffer fish need besides food etc. but could i just add the correct amount of marine salt to the tank i have now and make sure the temps are all right or is it best to start again from scratch. thanks in advance james.
[/quote]
The only way to be certaing is to start again, but if you went with a figure 8 you wouldn't need to add salt. Most people will tell you that they are a brackish water puffer but it's simply not true, they occur in freshwaters but most people seem to have the best luck adding a small amount of salt to their tank. Theoretically if you gave it the right care you could get one of them straight away.
So you could get a figure 8 and either keep it fresh, or slowly add salt during your normal waterchanges till the specific gravity is correct (most people on here have theirs at 1.005). This should allow the filter bacterias you have now to be mostly effective while the new brackish ones replace them.
Let's hope nmonks chimes in on this one because I do have a sneaky suspicion that the current bacteria would be fine at 1.005.
Dwarf puffers are freshwater as well so if you planted or decorated enough to give them hiding spaces, you could have a few of them!
SLC
hiya guys i have decided on a puffer to replace the cold water fish i have now other than the normal water changes and keeping the salt levels right is there any other care puffer fish need besides food etc. but could i just add the correct amount of marine salt to the tank i have now and make sure the temps are all right or is it best to start again from scratch. thanks in advance james.
[/quote]
The only way to be certaing is to start again, but if you went with a figure 8 you wouldn't need to add salt. Most people will tell you that they are a brackish water puffer but it's simply not true, they occur in freshwaters but most people seem to have the best luck adding a small amount of salt to their tank. Theoretically if you gave it the right care you could get one of them straight away.
So you could get a figure 8 and either keep it fresh, or slowly add salt during your normal waterchanges till the specific gravity is correct (most people on here have theirs at 1.005). This should allow the filter bacterias you have now to be mostly effective while the new brackish ones replace them.
Let's hope nmonks chimes in on this one because I do have a sneaky suspicion that the current bacteria would be fine at 1.005.
Dwarf puffers are freshwater as well so if you planted or decorated enough to give them hiding spaces, you could have a few of them!
SLC
The only way to be certaing is to start again, but if you went with a figure 8 you wouldn't need to add salt. Most people will tell you that they are a brackish water puffer but it's simply not true, they occur in freshwaters but most people seem to have the best luck adding a small amount of salt to their tank. Theoretically if you gave it the right care you could get one of them straight away.
So you could get a figure 8 and either keep it fresh, or slowly add salt during your normal waterchanges till the specific gravity is correct (most people on here have theirs at 1.005). This should allow the filter bacterias you have now to be mostly effective while the new brackish ones replace them.
Let's hope nmonks chimes in on this one because I do have a sneaky suspicion that the current bacteria would be fine at 1.005.
Dwarf puffers are freshwater as well so if you planted or decorated enough to give them hiding spaces, you could have a few of them!
SLC
[/quote]
thanks there mate will do a bit of hunting around now will i be needing a power head for my tank its just over 15gallons wont be getting the puffer for a couple of weeks as i am going to spain for a week but will see if i can get my hands on a figure of 8 puffer then. is it best to get a protein skimmer for it aswell. so far i think ontop of my fluval 104 i am going to need a skimmer a power head marine salt and a hydrometer plus a themomiter got heater etc already. have i missed anything?
SLC Flyfishing
Fish Crazy
If you are going for a figure 8, don't buy a protein skimmer, at a specific gravity that low it won't do you any good! Also, a figure 8 will probably eventually want a tank of between 20-30 gallons. They'll sometimes grow to 12 cm or so, you should be able to find a smaller one to begin with. I've not had them ever grow very quickly so you'll be O.K. for a while! Just bear in mind that they are quite sensitive to water quality problems! Good Luck and ask if you have any other questions!
SLC
SLC
last one i think 
(god i hate being a complete newbie lol) 
any reccomendations on a powerhead for me and i think thats about it. is it worth starting again water wise for the puffer and replacing all the filter media or leave as it is.
(god i hate being a complete newbie lol) any reccomendations on a powerhead for me and i think thats about it. is it worth starting again water wise for the puffer and replacing all the filter media or leave as it is.
SLC Flyfishing
Fish Crazy
B)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James B @ Aug 11 2006, 10:49 PM) [snapback]1275780[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
ooops one more is it worth emptying the tank and adding sort of re starting but with RO water
[/quote]
RO water isn't necessary, I've never used it. I'm not sure but isn't RO sort of softer anyway? your Figure 8 will appreciate having water that is on the harder side of the scale. Which ever filter you choose just make sure you get one that will turn over the tank at least 5 times per hour. More is better these fish make huge messes when they eat!
If your tank is already established, I'd just do a good cleaning and a 50-60% water change and go from there! Always better to go with a fully cycled tank than to try and re-start. Just add your salt slowly over a few months and you'll be fine! Your water's specific gravity is 1.000 to start, you should raise it by .001 each water change or so! this way the bacteria will be able to keep up!
SLC
P.S. all suggestions are based upon choosing either figure 8 or dwarf puffers (fresh water) if you want something like GSP you'll be starting over because of the higher salinity these fish require!
ooops one more is it worth emptying the tank and adding sort of re starting but with RO water
[/quote]
RO water isn't necessary, I've never used it. I'm not sure but isn't RO sort of softer anyway? your Figure 8 will appreciate having water that is on the harder side of the scale. Which ever filter you choose just make sure you get one that will turn over the tank at least 5 times per hour. More is better these fish make huge messes when they eat!
If your tank is already established, I'd just do a good cleaning and a 50-60% water change and go from there! Always better to go with a fully cycled tank than to try and re-start. Just add your salt slowly over a few months and you'll be fine! Your water's specific gravity is 1.000 to start, you should raise it by .001 each water change or so! this way the bacteria will be able to keep up!
SLC
P.S. all suggestions are based upon choosing either figure 8 or dwarf puffers (fresh water) if you want something like GSP you'll be starting over because of the higher salinity these fish require!
youve been a great help to me with this one James
SLC Flyfishing
Fish Crazy
No worries, Glad I could be of service. PM me if you need anything else!
SLC
Also make sure to get a Figure 8 with a fat white belly. Sunken in belly = nigh unto death! If he shows up looking like that, don't pay for it.
SLC
SLC
Also make sure to get a Figure 8 with a fat white belly. Sunken in belly = nigh unto death! If he shows up looking like that, don't pay for it.
SLC
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