56G Column Seahorse Build

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Thanks for the info.
It would be cool to see a pic of the jelly if you have one. It doesn't bother any of the other tank mates?

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Well I received my chiller last Friday and hooked it up a couple of days ago. When I turned it on it sounded like some loose parts were getting thrown around inside it and at times sounded like it was going to explode so off it went and now I have to send it back and get a new one.
I will say Big Als Pets has pretty good customer service when it comes to damaged items, but it seems like it will be a couple of weeks before I have a working chiller. Hope to have more updates soon!

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Well, not much of an update but my replacement chiller from Big Als is on its way. Hopefully it will be here this week.

I know I probably have some harmful bacteria in the tank since the temperature has been around 78 degrees without the chiller. I am planning on doing a major water change or two when the chiller arrives to try and get rid of a lot of this.

When I do get the temperature to an acceptable level with the chiller, will this bacteria die on its own, or are there other steps necessary to ensure that they will not harm the seahorses? I may be over thinking, but just want to do everything possible to better my chances of success.

Also, I have been running carbon and GFO in a BRS reactor for the past couple of weeks to try to eliminate any phosphates that may have not been purged from the live rock during the curing process. I have read a couple of places that GFO may be harmful to horses. Should I discontinue this when they arrive? If so, is this the same for carbon?

 

[vlangel]

Well, not much of an update but my replacement chiller from Big Als is on its way. Hopefully it will be here this week.

I know I probably have some harmful bacteria in the tank since the temperature has been around 78 degrees without the chiller. I am planning on doing a major water change or two when the chiller arrives to try and get rid of a lot of this.

When I do get the temperature to an acceptable level with the chiller, will this bacteria die on its own, or are there other steps necessary to ensure that they will not harm the seahorses? I may be over thinking, but just want to do everything possible to better my chances of success.

Also, I have been running carbon and GFO in a BRS reactor for the past couple of weeks to try to eliminate any phosphates that may have not been purged from the live rock during the curing process. I have read a couple of places that GFO may be harmful to horses. Should I discontinue this when they arrive? If so, is this the same for carbon?

I run carbon 24/7 and have been ever since I set up my seahorse tank a year ago. I have never read that it is dangerous. I am however suspicious of GFO and will not use that.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

I run carbon 24/7 and have been ever since I set up my seahorse tank a year ago. I have never read that it is dangerous. I am however suspicious of GFO and will not use that.

That seems to be the common opinion in all the research I have done. I will stop running GFO when I order the horses (which I promise is still happening)
and just continue to run GAC.

I'm still waiting on my replacement chiller which is taking longer than expected. By the time it arrives it will probably be winter and I won't even need it lol.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

My chiller finally arrived Monday!

I hooked it up immediately and within a few hours it had the system down to 72-73 and it doesn't seem to run too often to keep it at that temp. I would say so far it seems adequate.

One more water change is in order sometime this week and that should be the last step! It's crazy how much longer things take than you would initially imagine, but I am happy with how everything has turned out.

 

[vlangel]

My chiller finally arrived Monday!

I hooked it up immediately and within a few hours it had the system down to 72-73 and it doesn't seem to run too often to keep it at that temp. I would say so far it seems adequate.

One more water change is in order sometime this week and that should be the last step! It's crazy how much longer things take than you would initially imagine, but I am happy with how everything has turned out.

Good news about the chiller. Will be anxious to see ponies soon.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

I got a box at my front door this morning. Wonder what could be inside?

 

[vlangel]

I got a box at my front door this morning. Wonder what could be inside?

O boy O boy O boy!

 

[redhorse]

Congrats! Few more months and you will be working on a fry tank..

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

O boy O boy O boy!

O boy and girl! lol


I received a really nice pair of Erectus yesterday and couldn't be happier with them.

They have both already eaten some mysis and seem to be pretty active hunting pods around the tank.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Congrats! Few more months and you will be working on a fry tank..

Thanks! I'm looking forward to it

 

[South City]

Congratulations on the new arrivals! You've put together a wonderful system and have made them a good home.

 

[vlangel]

They are beautiful! Congrats.

 

[knap_123]

Very nice!! So are you glued to your tank? I seem to be not anywhere else. but stareing at mine for hours it seems. Haha

 

[Roccus]

Sweet!.... I walk from room to room peering into my tanks each night ( I have 4 ).. it's better entertainment and more rewarding than TV ...

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Congratulations on the new arrivals! You've put together a wonderful system and have made them a good home.

They are beautiful! Congrats.

Thank you!

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Very nice!! So are you glued to your tank? I seem to be not anywhere else. but stareing at mine for hours it seems. Haha

Oh yea I have spent a lot of time in front of that tank this week lol. They are really awesome animals. Congrats on your new seahorse also.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

Sweet!.... I walk from room to room peering into my tanks each night ( I have 4 ).. it's better entertainment and more rewarding than TV ...

Thank you. I agree that it is more entertaining than TV. It's really cool to watch them move around the tank.

 

[Cstaricansrfer1]

I put a small glass dish filled with mysis next to the seahorses tonight because I felt like they weren't able to catch enough food when it was floating around. They are still a little shy and don't venture too far from their posts yet so unless it floated right in front of their face they wouldn't go for it.

The female went for the shrimp right away, but the male was not so sure at first about the dish. He just stared at her eating for about 20 minutes but then finally decided it was safe and ate. I'm glad they seem to be doing well so far.

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