24/7 lighting for a seahorse?
- Thread starter looser
- Start date
TamiW
Seahorse Wrangler
I usually keep my seahorses in quarantine under 24/7 lighting. No ill effects so far. However, they're only under it for 4-8 weeks, so I don't know what the long term effects would be. My guess would be breeding would stop, but otherwise nothing. Fish tend to be very tolerant of constant lighting.
The only problem really is that seahorses are active when the lights are on, thus, they need to eat more to stay healthy. When the lights go off in the evening, it gives them a chance to conserve energy, and rest. I believe that they will still breed in a 24/7 lighting schedule if their tank is high enough to promote breeding.
I know in some LFS they illuminate the tanks all night too so they can be seen through the front window. It doesn't seem to create a problem but, again, the long term effects are not known.
looser
New member
Thanks everyone... as I mentioned in another thread I had a relative think he was buying me a cool gift for my reef tank and had a pair of seahores shipped to me from Hawaii. (nice thought but he just didn't know any better) Surprize......I got two seahores yesterday afternoon. Luckly I at least had a place to put them to keep them alive. I sectioned off a portion of my 75 gal fuge with a plastic trash barrel that I drilled a bunch of holes in to allow for circulation and for pods to enter. So now I'm trying to learn quickly what I can and can't do to keep them alive and well until I find a better long term solution. Thus my lighting question.
It makes sence to me that some type of day night cycle would be most natural for any animal. Maybe I could run my fuge on an opposite cycle from my display tank. I understand thats good for PH balance as well.
It makes sence to me that some type of day night cycle would be most natural for any animal. Maybe I could run my fuge on an opposite cycle from my display tank. I understand thats good for PH balance as well.
TamiW
Seahorse Wrangler
Bob Fenner has commented on Wet Web Media that he's never noticed any ill effects with fish and 24/7 lighting, that they appear to go to "sleep" even with the lights on. Seahorses may be different; but especially for a relatively short period of time, I don't think there is any concern.
A bigger concern that popped into my head; how warm is the refugium? Make sure the temp is at least as low as 78. Any higher could be dangerous to them; and some people recommend even lower for tropical seahorses.
A bigger concern that popped into my head; how warm is the refugium? Make sure the temp is at least as low as 78. Any higher could be dangerous to them; and some people recommend even lower for tropical seahorses.
looser
New member
Fisher 32: I put my fuge light on a timer for now. 12 hrs on, 12hrs off, opposite my display tank. Heck I might even save some money on electrictiy. Although if the algae growth starts to suffer I might extend the "on" period.
FishGrrl: Thanks for the info on temp. I run my tank at 80 in the summer and 78 in the winter. So right now the highest it ever gets is 81 degrees for about 15 minutes while my cooling system kicks in and brings it back to 80. Is that a problem? I'm sure I could drop it to 78 with no ill effects to the rest of the live stock, just cost a little more in electricity to keep it a couple of degrees colder. So much for the savings with the lights
FishGrrl: Thanks for the info on temp. I run my tank at 80 in the summer and 78 in the winter. So right now the highest it ever gets is 81 degrees for about 15 minutes while my cooling system kicks in and brings it back to 80. Is that a problem? I'm sure I could drop it to 78 with no ill effects to the rest of the live stock, just cost a little more in electricity to keep it a couple of degrees colder. So much for the savings with the lights
Hi Fisher
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
I agree that the reverse photo period is the way to go. I would try to get some temp readings on the fuge.
Looser
It is probably a couple of degrees below the tanks temp but until you check it you cannot be sure. Now if this is the rare Hawaiian seahorse, Hippocampus kuda, you might want to send it back to the Waikiki Aquarium. The same holds true for H. fisheri which is a pelagic, deep water species from the islands and would need a very cool tank indeed.
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
I agree that the reverse photo period is the way to go. I would try to get some temp readings on the fuge.
Looser
It is probably a couple of degrees below the tanks temp but until you check it you cannot be sure. Now if this is the rare Hawaiian seahorse, Hippocampus kuda, you might want to send it back to the Waikiki Aquarium. The same holds true for H. fisheri which is a pelagic, deep water species from the islands and would need a very cool tank indeed.
This breed of seahorse will do best in 74-76 degree F water. They will also be more likely to breed in a tank that is 2.5 feet or preferably deeper. If you do keep the seahorses in a refugium, is there any way that you can light the refugium opposite of the aquarium light cycle? I don't see the need for 24/7 lighting in a refugium.
snowlancer2720
New member
hey, just a suggestion, but why not just cover the container that they are in at night so that way you can run your lights and they will still be able to rest? (or is it clear because that wouldnt really do any good!)
looser
New member
That would be way to easy. If an idea dosn't include lots of time, money, equipmment, and frustration ... I don't like it.
Great idea. The container is not clear. I'm sure some light would still reflect in through the holes I drilled but not much. Altough I do like the idea of a reverse light cylce in the fuge anyway. I guess I could try the reverse cycle and see if the algae growth slows too much. If so I could use your idea. Although there must be a way I could mechanize a cover to open and close using a light sensor and some type of solor array ........hmmm..
