Brakish Water Info and Instructions...?

Question

ive been asking a lot about brackish water for my spotted green puffers and i still havnt gotten all the info i need . so heres what im lookin for. ive got puffers and i would like to set the tank up for them so they are in brackish water. i dont know the correct way to set it up so it wont harm my fish. are there any specific supplies i need in order to do so....like a different filter, kind and amount of salt is needed for the water. ive got a 10 gallon tank. it would be greatly appreciated if someone could help me out in making a better home for my fish.

Answer 1

You'll require 30gal+ per puffer (a 10gal just won't work for these type of puffers. You'll also require marine salt, a hydrometer or refractometer to measure salinity levels, and the proper food source for green spotted puffers (live ramhorn snails, frozen mysis shrimp, frozen krill, raw shrimp, mussels, clams, etc..they require hard foods to keep their beaks worn down).

You'll need to know exactly the salinity level of the tank they're coming from (whether it is freshwater or brackish), and match your tank with that salinity. Your tank will need to be cycled ahead of time as these fish are delicate when it comes to ammonia and nitrite. You'll also need a large (18+gal) rubbermaid container and a powerhead or two to create, and pre-mix your brackish water (required during every water change).

If they're coming from a fresh or very low brackish tank you'll need to increase salinity to specific gravity (SG) 1.010-1.015 (which is mid-range brackish water). Increase salinity slowly, no more than 0.002 SG per week. It takes about a cup of marine salt PER 10gal of water to increase salinity 0.002. Add 1 cup of marine salt per 10gal of water per week. Use the hydrometer or refractometer to confirm salinity levels as measurements may vary depending on which brand of salt you use.

Filters used on freshwater tanks can be used with brackish tanks.

Answer 2

I worry a bit about the size of he tank, so when you are able, upgrade to about a 30.
The next question I would love to ask you, is where did they come from a fresh or brackish tank to begin with? Because this species will not do well for an extended period in freshwater conditions. They need high end brackish water to full marine conditions as they grow. People who have kept them this way have had them live for well over 10 years. Although it is peaceful for a puffer, it should still be kept in a species tank or with other of a similar size. Third are you certain you have a spotted green puffer or do you just have a green puffer. The two in pet stores are often confused and miss marked. Knowing which will help greatly on introduce them into a new tank appropriately.
So let’s assume they did come from a brackish environment to start…

A few things you should know about your new pet
So when you do go back to the store with questions you yourself will be educated enough to know, how to deal with anyone trying to get over on you. Education is the key to having a healthy tank, plus these little guys will live up to 15 years if treated right.

Common Names:Green Spotted PufferAlso Known As:Leopard Puffer, Green Puffer
Synonyms:Chelonodon nigroviridis, Tetrodon nigroviridisFamily:Tetraodontidae
Origin:Southeast AsiaMain
Ecosystem:Estuary
Salinity:High-end brackish/marine
Temperament:Active Fin nipper, will predate smaller fish and invertebrates.
PH:7.8-8.4
Temperature:76-84F (24-28C)
Maximum Size:6 inches (15cm)
Minimum Tank:30 Gallons (US)
Activity:Hunter/Seeker
Lifespan:15
Gender:No sexual dimorphism(sorry,it's jsut next to impossible to tell, unless you well..)
Breeding:Largely unsuccessful in home aquaria
Diet:Feed ghost shrimp, snails, bloodworms, krill, shell-on shrimp, crabs, clams, and mussels. Snails need to be fed at least once a week to prevent overgrowth of teeth while small, then the shell-on shrimp, crab, and crab-legs. Varied diet is a must and any freeze dried or frozen foods should be presoaked in tank water and vitamins.

Care:Although often sold as a freshwater or brackish water fish, this species requires full saltwater conditions as an adult to really thrive. They should only be introduced to a fully cycled aquarium matching the salinity they were being kept in previously. The salinity should slowly be raised to at least 1.015, preferably full marine conditions. (no more than .002 SG per week)

now WOW as far as tank set up safely, not knowing where it came from and how it was keep may be a hard one to do. however this is what I would like to see you do, call the store, you bought it from, ask them the salinity in the tank, you bought the little guy/girl from, armed with that knowlege. All i can say, is hit me back with the info. I'll be glad to walk you through. it's just to long and may be the wrong advice from anyone, to share until they know where and how it was kept in the first place, We don't want to shock the litlt guy.

Answer 3

I have a 10 pound pack of additive....Just pour it on in and get that brackishness going right away...No delay!