Questions for new tank?

[suliaman007]

Im planning on setting up my seahorse tank this weekend. The tank which I will be using will be a 20 gal extra high 20x10x24 (LxWxH). ill probably get about 20 pounds of mixed LR. Im thinking most of it will be Tonga, and 20 lbs of live sand as well. Im going to have it planted with different types of macro and grass. Now for my questions:

1. I have a CPR backpack Protein Skimmer which I am thinking of using with the setup. From the reading which I have done, it seems people rather use HOB fuge. What do you recommend? Should I trade the CPR for a HOB fuge? If so, would I still need a canister filter?

2. the lighting which im considering to use is the compact energy saver bulbs. The ones which are 25 watts but are bright as a 100 watt bulb. I will probably use two 25 watt bulbs which will be to 200 watts. Im using one of these in my fuge, the growth rate of my macro is great. Which type of sea grass would be able to live under such lights?

3. If I get the LS, LR and water from my tank, do still need it to cycle? How sensitive are seahorses to nitrate, nitrite and ammonia levels?

4. Can seahorses get ick? (my current tank has an ick out break. Should I not use the water from there?)

5. Im buying 2 male h. reidi from a local reefer. Will these guys be ok in the 20 gal? if in the future I decide to get a female, is it ok to have 2 males and 1 female?


Thank you

 

[pledosophy]

Plan sounds good.

1. I'd stick with the protein skimmer, especially if your tank will be housing macro alages. I'd stay with the cannister filter as well. It is good because you can control the media used and it will also offer water polishing.

Make sure to adjust the skimmer so no bubbles are entering the tank.

Personally I'm not a big fan of protein skimmers on heavily planted tanks as they seem to compete with the macro's for nutrients and slow there growth. I'd rather trim the macro's personally, but that's just my preference

If you do see GBD occuring in your seahorses I would recommend removing the protein skimmer. JMO

2. There is no real seagrass I know of that will grow with those bulbs, however there is a very nice macro algae called prolifera that is readily available that will give the look of a seagrass bed and will work with your lighting. It is one of my favorite macro algaes personally.

3. YOur tank still may need to cycle. Kinda depends on many things. I would setup the tank, give it a couple days to settle, then add a source of ammonia like a days worth of feeding of mysis shrimp, pure unscented ammonia, or ammonia chloride. Wait a few hours 4 or so, a bt more is fine and then do an ammonia test. If it reads 0 test for nitrites and nitrates as well.

I like to use a food source like mysis because IME while the chemicals are the cleanest way to promote a cycle they also require a 90% WC after the cycle is complete to stabalize pH. JMO Using a chemical method is fine too, just make sure to do the water change.

4. Seahorses can get ick. They are susebtable mainly on there gills. IMO it is not wise to use water from a tank you know is infected. Better to start off clean.

5. They will be O.K. in a 20g but it is on the small side IMO. I would not exceed a pair of reidi in a 20g IME. They do get fairly large and the bioload itself is high. If you upgrade to a larger tank and would like to add a female reidi down the road there is no problem with only having 3. You may see some initial competition but I think all will be fine.

HTH