Filtration in SH tank?

[Robin764]

Hello all
I have a 46g bowfront tank that I am thinking of turning into a seahorse tank. I have a 150g sw tank now.

I need basic newbie questions answered. What sort of filtration will I need, if I start with say dwarfs? Over-flow's would seem to be out of the question.
I would like to have a mini-herd if you will. I am guessing some surface agitation to keep them from the top, but am confused on what filtration to use with such small critters.

Thanks in advance,
Robin

 

[ReefNutPA]

Hi Robin,

While a 46 bowfront (which I have one myself) is a great tank for larger seahorses, it is way too big and inadequate for dwarf seahorses. To give you an idea, I had roughly 30 adult dwarfs and their young in a 10 gal tank for months. Feeding would be extremely difficult with dwarfs in such a large tank as the 46g. A 10, 15, or 20 gal would be the largest I would consider for dwarfs.

Personally, I'd suggest using the tank you have and getting a pair or two of captive bred (NOT tank raised/captive raised) Erectus from a reliable breeder/hobbyist. They will be trained to eat frozen mysis shrimp, and as a first seahorse are relatively hardy and easier to care for day-to-day than dwarfs are.

For filtration, I use Fluval canister filters on some of my seahorse tanks and others I just use HOB filters.

Tom

 

[Bluespot22]

In my 46 I have a skimmer and weekly wc's.

 

[Fragman2]

It is my understanding that Dwarfs are not the easiest to keep anyway as they fall victim to all sorts of problems due to their size. They are really fragile and die from the slightest rough handling.

 

[Robin764]

Thanks, a couple more days into the seahorse research has me leaning towards erectus, or barbouri (sp?). I had previously had it set up with a marineland filter and skimmer, but the skimmer threw off tons of bubbles.
Leaning towards setting up an old wet/dry with some LR and an overflow, but the cabinet doesn't have space, so it would have to sit alongside the stand. Still shopping around/researching.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[Bluespot22]

Seahorsesource.com has both species you are looking for. That's were I got mine and I highly reccomend them.