Mini Dwarf Puffer Tank Journey

Hi everyone

*

I've always had my eye on Dwarf Puffers (aka Pea Puffers). I found them to be very curious, very cute little oddballs when I saw them in petshops around here. I so much wanted to own them, but was warned that these little fish are quite territorial and would be better suited to a Species Only tank. At that stage, the news depressed me as I was all about "The Commuity Setup" and loved the idea of being able to own various species in one tank, and enjoy them all at my own leisure.



Well, I believe that time has now come to an end, and after having a Community for some time, and just witnessing a pair of Bolivian Rams spawn, in the community, I feel I am ready to take on a new challenge.

*

My goals for the tank are as follows:

*
I would like to setup/"build" a mini Dwarf Puffer home for the desk in my Art Studio. (Can't afford the "All-In-One" "mini" kits out there ie. Boyu, Fluval Edge etc...but even if I could I doubt I'd buy these, I love DIY.

I would like the tank to cycle fully before I introduce the tiny puffers

I would love to see a small group of the puffers not just survive, but thrive.

I would like the setup to be as natural as possible (I despise ornaments and the like, no offense to anyone who likes it, its just my personal taste).

*
Equipment

460mm(l)x220mm(w)x280mm(h) +-29litres give and take 5 litres for substrate, decor etc.
AquaClear 30 HOB (Sponge on intake tube) Turn volume of tank more than 4 times an hour.
Zolex Aqua Sand Nature
Dophin 50W Heater (Not too sure about brand here, need to see options at LFS today)
LED Lighting, Clip On (Not too sure about brand here, all I know is it needs to be low light)

Flora

- Dwarf Anubias
- Java Fern
- Java Moss
- Small piece of interestingly shaped Mopani or Spider wood
- Dragon Stone (Maybe)

Fauna

- x4 Dwarf Puffers (1 Male, 3 Females)
- x 2 Ottocinculus (Maybe, depending on aggression and bioload)
- x 2-4 Kuhli Loaches (Maybe, depending on bioload)

Thats pretty much where I want to be. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions if any (esp @Linxie & @SterlingAce (reffered by Linxie )

PS I was so blessed to be able to get some of the equipment for my birthday thanks to my lovely wife. Thank you honey.

I will post some photos of my progress asap.

Have a splendid Saturday all you fish lovers out there.




*

*

 

This is what I currently have at the moment.



This is what I plan to do today:

- Buy heater
- Price Lighting Unit
- Get some sort of quick start Biological Bacteria for the filter (suggestions anyone?)
- Get some wood and maybe Dragon Stone
- Wash Substrate
- Plan aquascape
- Aquascape
- Fill tank with water
and allow cycle to begin!

 

You seem to have done the research... Well done on that. I don't know the first thing about puffers, other than that some need brackish water, so just check which ones you're getting. Ottocinclus I do know. They practically only eat short algae and aufwuchs, so should be added only when the tank is well established. Sometimes they eat baby marrows and cucumber.. Sometimes not so much.. Kuhli loaches are brilliant!! Awesome, hardy and characters of note.

 

Oh.. The loaches have a tendency to jump when you first introduce them. Cover the tank until they're settled.

 

Hey Broder. Thanks for the comments man. Noted. I had some k loaches before, they are so awesome. I need to pop out to get a decent heater now, Elite 50W going for R217. Dophin 50W for about R150-R170. I am very reluctant wrt the Elite, as it is way out of budget, but after reading some reviews about Dophins getting "stuck" and others saying they are good, I am confused. Therefore I might just have to fork out the cash for the Elite as I do not want to have to eat boiled pea puffer soup in the future

 

Hi Fishman, the price of the elite is not right... you sure it isn't Eheim? I bought my 150w Elite for R149.

Good luck Look forward to your tank.

The tank will be too small for all the puffers, they are territorial. I have 3 in a 60cm (+/- 80l) and they still chase each other. You could put max 2 in that tank and even then they might still chase each other.

 

You know Linxie, I agree. I even asked the man over the phone if he is sure its the 50W and not 150W or so. I guess Ill have to see whats up when I get there now.

 

PM the name of the shop to me please.

 

sounds like u are going to have a nice little setup

 

Thanks Linxie, I will bear that in mind, I'll start with two and see how it goes.

 

Hey everyone.

Had some car trouble, but eventually sorted it out, and got to the LFS.

I am happy and excited to say that I have the majority of the things I need to get started on the scape, hopefully this evening still, to relax after a hectic day. Thank you Lord for the blessings.

This is what I have



, so allow me to get going....buckets, check, water, check, substrate rinsing...in progress.

 

keep us updated with pics

 

Sure tanked72. Will do, I just realised while rinsing the sand that I need to replenish my energy and mind. Wifey made some delicious food, so I'm going to eat and take a nap. I want to enjoy this build, not rush like every other time I had to. Post a bit later

 

Good idea the snooze thing - just got up myself, 20 minutes ago .. now I am ready to play ;-)
Love the tank - BTW what the aqua-clears go for in CT in JHB they tend to equal a price of a new tire.

Love mine they last for ever +2 years.

Later Ferdie

 

Hi Ferdie. Thanks for the interest in my journey. I had a good rest too

These AquaClears are expensive, but I can say that they are worth every penny. I trust Hagen, Eheim and the like, because it seems they're not just in it for the money, they actually understand the quality needed when it comes to fishkeeping. I respect a good quality product. The AquaClears vary here in price. This AC30 was R550. Some LFS's here had it going for R580 and some even for R650! I steer clear from these money hungry LFS's. Its best to do ones homework and shop around. I have an AC70 on my main tank, and it is serving me well, that guy, funny enough was the same price that the AC30 is runnning for now! R550, and that was only about 1.5 years ago, can you believe the price differences? But I have a feeling that Hagen has done an international price increase, as I've witnessed a few stores having " old" stock, being cheaper than new stock, but exactly the same product. Its all crazy, and I guess we just have to deal with it due to import costs etc... anyway hope that helps. I need to get back to rinsing the goods Go well.

 

I'd think that the puffers would munch on the kuhlis like oversized worms. Linxie?

 

Wood & Dragon Stone soaking, Sand has been rinsed. While the wood is soaking I'm going to start wiping down the glass of the tank , as well as clean the glass of a 60l I will be using to house the baby Bolivian Rams soon (need to get it cycled now already). Really excited at this point to put everything into the mini puffer tank, aquascaping it, and plugging all the electronic goodies in to start the life! All of this with some good strong filter coffee on the side of course. This is officially the best birthday weekend ever, thanks again wife. Hope you peeps are enjoying the weekend too.

 

Hi there "Rattatou1e. I hear you, and that is very possible, but I'm going to be bold and say that it is unlikely. Those Kuhlis are very, very fast, and can get into the tiniest nooks and crannies, which I will be providing in some way or the other. And remember the sand I have is very fine, and Kuhlis can burrow underneath sand and stay there no probs. They'll come out when lights out to feed (Hope I can mimmick night light for this). Lets see what happens. If they are too be harrased, I will simply remove them, but as I say, I doubt it.

 

What do you think @Linxie?

 

Hi all, so it been going well. Here is what I have setup so far. What do you think so far?