Hi I'm planning on a dwarf puffer tank and I've just started looking into it.

I'm aiming to get 3 dwarf puffers 1 male and 2 female (although I've heard it can be hard to determin the sex)

For tank mates 3 Otocinclus catfish - I think they grow about 2 in. (although they'll be introduced a long time after as I think they need a well established tank - well even more so than the puffers)

What size tank would you suggest for this set up? I'll have to go as small as poss. (due to space available for tank) but I want them happily housed so if it can't be done yet I'll wait.

ok change of plan.

I'm thinking I could size up my community tank - think they'd like more room. I've seen a lovely 120l tank (which according to online calculator is approx. 30 us gallons) - who needs space in the livingroom anyway lol.

So I can use my 63l tank for the DP and I figure I could get 4 or 5 for this size tank? It's well established now and already has snails.

Is it possible to use some of the tank water from the 63l to help speed up the cycling on the new tank (or is that not advisable) I'm planning doing a fishless cycle (when I've worked my charm and persuaded my hubby he'd like another tank 2 - by the time I'm finished he'll be convinced it was all his idea heh)

(I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the correct place? apologies if not)

ya! You can use the water from the other tank to speed up the process as long as all your fish in the 63l are healthy! Oh, buy the way the 63l is 16.5 gallons about

Your beneficial bacteria does not live in the water column but rather your substrate, decorations, etc. Maybe you could take a handful of gravel from your established tank into the new one??

What is the minimum tank size for a puffer fish? do'nt they get like 2 1/2 inches?

and no, i don't plan on putting on in my tanks i have now... just curiousity

Thanks for help - do you think 5 DP and 3 ottos will be ok in this size tank? or should I keep to just 3 DP? Hoping there are some DP keepers out there who can advice through experience.

Just read your post Aunt Kymmie - I wont be able to add substrate or decor cos I don't want snails in the new tank if it can be helped - I just have to cycle without the shortcuts :) want to know what I'm doing this time b4 going ahead :)

[quote=Emmnemms;174632]What is the minimum tank size for a puffer fish? do'nt they get like 2 1/2 inches?

3cm from what I've seen and read so far. Little cuties with bad attitudes!

5 should be ok cuz I know alot of people with 4DPs in a 10 gallon. Ottos will be great with them! I really want some ottos but I haven't had my 10g that long....

Hi

I've got green growing on the glass near the sand and on the stone, I'm guessing that's algae and if I'm wanting to stock this tank with ottos in the future should I just leave it? and maybe get some big pebbles to put in to grow some more as it only seems to only be growing on the stone and I'm going to have to clean it off the glass if it gets 2 bad.

Sounds good! I can never get rid of algae in m bettas tank, but I haven't had any problems with it in any ohter tanks!