Setting up a brackish tank(Thread of the week)

[UgLy_eLf]

I have to admit I have fallen in love with puffers, and I'd like to set up a brackish tank.

Here's what I'd like to keep:
Figure 8 puffers - I read that they are freshwater when juveniles then brackish as adults.
or
Spotted/Green spotted puffers - Brackish then completely saltwater? Am I correct?

I know that tank size depends on the puffer seeing as how Spotted puffers grow to 6-7 inches, and figure 8's 2-3 inches.

Since these puffers are extremely aggressive I am leaning more towards one spotted puffer for a 55 gallon (not sure which size is best, suggestions?)

Anyway, heres my question, how must would it cost me to set up a 55 gallon brackish tank?
How much are Hydrometers, how much is marine salt, sand substrate at a hardware store is cheaper?

I am estimating 200-250$, if I can get a hold of a used tank for under 100$

[puff4ever]

first, who doesnt love puffers, there awesome!
what would be the size tank for the figure eights? if its a 55 gallon i would put in about 6 of them. also, i would start with low salinity brackish (1.003) and work up to about 1.014 for figure eights
i would put 2, maybe 3 GSP's in the 55 gal and go from 1.007 to 1.020.

i got my instant ocean hydrometer for 13 bucks and salt to make 10 gallons of saltwater for 8 bucks.
i used white sand for a substrate
i dont know about tank prices though (sry )

[bsmith]

hey i am thinking about putting a brackish tank together as well, i know nothing about this kind of tank, are the filters and heaters the same for freshwater as for brackish? and right now i have a 40gallon, all set up and ready, what else will i have to purchase, including the salt and whatever a hydrometer is and anything else ? you say 10 gallons can be turned into brackish for 8$, so 40 would be like 32$, then what is a hydrometer? you said 13$, anything else i need? right now it seems like 45$ to set it up..?
i just really want some of these bumblebee gobies, they are awsome, and i really want to turn my 10gallon tank into a puffer tank

[ALFA WOLF]

i want to say yes on that one.

[shev]

If you are making a 10 gallon puffer tank, I advise it to be a dwarf puffer tank, cuz they'll fit, and are freshwater. a hydrometer measures the specific density of liquids. so you can find the salinity of your tank.

[Osiris]

yea, u can do a GSP with some BBG's.


Hope know what they are, lol.

[ALFA WOLF]

So with dwarf puffers do u need to add salt cause u said they were freshwater.

[shev]

no salt for dwarf puffers.

[ALFA WOLF]

really so what fish can i put them in with.

[shev]

I wouldnt mix them with any other kinds of fish. I'd make it a species tank.

[Osiris]

can always put snails in there lol good food for 'em

[Scuba Kid]

you can keep one fig eight in a 10.

[Pufferpunk]

Check out the different species available to you at: www.pufferlist.com

[awesome kid]

you could make a dwarf puffer tank, or 1 fig 8 and 2 bumblebee gobies in a 10, then u need snails for the puffer though

[Pufferpunk]

AK, do you realize that your columbian shark will grow to 18"? It is also a schooling fish that prefers SW as an adult.

[awesome kid]

they told me it only got to 10 at the store. thanks for the heads up Pufferpunk. i might sell off the puffers as they get older and keep the shark, or vice versa

[Scuba Kid]

u cant keep an 18" fish in a 29 even if it is by itself

[baby~doll]

hey scuba kid... my boyfriend has a baby columbian shark... how much salt do they require? and how big of an aquarium will he need? thanks for any information you can give me!

[baby~doll]

oh and also... any tips on how to start adding the salt?... like should we go by how big the fish is getting on how much salt we add... im guessing we need to use another type of salt other than aquarium salt? also i read that they were brackish for there entire lives, hmm... thanks sooo much!

[Scuba Kid]

well, u need to buy salt that's meant for saltwater tanks. I prefer Coralife Salt. The amount of salt is measured by the SG (specific gravity)of the tank. You need to buy a Hydrometer to measure SG. Columbian sharks require a brackish environment (anywhere from an sg of 1.005 which is light brack, and full salt would be around 1.021) when young, but as adults they can be put in a full marine environment. They get to be 12-14 inches as adults and require a 70 gallon tank MINIMUM! They are also very active fish.