Beginner Questions

[Dremncwgrl]

I am in the process of researching and setting up a new Sea Horse tank. I am a beginner and want to do this the right way. I've been reading all that I can from Seahorse.org and Seahorse.com. I've also been studying the posts here. What other sites would you recommend?
My boyfriend is not new to the saltwater hobby although he does not currently have seahorses. He is guiding me but I want to learn to do this on my own. That being said...
I want to use macro-algae in my tank. I've read that caulerpa spp and encrusting corallines are optimum. Does anyone have any input on caulerpa prolifera specifically? What about halimeda?
I'm still considering all my options regarding the tank. What I do know is that my tank is 15 gallons and I don't want dwarf seahorses. I want captive bred/tank raised horses. I'm thinking I only want 1 pair but haven't decided what type specifically.
My tank is currently running (was set up using live rock, live sand, and water from an established reef tank). But I don't want to add the horses until I have everything else squared away.
I do intend to put a few corals in the tank. I currently have a ricordia mushroom in the tank (which I know is not a threat). I also have daisy coral. I believe that is not a threat, can anyone confirm that?
I look forward to your constructive feedback! Thanks!!

 

[rayjay]

I hate to tell you but 15g is not large enough for a pair of normal seahorses. Even the smaller H. fuscus should have a minimum of 20g.
There are a lot of opinions out there but I've put my thoughts on my website, followed by links to very informative pieces of information for beginning seahorse keepers, like the care guide and tankmates guide, as well as pieces written by Dan Underwood of seahorsesource.com and by some of the other respected members of seahorse.org.
MY THOUGHTS ON SEAHORSE KEEPING

 

[Dremncwgrl]

Ok. I actually had read the "pdf" in your link that is on seahorse.org. And I see where I misread the minimum tank requirements. Seeing as how at this time the tank size is not negotiable, I will have to rethink my "no dwarf" stance. That being said, what are everyone's thoughts on my actual questions?

 

[rayjay]

OK then, the 15g is too large for the dwarfs unless you partition it off into a 5g section and a 10g section.
If you work initially with the 5g section buying two pair of dwarfs, after they start increasing in numbers if you should be so lucky, then you can switch to the 10g side.
There are a lot of opinions on just how to go about the tank splitting and I think there is a thread here that has mention of it down somewhat in the thread but I forget just which one.
On the "org", there is a current thread with much more information on tank spitting.
You have the tank set up already but for some hobbyists, they wouldn't think of putting something in a dwarf tank that has not been sterilized.
I even boil the rock and recycle using ammonia myself.
The specific "dwarf" forum on the "org" will have a lot of information for keeping dwarfs.