Any potbelly keepers?

[Dogshowgrl]

Looking into another tank.... Potbelly seahorse is available right now. I know they need a chiller. I read lower than 65°F? Any other things different than other species? After quarantine I could have a tank ready, but I live in FL and that chiller would be working overtime in my house. I have a chiller on my other seahorse tanks but they are all set around 70-72 and that increase my power bill by about $75 a month (they run a lot) I have always like potbelly, but I think I might have to wait??? But how often are they available to hobbyist?

 

[BlueCat1949]

seahorsesource usually has them but if you read the care instructions you will see the they need a large tank which means a very large chiller.

Potbellies like to swim much more than other seahorse species and they are the largest of the Hippocampus so they need a very tall tank, 36 inches, for breeding.

I am interested in getting potbellies myself but not until I can provide for their needs as adults.

Bruce

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Thanks Bruce I agree. I have access to everything but the chiller on hand. I think I am going to pass for a bit. I may already have my hands full with my 5 pairs and all the fry and going back to work (I work at a school, summer is almost over) and the rescues I just brought in. I just have an addiction.

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[BlueCat1949]

Thanks Bruce I agree. I have access to everything but the chiller on hand. I think I am going to pass for a bit. I may already have my hands full with my 5 pairs and all the fry and going back to work (I work at a school, summer is almost over) and the rescues I just brought in. I just have an addiction.

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I know all about seahorse addiction, I once had 21 seahorse tanks in a studio apt.:fun4:

 

[Dogshowgrl]

It's nice to not be alone!!!

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[cpbartak]

You're also best off getting a thick acrylic tank/sump to avoid issues of tank sweating, and to provide thermal insulation so that the chiller doesn't have to work as hard.

 

[DanU]

Insulating the tanks can make a huge difference. I have pots in two 90 gallon tanks with a single sump. It has a 1/2 hp chiller than runs alot. As an experiment, I set up a 110 tall with the bottom, 2 sides and back insulated with 1.5 inch styrofoam. I also insulated the sump. I put a 1/10 hp chiller on it and it ran about 1/2 as much as the 1/2 hp chiller did on the other two tanks.

Dan

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Never thought about that! Cool!

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[2smokes]

Insulate the aquarium with styrofoam and the front of the display with 2 double layers of glass (just like window glass).That way the chiller should consume less current.My own aquarium wich is also a cold water aquarium will be insulated with stirofoam and double glass in the front.Or you could use a plastic (plexiglass ,acrylate) aquarium because that isolates better though not that good as the stirofoam plus double glass display. Also use an economic chiller device like one that has a compressor like a fridge or an air conditioned unit instead of the small chillers with peltier modules.A peltier chiller is verry cheap but consumes a lot of current to cool compared to the compresion type chillers.

 

[BlueCat1949]

Insulating the tanks can make a huge difference. I have pots in two 90 gallon tanks with a single sump. It has a 1/2 hp chiller than runs alot. As an experiment, I set up a 110 tall with the bottom, 2 sides and back insulated with 1.5 inch styrofoam. I also insulated the sump. I put a 1/10 hp chiller on it and it ran about 1/2 as much as the 1/2 hp chiller did on the other two tanks.

Dan

What temp do you keep them at Dan?

 

[DanU]

Currently at 67 F. The person I got them from originally at them at 55F.

Dan

 

[redhorse]

Dan,
Is their a behavioral difference from 55 to 67?
Hey Bruce--- Are you thinking about getting some?

 

[BlueCat1949]

Dan,
Is their a behavioral difference from 55 to 67?
Hey Bruce--- Are you thinking about getting some?

Maybe just a pipe dream but I have always loved the way they look. Particularly the ones with the giraffe patterns. My friends at SAseahorse kept their breeders in a 12 foot tank.

 

[DanU]

Slow to reply!

I didn't see them at the cooler temperatures. I do notice a difference if the temp climbs up to 69 to 70. They become sluggish.

Dan