new to seahorses

[rozzzna]

hi all
my local lfs told me they would get in a seahorse shipment soon.

i always wanted seahorses and have been researching almost anything about over the past year..

i have a 30g ready, i plan on a setup like this:

a couple of big LR
sandbed
caulerpa algae
a few mushroom/zoa colonies
a powerhead about 130g/h
no skimmer/ a small airdriven skimmer together with the macroalgae
low light

would that be ok?

i want a pair of reidis



i hope to get them to eat frosen foods over time seahorses seldom get sold in this part of my country, so this is a big opportunity for me.. some of the males sold is even pregnant..

eventho i have already read almost anything about seahorses, i would love to get some good advice from you experienced SH-keepers

 

[Psychographic]

If you feel confident after researching that SH's are for you, your setup sounds fine.

I would suggest you make sure the intake on your Powerhead is covered in case your SH tries to hitch onto it, you would'nt want it's tail getting caught in the impeller.

I would get branch rock for the tank, it will give them plenty to hitch to.

Your best to keep it a species only tank, and keep the temps in the low 70's.

You also have a PM.

 

[rozzzna]

psycho-

thank you very much, yeah i was thinking the same thing about the powerhead

well, i will look for some branch rock then

i dont plan on adding any other fish to this tank, already have 2 other tanks, a fish only, and a reeftank..

thank you for PM

 

[pledosophy]

If the shipment is going to come in soon you better get your tank up really soon. You will need time to let it cycle. Not to point out the obvious but . . . just in case.

What is your QT tank setup going to be like. IME with WC's (which I assume is what we are talking about do to the train to eat frozen comment) it is best to keep them in a 10g tank or so for the first 8 to 12 weeks. YOu can deworm them there, train them to frozen, and observe behavior to make sure they are doing well. I use plastic chain for hitches and weight it down with a rock. I like them because they are easy to clean, many other people like to use plastic plants.

I'm kinda lucky in that I have so much extra stuff around it is easy for me to setup a QT tank with a sump and toss the liverock in the sump for filtration. I'm kind of a fish equipment horder to be honest.

If you choose to go with a "clean" setup you will need to do something or use something to aid the biological filtration in the tank. You can do this with water changes or filters. Many things will work. If your going to use filter media might be a good idea to pick some up today and let it run in your reef to seed it nicely.

For deworming meds I would these instruction from Karen. IMO best to use all three.

METRONIDAZOLE (deworming) Doseage and Preparation Instructions
Active Ingredient: Metronidazole
Note: This med is sold in the US under the brand names "Metro+" and "Flagyl".
Indication: flagellates and other internal parasites
Feed two meals of adult brine shrimp gut-loaded with Flagyl to the Seahorse 1x per week for 3wks.
• If using tablets, crush one tablet into a fine powder. If using powder, dose 1/4tsp.
• Add the Flagyl to one gallon (~4 liters) of water and mix thoroughly.
• Place the amount of adult brine shrimp needed for one feeding into the mixture. Leave them in the mixture for at least 2hrs.
• Remove the adult brine shrimp from the mixture and add them to the quarantine tank.
• Observe the Seahorse to be certain it is eating the adult brine shrimp.

FENBENDAZOLE (deworming) Doseage and Preparation Instructions
Active Ingredient: Fenbendazole
Note: This med is sold in the US under the brand names "Panacur" and "Safe-Guard".
Indication: worms and other internal parasites
Feed two meals of adult brine shrimp gut-loaded with Panacur to the Seahorse 1x per week for 3wks.
• Add 2ml (~1/2 tsp) of Panacur to one gallon (~4 liters) of water and mix thoroughly.
• Place the amount of adult brine shrimp needed for one feeding into the mixture. Leave them in the mixture for at least 2hrs.
• Remove the adult brine shrimp from the mixture and add them to the quarantine tank.
• Observe the Seahorse to be certain it is eating the adult brine shrimp.

PRAZIQUANTEL (deworming) Doseage and Preparation Instructions
Active Ingredient: Praziquantel
Note: This med is sold in the US under the brand name "PraziPro".
Indication: worms and other internal parasites
Feed two meals of adult brine shrimp gut-loaded with Panacur to the Seahorse 1x per week for 3wks.
• Add 10ml (~2tsp) of PraziPro to one gallon (~4 liters) of water and mix thoroughly.
• Place the amount of adult brine shrimp needed for one feeding into the mixture. Leave them in the mixture for at least 2hrs.
• Remove the adult brine shrimp from the mixture and add them to the quarantine tank.
• Observe the Seahorse to be certain it is eating the adult brine shrimp.

What kind of caulepra are you planning on using?

What kind of light?

HTH

 

[rozzzna]

pledo-

thank you so much that helped alot

im thinking caulerpa taxifloia? maybe som chaetomorpha if i can get it somewhere..

i will use 2x t8 (normally use t5 but in this case i have a lamp that match the tank perfectly) i believe it would be sufficient

 

[pledosophy]

The output from T5 and T8's are very different. I believe you will be able to grow the macro with T8's though.

Taxifolia is a very aggressive grower but when you remove it, please freeze it in a bag before throwing in a garbage can. Adding bleach to the water you remove during water changes is also a good idea. It is a very invasive algae by other means and has been banned in many countries around the world. So if your going to use it, just be responsible.

HTH

 

[rozzzna]

thank for the infos i will be carefull, now i know.. i found a place that sells

caulerpa taxifolia
green ulva fasciata
chaetomorpha sp... looks like springs.. curly thick stuff?

should i go for those 3? or is the ulva unnescessary? i dont know much about macros, and how well they will settle in..

 

[rozzzna]

forgot to say.. i have some halimeda already growing in my reeftank just trims it now and then,.. i guess it would work in a SH tank too?

 

[pledosophy]

I have those four, as well as some others in my seahorse system. IME they work well together.

I am an Ulva fan, and when it is time to rpuin the fish in the reef tank love it.

HTH