New To To Tropical Fish Keeping (Dwarf Puffer)

[Antony]

Are you sure you can keep her in a better condition than the shop? Do you know of anyone else that could take her from you?

In future, don't buy fish just because they are being nipped or look ill. 9 times out of 10 people do this and can't provide better conditions for the fish themselves.

If you really can't find another member on here for example who is willing to take her off your hands, then you need to make sure your tank is properly cycled. Do a test and post your readings on here. Then add some media from your other tank into the filter of the 20L to help with processing ammonia if your filter isn't already cycled. You will need to keep her alone in the 20L and make sure there are plenty of plants, hiding places and things to stimulate her. Dwarf puffers are extremely intelligent fish and need to be kept entertained or they can get stressed and ill very quickly. You need to perform frequent water changes to ensure that the water quality stays at it's optimum. I'd recommend 50% every other day to begin with, maybe more if you have any ammonia issues.

i would gues shes in better conditions atm seems as shes still alive and healthier than when purchased so life saved so far ...not that i have ever lost a fish touch wood.

the large filter from my 90l is working on the 20l atm to speed up the process a little whilst a stingray filter fills its place in the community . Im thinking of pretty much 75% of the floor being coated java moss a load of ferns some xmas moss and a rock cave or 2 plus a bubble wall an thats about it? .....anything i missed?

 

[Kelly-Jo]

You haven't moved the WHOLE filter from the community and put a brand new one in the community have you?

 

[Antony]

thats awesome grats
pretty much what i was thinking of but your without all the moss and caves ....is that a marimo ball i see in the corner?

You haven't moved the WHOLE filter from the community and put a brand new one in the community have you?

noo just the bio pads and carbon my main is twin internal filterd atm ...soon to be one nice external

 

[Kelly-Jo]

Have you left more than 2/3 of the old filter media in the community tank

 

[Antony]

Have you left more than 2/3 of the old filter media in the community tank

3/4 of the origionals are still in the main between two filters..

 

[Kelly-Jo]

Okay that's good.

 

[Antony]

Okay that's good.

whats even better is i'v just been to see a friend and he's been round and collected all my community fish to take them for a holiday for a few weeks i one of his 150l tanks so whilst i had my hand in the water (my nets just that inch too short) i decided to fit a bubble wall and release the puffer in the roma 90 whilst i get on top of things a little .... shes happy as a pigmy in ....well 90l of water i suppose pic to follow


anyone fancy finding or writing me a brief guide on setting up the perfect 20l for her from scratch?...i decided going from scratch is better than were im at after a closer inspection of the old plants

 

[minnnt]

Do you have the opportunity to upgrade for a bigger tank sometime?

 

[Greg_DS]

Your fish are on holiday?? Your filter bacteria is going to be dead by the time you get them back with just one tiny puffer in there.

 

[Antony]

Do you have the opportunity to upgrade for a bigger tank sometime?

love it
what plants are in there?
Bin liner backdrop is an awesome idea

unfortunately not i may be able to smuggle a 30l in to replace the 20l then the 20l could replace the 13l and the 13 could go for fry

but that will have to wait a little while seems as the 90l is pretty recent lol

Your fish are on holiday?? Your filter bacteria is going to be dead by the time you get them back with just one tiny puffer in there.

yeah it'll only be a week or two...plus i can always add bottled bacteria right?...idk your the pro's

 

[Greg_DS]

Your fish are on holiday?? Your filter bacteria is going to be dead by the time you get them back with just one tiny puffer in there.

yeah it'll only be a week or two...plus i can always add bottled bacteria right?...idk your the pro's

Nope lol

 

[minnnt]

The background is actually a piece of brown parcel paper that has been lightly misted with grey primer spray paint. It kind of gives a nice effect. I have used a black bin bag before though.

If you take a look at my thread HERE then you will see just how cheapley a a bigger setup can be achieved. My setup is 88 litres and is housing 3 South American Puffers.

The plants that i have used are:

Anubias Barteri 'Nana'
Cabomba Caroliniana
Cryptocoryne 'Tropica'
Elodea Densa
Microsorium Pteropus 'Narrow'
Pogostemon Helferi
Vallisneria Spiralis

 

[Antony]

Your fish are on holiday?? Your filter bacteria is going to be dead by the time you get them back with just one tiny puffer in there.

yeah it'll only be a week or two...plus i can always add bottled bacteria right?...idk your the pro's

Nope lol

phaa in that case i can either use the filter sponges i have atm and hope for the best or fit new ones when i get em back and temporarily run the filter there using at the friends they are with i dunno i'll jump that hurdle after this one :L

 

[Antony]

The background is actually a piece of brown parcel paper that has been lightly misted with grey primer spray paint. It kind of gives a nice effect. I have used a black bin bag before though.

If you take a look at my thread HERE then you will see just how cheapley a a bigger setup can be achieved. My setup is 88 litres and is housing 3 South American Puffers.

The plants that i have used are:

Anubias Barteri 'Nana'
Cabomba Caroliniana
Cryptocoryne 'Tropica'
Elodea Densa
Microsorium Pteropus 'Narrow'
Pogostemon Helferi
Vallisneria Spiralis

ahh i do believe I'm following that one already although i do hear those externals are naff

my fluval only stands me at....£45 with the fish in it ebay is a legend for tanks
think i'm going to a black screen on the back cause i really cant stand the poor quality of most back drops
awesome light unit too

 

[minnnt]

Yeah, the filter is just about adequate. I should have spent the extra 5 quid and got the 1400... Never mind, lesson learned for next time.