lots o questionssssss

[TonyGee29]

I really want to set up a seahorse tank and i was wondering:

How much will it run you normally?

I have a 38 gallon tank that is fresh now but i just got a 250W Halide and will that be enought light for it?
or do you need light?

And how much LR will i need?

I am trying to do research also...

but i think this forum will help alot

ALSO could you post some pictures of your tanks?

Any help is appreciated!:strooper:

Thanks in Advance
Tony

 

[TamiW]

A 38 gallon is a good size for a seahorse tank. Fairly tall so it will work out well for what you are looking for.

I wouldn't go with metal halide, as it will heat up the water too much, and most seahorses aren't fond of extremely bright lights. Unless you want corals, you really only need NO fluorescent tubes.

If you do keep corals, you'll want to make sure they aren't a stinging variety. Most leathers, zoanthids, and mushrooms are okay.

Depending on the species, you'll probably want to keep the temperature around 76 degrees. Some species (subtropical and temperate) require even lower temps.

You will still need live rock. I tried to do approximately 1 pound per gallon in a seahorse tank. Though to keep it open for seahorses, you may need less. My 38 gallon seahorse tank has 45lb of live rock and is still very open. Using Tonga branch rock helps a lot as it can also work as a hitching post.

 

[TonyGee29]

well if i put my halide up high it wont effect the heat we did it at school and it didnt emit alot of heat...

But whats a good species to keep for abegginer?

can i keep fish with them?

 

[TamiW]

I would say captive bred H. erectus are going to be the best choice for a beginner. Next would be captive bred H. reidi.

seahorsesource.com is supposed to be a good place to get them from. And while I haven't purchased any from them personally, I hear nothing but rave reviews.

 

[TonyGee29]

how long does the tank cycle?

will a 10 gallon work?

 

[TamiW]

4 to 8 weeks, usually. And no a 10 gallon will not work. For the species mentioned I'd go with at least a 30 gallon to start for a pair.

If this is your first adventure into saltwater, I'd also stay away from seahorses until you have the basics down. That doesn't mean you can't do seahorses, set up your tank with seahorses in mind. Keep peaceful fish, inverts, etc . . . and once you've had good success for 6 months, then try seahorses.

 

[TonyGee29]

oh this isnt my frist saltwater i have been in it for almost a year now

 

[TamiW]

I guess I'm a bit concerned since you asked about how long it takes to cycle a tank. This is very basic saltwater aquarium knowledge, and I'm not sure without it you're ready for seahorses.

 

[TonyGee29]

well i was wondering if its different for seahorses

 

[TamiW]

Ah, yes, I understand. No, its not different, except perhaps that you want to be ABSOLUTELY certain the tank is cycled, no trace of ammonia and nitrite, and nitrate below 20ppm (ideally, below 10).

Read everything you can on it. Seahorses are drastically different than other fish. They need a slow moving aquarium - slow water flow, slow tankmates, etc . . .

 

[garvondavis14]

also look into captive bred kuda

 

[TonyGee29]

how many Gph should i run in it?

 

[sloshesv]

Here's a decent site

http://www.seahorses.de/index.htm


good place to get seahorses

http://www.seahorsesource.com/