Proposed 47 Cube Seahorse System Questions

[muttley000]

I've never kept seahorses. I have some some research, and now that I have some of the equipment I am refining that research. I have a 47 gallon cube, it is tempered all panes so I am going to use a CPR 50 (300 gal per hour) overflow to a sump. I am an accomplished woodworker so I can design the stand for as much of a sump and fuge as I want. I am planning a mag 5 for a return, and can tone it down if that is too much flow. Will I need any powerheads if I go this route?
I have no lighting for this tank and am looking for suggestions. I don't plan on any high light corals (may try sun coral in this system at some point) and am thinking a 2 bulb T5 will be fine.
I have some pretty coarse substrate, as well as some oolitic sand. I am thinking fine sand in the fuge as a DSB, and the coarser stuff in the diplay so I can vaccum it clean easier. Do the Seahorses care about the substrate much?
I am thinking I can do 2 pairs in this system, or 3 pairs of dwarves, does that seem reasonable?
I'm sure I will have more questions depending on where we go here.

 

[mark0933]

IMO wouldn't go with dwarves in a 47 - too big a tank. What are the dimensions of a 47cube - about 18"? x how high? I would think you can have a few pairs in a tank that size. Substrate isn't a big deal as is light. Horses do like some flow, so in addition to the return, maybe consider a nano wavebox? (just an idea) - the horses seem to like the back and forth and it makes the frozen mysis seem more alive when swaying on the substrate.

Mark

 

[muttley000]

Tank is 18" by 20", and 30" High

 

[namxas]

You'd need a good 40 zots to even really notice them in a 47 gal, but zots have their own issues, and I honestly think you'd do better with two pairs of a larger species such as true CB erectus or reidi as your first SH.

 

[muttley000]

You'd need a good 40 zots to even really notice them in a 47 gal, but zots have their own issues, and I honestly think you'd do better with two pairs of a larger species such as true CB erectus or reidi as your first SH.

Thanks for the advice! I have a 17 hex, maybe some dwarfs in that tank after I get some experience:rollface:

 

[LisaD]

I could never deal with dwarf seahorses for more than a year at a time. I've tried them several times, and always ended up selling them or giving them away.

The struggle to balance high density of live food with clean water was difficult for me. Constantly hatching brine shrimp got old. And I found them much less active (as well as harder to see!) than other, larger species.

 

[DanU]

In regards to the flow, I would encourage you to up the flow if possible. Contrary to what many think, seahorses do fine in high flow. They don't like high current or jet streams blowing them around but do fine in a 10 to 15 turns per hour tank if the current is broken up where it is more even and gentle. This helps keep the tank cleaner especially since this is a taller tank. Seahorses are also usually more active in higher flow tanks.

Dan

 

[LisaD]

+1 on this. Direct flow away from main hitching or eating areas, behind rocks and at surface, and seahorses will be fine. I prefer at least 10x volume per hour.