Dwarf Puffer Tank Set Up

The February FOTM Contest Poll is open!
FishForums.net Fish of the Month
🏆 Click to vote! 🏆

Sammy1911

Fish Crazy
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
258
Reaction score
0
Location
GB
Hi, I'm after a bit of guidance so I don't go into this project blindly iykwim. I've read the basics from this forum and the dwardpuffer website so although I would really like 1m 2/3f (given the rule of thumb 1 puffer per 2/3 gallons which is repeat frequently) I think it's wiser to have 1m 1f, no tank mates.

I've got a 24x12x12 clearseal tank with a sand base P.H. 7.8. It's got one piece of bogwood with java moss/fern and some fake plants. It's being used as a quarantine tank for my display tank I'm working on at present. Once the display tank is finished I want to move onto creating a dwarf puffer tank, it was previously a breeding tank for apistos but I've stopped that due to being pregnant and was looking at maybe a betta tank but then I found these little guys and fell in love!! Not sure where I'm getting them from yet as I haven't seen them around my local lfs's but I'll worry about that later.... so I'm thinking firstly of creating the right environment!

The tank doesn't have any artificial lighting. I'm looking for low tech setup so which lighting would you recommend given the heavy planting necessary? It currently has a plastic transparent 'hood' to make sure the fish don't jump out lol

Plants - plantsalive do 18" & 24" collections which would probably fit the bill. Alternatively, I know someone who could supply anubias/ferns etc - what other kinds of plants would be suitable for these guys if I created my own 'collection'? I'm thinking of creating my own selection as I don't really want to be dosing this tank, that said I don't mind using root tabs. I will have enough expediture dosing my display tank.

I did have a sponge filter in the tank but I have swopped that for a Fluval (spare pump I had lying around, using exist filter media from display tank) which even on low setting creates quite a currant for present residents (tetras). I can't remember which model off the top of my head but I can get that later.

What do you think?
 
Hi, I'm after a bit of guidance so I don't go into this project blindly iykwim. I've read the basics from this forum and the dwardpuffer website so although I would really like 1m 2/3f (given the rule of thumb 1 puffer per 2/3 gallons which is repeat frequently) I think it's wiser to have 1m 1f, no tank mates.

I've got a 24x12x12 clearseal tank with a sand base P.H. 7.8. It's got one piece of bogwood with java moss/fern and some fake plants. It's being used as a quarantine tank for my display tank I'm working on at present. Once the display tank is finished I want to move onto creating a dwarf puffer tank, it was previously a breeding tank for apistos but I've stopped that due to being pregnant and was looking at maybe a betta tank but then I found these little guys and fell in love!! Not sure where I'm getting them from yet as I haven't seen them around my local lfs's but I'll worry about that later.... so I'm thinking firstly of creating the right environment!

The tank doesn't have any artificial lighting. I'm looking for low tech setup so which lighting would you recommend given the heavy planting necessary? It currently has a plastic transparent 'hood' to make sure the fish don't jump out lol

Plants - plantsalive do 18" & 24" collections which would probably fit the bill. Alternatively, I know someone who could supply anubias/ferns etc - what other kinds of plants would be suitable for these guys if I created my own 'collection'? I'm thinking of creating my own selection as I don't really want to be dosing this tank, that said I don't mind using root tabs. I will have enough expediture dosing my display tank.

I did have a sponge filter in the tank but I have swopped that for a Fluval (spare pump I had lying around, using exist filter media from display tank) which even on low setting creates quite a currant for present residents (tetras). I can't remember which model off the top of my head but I can get that later.

What do you think?
personally from my experience these guys are extremely territorial and would recommend 5g per puff but i like to play things on the safe side...and yes i would upgrade to a filter that gives a bit more 'kick'

and yes id HIGHLY recommend you plant it with tons of live plants and alot of driftwood to keep em busy.
 
They are not fussed about what plants you have in the tank. Anubias, ferns, crypts, mosses, stem plants....... anything you like really as long as you've got plenty in there together with lots of nooks and crannies for them to explore and sleep in.
 
They are not fussed about what plants you have in the tank. Anubias, ferns, crypts, mosses, stem plants....... anything you like really as long as you've got plenty in there together with lots of nooks and crannies for them to explore and sleep in.

iSnail - that's great, I've got some v.small clay plant pots aswell as coconut caves which I used for my apisto's so I will conceal a few of them in the tank :good:

Shovelman - I too agree, think it's best to be a bit cautious, I'm all for a easier life especially when it comes to my fish tanks - there's enough challenges and things to remember without causing problems for ourselves eh :good:
 
you are going to have so much fun with these! They have oodles of personality. Just a small bit of advice, one male and female would be perfect but as you may not have ready access to adults it may just be a learning experience when getting two babies as juveniles are hard to sex. Best of luck
 

Most reactions

Back
Top