Thinking of a Brackish Water Tank

direlime · 07-16-2008, 09:15 PM

Hey everyone,
I was thinking of starting my own brackish tank. Well accually i was going to get just a gsp(green spotted puffer) but i still need to set up a brackish tank. I was wondering if anyone knew any good care sheets for gsp's or any good tips before i get started on asetting up my tank.

Thx,
Direlime

Courtney · 07-17-2008, 08:11 PM

you do know your GSP will need full marine as an adult right i have 2 and they live in full marine right now and they are not full grown yet... but they live with other marine fish, one GSP needs at least a 29 all by himself, he/she may allow friends when young but watch they do get a bit nippy and such when they get older, you do know they have to have snails and other hard shelled foods right....

direlime · 07-18-2008, 02:54 PM

I do know all that. One question tho. how much is a 29 gallon aquarium (or 30) all by itself? I know i would need a hood but for now how much is the tank? (i will get a hood don't worry!) Also i know they need hard shelled food to prevent a overgrown beak! I have studied on these fish and i plan to continue until i get him/her.

Direlime

Courtney · 07-18-2008, 06:31 PM

you can call your local walmart and ask they have a set up its a freshwater set up comes with hood, light and a HOB filter which you wont be able to use if you plan on using sand, but all i can say is look around like petsmart.com and such if you have a petco close or what not, where are you located just wondering

akangelfood · 07-18-2008, 06:39 PM

direlime: Petco in Alaska carries a 30 gallon tank with stand, heater, and filter for $329. I'm sure it would be cheaper if you live in the lower 48. Otherwise, I agree with Courtney, you'll need to call around or look in various stores. WalMart's website does not list their tanks, you will have to contact your local facility. Another option is to look for a used tank, but be careful if you decide to buy used. If the tank is empty, there is a chance (slim, though real), that the silicone could have dried and peeled in places, making the tank a candidate for leaks. Additionally, many people decide to sell their tanks after all of their fish die. If you buy a used tank void of life, be SURE to clean it thoroughly to eliminate any possible diseases/parasites. Asking the seller is NOT enough. Many people won't mention disease or fish deaths because they may fear that the tank won't sell as quickly.

This may be more info than you were hoping for, but hopefully it helps!

akangelfood · 07-18-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtney

a HOB filter which you wont be able to use if you plan on using sand

Why not....?

fishbguy · 07-18-2008, 07:00 PM

HOB's are fine with sand. I'v used them in severel tanks with sand and never had a problem.

akangelfood · 07-18-2008, 07:31 PM

That's why I asked

One of my 55's has 2 Emperor HOB filters, and I use sand in that tank. So far it's caused no problems. Thought I was missing something there

Perhaps Courtney meant undergravel filters...

Courtney · 07-20-2008, 05:39 AM

no every Hang on the back filter i ever tried to use died with sand

fishbone · 07-24-2008, 02:46 PM

Depends what kind of substrate you have. I actually even used internal filters with a sand substrate and never got clogged or died on me. My fiddler crab colony is still running on a cheap Whisper in-tank filter and it's been a year. I personally use pool filter sand which, besides looking good imho, sinks right to the bottom instantly and doesn't cloud the water. You have to TRY to stir it up. It doesn't compact either because the grain size is larger than regular sand.

Good Wolf · 07-24-2008, 02:53 PM

So you actually progress from brackish to full marine or can you just put them in a full marine when they are a juvi?

fishbone · 07-24-2008, 02:57 PM

I would progress, it has several benefits:
-it introduces them to the environment gradually without shock
-it doesn't destabilize your cycle
For brackish it is a good idea to use marine salt to begin with, so in that regard you wouldn't change anything except for the salt concentration. I personally have been using Instant Ocean and have had good luck with it. You don't want to use "aquarium salt", that doesn't constitute brackish.

Good Wolf · 07-24-2008, 03:12 PM

I guess you would have to wait to add live sand and coral until you have the appropriate amount of salt right?

fishbone · 07-24-2008, 06:46 PM

Yes, that's the right way to do it. I would also maybe run the tank as is for a month of two to make absolutely sure it's settled.

Good Wolf · 07-24-2008, 10:44 PM

Cool, thanks for the advice, and I hope that my questions helped direlime as opposed to hijacking your thread.

