Dwarf seahorse tank going up.

[whatnot45]

So i am in the process of planning a new dwarf seahorse tank. I have an eclipse 5 gallon hex that i used for dwarfs before, and Im going to use it again, however Im going to modify it to have a sump so i can put in one of those new nano skimmers. I need some help though with a couple of things.

FIRST off im going to make a wooden frame thing for the entire tank to hide the sump and brine shrimp hatchery as well as the light. I plan on using two of the brine shrimp hatching trays from Brine shrimp direct, but i dont know how big they are. I need to know how big to make the enclosure for them. Anyone know how big they are?

Second, im not sure how im going to be able to do the sump. I was thinking of drilling the tank, and having an overflow, but how can i do this without sucking all the Baby brine shrimp into the sump? would a simple sponge over the opening work?

Here is a diagram of my plans:
<img src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i235/imatallboy/DwarfSeahorseTank.png" border="0">

 

[Dakafall]

how many horses are you planning on doing? i've kinda been looking into doing dwarfs myself

 

[whatnot45]

I plan on starting with 2 pairs and then letting them do their thing...

 

[whatnot45]

But, I cant get started until i know how big those hatching trays are... and no one seems to be responding

 

[AVALover5498]

Send BrineShrimpDirect.com an e-mail. They would be happy to tell you. It's where I'm ordering mine from. Good luck with your system. I can't wait to see it up.


-Chris-

 

[seas_inside]

If this is a five gallon, if I were you, I would start off with more than two pairs. The feeding density would be hard to maintain. I would start off with five or six pairs.

 

[ReefNutPA]

Very few people use those hatching trays, which is probably why nobody responded. There are much better ways to hatch bbs such as inverted soda bottles and hatching cones. The hatch rate would be much better.

Also, don't forget to use decapped bbs eggs to reduce bacteria and reduce hydroid issues.

Tom

 

[whatnot45]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9139222#post9139222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefNutPA
Very few people use those hatching trays, which is probably why nobody responded. There are much better ways to hatch bbs such as inverted soda bottles and hatching cones. The hatch rate would be much better.

Also, don't forget to use decapped bbs eggs to reduce bacteria and reduce hydroid issues.

Tom

Im treating w/ panacur, so no need to worry bout hydroids

 

[ReefNutPA]

panacur is used to kill hydroids already in your tank - not as a preventative to stop hydroids if you don't decap. Anyway, best of luck to 'ya.

Tom

 

[whatnot45]

Ok i got the demensions and drew up plans for the whole thing. I get a week off school two weeks from now, so ill set it up then.!

 

[whatnot45]

Ok So i started everything! I basically cut all the wood ( not exactly perfect job, but it will do), and I got the canopy together. Tomorrow im going to order all the junk ill need xD.

I do have a question though. Is there anthing special ill have to do for the sump? I mean basically what i was going to do was get a a 2 gallon cube tank from petco, and call it a sump. I would drill 2 holes in the tank, and get 2 Double Threaded Bulkhead Fittings , put some tubing in them, and call it an overflow system. Does this sound like it would work? As for the BBS if I put a sponge over the out take, would it be enough to stop them from getting sucked out into the sump?

 

[whatnot45]

ITS FINISHED!!! at least the stand and shelves and everything! tomarrow ill post pics I still have to clean out the tank, and then plumb it to the sump, but then ill be done

 

[whatnot45]

sorry guys no pics yet. I tried drilling the tank today...
didnt work out... the acrylic broke. I had a small hole going, and then it just cracked down the middle. Now i need a new tank... joy Im getting my LFS to do it this time.

 

[3fins]

would a 3g picotope be good for 1 or 2 dwarf seahorses?

 

[3fins]

srry i ment could u do it?

 

[seas_inside]

What exactly do you have in your pico? (corals etc...) Yes, a 3g would work and you could keep at most 8-10 dwarves but you should start off with around 2-4.

 

[ruk]

Ive read on (another seahorse site) that dwarfs could barely be kept in a 15g due to them being such messy eaters, etc and the paramaters getting all out of whack in a hurry. Where is the logic in having 6-8 pairs of seahorses in a 5g? Excuse my lack of knowledge, Im not trying to be argumenative, this conversation is encouraging because I have a 12g I want to change to seahorses. I thought I wouldnt be able to because of the size. Now I hear 6-8 pairs in a 5g? Awesome. :smokin:

 

[whatnot45]

That is true, Dwarfs can't easily be kept in a 15 gallon tank because it is too big... A 12 gallon tank IMHO is also too big. You would need a HUGE amount of BBS everyday in order to maintain a desirable feeding density in that size tank. Also, you would need to start off with at least 10 pairs of seahorses to eat all that food. It just isn't practical. Smaller tanks around 2-10 gallons is best. I personally wouldnt keep them in a 10 gallon tank as I know how hard it is to hatch that many BBS.

 

[whatnot45]

Ok I got a new tank today, and dropped it off at the LFS to get drilled it will be done by tomorrow, Ill set it up and everything and try and gets some pics sorry bout the delay.

 

[whatnot45]

Alright as promised! I have pics sorry they are late I just got the tank up and running today. BUT The tank is already half cycled because i have been cycling the filters and rock in another established tank while i have been waiting.

<img src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i235/imatallboy/FUllTankshot.jpg" border="0">

<img src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i235/imatallboy/FULL.jpg" border="0">