From SW to brackish...

[stellablu]

I have two issues at hand...

1. I went to the LFS for snails and saw a GSP in the DP tank. I think someone returned him (I can imagine the person exclaiming, "...but it ate all my fish!") because he is 2 1/2" instead of the typical 1 1/2" or so that you normally find them at the store. Since he's larger he should have made him way into saltier waters by now...right? If I get the OK I am going to turn an empty (water, no fish) into brackish...I know the steps I've done it before.

2. I have a BBG that stayed in my 20glong when I made the move from brackish to marine with it. He's doing fine...actually his colors and appetite have never looked better. The tank is at 1.023 right now, but I'm turning it into reef, so I think it's better I get him back into brackish. Now THIS is something I've never done. Bringing a fish from higher SG to lower. Suggestions???

I have a 2 1/2g empty Q tank. Could I use that to bring his SG down? Perhaps instead of adding salt for water changes, add a bit more plain water? I don't have a problem keeping nanos stable so that's not an issue.

Thanks ahead of time!

[Oddball~]

just do water changes with fresh water only, or low-end BW.

[Pufferpunk]

1) How long has the tank been w/o fish? I'm afraid the tank may not be cycled anymore. I'd get some Bio-Spira & add it as the same time as the fish. since these puffers are wild-caught, there is no reason not to think they would caught as larger specimens too (although you could certainly be correct about it being returned).

2) & 3) I would use some gravel from the existing tank to try to cycle the 2 1/2g tank & bring down the SG .002/week.

[stellablu]

The tank has been cycled about two weeks. I was going to put my eel in it until now. He can wait, more urgent issues at hand. I'll give the Bio-Spira a go, just in case.

I'm using aragonite in both tanks. Does that matter?

What SG should I bring it up to at his size? I want to mark up my calendar, otherwise I'm a mess with organizing anything, let alone water changes. :)

[Pufferpunk]

About 1.012-15. How long since there have been fish in there?

[stellablu]

Never.

[Pufferpunk]

There's never been fish in there, or the tank has never been without fish???

[stellablu]

There's never been fish in there.

It's a new tank that has been set up for a couple of weeks. I was planning on putting my eel in the tank, but I'm finding him a new home because I really didn't want him to begin with, he was given to me because apparently I take in anything... :( If I have to dedicate my tank to a species, I'd rather is be a puffer.

[Pufferpunk]

In that case, you need to either cycle the tank, or add Bio-Spira at the same time you add the fish. How big is the tank?

[stellablu]

It's a 45g long.

I'll go buy some Bio-Spira :)

[Pufferpunk]

he was given to me because apparently I take in anything...

Boy, does that sound familiar! I have a whole bunch of decrepid, senior singletons swimming in my tanks.