Dwarf Puffer Care and Lighting for Planted Tank

Dwarf Puffer Care and Lighting for Planted Tank
I have decided to get a dwarf puffer. I've done a lot of research and I have kept fish for the past 14 years (just never puffers). After doing some research, have found some conflicting websites, and I also have come up with some other questions that I would like some of the experts on here to answer.

1) Well I have two options for the tank for my puffer. The first option is in a divided 20 gallon long (it's divided 4 ways, so each division is 5 gallons). Right now it has a sponge filter (for breeding guppies), but could I use a Whisper Power filter (I have an excess of them from keeping my various tanks...I think they're the 10-30 gallon ones), or would it be too strong for the puffer? My other option for the tank is a 10 gallon that I've been using as my quarantine tank. If I used the 10 gallon, I'd probably get a trio of puffers (1M, 2F, as long as I can sex them) and make sure to plant it heavily. Which tank would be better, and why?

2) For substrate, I have gravel in the 20 gallon right now, but that would be easy to remove. I've read two conflicting things on the substrate for these little guys. Some sites have said that the substrate doesn't matter (so gravel would be ok) and others have said that gravel will rip them to shreds. I would prefer sand, as it's something new to me and it seems a little more pleasing to the eye. I checked with my LFS and they don't carry silica sand, but I could probably get some playground sand from Menards or something like that. What do you think? Or is there another substrate I should be considering?

3) Live plants: I kind of want a change and I think live plants might be the change. So obviously for the substrate, I would need Flourite or something like that (recommendations?), instead of the sand or gravel. If I used live plants, I would use the 10 gallon and get a new hood, since my current hood requires two small 5" bulbs. What would be a good (inexpensive) hood to buy and what kind of lighting would I need that would work well for live plants? I already have java moss, but I'm looking for a light that will work with a lot of live plants. Also, I haven't had much experience with live plants--what other things do I need to do for them (supplements, other things with the substrate, etc.)?

Well I think that's the main questions I have. Thanks so much in advance for the help! Also, if you could point me towards any helpful links, that would be awesome. I've done a lot of reading online, but I'm always interested to read something new!

 

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13637&pcatid=13637" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=13637</a>

That is the lighting system I like--the 20" for the 10 gallon. Is there anything cheaper that would work as well anywhere else or is this generally considered a good deal?

 

Or would something like this work?
this hood: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13447&pcatid=13447" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=13447</a>

with this bulb: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18367/si1379056/cl0/coralifecolormax6700k65wpowercompactlampstpin" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... tlampstpin</a>

Or is there something else that would work better?

 

Actually, a lot of the websites say that 3 gallons is plenty for the dwarf puffer. It's maximum size is 1".

And yes, I believe it is the Tetraodon travancoricus.

 

Hmm...I've read a lot of information about dwarf puffers on the Internet, and I haven't read anything about that. Do you have some links that support your statement? I'm sure bigger is better (as it is with almost every fish, especially if you're dealing with territorial fish), but I have read a forum dedicated soley to dwarf puffers, and many people had 3 gal to 10 gallon tanks for their dwarf puffers. I don't have room currently for a 20 gallon tank, and my dividers are siliconed into my 20 gallon long tank. On the dwarf puffer forum, some people had 2-3 dwarf puffers, 3 Otos, and some shrimp in a heavily planted 10 gallon tank.

 

Yup, but LiveAquaria's stocking guidelines are a bit...off. They also recommend a 20 gallon minimum for a guppy, but I keep my guppies in 5 gallons, and sometimes smaller, and that's just fine for them. So I don't really take to heart the stocking guidelines for LiveAquaria, even though they do sell very nice stock.

 

Im sure your fish appreciate you testing the limits and seeing just how small of a tank you can squeeze them into!

 

Lol alrighty then. I really just wanted some advice about lighting and such, but I really haven't gotten any answers, so I guess I shall just try another fish forum. I thought you guys might be able to help, but I guess not.

Btw, I'm not trying to squeeze them into any sort of small space. I have read a lot of information that talks about keeping them in 3-10 gallon tanks. If I had read anything about 20 gallon tanks, I wouldn't be even considering putting them in a 10 gallon, much less a 5 gallon tank. I am only going by what I have read. Sorry for my ignorance, I suppose.

Also, I should clear up my guppy quote, so you don't all think I squeeze my fish into small spaces. 5 gallons is what I have for a pair of guppies. I raise my other guppies in a divided 30 gallon and a 30 gallon long (not divided), which, up until a week ago, was a 58 gallon tank (I switched them out). So I'm really not as mean as you think I am. I take really good care of my fish.

 

These are some of the websites I visited:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/</a>
<a class="postlink" href="http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html</a>
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer3.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer3.php</a>
<a class="postlink" href="http://freshwater-fish.suite101.com/article.cfm/keeping_the_dwarf_puffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://freshwater-fish.suite101.com/art ... arf_puffer</a>
<a class="postlink" href="http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Puffers/MalabarPuffer.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/P ... Puffer.php</a>

Maybe they're wrong...I don't know. However, if they are, someone please let me know. I want to make sure I find out the truth about how to house these little puffers.

 

I have no experience with dwarf puffers so I do not want to tell you whats right and wrong for them.

 

Dwarf puffer; Brackish or fresh water??

Dwarf puffer; Brackish or fresh water??

So I have been thinking more about my 29g now that the oscar and pleco are in a better home. Was doing some reearch on Dwarf puffers. Can anyone tell me if the info from this site is accurate or not as it would seem to have some conflicting info from what I have read here. <a class="postlink" href="http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile93.html</a>

Maybe it is species specific not sure but according to that link they are fresh water, again I have no idea but want to know before I spend too much time researching a fish I wont end up getting ( although it is interesting learning about them ) I have limited time to do the research.