Stressed Gsp Please Help

[BlackWidow]

okay, so,take the fish out, drain all the water, put in new water, add marine salt,check SPECIFIC GRAVITY (1.010-1.015), add water conditioner, add stress zyme,and add fish. thats all right??

YUP thats it!

 

[erk628]

and if i cant do that? =/( missing some of the stuff)whats an estimate for how long i should wait?

It not about waiting its about getting him use to the salt. Just remembered how I did it get a big bowl like a popcorn bowl put it in a bucket fill the bucket with the tank water you have now put the fish in it. Take all water out of your tank add salt test to see if its right. When its right take a airhose like you use for airstones lik a doallr something at almart or petstore. Tie about three or 4 knot in it make sure the bowl he is in is filled almost to the very top. Suck on the hose to get it to start syphoning. tighting the knots so it just drips. put the hose in the bowl and let it drip in there. Afew awhile the bowl will start to overflow into the bucket. Do this for atleast an hour. Then you can put the fish in the tank use a net dont put the water in with him. Here is another link to the drip methos slighlty different then what I said to do either way will work.
http/www.ehow.com/how_5599739_introduce-sensitive-fish-aquarium.html

and if i cant do that? =/( missing some of the stuff)whats an estimate for how long i should wait?

It not about waiting its about getting him use to the salt. Just remembered how I did it get a big bowl like a popcorn bowl put it in a bucket fill the bucket with the tank water you have now put the fish in it. Take all water out of your tank add salt test to see if its right. When its right take a airhose like you use for airstones lik a doallr something at almart or petstore. Tie about three or 4 knot in it make sure the bowl he is in is filled almost to the very top. Suck on the hose to get it to start syphoning. tighting the knots so it just drips. put the hose in the bowl and let it drip in there. Afew awhile the bowl will start to overflow into the bucket. Do this for atleast an hour. Then you can put the fish in the tank use a net dont put the water in with him. Here is another link to the drip methos slighlty different then what I said to do either way will work.
http/www.ehow.com/how_5599739_introduce-sensitive-fish-aquarium.html

I wouldnt just add the fish like he suggested I would follow the drip method all you need is a airhose. You gotta remember that puffer probaly has never been in water with marine salt taking him from fresh and throwing him in salt could kill him

 

[herguitarist94]

and if i cant do that? =/( missing some of the stuff)whats an estimate for how long i should wait?

It not about waiting its about getting him use to the salt. Just remembered how I did it get a big bowl like a popcorn bowl put it in a bucket fill the bucket with the tank water you have now put the fish in it. Take all water out of your tank add salt test to see if its right. When its right take a airhose like you use for airstones lik a doallr something at almart or petstore. Tie about three or 4 knot in it make sure the bowl he is in is filled almost to the very top. Suck on the hose to get it to start syphoning. tighting the knots so it just drips. put the hose in the bowl and let it drip in there. Afew awhile the bowl will start to overflow into the bucket. Do this for atleast an hour. Then you can put the fish in the tank use a net dont put the water in with him. Here is another link to the drip methos slighlty different then what I said to do either way will work.
http/www.ehow.com/how_5599739_introduce-sensitive-fish-aquarium.html

and if i cant do that? =/( missing some of the stuff)whats an estimate for how long i should wait?

It not about waiting its about getting him use to the salt. Just remembered how I did it get a big bowl like a popcorn bowl put it in a bucket fill the bucket with the tank water you have now put the fish in it. Take all water out of your tank add salt test to see if its right. When its right take a airhose like you use for airstones lik a doallr something at almart or petstore. Tie about three or 4 knot in it make sure the bowl he is in is filled almost to the very top. Suck on the hose to get it to start syphoning. tighting the knots so it just drips. put the hose in the bowl and let it drip in there. Afew awhile the bowl will start to overflow into the bucket. Do this for atleast an hour. Then you can put the fish in the tank use a net dont put the water in with him. Here is another link to the drip methos slighlty different then what I said to do either way will work.
http/www.ehow.com/how_5599739_introduce-sensitive-fish-aquarium.html

I wouldnt just add the fish like he suggested I would follow the drip method all you need is a airhose. You gotta remember that puffer probaly has never been in water with marine salt taking him from fresh and throwing him in salt could kill him

okay will do. thanks

 

[jennybugs]

You have asked for my advice and here it is....rehome your puffer to a fully cycled tank or take it back to the shop asap, cycle your tank properly without fish in and buy yourself a proper set of test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate etc, then while the tank is cycling I really would advise you do some valuable research about these fish before putting another one back in the tank.
Puffers are scaleless and that makes them even more vulnerable to ammonia and nitrite than fish with scales. This is why your puffer is not happy. This is why you need to take the fish out of the tank and start again properly.

