220 FOWL Tank Diary

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gtdarock

Guest
Ok guys ! I got a tip from Crypt, and he sent me a PM about a Golden Puffer from oceansgarden. But it was after 5, so they were closed. So I took a big chance and purchased him without any info. I sent them an email, if they could send me a pic before shipment. Crypt was saying they're affiliated with SWF.com. So I went with it. What do you guys think -?
 
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rcreations

Guest
I've read some bad stuff about Oceans Garden on another forum. Mainly that their fish aren't very healthy or in good shape. But I've never ordered anything from them myself. Let us know how it goes.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Indeed same people. I suspect there needs to be some more numbers of people buying from Oceans Garden to help 'level out the percentages.' Since unhealthy fish are an inevitable part of any retailer, more people just need to receive 'good fish.'. Plus the fact that Golden Puffers are tanks/brutes helps too!
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
I noticed the they had one a few days ago. Great price as well IMO. Hope it comes through good for you. I will feel like a jackass.
 
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gtdarock

Guest
Pete, thanks. I've seen what you read about them, so I know its 50/50, but I'm hoping for the best ! Thanks Kirk

Aqua, I wish I could find some more people who bought from them, but I can't, so we shall see...... Crypt, nothing to feel bad about bro, I owe you man for finding this guy for me, I've been waiting a while, but many thanks to you !
So here is the BIG UPDATE........... I sent them an email over the weekend, requesting a pic of the puffer. I spoke to the sales rep this morning, who was very helpful and she sent me the pic 5 mins later. She said the had him for about 2 weeks.
So as usual I need some help again. I should be receiving the fish around 10-11 am tomorrow. I'm getting it delivered to my job, which is an auto repair shop. My hours are crazy, but I should be out by 5. So basically the puffer should be home with me around 6pm. The problem is.......is that their guarantee is five hours from the time the fish is delivered. So obviously I'll have the fish in my hands, without acclmating him within the timeframe. So I guess I have two options-?
Have a 5 gallon bucket ready, and a pump and air stone and empty the bag into the bucket and keep him in there until I get home at 6 pm -? Or bring 5 gallons of my water from the QT and acclmate him into a fresh bucket -? Anyhelp would be great guys ! THANKS
 
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gtdarock

Guest
OH ! I forgot, this is the pic the send. I can't wait for him !!!

 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
I would make take 10 gallons of fresh water and bring an air stone. Test the water in the bag. I would acclimate very slowly. I would get him out of that bag water asap.
 
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gtdarock

Guest
HEY ! How are ya -? I've been waiting all day for a reply,thanks.How about 10 gallons from my QT -? Since it has a hang-on filter
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
10allons from your qt will work. I would get him out of the bag asap. Do you have a cooler? Like a big one? Something he can swim in a little?
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Honestly, I would leave him in the bag. That's normally what I do for shipments, pick them up at 11 or noon from work, and then acclimate them once I get home around 6 or 7. See if there's anyway you could finish up early and get out of there @ like 4 or so and make up the time tomorrow? The double acclimation, into a bucket/holding tank and then into QT would be more stressful. Sitting in the bucket or tank, also he'll be able to see/have light and be further stressed/spooked, instead of being in the calm of the completely dark shipping cooler.
Of course, I would be ready in case and bring everything to set up the bucket just to CYA. Definitely open the cooler once and check the water. SWF usually wraps the bags with newspaper in between the bag layers, and if the puffer bites through the first bag, the newspaper can certainly foul the water quickly.
 
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gtdarock

Guest
Thanks guys ! So Crypt, I'll bring 10 gallons from the QT, just in case if anything happens. Aqua, I'll try my best to get out early.
So no double acclimation,no problem. The reason I wanted to get him out of the back right away, because I'm fearing he might bite through the bag. So best bet leave him in the shipping cooler,thanks ! So I'll have the backup plan ready, but when should I really be worried if something is up with him in the bag-? Like breathing heavy -?
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3059198
Honestly, I would leave him in the bag. That's normally what I do for shipments, pick them up at 11 or noon from work, and then acclimate them once I get home around 6 or 7. See if there's anyway you could finish up early and get out of there @ like 4 or so and make up the time tomorrow? The double acclimation, into a bucket/holding tank and then into QT would be more stressful. Sitting in the bucket or tank, also he'll be able to see/have light and be further stressed/spooked, instead of being in the calm of the completely dark shipping cooler..
why would it have to be double acclimated if the water he uses is from the tank he will place him in? I have just heard stories of the ph and temp in the bags being low. If he brought a large cooler he could close the lid and keep him in a dark spot with the air stone.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by GTDAROCK
http:///forum/post/3059213
Thanks guys ! So Crypt, I'll bring 10 gallons from the QT, just in case if anything happens. Aqua, I'll try my best to get out early.
So no double acclimation,no problem. The reason I wanted to get him out of the back right away, because I'm fearing he might bite through the bag. So best bet leave him in the shipping cooler,thanks ! So I'll have the backup plan ready, but when should I really be worried if something is up with him in the bag-? Like breathing heavy -?
Indeed, if he's bitten through the bag, you really don't have much of a choice. Keep in mind that when checking to see how he is, you're probably scaring him a bit, so when opening the cooler, take your time, open the lid and remove the bag, them give him about 5 mins to chill back out before you see if he's breathing fast.
Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3059228
why would it have to be double acclimated if the water he uses is from the tank he will place him in? I have just heard stories of the ph and temp in the bags being low. If he brought a large cooler he could close the lid and keep him in a dark spot with the air stone.
The low pH is inversely a good thing, as the ammonia that's built up is far less toxic at low pH levels, as where the fish would have been long dead at the standard 8.3.
There would still be a double acclimation as after 5 hours or so, the levels in the bucket water would have long changed from the levels of the tank. Also, acclimation is particularly stressful on puffers, since you are not supposed to expose them to air.
 
G

gtdarock

Guest
Ok guys ! I got the puffer around 9:30 this morining. I've never been so nervous to open up a shipping box. Well.......I was up all night last night. I decided to check my QT readings, to make sure everything is ok for Puffer. I got Amm- 0 P.H. was 7.8 so I add a buffer, Nitrate 10 and Nitrite- 2.0 !!!!!!!! I don't know why.-? Is it because of the stupid bleach I put in. What I did last week with the QT, I took out half of the water and added back water from my DT and then put back the biological filteration to the QT. So I assume everything was ok. Its a good thing I checked the reading before putting in the puffer. So I what I did last night, I made fresh saltwater, took out half from the QT, put the new water in, then dosed with Prime and Amquel+ to detoxify the Nitrite, and added a piece of live rock to the existing two pieces of live rock in the QT from my DT. I'm hoping I'll be ok for later tonight, so I can add the puffer. Right now, I didn't open the box yet, and I have two 5 gallon buckets of freshly mix saltwater. So what should I do -? Open the box -? Put him in the bucket with the old water and airstone -?
 
R

rcreations

Guest
I would definitely open the box in a shaded area to see if everything is ok, like if it bit through the bag. Not saying to take the fish out, but to make sure the bag is intact.
 
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