Puffer substrate question

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F

fenton06

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2009
81
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Ankeny, IA
I'm contemplating my puffer aquarium design, and want to include a rugf on the sump return. My question is does a puffer prefer sand over gravel? I posted a thread in the filtration section and they didn't know how well it would work with sand, and i didn't know if a puffer woudl care whether it had sand or not.

Also, would having the rugf affect my puffers ability to burrow? I was planning on about 2 in. of substrate to avoid the rugf piping.
 
depends on the type of puffer- some like to bury themselves, others don't. Lurker species are more likely to dig in- they prefer sand.
 
What species are you considering?
 
Fahaka in a 120 gal. I just hate vacuuming sand/gravel and would like to avoid it if possible. If I can't run the rugf so be it, I will just suck it up and do the gravel/sand vacuuming. Would placing a powerhead near the surface of the substrate be enough to keep crap off the sand? What would the recommended depth of sand?
 
You can't use an actual under gravel filter becuase the sand will clog it. You can do under gravel jets which is just pvc under the sand with ports coming out in various spots. I use the powerheads to cause a current or in the case of my 220 I piped the output of the canister to about 10" over the sand on the opposite end of the canister intake. This keeps it 90% clean.

I use sand for my fahaka, he burrows after a good meal or sleep time.
 
I have 1/2 sand & 1/2 gravel. Very easy to clean & won't develop anerobic pockets like 100% sand. Mine doesn't burrow anyway.
 
ok, so having the sump go to a few powerheads near the surface would work ok?

Pufferpunk, you like the half and half mix? Do you just vacuum your substrate then?
 
Foir some reason, the sand isn't picked up with the python. It's a larger-grained sand (black).
 
PP where did you get the larger grain sand- I would love to get some. Currently have a finer grain sand (not sugar sand) in the congo tank and it is harder to keep clean. Thanks
 
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