Sorry to be blunt but a puffer of any type should never be put into an uncycled tank. I didn't know that the tank is uncycled and would have suggested you remove all the fish had I known.

 

[herguitarist94]

You have asked for my advice and here it is....rehome your puffer to a fully cycled tank or take it back to the shop asap, cycle your tank properly without fish in and buy yourself a proper set of test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate etc, then while the tank is cycling I really would advise you do some valuable research about these fish before putting another one back in the tank.
Puffers are scaleless and that makes them even more vulnerable to ammonia and nitrite than fish with scales. This is why your puffer is not happy. This is why you need to take the fish out of the tank and start again properly.

Sorry to be blunt but a puffer of any type should never be put into an uncycled tank. I didn't know that the tank is uncycled and would have suggested you remove all the fish had I known.

thank all of you. i have decided to get rid of the puffer to someone with a 50 gallon loving puffer home that has been running for 5 years, and start a new. i am going to change all the water, get a test kit, marine salt, siphon, ext. and start from the beginning, make a new tank with the right salt water, 1.010-1.015 and do liquid testing until everything is perfect and let it sit for a couple of weeks then get a whole new baby puffer or 2 and make sure it is happy.

 

[erk628]

I think you made a very good unselfish decision here. I suggest you get all the stuff you need drain the tank and fill it back up with marine salt. Once you get the salt right follow the instructions in my sig below for a fishless cycle.

 

[herguitarist94]

I think you made a very good unselfish decision here. I suggest you get all the stuff you need drain the tank and fill it back up with marine salt. Once you get the salt right follow the instructions in my sig below for a fishless cycle.

will do, i want to make everything perfect for the next fish, the person is coming to pick up the little guy now, to his new home. Saturday is when i will do everything (just letting you know) i will be doing a full water change, new water with MARINE salt, adding stress zyme, and water conditioner along with washing all plants and gravel (no soap of course) and doing multiple water tests for my next fish which i wont be getting until i know my tank is perfect thank you for everything!

 

[erk628]

I think you made a very good unselfish decision here. I suggest you get all the stuff you need drain the tank and fill it back up with marine salt. Once you get the salt right follow the instructions in my sig below for a fishless cycle.

will do, i want to make everything perfect for the next fish, the person is coming to pick up the little guy now, to his new home. Saturday is when i will do everything (just letting you know) i will be doing a full water change, new water with MARINE salt, adding stress zyme, and water conditioner along with washing all plants and gravel (no soap of course) and doing multiple water tests for my next fish which i wont be getting until i know my tank is perfect thank you for everything!

Np keep us updated and if you have any questions just ask. When you get ready to do your fishless cycle and if you can't find pure ammonia let us know and we can help you decide on a alternative.

 

[herguitarist94]

okay. thanks and will do : )

 

[jennybugs]

thank all of you. i have decided to get rid of the puffer to someone with a 50 gallon loving puffer home that has been running for 5 years, and start a new. i am going to change all the water, get a test kit, marine salt, siphon, ext. and start from the beginning, make a new tank with the right salt water, 1.010-1.015 and do liquid testing until everything is perfect and let it sit for a couple of weeks then get a whole new baby puffer or 2 and make sure it is happy.

As said, that really is the kindest thing to do
Once the tank is properly cycled and set up at the right salinity for a baby gsp then your fish will respond well and hopefully go on to live a long and happy life with you. In the mean time, get reading up on the fish themselves and what they require while you sit around waiting while the tank cycles

 

[herguitarist94]

thank all of you. i have decided to get rid of the puffer to someone with a 50 gallon loving puffer home that has been running for 5 years, and start a new. i am going to change all the water, get a test kit, marine salt, siphon, ext. and start from the beginning, make a new tank with the right salt water, 1.010-1.015 and do liquid testing until everything is perfect and let it sit for a couple of weeks then get a whole new baby puffer or 2 and make sure it is happy.

