jpeggerling
New member
Im in the middle of setting up a 10 gal. refugium under my 20 gal. reef tank. I was wondering if it is ok to keep a couple of Sea Horses in there?
Refugium?
- Thread starter jpeggerling
- Start date
Reef tank temperature is usually too hot for seahorses, and if you put seahorses in there it will not be a refugium for anythin, as the seahorses will eat it.
The space in a 10 gal. will not really be enough for the seahorses, unless you get something like dwarves, and they dont like the reef environment much.
Finally, seahorses are messy, and they will affect your reef water quality.
The space in a 10 gal. will not really be enough for the seahorses, unless you get something like dwarves, and they dont like the reef environment much.
Finally, seahorses are messy, and they will affect your reef water quality.
I have 2 seahorses in my 20 gallon refugium. It is right though, they will eat the pods that are beneficial to the refugium. That said, on larger tanks with larger refugiums I don't think it would be a problem to house a couple in them as long as they were the warm water type. ORA breeds warm water type. Check out there website, it's at www.orafarms.com I believe and they have a lot of information on their website. Most people will say it's not a good idea, however, I haven't had many issues other than the pods get erradicated fairly quickly!! Good luck and keep us posted!
The reason it is called a refugium is because it is a refuge for small critters. If you put a seahorse in there it is no longer a refuge because they will eat all the pods in a matter of days.
That being said a 10 gallon is too small for adult horses and the temp would be too high. Just because seahorses may survive at high temps does not mean it's a good idea to subject them to adverse conditions. An adult H. erectus should live for 5 to 7 years in a tank that meets their needs. In a cramped, hot fuge they would last probably 6 months to 2 years.
If you look on the seahorse sites you will notice in almost all the emergency posts that they recommend lowering the temperature below 75 even for tropical horses. Seahorses are much less prone to infections at lower temps.
As to ORA they are in the business of selling fish just like a LFS and some of there advice should be taken with a grain of salt mix.
Bruce
That being said a 10 gallon is too small for adult horses and the temp would be too high. Just because seahorses may survive at high temps does not mean it's a good idea to subject them to adverse conditions. An adult H. erectus should live for 5 to 7 years in a tank that meets their needs. In a cramped, hot fuge they would last probably 6 months to 2 years.
If you look on the seahorse sites you will notice in almost all the emergency posts that they recommend lowering the temperature below 75 even for tropical horses. Seahorses are much less prone to infections at lower temps.
As to ORA they are in the business of selling fish just like a LFS and some of there advice should be taken with a grain of salt mix.
Bruce
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Agreed to most of what BruceW said. I think that seahorses should be kept in a cooler environment. I keep my tank at about 76 and I have mixed thoughts about seahorses. I have seen mixed reviews about them so I guess I would say keep them at your own risk and good luck. I have had mine a few months and I will let you know how long they live. I would say that if they live for 3-5 years I would personally be satisfied with that. Mine are kept in a 20 gallon tank but that even looks a little small for them. I am thinking about upgrading to a 30 gallon cube tank for them, but who knows. Anyway, my buddy has a seahorse in his 5 gallon tank and it's doing ok for now, but I told him he was crazy. I will keep you posted on that as well.
jpeggerling
New member
Thank Everyone! Im glad I asked!
OneThunder
New member
I keep coming up with a "sponsored url" ??
Brock Fluharty
New member
sdreefers,
The 20 gallon looks a little small for them becasue it IS a little small for them. Minimum size for the usualy species of seahorse are 30 gallons...
The 20 gallon looks a little small for them becasue it IS a little small for them. Minimum size for the usualy species of seahorse are 30 gallons...
pledosophy
Active member
Mr Lesnar, SD is no longer a part of this site.
IMHO it is not possible to breed out thousands of years of evolution, in a few years. The bacteria's that affect seahorses have not changed, lower temperatures have proven to be more effective in keeping seahorses long term.
JMO.
IMHO it is not possible to breed out thousands of years of evolution, in a few years. The bacteria's that affect seahorses have not changed, lower temperatures have proven to be more effective in keeping seahorses long term.
JMO.
Brock Fluharty
New member
How do people "Move On"?
