Establishing new tank

[MTV]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about setting up a 25(ish) gallon species tank for a couple of seahorses and was wondering if maybe it would be better to get the tank up and running and well established (6-12 months) by using the tank to house a couple of damselfish or something else that is small and hardy first?

IME tanks that have been well established are much kinder to fragile fish so if I use some hardy fish to establish the tank and then swap them for ponies that would make it a little easier for the little guys. Any ideas?

Obviously there will be a few things that would need to change when I swap to the seahorses but all things given, does this sounds like a good idea?

Thanks in advance!

 

[krazeekiddie]

Hi!

You really need a well cycled aquarium to add seahorses! I would recommend a minimum of 3-4 months if not 6.

Cycling a tank with uncured live rock is a much better option than with fish! Allot of times they die, seems so unfair & inhumane!!! Or better yet, add flake food, or raw shrimp. You will get a cycle going that way that doesn't cost you any money or the lives of some unsuspecting damsels!!

Also, keep in mind, you have to catch the damsels afterwards as they are non suitable tank mates for seahorses!!! (Seems easy to catch them, but ha!)

If you have the tank, get everything going nice & slowley & you will reap the benefits later of a healthy aquarium with healthy inhabitants!! =)

Good Luck!!!

 

[kg4izw]

I agree with the non-fish method as well.
Here is a link to the dead cocktail shrimp method:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dy...www.fishwhisperer.homestead.com/articles.html