Justice Bucket

Hi. I'd like to set up a 5 gallon tank with one dwarf puffer. I have some questions and ideas I'd like to run by you.

1) Will he be lonely?
2) Is it possible to keep/create a tiny cage in there to breed snails (to be fed eventually to the DP and my GSP I house in another tank)
3) Can I use the filter I've been using from my 10 gallon fresh water and some water from that tank to start the process.
4) I'll probably need a tiny heater.

5) I'm sure I can just house a betta much more easily which I might do, or 5 tetras but I'd really like to have a DP.

Thanks.

pinkfloydpuffer

1) Nope, he likes attention more than tankmates.
2) Sure. Try a net breeder.
3) Water won't help, but take a bit of filter media or some substrate to kickstart your cycle.
4) Try the Hydor mini heaters
5) DPs are better

Justice Bucket

You are fast and efficient pinkfloyd. I am going to double up filters on my 10 gallon for a few weeks then move one of the filters to the 5 gallon tank. I will let that cycle for a few days with some freshwater and Streescoat+ then add the DP and snails. I should be good non?

Justice Bucket

Also did I post this in the right place? I can't locate it on MY THREADS.

pinkfloydpuffer

Yeah, just leave the extra filter in the 10g for at least 2 weeks, then move it on over. Don't leave it in the 5g without fish for more than a day or two though or you'll start loosing bacteria. Sounds like a good plan

This is a fine place to put this

Justice Bucket

Ah, that's where I went wrong with my 30 gal brackish. I waited too long after my starter fish left before adding my GSP.

pinkfloydpuffer

Yeah, it's an easy mistake to make. If you don't have fish yet, you can add drops of pure ammonia solution (as in only ammonia and water, no perfumes or surfactants) to keep the bacteria fed.

Justice Bucket

I must take the old filter to the new 5gl tank a distance of 45 min. I should keep carbon thing in a little satchel of water?

pinkfloydpuffer

Yeah, keep the media submerged in some tank water during the trip to prevent die off.

Justice Bucket

How a bout...
1) Live plants, I'd like to have the little 5gl tank with alot of foliage. However I hear DP eat them up.

2) Substrate, I like sand or small rocks. I hear there are problems getting snail shells out of them.

3) Snail breeder, as mentioned earlier I'm going to try and breed snails in my 10 gallon tank
this kind of thing hopefully

http://www.aquacave.com/marina-3-in-...agen-1693.html

I'll put plants right in the breeder for the snails to (hopefully multiply)

catfishlover123

I think those ideas would be great. Good luck with your new puffer!

pinkfloydpuffer

My DPs leave my plants alone

I don't even try taking out the snail shells. Let them lie where they do.

agabr123

pink's got you covered (as usual ), yay dwarf puffers!

Justice Bucket

Fantastic. I'm stoked. Thanks for the advice.

midnightwolf

good luck with your tank.

Justice Bucket

I'd like to have 2-3 DP in a 10 gallon instead. I have plastic plants in there now and black and red gravel with some broken clay pots in there to hide in. From what I'm reading, I've got alot of rough surfaces, same for my 29 gallon. Should I go more live plants and convert to sand?

also, I'll put nylon around the filer intake so it doesn't suck them in yeh?

MeGustaUnaPez926

If the DP's are healthy they shoudln't have an issue with the filter. I don't think the plastic plants will be a problem, but I'm almost positve that puffers are the scale-less fish, so the cracked pots might be a no, and yes, I would replace the gravel, but that might throw the tank into a mini cycle, so do that like half and half. One half on week, replace, the rest the next. With water changes. Good luck, and I'd only stick with 2 puffs.

Justice Bucket

Actually my 29gallon has white crushed coral on the bottom, 3 big ocean rocks, a big red coral and plastic plants. You're right about the no scales thing. I also read a certain type of sand is best compatible with filters. Is that true?

agabr123

yep, i definitely recommend pool filter sand. play sand can easily get caught in the filter and impeller and clog things up. pool filter sand is designed for that sort of thing, and is also much smoother than play sand so it's easier on your fish

Justice Bucket

I'll get that sand later in the month. Just got my DP and otto. Really fun.

midnightwolf

thats great just be careful untill you get sand