contemplating seahorses

[zeblisik]

So I'm in the process of setting up a SW system. I'm going to have 2 20 gal inline tanks/fuges, apart from the sump and main tank.

main tank will be corals and other inverts.
one of the 20 gal fuges I want to use as a DSB w/ zooplankton farm.
the other 20 gal I'm thinking about seahorses in.

I have a few questions:
- I'm planning on keeping temps 77-80, is this ok for searhorse husbandry?
- do seahorses require any depth of sandbed? im planning on using a 20 gal long, so I couldnt use a DSB
- how much verticle space do seahorses like?
- how much plant life and algea is safe? I'm thinking of using a lot of sea grass. originally I had thought to make this tank into a vegtable filter but if I could somehow combine the two.....
-also will be using full strength saltwater, I'm guessing this isnt a problem....

 

[jnowell]

- I'm planning on keeping temps 77-80, is this ok for searhorse husbandry?

Drop it to 76 and you can get away with it, allthough most find that temps on the lower end of the "tolerable" scale are better. Most beginner seahorses like 72-77 degrees.

- do seahorses require any depth of sandbed? im planning on using a 20 gal long, so I couldnt use a DSB

They don't care how deep the sand bed is, but seahorse tanks accumulate Nitrates pretty quickly, maybe attach to a sump with DSB or be prepared to do a bunch of water changes.

- how much verticle space do seahorses like?

General rule of thumb is 2-3 X the height of a full grown seahorse. A 20 long will be a bit shallow for Erectus or Kuda, maybe barbouri might like it....then again, you could just get a BUNCH of dwarfs

- how much plant life and algea is safe? I'm thinking of using a lot of sea grass. originally I had thought to make this tank into a vegtable filter but if I could somehow combine the two.....

They LOVE macroalgaes, and the more the merrier provided they have room to swim. The macros also take care of that Nitrate problem I was talking about.

-also will be using full strength saltwater, I'm guessing this isnt a problem....

Nope, it'll be fine.

Jason

 

[zeblisik]

I had no idea there was such a variety of seahorses.

I'm looking for some that are good in the warmer waters, 77-80 and would do well in a 20 gal long.....and also good for beginners. are the barbouri difficult?
is it true seahorses are prone to illness?