Dwarf Puffer, Eclipse 3 Gallon, could it work?

ChakaRaka

ChakaRaka

AC Members
Dec 26, 2009
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Alberta, Canada
What about an Eclipse 3 System? It is still very small, the Puffer makes a lot of waste, I acknowledge this, but this is a 3-Stage filter (with a Bio-Wheel). The g/f bought this tank and I was just wondering if there were any alternatives to a species: Betta, Invert or Frog tank, such as one tiny Puffer? I see several people keep a single Dwarf Puffer in a 5 Gallon, with uncertain filtration; I do not want to be unkind and house this fish in something too small. But what do those of you that keep these fish think?

I will listen to intelligent feedback carefully and if all else fails, this tank will be a comfy condo for a single Betta...

Thanks,
ChakaRaka.

:feedback:
 
Honestly if you keep your eye on the tank there really should not be a problem. They are messy eaters, but if you keep them in there with no tank mates and some plants you should be fine. I was thinking about setting up another puffer tank to put on my desk and it would be in the 3-5gallon range. Just make sure you change water every week, and don't over feed.
 
dubels said:
Honestly if you keep your eye on the tank there really should not be a problem. They are messy eaters, but if you keep them in there with no tank mates and some plants you should be fine. I was thinking about setting up another puffer tank to put on my desk and it would be in the 3-5gallon range. Just make sure you change water every week, and don't over feed.
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This is good advice. I've been keeping DP's for about 2 years, and I think one would be okay in a 3g. Just keep up on the maintenance and water changes. Also try to have a lot of plants and decor. DPs are very smart fish and will spend all their time buzzing up and down the edges if their environment is boring.

I would reitterate that with 1 DP in a 3g, you do not want to add any tank mates.
 
Thanks dubels and jbradt, I felt this was feasible, but really wanted some experienced members to make me feel certain I was providing a good habitat for the little guy.

It would be mostly my g/f's baby, and being both meticulous adults, I think we can handle the tank upkeep. Now anyone want to throw out a percentage they feel is good for weekly water change? We don't want to go overboard and mess up our cycle, but we want to change out an adequate amount to clean up the Nitrates. I do have a master test kit, so can eventually nail this, but I sorta wanted a "ballpark" to start out in (I have enough trial and error in my life). :thumbsup:
 
I agree that it can be done but personally I think you would have to do daily/every other day water changes that could equal up to 100% weekly.
 
i dont think you should see any problems, and i dont think you'll need to do daily water changes. dont overfeed, and make sure that anything dead is taken out of the tank ASAP. plant the tank as well, and you'll be fine.

people would put a betta in a 3 gallon and not think twice.
 
I kept dwarf puffers in those Eclipse 3 tanks for years with no problems. You can do a pair of puffers but it must be a pair, not two males. Two males will fight 24/7. A male/female pair is ideal because they spend all their time cuddling together and don't seem bored like a lone fish.

I recommend 50% weekly water changes. Dwarf puffers are messy and the nitrates get out of hand fast in those little tanks.
 
I'm reading up a bit on www.dwarfpuffer.com and it seems that a rule of thumb for these type of fish is 50% weekly, which I could totally live with. The every other day thing just does not seem like something I would realistically be able to honestly do for years on end as much as it might sound simple initially. So to be fair, if that was the case then this idea would be a no-go.

Does anyone know if the amount of "real" plants that you could fit in a 3 G would have a worthwhile impact on the bio-load? Or would it just make more sense to go artificial (to ensure dense foliage these lil guys need) and count on the WWC's to keep things clean?

:confused:
 
Real plants are always the way to go! The lighting on the Eclipse 3 leaves a lot to be desired but you can pack it full of low light plants. Plants are great for keeping your nitrate levels low and your tank free of algae. Plastic plants are algae magnets. These fish are hunters and giving them plenty of nooks and crannies to investigate will keep them entertained all day.
 
The only thing that I would be cautious about is putting them in a new tank. If there's nothing you have in another tank you could stick in there for a while or something, I'd just keep a very close eye on him. One thing I've noticed is I can tell pretty easily if my DP is stressed, and anytime he looks stressed at all I check the params and usually do a WC.
 
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