Aquired pre-owned tank. Sell & get Nano for Seahorses or keep?

[sharla1234]

Hey Guys I need experienced opinions!
I aquired a setup & don't know what to do with it. I have wanted seahorses for a long time. Not sure if I should sell this tank & get a 24 Nano Deluxe or keep this tank & get it up & running for seahorses. Here's the rundown:
*75 Gallon Oceanic (not reef ready) has one drilled hole in bottom
*Canopy w/no lights, ballasts or mounts & Stand (not Oceanic)
*Coralife 8 watt UV sterilizer
*Sump (not Oceanic) I believe 20 Gallon w/drilled hole about an inch in diameter 5 inches from top on one end
* No skimmer

I know I want seahorses (I already have a 135 reef). If I keep canopy & stand & replace tank, I can use UV & also water parameters will be easier to maintain because of size. However, I have wanted a 24 Nano Deluxe.
What will I need to purchase to get this thing up & running?
Or, should I go for the 24 Nano Deluxe?
Thanks again everybody
S.

 

[sharla1234]

Oh yeah,
There is also a brand new 9.5 mag drive still in box. I probably can't use that if I have seahorses though right?
Thanks,
S.

 

[BruceW]

I am not a big fan of the nano tanks. The 12 is way too small and the 24 is too short, too cramped and has too much light and flow for horses. Also you will have major heat issues in the summer.

I would much prefer the 72 as a horse tank. You could have a nice heard with the 72 instead of cramming one pair in a nano. I know other people have used the 24 nano for seahorses but it is not the best environment.

There are some smaller species but they are not as hardy as H. erectus which is the best choice if you are just beginning with seahorses. If you could see a full grown adult H. erectus you would realize how small and short a 24 nano really is.

Bruce

 

[whatnot45]

KEEP IT!

 

[sharla1234]

Thanks for the replies.
BruceW, do you know anything about the 29 Gallon Oceanic Bio Cubes? I am having a wallspace problem. My house was designed as an open floorplan with few walls. Or, what would be the smallest cube you'd recommend?
Thanks,
S.

 

[sharla1234]

BruceW,
Also, what do you know about Reidi? There are two at one of my LFS's that are orange being sold for $150 each. I believe they are Reidi. Are they hardy?
Thanks

 

[BruceW]

Sorry just saw your questions.

I don't know what a bio cube is but if it is like a 24 nano I would pass. I have the Oceanic 30 gallon cube and it is a great tank for a pair of large horses. It's about 20 inches on each side.

H.reidi are relatively hardy but at $150 each i would also pass. If they are big horses chances are they are wild caught. If they say they are captive bred ask who the breeder is. Some wild caught reidi will not convert to frozen so make sure they are eating frozen.

That being said I would go with H.erectus if you haven't kept horses before. They are very hardy and the fry are way easier to raise then reidi. $150 is a lot to pay for an orange horse that may decide to change to black or another color. Keep that in mind.

Bruce

 

[sharla1234]

Thanks,
S

 

[sharla1234]

BruceW,
They do have an Oceanic 30 cube w/Oceanic stand at my LFS. You would recommend that over an Oceanic 29 biocube? It seems that everything I'd need would be there with the biocube, but with the 30 cube, I'd have to add a HOT filter, skimmer, etc...Which would be best?
Also, you said the Erectus would be best to start out with. What would be second best for starters, third best, etc...
I thought I'd use black sand, a bit of live rock & bleached corals for hitching so that the horses may maintain their colors as much as possible. It's working at the LFS. What do you think?
Thanks for all your advise. It's much appreciated.
S.

 

[garvondavis14]

kuda

 

[sharla1234]

Thanks Garvondavis14. Some say Reidi if I'm not breeding. Why is that?

 

[whatnot45]

Redi are one of the more difficult horses for breeding because their fry are very hard to raise. They do not hitch from birth, and need to be fed rotifers at least three times a day for the first two weeks. Erectus fry are MUCH easier and will eat BBS from day one.

 

[whatnot45]

Redi are one of the more difficult horses for breeding because their fry are very hard to raise. They do not hitch from birth, and need to be fed rotifers at least three times a day for the first two weeks. Erectus fry are MUCH easier and will eat BBS from day one.

 

[whatnot45]

WOOPS sorry for the double post