Right, after taking advice in watching the puffers very closely, I have noticed one of my Gouramis have lost a feeler and another has had his fins nipped! Although my puffers are red eyed-red tail puffers, they seem to get their aggression at feeding time. Any fish wander near thier food and they don't like it! (neither would I lol)
Anyway, I am going to create a species tank for my puffers. The tank I have is approx 18 gallons and was used up until last week for most of the fish I now have in my upgraded set up.
Firstly, I have not cleaned the gravel nor has the gravel dried out from when I emptied it last week so can I fill it and not worry about the bacteria in the gravel or should I wash it thouroughly first?
Secondly, I have a barrel of water taken from my tank (about 5 gal) and thought it may speed up the cycling process and establish the bacteria quicker?
Thirdly, I am due to do a water change to my community tank tomorrow and I know one of the filters is almost blocked with loose substrate from the gravel. It is a very well used filter sponge and was wondering if I should wash it in old tank water then add that water to my puffer tank so it will get taken in by the new filter in that tank.
Am I going along the right lines or way off the mark?
The funny thing is, I have kept fish for years and although I've had the odd one give up, I have never thought of cycling or testing my water at all so this part of it I'm new too and like you pro's out there, I want to get it right and create the perfect environment for my fish to flourish!
Cheers
Mike
Anyway, I am going to create a species tank for my puffers. The tank I have is approx 18 gallons and was used up until last week for most of the fish I now have in my upgraded set up.
Firstly, I have not cleaned the gravel nor has the gravel dried out from when I emptied it last week so can I fill it and not worry about the bacteria in the gravel or should I wash it thouroughly first?
Secondly, I have a barrel of water taken from my tank (about 5 gal) and thought it may speed up the cycling process and establish the bacteria quicker?
Thirdly, I am due to do a water change to my community tank tomorrow and I know one of the filters is almost blocked with loose substrate from the gravel. It is a very well used filter sponge and was wondering if I should wash it in old tank water then add that water to my puffer tank so it will get taken in by the new filter in that tank.
Am I going along the right lines or way off the mark?
The funny thing is, I have kept fish for years and although I've had the odd one give up, I have never thought of cycling or testing my water at all so this part of it I'm new too and like you pro's out there, I want to get it right and create the perfect environment for my fish to flourish!
Cheers
Mike
