how to treat a seahorse

[rayjay]

The thrashing around comes when you fresh water dip the seahorse. It's a result of the parasites dying and trying to escape from the seahorse.
As for pH, I now use a hand held pH pen, but before that I just used a test kit.
It's just a matter of matching the colours of the salt tank to the fresh dip water.
After you first time it gets much easier once you know what to expect.
I panicked at first when after the thrashing stopped the seahorse began to lie on the bottom, but when I touched it with my finger it moved around for a bit and lay down again. I left it the full 12 minutes as it always moved when I touched it.
I've done this numerous times since and have not had a problem, but occasionally the seahorse doesn't move when touched so that's the time to remove it and place it back into salt water.

 

[jeffscustomcage]

how do i raise or lower the ph to match the saltwater tank?

 

[rayjay]

I don't know what others use, but I use kalk to raise and white vinegar to lower, but in my case I've never had to lower, only raise.
Caution though, it takes virtually nothing to change the pH either way in small volumes. Even one drop can go a long way to making a change.
Once adjusting, mix well and let sit a few more minutes before retesting.
The water you use must not have any chlorine or chloramines in it so it's best to use RO/DI or Distilled or even spring water from a bottle.

 

[Peka]

I use ph buffer to raise the ph.. you need to let the water airate for awhile because the ph level will fluctuate after you add the buffer...

 

[jeffscustomcage]

i did a dip for about 3mins that's all they could take. they didn't really thrash
i have a question is the seahorse suppose to lay on the bottom hitched to a post. they have done this since i got them. should i treat another week with meds or put back into main tank?

 

[Peka]

Jeff, If you want to bring them over and let me look at them I will. Unfortunately, I'm too busy right now to offer to come over......