A few Questions for you experinced SH keepers

[Devaji108]

OK so it all started last last light as I was On RC spending quality time on the forum...some how I ended up in the nano usually I spend most of my time in the larger tanks threads and fowlr threads...dreaming about my 130x 30 x 30

anyway I have been playing around with the idea of making a nano seagrass and marco algae tank...then started to think about doing a SH tank again...

I was thinking of doing a simple tank with lots of marco and a HOB skimmer something like a aquca remora.

so my questions are:
1) was hoping to make this a smaller tank so the GF would be in to it. ( like a 40 breeder or a 20Ghigh)
however I have a 55 gal not being used... I may have to reseal it.
what do you think is best?

2) this is the big one what size of chiller would i need? my current fowlr runs on average 79-81 and is a 55gal.

3) do sunbrust Hippocampus erectus stay yellow or do they change on mood ect.

4) would a Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) be compatible.
I am aware that they need lots of pods to eat.

thoughts... feedback

 

[mikencarol]

I would consider other sources seriously...My experience with the "Sunburst" seahorse people did NOT go well...for me anyway. They got their money and I got.....and didn't even get kissed. Check out Seahorse Source or some other reputable sellers on this thread........

 

[Devaji108]

mikencarol
so your saying you did not have a good experience with seahorse.com?
they are on the big island of Hawaii I live in maui and was thinking that maybe I could go and hand pick a pair...take the tour

 

[mikencarol]

The only way I would deal with them is if I handed them the money and they handed me the Seahorses...I saw that you were close to them and I have heard of people having success with their Seahorses but the only way I would deal with them would be in person. I paid for Seahorses I never recieved and since they are in Hawaii...I could never get anything done...ie...I would have had to hire an attorney on the Big island to get my money back...and the BBB wouldn't do anything either....so......If you could take their tour and pick up the livestock then....that might be OK.......that's my experience.

 

[mikencarol]

My bad experience was with Oceanrider Seahorses. SeahorseSource.com is a great place to buy and get info......

 

[Devaji108]

ok so I am a bit confused looks like ocean rider and seahorse.com are the same thing?

anyway looks like a chiller is a bit out of my price range for the moment. however I am looking to see if I can get a good used one.

 

[rayjay]

There is a BIG difference between seahorse.com and seahorsesource.com.
With seahorsesource.com you get excellent stock and any help needed by the best in the business.
seahorse.com just can't compare to seahorsesource.com.
Being in Canada, I can't even buy seahorses from seahorsesource.com and yet Dan has helped me so much in this hobby I doubt that there is another like him anywhere in the hobby.
Remember too that seahorses change their colour according to their own needs so what they look like at purchase is not necessarily what they will look like a little down the road.

 

[mikencarol]

Yes...seahorse.com and Ocean Rider are the SAME people..............

 

[Devaji108]

OK got it my bad...it's all clear now. I will mostly go with Dan or some other RC member that might have some for sale.
As of right now however looks like I have to put the project on hold do to the fact that a chiller is a bit more than my wallet likes Oh well prob. still do the marco idea then ad the SH down the road.

any one have thoughts on the mandarin being a go take mate?
cheers

 

[Devaji108]

OK got it my bad...it's all clear now. I will mostly go with Dan or some other RC member that might have some for sale.
As of right now however looks like I have to put the project on hold do to the fact that a chiller is a bit more than my wallet likes Oh well prob. still do the marco idea then ad the SH down the road.

any one have thoughts on the mandarin being a go take mate?
cheers

 

[rayjay]

Personally I would stick to a species only tank until you've got success for at least a year before starting in to any other additions.
Everything you add to the tank adds a new dimension to the chain of things that can cause problems and failure.
Safest way to learn is a single species only tank so there are no pathogens from anything else introduced.

 

[Lenen]

I dont know if you would call me an experienced SHkeeper, but I got one mandarin with my horses.

Make sure you get a mandarin who feeds on frozen food, and that the shop let you study it in a glass jar/container so that you can se if his/hers belly is not... whats the english word... hollow?, if you understand what I mean? And, you have to make sure that the fish eat in the shop. If they tell you that they have just been feeding, go back the next day and try again

I`ve been keeping one male mandarin with my 2 reidi for 1 1/2 year. The seahorses dont mind the mandarin, and the mandarin dont mind the seahorses. My tank is 166 liters, with lots of dark places for the mandarin, and lots of macros for the seahorses.

 

[laurarca]

a HUGE +1 on Seahorsesource.com...Dan & Abbie are 2 of the most awesome people I know. I have all of their stock and they are the healthiest by far. Just a case in point...I have my first 3 seahorse fry (see other threads by me!!) that have survived till about 6 weeks today. Last week, with them being about 5 weeks old, I started to noticed them twitching and scratching. In a panic, I called Dan, to the point of tears...(sorry again you had to listen to me Dan!!) It was hard for me to stand there and watch 3 seahorses that I have raised for 5 weeks sink to the bottom and lay on their side. Dan was as calm as can be, guided me with immedaite help, and guess what...I have my 3 seahorses still swimming and scrounging for food presently.

I do have my adult seahorses in a 55g and have had mandarins, but I do agree with RayJay that less is more.

 

[LCP136]

I use Seahorse Source and Dan is not just the best I've ever dealt with for seahorses, he's the best I've ever dealt with by far in the entire hobby. When I call him for a quick question we often end up chatting for 10 to 15 minutes about things that do not benefit him at all, but he is unbelievably nice and I've learned a ridiculous amount from him. Not to mention his stock are the best available in my experience.

If you didn't get it, +1 on Seahorse Source.