Need help/advice with FO tank

laxchick008 · #1 03/30/2006, 01:46 PM

I am setting up a FO 29 gal tank to house 1 valentini puffer. Would it be ok to use gravel (type used in freshwater) have a carbon filter and fake plants? Basically make a freshwater looking set up with saltwater?

Would I run into any types of problems with this?

How much circulation would you suggest to prevent the red diatom algae? (tank is 29gal)

If I added snails or crabs to help take care of algae and messy eating habits, how likely/quickly is the valentini to eat his tank mates?

Also I am not planning on having a sump or anything else other than intank heater, powerheads and carbon filter, can this be done?

thanks FO tankers

TAZ316 · #2 03/30/2006, 02:55 PM

puffers are bad to eat snails and crabs. if you are going to run a carbon filter it will add phosphates to your tank. for a 29 gl. tank you will need atleast 2 power heads.
James.

fredweezy · #3 03/30/2006, 03:00 PM

Just rinse out your carbon once a week and run double the mechanical filtration that you would for a 29g FW.

laxchick008 · #4 03/30/2006, 03:14 PM

carbon filter adding more nitrates?

and fred, double the mech filtration = 2 carbon filters?

I'm confused, seemingly conflicting information

BTTRFLYGRL · #5 03/30/2006, 03:16 PM

won't that Puffer be too big for a 29?

fredweezy · #6 03/30/2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laxchick008
carbon filter adding more nitrates?

and fred, double the mech filtration = 2 carbon filters?

I'm confused, seemingly conflicting information

Yea, just rinse out your carbon sacks once a week, and use reef carbon...

http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/prod...tegory_id=2587

Alot of things build up nitrates, sponges, bio balls, etc. just gotta keep them clean, they do more good than harm.

laxchick008 · #7 03/30/2006, 03:51 PM

thanks fred, and the puffer only gets 4-5 inches. Anybody else think that is too big for a 29 since it will be the only inhabitant?

Which brings up another question of if it will get bored from no tank mates?

fredweezy · #8 03/30/2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laxchick008
thanks fred, and the puffer only gets 4-5 inches. Anybody else think that is too big for a 29 since it will be the only inhabitant?

Which brings up another question of if it will get bored from no tank mates?

I think the 29 is fine for the lil puff but some people will think that it needs like a 300 gallon to go solo

... The puff is def. fine without tankmates.

BTTRFLYGRL · #9 03/30/2006, 04:11 PM

I am not the Puffer police

I was thinking it might at least need a 55.

Torno · #10 03/30/2006, 04:31 PM

No, tobies can be kept in 30 gallons. Found this from many different sources..........

laxchick008 · #11 03/30/2006, 04:33 PM

good to hear, not looking to get on the most wanted list

laxchick008 · #12 03/30/2006, 04:35 PM

also thinking about the flow issue, I thought tobies didn't like high flow, but it also seems that FO tanks are prone to the diatom and cheato algae much more

Am I imagining this or can I combat/eliminate problem with a long cycle before adding the toby or by some other means?

danorth · #13 03/30/2006, 05:03 PM

You could keep that toby in a 10 as long as you have good LR and some critters to keep it company! I too wouldn't have it getting blown all over the tank. It is a puffer, not a tang.

LRS078 · #14 04/03/2006, 08:48 AM

don't sweat the flow....as long as the filtration turns the tank gallonage over 7-10x per hour you will have ALL the flow you could possibly need. Flow for the sake of flow is a reef person gone FOWLR thing I think.... You don't need a ton of carbon, just get a emperor/biowheel hang on the back. It has mechanical, chemical and biological filtration in one filter. For a 29 it is quite adequate (no need for the 150 gallon wet/dry sump on this one j/k) Just pick out something that has a filtration capacity of 203-290 gallons per hour. The filter cartridges on those have carbon built in (chemical), mesh screen (physical), and the biowheel(s) (biological).

Hope this helps...