How many Puffers in a tank?

Firstly, I asked a question to get an honest answer, I was not being defensive by asking a clarifying question. So many threads get destroyed with people bickering and talking off topic.

I admit I'm not perfect and have made mistakes, which is why i was posting and asking a question to get a friendly helpful advice.

I feel people are jumping the gun saying bad reef keeping by me having a powder blue tang in a 120? I'm sorry that I was started off in this hobby by a lot of bad advice I got from a local fish store, followed by being told this tang would be fine in my 45g tank. After learning what happened I jumped on the gun of "upgrade fever" went back to the same big als and bought a drilled 120g being told this particular tank would be perfect size for my fish and he'd get me a good deal if I placed my order then. At this stage I was skeptical about the advice since previous bad advice, but was convinced into it. After setting up the new bad boy and a few thousand later. I then read and Learned this tank still was borderline small.

Since then I keep this tank minimal stocking. 4 5" fish and 1 9 inch lion i thought was good. They seem happy, healthy, good color, eats lots, doesn't get ich anymore. Params are good.

I'm not mad or defensive but don't want people thinking I'm some dumb noobie who doesn't care. I've been brought up from the start on bad advice. Made almost every bad move I could have. And now at almost 2 years later i got everything good and am almost ready to do the next upgrade. I've done it already. Know how to do it cheap and right just inna few months, I don't think my 5 inch fish will double in size over 4 months. But hey that's my opinion but I could be wrong.

I was simply asking if another fish would be ok?not trying to get anyone upset. I've read a blue tang should be in no tank less than 10 feet on a few places. But have seen a lot in a 75g.


Also
For Toronto area stores check out
SeaUmarine
Oakville reef gallery
Reef raft

Also get in contact with fragalot.ca
They got a bad rep but he's based outta Guelph. If your up for the drive it's your goldmine.


Again sorry for the rant just wanted to explain my story and just try and do my best at this tank.
Thanks
Nick

 

Sorry Nick, I wasn't meaning it was bad reefkeeping to have your stocking in your tank. I meant it was poor reefkeeping to continually add fish and not listen to others advice, which I do not feel you are doing. I believe you are doing the right thing by doing your research before adding. Sorry if I came across the wrong way.
Thanks for the new LFS to check out, I'm gonna be on holidays soon so I'm def gonna have to check them out. And I have good friends living in guelph so I guess I should be planning a little cruise down there to get some new frags.

Thanks,
Jake

 

I think its great that you care enough to ask questions. I also know how frustrating it can be when you have to rely on a LFS for information. As I am sure you have figured out by now some(not all) Fish stores are there to sell you things and do not always tell the truth. Thats why we love 3reef so much!! The most important thing to realise is certain fish need certain things. In the case of Tangs that thing is space. These fish are in the open water swimming category and can swim miles a day foraging for food. Puffers could probably fit into that category as well.Most reef fish defend small territories and rarely venture far from them. Tangs can also grow very quickly, you would be surprised how big they can get in four months. Just want to let you and my fellow 3reefers know that I am here to help and nothing makes me feel better then to hear of others having success. I have been doing this for over 31 years and am still learning.;D

 

thank you all, you are right, and that's why i love 3reef. Many people here such as yourself who have many years of experience helping out others whether experts or amateurs getting correct unbiased information because between each other were not looking to make a sale but give our fish the most suitable environment for them.
Thank you all for your advice and help.
Nick

 

You are quite welcome. Good luck!!8)8)

 

IMO I would definatly wait until you upgrade before adding any additional puffers/fish. With each additional fish you add, there is the possibilty of aggression becoming an issue. And if you add them after you upgrade the tank, then the older fish will not be the "king" of the tank yet, giving everyone a little more equality.

I have kept various puffers, my last one was a very large full grown show size golden puffer. As you know all of the fish you have are VERY dirty fish and nitrates can go up very high. The other thing you have to be weary of is dissolved oxygen levels in the system. These all require high oxygen levels in the tank, so make sure you have numerous powerheads throughout the tank with good water surface agitation. By having numerous pumps you ensure adequate oxygenation in case of failure.

Also as I am sure you are aware, puffers release toxins when they die that can kill the entire tank. I had the golden puffer, a show niger, a large huma huma, and a scorpion fish. Water parems were good etc, but overnight we had a power failure that caused a catastrophic event. The puffer puffed and died, released toxins into the system and killed EVERYTHING with the exception of the huma huma. Very sad day! Make sure you ALWAYS run carbon (which i did) just for caution.

As far as lions, be ready and have a back up plan with him. I had a baby volitan and it outgrew my 125g (which was even less stocked) in a matter of a year and a half. These things grow VERY large very fast. The problem with FOWLR tanks, is you require more rocks for filtration due to the excess waste produced. This does decrease the amount of swimming room somewhat in the tank

Good luck!