10g dwarf seahorse tank ??s

[MegsB]

hi, i am looking into setting up a 10 gallon tank for dwarf seahorses, it is 18 X 12 X 10, would that work? would that size be best for just a pair? or 2 pair?

what is the reccomended temp for dwarfs?

powerheads in a 10 gal? (one/two aquaclear 10 or 20s?)

i have read mixed opinions on skimmers in seahorse tanks, would i be ok without one on such a small tank? (i run them on both my reefs) i would plan to run a filter (aquaclear)

lighting, i have read they dont require much light, and i only plan to have LR and LS with them, would i be ok with regular florescents? would seaweeds grow under that low light?

i know they require live bbs, i have one little hatchery i use regularly to feed my reef fish (just for the fun of them having live food, along with frozen), i would setup a few others for the seahorses to feed from, how much do they eat?

any info appreciated, i have been reading lots on this section of the forum to learn! and will keep doing so.

 

[Pea-brain]

A ten is about the max you can get. You'll need at least 5 pairs for max. feeding density. They need to be fed 2-3 times a day. That means setting starting one in the morning and at night. I wouldn't suggest a skimmer. They only get an inch long (more like tall ) tank mates should be hardy snails like nassarius. I would suggest setting the tank to be panacured because hydroids can be a big problem. They will need hitching posts. That means live plants or fake plants. Caulerpa wold probly work well. And temps could probably go to 80 F but I would keep it in the mid seventies.

Dan

 

[MegsB]

after doing some more research i think i will try a 2 gallon tank, it says that can easily hold 5 pairs of horses, but i would want to start out with 1-2 pairs to see how i do.

it also says not to use the black box hatcheries for bbs because the packs they come with are not decapsulated, couldnt you just buy decapsulated eggs and hatch in that hatchery? or dose it not work like that.

 

[CCall]

You can use the capsulated brine but you have to follow the steps to decapsulate them. If you have the Dwarf Seahorse book; she goes through the steps to decap the brine eggs. You can buy decap. brine eggs off the internet. When the brine hatch you feed them algae paste to fatten them up with vitamins for the seahorses.
I read that 75 degrees is really good for them.

 

[whatnot45]

I thought you dont need Decapped eggs if you panacur the tank... isn't the only reason for decapping to get rid of the egg capsules which the hatchery does for you, and to kill hydroids which the panacur takes care of...

 

[ReefNutPA]

There are a few reasons to decap eggs... mainly for the hydroid issue. Also, the bbs expand less energy during hatching if decapped and are more nutritional.

Personally I wouldn't use anything else other than decapped for dwarfs.

Tom