Help me set up my tank!

[swimfan8]

I am new to seahorses, though I've been studying how to keep them for years. Finally I pulled the trigger and bought myself a tank. It's 29gal, roughly 19 inches tall. At some point I'll like to get a taller tank, but only plan to keep one pair in this one. I have live sand as my substrate and so far only 3lbs of dry rock. I plan to add a bit more dry rock. Currently, the tank is cycling. In the meantime, I want to figure out what else I can safely add.

Preferably, I'd like to avoid using fake decorations as I've heard bad things about paint and diseases. Can you give me names/add links to possible plants/corals that will do well in a seahorse set up? I see other sites mention macro algae, but I'm not sure which kind or where to find it.

If it makes a difference, I'm using a HOB filter. My lighting is just a standard bulb that came with my tank.

Also, I'd appreciate tips on a good clean up crew. Specifically the types of snails that do well. And is there a safe star fish to keep?

 

[vlangel]

Hi swimfan, there are lots of cool macro algae and soft corals that can do well in a seahorse tank even with the cool temperature of below 74 degrees. However I doubt they will fare well with the lighting you described. A HOB filter is workable if you diligently maintenance it but a sump with lots of turnover is better. It is a myth that seahorses don't like a lot of flow. They actually like to choose between areas with high, medium and low flow areas. Nassarius snails are excellant if you have a sand bottom. I would not recommend a starfish, except micro starfish and asteria starfish.

 

[swimfan8]

Thank you! That is very helpful. I considered doing a sump, but I'd like to wait until I can get together more cash and buy a tank with sump included. I'm not much of a DIYer. I've used HOB filters before though and have more experience with them.

Is there any plant or coral that will work with low lighting and low flow (or at least low lighting)? I don't have a cooler at the moment, so I'm afraid if I put a stronger bulb, it'll warm the tank. Right now the tank has been staying between 72-76 with the bulb I'm using.

 

[vlangel]

You are right, you do not want to warm your tank up since you are already on the high side temperature wise. Putting a fan to blow across the surface of the top of the tank can cool it off a couple of degrees.
Some of the leathers like cabbage are not too demanding for light. Also mushrooms are not too demanding either. Is there room to add an LED strip? It would help to have some blue spectrum and LEDs give off very little heat. Some of the easier macro algaes should work with that too.

 

[MasterMason_357]

following