How expensive are SH tanks, easy or not?

t5Nitro

t5Nitro

New member
Just curious if I would set up a 30 or so gallon high tank, how many seahorse can go in it (what is easiest to keep?). No special lighting needed because I won't put anything in it, possibly some mushrooms or so, not light dependent so much.
Then curious what people are using for filters, foam around the intake or some eggcrate?
What type of plants are needed for them?
 
Basic tank? You don't need any live plants...no fancy lighting. Regular HOB filter or canister is fine. You can put a prefilter sponge around intake tube of filter if it makes you feel more comfortable.

How many? Depends on the species. I'd put no more than 2 pair of Erectus, Kuda or Reidi in a 30 gal. Maybe 3 pair of barbouri. Easiest specie for a "beginner" is Erectus, Kuda or Reidi - IF raising fry isn't a consideration. If it is, then stick with Erectus.

Tom
 
Cost, for great equipment, new a grand. If your a deal shopper, you can probably do everything for less then $500 and still do it right.

They're not hard, just different. It depends on your level of dedication.
 
Can you set up a 24 gallon aquapod with 24 pounds of rock and put in a DSB and that would be all you need with a heater? I would put some plants in there too but for equipment goes is that all it takes?
 
I suppose you could - but there are real heat concerns with using tanks like the aquapod and similar. You'll need to keep the temp no higher than 74F and with an enclosed system like that sometimes the heat builds up to the upper 70's or low 80's from what I understand.

Tom
 
Hmm, ok. If you started just a regular tank, what do you need then. Say a 30 gallon high, a heater, small powerhead, what kind of filter? Then some PC lighting would work.
 
For my seahorse tank i just have a walmart special type 30g tank, the walmart special light/hood the walmart special hop 40-60 gal filter a heater airpump 30 lbs live rock and about 1.5 inches of crushed coral...tanks been going a little over a year with seahorsers and no problems...also have a mandrin in the tank (about six months) all are good and healthy no problems at all.
 
sorry to go off topic but i have a 12 gal nanocube deluxe and i really want to put seahorses in there with corals. ive seen a lot of people post different opinions on whether this is ok or not. does anyone know if this is ok? i can feed them with no problems, i can get the equipment and the tank is even equipped with fans to cool the water down. the only thing im really concerned with is the size of the tank.
 
I really wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a 29g. The upkeep on smaller tanks is pretty tedious taking away from the enjoyment of the hobby. Not that it can't be done, but few species would be suited for a tank that small....perhaps capensis or breviceps, and BOTH of those species require a chiller.

IMO, without modifications none of the out-of-the-box nano tanks are suitable for seahorses. They were designed for reef tank hobbyists, not seahorse hobbyists. Modifications need to be done on the flow and heat issue. Most of those tanks run in the high 70's or low 80's due to their design, which is too warm for seahorses.

It's much more practical, IMO, to purchase the standard glass tanks and design a system specifically geared toward seahorses. Not try to modify a system designed for reef-tank use.

Tom
 
I bought a 14 gallon biocube today and am planning on hooking up a chiller to it. I've been doing research on SH's for a while now and think I'm ready for it. I can't really get a larger aquarium due to space and the simplicity of the set up is easy for my dorm room. I plan on keeping 1-2 kudas and maybe a gorgonian. Is size really going to be an issue, because if I MUST bail out, I should do it soon...
 
Great, thank you for possibly saving me some trouble and of coursethe happiness of theo SH's. Maybe when I'm out of college with my own place some day
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9009159#post9009159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ATX aquarist
Great, thank you for possibly saving me some trouble and of coursethe happiness of theo SH's. Maybe when I'm out of college with my own place some day
Click to expand...
That is the right decision. :)
Soo many people would have said 'stuff it-I will do it anyway' It is possible to do it, and make it successfull, but you have to spend so much time and effort making it work, it is just madness. They are meant to be fun, and anything less than 30 gal = lots of work = less fun.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003749#post9003749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefNutPA

It's much more practical, IMO, to purchase the standard glass tanks and design a system specifically geared toward seahorses. Not try to modify a system designed for reef-tank use.

Tom
Click to expand...

Could someone tell me the requirements for a designed 29g specifically geared toward seahorses.
 
I can tell you how I have a 29g set up, it's nothing overly fancy (pic is in my gallery)...

29 gal AGA tank w/NO flourescent hood
30 lbs Fiji LR
2" Black Tahitiian Moon Sand
Fluval 204 canister
AquaC Remora skimmer

Salinity is kept at 1.021 and temp at 72F-72F. Seahorses are trained to use a feeding dish and are fed PE Mysis once or twice a day, depending on my work schedule. No tankmates. Cleanup crew consists of 12 nassarius snails. Five gallon water change done per week during tank maintenance.

Tom
 
are there benefits of moon sand.. would aragonite be cool? Your flow comes from the Fluval (180 gph).. People say not to use skimmers on seahorse tank. Is that personal preference?
 
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