55g seahorse ?s

[hotrodolds]

Got a 55g and im certain i dont want to do a reef. I have my 29g for that and its been quite enjoyable but why have 2 reefs?

So with that said im trying to get some idea what i would be getting into if i went the SH route v. fowlr.

What are some hardy/beginner species that could do well in a 55g (std. 48x13x18?) Could in the future i plumb the 29 and this together and use the planted SH tank as a refugium?

 

[ChadTheSpike]

Having kept both reefs (soft, mixed, sps, etc) and FOWLR and SH tanks, I really enjoy my SH tanks the best, they are interesting to watch, interactive, and personable... not to mention smart little buggers...
I personally like erectus as a good beginner species, largish, hardy, good captive sources, but I am sure you will get more recommendations here.
While you could plumb your 29 and 55 together, I think you will have a couple of issues. First, SH setups are generally cooler than reefs, the water should be no warmer than 74 degrees for most seahorse setups. Second, SH are pretty active hunters and will pretty quickly decimate a pod population in a refugium making it more like two tanks that are connected together vice DT/fuge. However if you are willing to lower the temp in your reef and think of it more as taking advantage of a larger system volume, filtration, etc. then you could do it.