07-16-2008, 09:15 PM	#1
direlime Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20	Thinking of a Brackish Water Tank Hey everyone, I was thinking of starting my own brackish tank. Well accually i was going to get just a gsp(green spotted puffer) but i still need to set up a brackish tank. I was wondering if anyone knew any good care sheets for gsp's or any good tips before i get started on asetting up my tank. Thx, Direlime

07-17-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
Courtney Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rogers, Ohio, USA Age: 25 Posts: 260	you do know your GSP will need full marine as an adult right i have 2 and they live in full marine right now and they are not full grown yet... but they live with other marine fish, one GSP needs at least a 29 all by himself, he/she may allow friends when young but watch they do get a bit nippy and such when they get older, you do know they have to have snails and other hard shelled foods right.... __________________ http://monsters.rockyou.com/google_a...hp?i=167441100

07-18-2008, 06:31 PM	#4
Courtney Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rogers, Ohio, USA Age: 25 Posts: 260	you can call your local walmart and ask they have a set up its a freshwater set up comes with hood, light and a HOB filter which you wont be able to use if you plan on using sand, but all i can say is look around like petsmart.com and such if you have a petco close or what not, where are you located just wondering __________________ http://monsters.rockyou.com/google_a...hp?i=167441100

07-18-2008, 06:39 PM	#5
akangelfood Kixxy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Age: 29 Posts: 179	direlime: Petco in Alaska carries a 30 gallon tank with stand, heater, and filter for $329. I'm sure it would be cheaper if you live in the lower 48. Otherwise, I agree with Courtney, you'll need to call around or look in various stores. WalMart's website does not list their tanks, you will have to contact your local facility. Another option is to look for a used tank, but be careful if you decide to buy used. If the tank is empty, there is a chance (slim, though real), that the silicone could have dried and peeled in places, making the tank a candidate for leaks. Additionally, many people decide to sell their tanks after all of their fish die. If you buy a used tank void of life, be SURE to clean it thoroughly to eliminate any possible diseases/parasites. Asking the seller is NOT enough. Many people won't mention disease or fish deaths because they may fear that the tank won't sell as quickly. This may be more info than you were hoping for, but hopefully it helps! __________________ *Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.* 55 gallon community tank, heavily planted; 55 gallon severum tank; 30 gallon Angel tank; and three 10 gallon tanks. Last edited by akangelfood; 07-18-2008 at 06:41 PM. Reason: Grammar-policing myself.

07-18-2008, 07:00 PM	#7
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,860	HOB's are fine with sand. I'v used them in severel tanks with sand and never had a problem. __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

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07-18-2008, 02:54 PM	#3
direlime Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20	I do know all that. One question tho. how much is a 29 gallon aquarium (or 30) all by itself? I know i would need a hood but for now how much is the tank? (i will get a hood don't worry!) Also i know they need hard shelled food to prevent a overgrown beak! I have studied on these fish and i plan to continue until i get him/her. Direlime

07-18-2008, 07:31 PM	#8
akangelfood Kixxy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Age: 29 Posts: 179	That's why I asked One of my 55's has 2 Emperor HOB filters, and I use sand in that tank. So far it's caused no problems. Thought I was missing something there Perhaps Courtney meant undergravel filters... __________________ *Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.* 55 gallon community tank, heavily planted; 55 gallon severum tank; 30 gallon Angel tank; and three 10 gallon tanks.

07-20-2008, 05:39 AM	#9
Courtney Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rogers, Ohio, USA Age: 25 Posts: 260	no every Hang on the back filter i ever tried to use died with sand __________________ http://monsters.rockyou.com/google_a...hp?i=167441100

07-24-2008, 02:46 PM	#10
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 412	Depends what kind of substrate you have. I actually even used internal filters with a sand substrate and never got clogged or died on me. My fiddler crab colony is still running on a cheap Whisper in-tank filter and it's been a year. I personally use pool filter sand which, besides looking good imho, sinks right to the bottom instantly and doesn't cloud the water. You have to TRY to stir it up. It doesn't compact either because the grain size is larger than regular sand. __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

07-24-2008, 02:53 PM	#11
Good Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 237	So you actually progress from brackish to full marine or can you just put them in a full marine when they are a juvi? __________________ ~Chris~ *55g planted; 30g planted; 5g planted*

07-24-2008, 02:57 PM	#12
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 412	I would progress, it has several benefits: -it introduces them to the environment gradually without shock -it doesn't destabilize your cycle For brackish it is a good idea to use marine salt to begin with, so in that regard you wouldn't change anything except for the salt concentration. I personally have been using Instant Ocean and have had good luck with it. You don't want to use "aquarium salt", that doesn't constitute brackish. __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

07-24-2008, 03:12 PM	#13
Good Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 237	I guess you would have to wait to add live sand and coral until you have the appropriate amount of salt right? __________________ ~Chris~ *55g planted; 30g planted; 5g planted*

07-24-2008, 06:46 PM	#14
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 412	Yes, that's the right way to do it. I would also maybe run the tank as is for a month of two to make absolutely sure it's settled. __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

07-24-2008, 10:44 PM	#15
Good Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 237	Cool, thanks for the advice, and I hope that my questions helped direlime as opposed to hijacking your thread. __________________ ~Chris~ *55g planted; 30g planted; 5g planted*

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