Couple Seahorse Questions

[Spartanman22]

First off I have noticed a couple small flatworms in the seahorse's tank. Do this pose any problems for the seahorses and their tank? Should I try and eradicate them or are they fine?

Second, I know seahorses can get stressed out by intense lighting, so would running one of those cfl floodlights be too intense for a 20 gallon seahorse tank or will it be ok? The light is bright right down the middle but dims out around the edges. Will this be ok for them. I wanted to grow macros and some softies in there.

Thirdly, The whole skimmer thing. I have heard both positives and negatives but from all you experts what would you suggest. Currently the seahorses have been in a tank skimmed with an Aqua C Remora. Would you guys suggest I remove it?

 

[Elysia]

Seahorses need to be fed a lot, due to their inefficient digestive systems, and the use of a skimmer can greatly improve your water quality. I know that when my skimmer goes off line for even a few hours, I see measurable algae growth in my tank. Unless you are certain that you can keep your tank water clean with out it, a skimmer is a very useful piece of equipment. As far as being harmful to the horses, as long as the horses are protected from the intake, they will be fine. Bubbles will not cause them a problem.

I would just siphon out your flat worms. That is the best and least harmful way to reduce their numbers.

Generally, I base my lighting for seahorse tanks on the amount of heat the lighting is going to generate. I believe that a horse's health is more likely to be compromised at higher temperatures, therefore I try to keep my lighting sources to those that generate less heat (like HO T5s or LEDs.) I've not noticed horses actually shy away from lighting as much as generally preferr having a secure area to hitch. Being out in the light of my HO T5s did not deter my male erectus from making his daily full length swims of the tank.

 

[rayjay]

Were these seahorses in the 75 and you are moving them to the 20?
Will there be a sump for the 20?
Are these seahorses erectus?
Minimum recommended tank size for a pair of normal sized seahorses would be 29g.
With only a 20g, you will probably have to do a lot more than normal maintenance and water changes to maintain a decent water quality.

 

[Spartanman22]

they are in a 20 now with a sump. They are captive breed Erectus. When they get bigger I have several other, larger, tanks awaiting them. So the micro bubbles from the skimmer won't cause any problems? And so any lighting shouldn't be a problem as long as it doesn't raise my temp too high (I currently keep temps at 72-74)? So one of the CFL spot lights should be fine as long as my temp is still in the low 70's and the horses have some shaded area to escape light if they wish to?

 

[rayjay]

While I've seen claims that microbubbles caused GBD, I've never seen any proof that it happens that way.
I think that GBD is bacteria originating or internal organ problems, depending on the type of gas bubble and location.

 

[Spartanman22]

Ok that sounds reassuring, thanks for the help.