View Full Version : Fahaka set up
Charney
06-23-2006, 10:22 AM
Next week I am picking up a used 120, which will become my fahaka puffer tank. THe tank is coming with two aquaclear 110s (I am guessing is equivalent to the old 500s) will this be enought fitration or should I pick up a canister filter as well? I also want to put a decent number of plants in the tank and use a substrate that consist of gravel and plant substrate. Will this be all right? I will also put in a bunch of drift wood. Lastly, if I wanted to try a pleco in the tank would I want it to be bigger or smaller then the puffer or does it not matter?
Thanks
Mike
PufferXtreme
06-23-2006, 2:36 PM
I don't think the plec and puffer will get on that well. I'd recommend a canister filter. Plants are ok-ish I've found Nile puffers to be rather destructive when it comes to plants. Bog wood may have to be removed to offer more swimming space as the fish grows (and it will grow quickly).
For more info try using the search facility. there have been quite a few threads about Nile puffers recently.
Charney
06-25-2006, 3:32 PM
Is it a bad idea to use black sand for a substrate? I do not want the fish to supress any of its yellow color.
PufferXtreme
06-25-2006, 4:24 PM
I don't think the sand would supress the colours, more likely it would enhance it.
but I must say that using sand was my biggest mistake as my mbu puffer blows it everywhere and it gets in all the filters.
I don't think the sand would supress the colours, more likely it would enhance it.
but I must say that using sand was my biggest mistake as my mbu puffer blows it everywhere and it gets in all the filters.
But it's fun watching him blow it around right? :)
My 150 I've ordered for my fahaka will have a giant canister filter, and white sand substrate. I might go for black if I can find it cheap enough anywhere, but the chances of that are low...
i think youll end up with a dead pleco
PufferXtreme
06-26-2006, 2:43 PM
But it's fun watching him blow it around right? :)
My 150 I've ordered for my fahaka will have a giant canister filter, and white sand substrate. I might go for black if I can find it cheap enough anywhere, but the chances of that are low...
yeah, it's fun to watch my puffer blow the sand around.
I don't think you'll find black sand that cheap anywhere. I know BD black sand is horrendously expensive :eek: Maybe you can source some other black sand but the only other stuff i ever found is more grey/black. I'd personally use the 2-3mm black gravel that d-pac make. It's light enough for puffers to blow around and heavy enough to not get blown into the filter this is the stuff I mean:
www.amazinganimal.co.uk/23mm-black-p-3862.html
BTW which filter will you be using?
Charney
06-26-2006, 4:26 PM
Thanks for the black gravel idea. I am going to see if my lfs can get it. I am defiantly going to be running two aquaclear 110s and I think I am going to pick up a filstar xp3.
RobD23
06-26-2006, 9:04 PM
Charney thats halarious because i have a 3'' fahaka that i am setting up in a 120 with a 110 aqua clear, I was thinking of getting a bio wheel penguin that filters 75 gals in total filtering 185 plus adds the bio support...I'm probably going to get white fine gravel to get my fahaka to look lighter in colour...:headbang2 .....:thumbsup:
Charney
06-26-2006, 9:13 PM
I am trying to figure out if I want to get one on the smaller side such as 2-3 inches or the somewhat larger around 8 inches. Is there an advantage or disadvantage to either? If I was to be dumb and try to throw a rainbow fish in as a tank mate would one size be better?
RobD23
06-27-2006, 10:36 AM
doesn't matter the size for tank mates, they will destroy any fish. The advantage to getting a small 2 to 3 incher is that you get to watch it grow. However getting an 8 '' usually means your safe , the fish is stronger and will be able to resist sickness and other health problems alot better.:thumbsup:
PufferXtreme
06-27-2006, 2:38 PM
The speed they grow, getting a smaller one is better. Once it's feeding it will grow really fast at 8 inches.
RobD23
06-27-2006, 5:55 PM
there is a myth going around that fahakas don't get bigger then 14 inches. Has anyone ever grown a Fahaka from less then 5 inches to it's full size at 18 inches or do they only get that large in the wild.
yeah, it's fun to watch my puffer blow the sand around.
I don't think you'll find black sand that cheap anywhere. I know BD black sand is horrendously expensive :eek: Maybe you can source some other black sand but the only other stuff i ever found is more grey/black. I'd personally use the 2-3mm black gravel that d-pac make. It's light enough for puffers to blow around and heavy enough to not get blown into the filter this is the stuff I mean:
www.amazinganimal.co.uk/23mm-black-p-3862.html
BTW which filter will you be using?
I've used tahitian moon before on a 48x12x18 and that was expensive enough. Getting the stains out of the bath after cleaning it was a real hassle too....
As for the filter I'm planning, I'm hoping to use a Fluval FX5, rated for up to 400g. Dependent on cash flow mind you...
there is a myth going around that fahakas don't get bigger then 14 inches. Has anyone ever grown a Fahaka from less then 5 inches to it's full size at 18 inches or do they only get that large in the wild.
http://www.aquaristik-kugelfischforum.com/album_showpage.php?full=&pic_id=61
Not my fish, but a german guys 19.7" fahaka.
PufferXtreme
06-28-2006, 4:15 PM
that certainly is a fatty!
I have owned one that was at least 16-17 inches - it achieved that in 2 years in a small tank - so i wouldn't believe the myth that they will only hit 14 inches. Give it a couple of years and you can find out yourself!
Everyone keep records of growth and we can all compare!
PufferXtreme
06-28-2006, 6:08 PM
Heres my little fatty.
The greedy **** will eat a whole mussel given the chance.
And yes, I do know the tank is dirty!
RobD23
06-28-2006, 7:32 PM
hey PufferX how big is that thing
?
Charney
06-28-2006, 9:30 PM
nice looking fish
PufferXtreme
06-29-2006, 2:26 AM
about 4 1/2 inches. Its going into a bigger tank soon - thats when it will really grow!
RobD23
06-30-2006, 8:35 PM
We should get a pool going to see who can get there fahaka to the largest size...because it seems many are getting Fahaka's at roughly the 2'' to 5'' range... My uncle, my friend and myself all have one each. Who wants in...we should make guidlines and stuff...like to enter you need a starting picture...and the fahaka must be under 5 inches and so on:thumbsup: ...
PufferXtreme
07-01-2006, 2:58 AM
I'm in!
I'm up for that. My tank get's delivered this week, Fahaka will be some time after that.
Photo journals week by week to document growth? Or monthly?
RobD23
07-03-2006, 10:14 PM
I'm going to have to say monthly...but we have to have a registered amount of people....we should set out some rules and stuff