Misterpenguin4s 4 gallon dwarf puffer tank

[Fresh2o]

Following. I was thinking about getting this tank/setup but decided not to go nano.

 

[Billbug68]

I think I will have to get a new light to grow some medium light plants. How does this one look?

http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=3220087&store=595&view=detail

Also just a heads-up, this tank is not going to be a very quick set-up. Due to lack of money I will slowly get everything I need. Thanks for following!

The fixture is only rated for 24 watts. The link you posted was a 65 watt bulb. You can use normal spiral type bulbs in that fixture. I have one myself and use a 23 watt 6500k spiral from lowes in it. You can probably get away with the 13 watt one as well for medium light.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Got the pool filter sand today and filled up the tank.

I only had to wash it twice.

Filling it after putting in the sand.

Filled up with water.

50/50 bulb

14 watt CFL bulb

All done.

I think Im going to go get a feeder fish today or tomorrow to do a fish in cycle for a week or so.

 

[dragonfisher33]

if you know someone with an established fish tank already, you can always borrow their filter. i find this way faster than that, but it's still a good idea

 

[misterpenguin4]

if you know someone with an established fish tank already, you can always borrow their filter. i find this way faster than that, but it's still a good idea

I put a piece of filter pad from one of the filters in my 36 gallon inside of the 4 gallon filter.

 

[dragonfisher33]

oh great, since that's the case, i wouldn't be surprised if the cycling process is done by the end of the end.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Went to the beach today and found a cool stick. I found it floating in the water. It still has bark on it and the bark is really on there good. Is there any way I could quickly get it to sink and have it in the tank with the bark on?

I have it tied down to a rock underwater in a bucket right now.

 

[dragonfisher33]

Went to the beach today and found a cool stick. I found it floating in the water. It still has bark on it and the bark is really on there good. Is there any way I could quickly get it to sink and have it in the tank with the bark on?

I have it tied down to a rock underwater in a bucket right now.

well, it's hard to tell whether it's a hardwood or a softwood branch. if you believe it's hardwood, then the fastest way to sink it is to boil it for few hours. if you don't mind spending a little money, you can always to go a pet store and look for manzanita branches in the bird's section. these branches are very much alike the one you found and you can guarantee that it's sinkable and pretty hardwood.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

+1 on Manzanita.. If you don't find it at the LFS, you can find some on Ebay. It has more character than that branch IMO.

 

[misterpenguin4]

I think Ill order some from this site.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Put in a feeder fish today.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

What are you plans for that goldfish after its cycled? You'll have to be on top of partial water changes in such a small tank with a goldfish... those guys have HUGE bioloads so you'll have elevated ammonia in no time.

 

[dragonfisher33]

well, since he already has a healthy media in the filter i wouldn't be surprised if the ammonia level on jumps a little. you should've gotten a minnow though

 

[misterpenguin4]

I went to my LFS today and saw some jungle vals (I think thats what they are) and dwarf sag for pretty cheap. I thought I might try it so I went ahead and got some. I took the gold fish out. He is now at the LFS in their gold fish tank.

I think Im going to order indian almond leafs and manzanita tonight. The leafs are to make blackwater.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

That's good you decided to rehome the gold fish. Kudos to you! The val, i think will be too much for that nano. They grow really long. Maybe you can use some pygmy chain sword instead. E. Tenellus.

 

[misterpenguin4]

That's good you decided to rehome the gold fish. Kudos to you! The val, i think will be too much for that nano. They grow really long. Maybe you can use some pygmy chain sword instead. E. Tenellus.

I plan on keeping the vals trimmed. I think they will look good if I keep them nice and trimmed.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Just ordered the manzanita branches and indian almond leafs. I also ordered a bunch of plants, root tabs, and some mystery snails from peabodys paradise. The plants were:
3 jungle vals
1 willow hygro
1 anubias hastifolia
1 crypt parva
1 banana plant
2 amazon frogbit
1 uruguayensis sword

 

[dragonfisher33]

Just ordered the manzanita branches and indian almond leafs. I also ordered a bunch of plants, root tabs, and some mystery snails from peabodys paradise. The plants were:
3 jungle vals
1 willow hygro
1 anubias hastifolia
1 crypt parva
1 banana plant
2 amazon frogbit
1 uruguayensis sword

wow, that's lot of plants for a small tank. good for you

 

[Gabriel3303]

I ordered banana plants the other day too i cant wait to see how they grow

 

[misterpenguin4]

Plants came today!

Got a free mystery snail too. Now I just need to get driftwood and the almond leafs. I think Ill change it up a little bit after I get the manzanita branches. Im not sure if I should make it blackwater or not. What do you guys think?