Keeping a Kuda pair in 20G, possible?

[ubgone]

I would like keep a breeding pair of kuda.
I'm trying to figure out if a drum tank:
17.25" Diameter
26.25" Tall

which means its about 20G.
I will only keep with them: DSB,LR, cleaner shrimp(scarlet), cleaners and some macros or marine plants.

The system will also have:
sump(10g),fuge(7-10G), chiller,skimmer,lights, fluidized bed filter.

(I hope I'm not forgetting anything)

could it work? or should I go with a 30G?

Thanks!

 

[fishymann]

30 gallon with out a doubt. maybe use the 20 to raise the fry in.

 

[ubgone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682650#post9682650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishymann
30 gallon with out a doubt. maybe use the 20 to raise the fry in.

ok thank you.

 

[cmsargent]

A 30 would be better to give the seahorses a bit more swimming room but with a tall tank like that the 20 could work. Since you'll have another 10-20g with the sump and fuge the total water volume of 50g you shouldn't have to much trouble keeping the water quality high.

A normal 20 usually isn't big enough but with the added hight and extra water vloume in the sump/fuge this setup might work out for you.

 

[pledosophy]

IME a 20g tank could work fine. With that filtration, I would not worry much. JME.

I'd be more worried about the cleaner shrimp. IMO a peppermint woul dbe a better choice. JME

 

[ubgone]

Thanks guys!!

I'm in a bit of a lost now because I have a couple of opinions....
any ideas how i could verify this? to be sure?

 

[ann83]

Its nothing to be verified, its just a sliding scale of opinions on what you could get away with. Pledosophy and CMSargent are both experienced keepers and you can trust them. That being said, I'm sure they would both agree that a 30 gallon would be the better option provided it had height, because seahorses do like some horizontal swimming room in addition to the vertical. Since you want to breed the Kuda, I would make sure there is room on the sand bed for the portion of their mating ritual where they swim along the bottom in the sand. If you want more information on setting up seahorse systems, you can check out www.seahorse.org

 

[ubgone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9689993#post9689993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ann83
Its nothing to be verified, its just a sliding scale of opinions on what you could get away with. Pledosophy and CMSargent are both experienced keepers and you can trust them. That being said, I'm sure they would both agree that a 30 gallon would be the better option provided it had height, because seahorses do like some horizontal swimming room in addition to the vertical. Since you want to breed the Kuda, I would make sure there is room on the sand bed for the portion of their mating ritual where they swim along the bottom in the sand. If you want more information on setting up seahorse systems, you can check out www.seahorse.org

Thanks!

I think I will go with 30G because it will cost almost the same...

 

[fishymann]

ann is correct, when it comes to this type of thing there is no "right and wrong" pledo,cmsargent, and ann are both much more knowledgable than i am when it comes to this. But think about the overall size (put aside the filtration factor) even if its less vertical hight its still more space spread out for the horses. Its up to you if you like the 20 gallon better than yes it can be done (see what i mean its very much "up to you") either way hope you have fun and enjoy your seahorses

 

[pledosophy]

Anne, of course bigger is better. No arguement from me. Personally if money and space were not a factor the smallest seahorse tank I'd own would be the 180g tall, if you've see it you'd know. The 450g's seem ideal fo me for a reef. I feel leary about saying a 20g can't be done, although I totally agree bigger is way better. Not only in stability, but also in room for the horses.

I'e kept seahorses in 18g, 20g, 25g, 37g, 44g, 65g, 70g, and 75g. IME I've noticed the larger the tank the more active the seahorse.

JME.

 

[sloshesv]

I've had my kudas in a 20g for the last year, but they're sisters.

 

[isseym328]

Got a pair in a 20g tall right now with 4 fishes, pair of harlequin shrimp, 1 cleaner shrimp, and some softies. They are in great shape and wc's. Had them for almost a year now I think. But I do change water once a week.