Build my seahorse tank please

[t5Nitro]

I have been reading a bit more and really want to set up a seahorse tank now, I think :lol:

I do not want to have the trouble with dealing with tons of babies, so obviously I would get 2 of the same gender. Would they get along? I plan on putting 2 of them in a 29 gallon tank.

What do I all need? Will a cheap light work? I'd like to keep cost to minimum. I have LR in my current tank in the sump I can use and an extra heater. What types of macro would you buy for the tank? What kind of powerhead for flow would you buy? Sand or no sand? Is having an open top a problem? Basically I need your help to build the tank from scratch. If possible, list everything as if you were building this 29 gallon tank for me. Thanks in advance!

**I really have no idea what to buy or anything, so any help appreciated. What foods do you feed the horses? What 2 horses are the best for a starter? Thanks again.

 

[SaltyMember]

I used to have a 29g seahorse tank a few years ago. At the time I just kept a pair of erectus (1 male, 1 female). This is what I had. 30lbs of LR, 2 inch sandbed, power compact lighting (I kept some soft corals and caulerpa in the tank), hang on back refugium, 2 small powerheads for movement, hang on tank skimmer (too many bubbles get into tank though) What I did wrong with this setup due to my inexperience with horses was run my temp too high 78 degrees which caused bacterial infections and they both died.

I have been considering setting up another seahorse tank and this is how I would do it now.

No sump (nice to have but I am trying to keep it simple) 30 lbs LR, 2 inch sandbed, hang on powerfilter for carbon and mechanical filtration and water movement, temp 72-74 degrees,
lots of macroalgae in the display itself, weekly 10 percent water change for maintenance. If you don't plan to have corals or macroalgae in the tank you could get bye with just normal lights the tank came with.

Just my ideas. Hope that helps.

 

[angieg1123]

If you want to keep it simple and inexpensive here are my suggestions.

29g tank.
Marco rocks (seed with a piece of LR)
1 inch sandbed
Power compact strip light
Fluval filter
caulerpa prolifera

If cost is really an issue, you can use a simple hang on power filter. The whisper hang on power filters are the best IMO because you can adjust the flow and they last forever.

With enough prolifera and regular water changes, it is an easy system to care for. Plus the seahorses love prolifera.

I would also suggest getting your seahorses from seahorsesource dot com. They are the best and very healthy. Plus they will be there if you ever have any problems.

Seahorses eat frozen mysis shrimp. I use Hilari when they are young (smaller shrimp) and PE mysis once they get bigger.

I suggest a pair of female seahorses since you don't want to deal with babies or pouch problems at this point.

If you do not intend to breed them, the reidi, kuda, and erectus from seahorsesource are all beautiful. If you intend to breed them at some point, erectus have the easiest fry to raise.
I'm in Wisconsin too.....good luck.
Angie