Can I put my GSP in saltwater now???
- Thread starter azboostin
- Start date
Need to use marine salt
Do you have a hydrometer to measure the amount of salt in the water? They run about $15. If not make sure to get one that includes zero. The first one I got was for salt water tanks and did not have the full range so it was useless for measuring brackish water.
You will need to use marine salt. Most LFS carry Instant Ocean. I got my first GSP about a year ago and started the transition to brackish water 2-3 months after getting him. From what I have read it is a slow transition depending on the age and size of the fish. If you have not seen it check out www.thepufferforum.com tons of info there. But it is something like small less 1.5 inches fresh water, 1.5-3" brackish water, 3" plus salt water.
When I did water changes, I upped the salinity of the new water a little each week. Till I got the tank water to the desired level. Then I just keep it in the same ball park after that. A little fluctuation is ok and natural for them I guess.
Hope this helps.
Do you have a hydrometer to measure the amount of salt in the water? They run about $15. If not make sure to get one that includes zero. The first one I got was for salt water tanks and did not have the full range so it was useless for measuring brackish water.
You will need to use marine salt. Most LFS carry Instant Ocean. I got my first GSP about a year ago and started the transition to brackish water 2-3 months after getting him. From what I have read it is a slow transition depending on the age and size of the fish. If you have not seen it check out www.thepufferforum.com tons of info there. But it is something like small less 1.5 inches fresh water, 1.5-3" brackish water, 3" plus salt water.
When I did water changes, I upped the salinity of the new water a little each week. Till I got the tank water to the desired level. Then I just keep it in the same ball park after that. A little fluctuation is ok and natural for them I guess.
Hope this helps.
I do not have a puffer (yet) but have been doing much research on them and yes your GSP will need full marine in aduthood, and yes the transistion should be slow, like Rdavis said up it a little each week until you get it to the desired SG. That is most likely the cause of it's illness, that would be my guess anyway. Here is one article that say's what it will require and how much to raise the salinity. Do you know how to do that? It is marine salt NOT aquarium salt you need they are completly different things.
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fish_profiles_nigroviridis.php
Please read through this and also look up a few other articles so you know what to do, if you have any other questions about setting up BW conditions (which is what you will start with for this guy/girl) please do not hesitate to ask also there is a post here on the forum about setting up a BW tank, you may want to look it over and as suggested by Rdavis go to the puffer forum that is what the site is dedicated to.
Good luck and happy fishkeeping!
Gin
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fish_profiles_nigroviridis.php
Please read through this and also look up a few other articles so you know what to do, if you have any other questions about setting up BW conditions (which is what you will start with for this guy/girl) please do not hesitate to ask also there is a post here on the forum about setting up a BW tank, you may want to look it over and as suggested by Rdavis go to the puffer forum that is what the site is dedicated to.
Good luck and happy fishkeeping!
Gin
I been keeping GSP for many years,
got 3 in full marine, and x5 in two brackish tanks ( x1 low salinity as it contains many plants and other half way to marine )
From my experiance, and lots of research it dont matter what type of enviroment they are in, providing is does contain salt levels.
Marine salt not aquarium salt !!!
I would advise you to buy a hydrometer, marine salt and do a waterchange quickly and gradualy increase salt levels.
RO water is ideal to use if u can obtain this, makes life easier, no need to add conditioners or mix salt with it and it ready straight away, i usually buy 1 container full salt water and 3 freshwater containers and mix to my required salt levels
Helps combat algea too.
If you increase salt levels to full marine, remember you need more equipment like protein skimmers and RO water is vital !
Also how do you know your fish is ill ?
:dive:
got 3 in full marine, and x5 in two brackish tanks ( x1 low salinity as it contains many plants and other half way to marine )
From my experiance, and lots of research it dont matter what type of enviroment they are in, providing is does contain salt levels.
Marine salt not aquarium salt !!!
I would advise you to buy a hydrometer, marine salt and do a waterchange quickly and gradualy increase salt levels.
RO water is ideal to use if u can obtain this, makes life easier, no need to add conditioners or mix salt with it and it ready straight away, i usually buy 1 container full salt water and 3 freshwater containers and mix to my required salt levels
Helps combat algea too.
If you increase salt levels to full marine, remember you need more equipment like protein skimmers and RO water is vital !
Also how do you know your fish is ill ?
:dive:
You should not use RO water in BW, unless you intend to add the missing elements. Salt will not replace what your fish need at low-end BW level concentrations.