Freshwater Puffer!

I just emailed someone on craigslist who has a free freshwater spotted puffer fish available. I will have to throw up a tank really fast (to keep him by himself in a brackish tank), but I told her I definitely wanted the little guy. I hope it goes through! Any advice? I plan on quickly cycling the tank by using media from an established tank and adding Microbe-Lift Special Blend to the tank...
('')


http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pet/1387926549.html

I have had those fish before. They are pretty mean but awesome fish to have. If your setting up a tank fast then what i recommend is that you use gravel, or substrate from a running tank. you can put it in a bowl so that you can easily remove it in the case that your going to use a different substrate. I would also get water from a running tank and fill at least 1/4. In addition i would put a filter without carbon. They sell this nitrate reducer bag that goes inside the filter. I would recommend it. In addition try to buy a nitrate, nitride kit so you can know when your getting the nitrate spike if you end up getting one. After two weeks the aquarium should be fine and you can set it up however you want.

If you use any nitride reducer or ammonia reducer all you would be doing is prolonging your cycle.
I agree with using substrate and water from an existing tank. Also take any of your dirty filters and wash them out in the tank at least 3 or so hours before you put the fish in. It will look nasty but it is a good way to kick start a tank because a good majority of the gunk is bacteria. Leave the gunk on the bottom of your tank for a good week or two and you should have avoided any spikes then you can vacuum it out.
25% water changes daily or every other day for the first week are also recommended.

Most of the quick cycle stuff is a waste of money. If its not refrigerated then the bacteria is not alive and therefore useless.

I also agree that you should get a liquid test kit if you don't already have one.

Good luck and I hope you get him

I had a couple in a tiny 10 gal tank ... poor little guys didnt make it. :(

Well, I'm for sure getting the puffer! She emailed me back and said she picked me, Yay! I am picking up a 55 gallon tank, stand, lights & hood off craigslist for $75 tomorrow for him... I'm going to get some sand for him, cause I read that they prefer that as a substrate, but will probably do the gravel in a bowl thing too! Thanks guys!

post pictures when you do have your puffer

Here are my two GSPs Jack and Milton... They are getting to know each other in this shot.

nice it makes me want to have puffers again

those puffers are cool little guys, last one i had was years ago. i had mine in with neon tetras and an angelfish. i think the reason they were all good is th eangels and neons came from the cesspool known as wal-mart and as we all know if the fish survived wally world they will survive just about anything

Another great adoption story. Congrats to you!!!