As said, that really is the kindest thing to do
Once the tank is properly cycled and set up at the right salinity for a baby gsp then your fish will respond well and hopefully go on to live a long and happy life with you. In the mean time, get reading up on the fish themselves and what they require while you sit around waiting while the tank cycles

okay, and thanks all of you. you told me to keep you guys up to date so just letting you know i just bought the siphon and took all the water out, then replacing some, and doing it again to make sure i get all the food/fices out. then took the gravel and rinsed it with a strainer multiple times along with rinsing off the decor. tomorrow morning i go and get a hydrometer, bag of marine salt, stress zyme, and hopefully a water test kit, if not then the strips (i know there not the best but the liquid testers might have to wait)and a 10 gallon or so bucket from home depot. for the 50 percent water changes. ill let you know how things go tomorrow!

p.s. i already got some conditioner

 

[erk628]

Sounds good like to add a few things though. I would get the "liquid" test kit before cycling because without it you will not know how much ammonia to add or how the cycle is going. You can buy a API liquid test kit on ebay for a lot cheaper then in the stores most of the time. Also seeing how your gonna be doing a fishless cycle you don't need to do any water changes until the cycle is done. All you need to do is fill the tank up actually you don't even have to add the marine salt at this time put conditonor in the water to get rid of the chlorine then add the right amount of ammonia. Once cycled you gonna have to do a monster water change like 90% to lower the nitrates that why I said you don't have to add the salt to cycle just be wasting it. Once done cycling and you have done the water change add the right amount of conditonor and salt then do the drip method on your new GPS for a hour or so then add him to the tank. If you have not done so already please read the fishless cycle link in my sig below below. Any more quesions just post them well be here.

Oh and you might wanna go 5 gallons on the bucket a 10 gallon would weight close to a hundred pounds when full

 

[herguitarist94]

Sounds good like to add a few things though. I would get the "liquid" test kit before cycling because without it you will not know how much ammonia to add or how the cycle is going. You can buy a API liquid test kit on ebay for a lot cheaper then in the stores most of the time. Also seeing how your gonna be doing a fishless cycle you don't need to do any water changes until the cycle is done. All you need to do is fill the tank up actually you don't even have to add the marine salt at this time put conditonor in the water to get rid of the chlorine then add the right amount of ammonia. Once cycled you gonna have to do a monster water change like 90% to lower the nitrates that why I said you don't have to add the salt to cycle just be wasting it. Once done cycling and you have done the water change add the right amount of conditonor and salt then do the drip method on your new GPS for a hour or so then add him to the tank. If you have not done so already please read the fishless cycle link in my sig below below. Any more quesions just post them well be here.

Oh and you might wanna go 5 gallons on the bucket a 10 gallon would weight close to a hundred pounds when full

okay so i just bought all the stuff, so your saying i wana put the conditioner and stress zyme in and after the cycleing is done then put salt in? so.. um how will i know when to put the salt in? and its instant ocean sea salt, it says for 1.020 - 1.024 i use half a cup for each gallon, how much should i use for 1.010 -1.015 in a 20 gallon tank???

 

[Curalingua]

Forgive me if I have missed this in the posts already.
When your tank is cycled and you get your new GSP you need to match your water to the type that the GSP been kept in (better to raise to brackish asap but okay in fresh until about 2 inches long and then need it raised to brackish, as adults they prefer marine but its not necessary). So, if you buy one that has been kept in freshwater you need to put him into a freshwater tank then bring the salt level up gradually to that recommended over weeks or even months.

Fiona

 

[erk628]

You want to put the conditonor in before the cycle so it gets rid of the chlorine. I'm not sure how to calculate how much salt you need to put it. What I would do is once its cycled and you do your big water change add salt to each bucket of water. Here's what I do I have a 4 gallon bucket so I put in enough conditoner for 4 gallons dump some salt in put the bucket in the bathtub get the water temp right and fill it up the water will stir the salt and conditoner up. When its filling you will see a lot of foamy bubbles that's the conditoner. As the buckets filling once its about half way I start stiring it with a wooden spoon. Once its full I stir it again dragging the spoon on the bottom of the bucket you can feel if there's still salt laying down there then pour it in the tank. Keep doing the same thing tell you got it about half way full then use your hydrometer to test the water I usually smack it down lighlty a few times on the table to make sure the dial in side isn't sticking. If your reading right on keep adding the same amount of salt to each bucket tell its full. If its to high add a bucket or two of fresh water then test. If its to low add more salt to the rest of the buckets. Once you do water changes a few time you'll know how much salt to add. For the stress zhme wait to add that once the tank is cycled. Also when your done with the hydrometer remember to wash it out with freshwater because if salt drys in there it will give you false readings next time you use it.
Now for when to add the salt if you want you can add it before the cycle but if I was you id wait. The reason I say this is because once your cycle is done you'll have to take almost all the water out so you'll be wasting a lot of salt. I would wait to put the salt in until its done cycling and you do your big water change. If you don't understand something I said tell me and ill expalin it differently.