Seahorse builtin refugium

[DanU]

Where are you getting your H. ingens from? Are you collecting them yourself?

Dan

 

[David123]

Seahorses are a quite active swimmer, love space, and the more you give them the more they will respond and play.

The size tank you have is not sized for the giants, it is more for an intermediate, like fuscus or true kuda.

Generally speaking, a seahorse tank and a reef make for bad partners, addressed is the nutrient levels, but also seahorses should not be kept above 74°f.

 

[Brock Fluharty]

I agree with David.

The Current Tanks section of your profile says that the refugium is 10 gallons. Is this correct? If so, that's only big enough for the SMALLEST of seahorses, such as dwarves.

The temperature will probably be your biggest concern.

 

[snake]

Well the guy from the LFS said they are breed in a farm in a town in the pasific coast of Mexico, that 's is why I suppose they are H.ingens

I haven't got them yet, I will look for a smaller species o even reconsider having seahorses here, maybe I´ll change mi mind and have small fish only
Anyway I love how this refugium setup looks

Thanks

 

[Brock Fluharty]

I'd go with small fish only. Then, if you really want horses, you could set up a new tank for them. Just my opinion though.

 

[mollymonticello]

I have a 55 gallon reef with a 37 gallon seahorse tank "sump" plumbed in. I used to have corals in the 55. Now I just have algae!

 

[snake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14921910#post14921910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mollymonticello
I have a 55 gallon reef with a 37 gallon seahorse tank "sump" plumbed in. I used to have corals in the 55. Now I just have algae!

What happened to your corals?
Tell us your story, did your nutrient levels raised too much and killed your corals?

 

[namxas]

another issue that i did not see mentioned is that H. ingens is a SUBTROPICAL species and should not be kept above 70*F, which is a bit cold for your main system.

that being said, you did a super job on the setup.

 

[Pohono]

the 'tank under a tank' is the most awesome/beautiful thing I have seen in a while! It's one of those 'why didn't I think of that?' moments........ohhhhh the in-wall ideas are flowing! wow...just wow! amazing! thank you. Not sure if you are the first, but it's the first I have seen done 'right'....not just an 'ugly' tank in the fish room. Thank you!

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

any updates?


very cool!

 

[snake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14935190#post14935190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEF-n-Chicago
any updates?


very cool!

No updates yet, just leting cualerpa grow a bit more, I'm thinking in all the advices given by all off you.

I still would like to have SH here but due the size I will look for dwarf species, another concern is to have the refugium plumbed with the main reef tank, which I still don't know how risky could be for my corals. Maybe I just let the refugium not plumbed to the main tank and with its own circulation, but it's only a little more than 10Gal

In the mean time I'm still waiting for more replies from the experienced ones to take a final desition.

 

[Brock Fluharty]

The only readily available species that I've heard of that can be kept in a 10 gallon is Hippocampus zosterae, and they have extremely specialized requirements, even for seahorses.

The large majority of the smaller seahorses are either sub-tropical or temperate, almost always requiring a chiller. If you find a chiller, you could do a smaller species tank (as long as you can find the seahorses in Mexico.) But it can't be plumbed into your main tank. So you do still have a few options. Just have to tweak your original plans.

HTH,

Brock Fluharty

 

[micstarz]

What is the purpose of the egg crate in the corner? Is it for macroalgae to grow all over?

 

[Brock Fluharty]

Looks like it's supposed to be for the horses to hold onto. But the macro would serve that purpose even better.

 

[snake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14937301#post14937301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by micstarz
What is the purpose of the egg crate in the corner? Is it for macroalgae to grow all over?

Basically is for the macroalgae to grow all over it and avoid to be just floating

 

[snake]

I have read that all species of SH should be kept by pairs, is that a fact?
I mean at least two of them

 

[Brock Fluharty]

They should be kept in pairs, yes. That's not to say that if you have one, it will die, but they generally seem to be happier and do better with a partner/friend.

 

[gsxunv04]

you could just get a new tank, like a 30g+ hex tank, plumb your fuge to it, and keep the SH in it as a stand alone system. you could keep it close to your main reef, visitors would not be able to tell the difference in whats plumbed together and whats not.

 

[tongabranch]

That is a truly awesome design/set-up!!!!

Really good seahorse in put as well.

Nice job!!

 

[louie07]

im not sure how much room you have under the stand (maybe pics of that could help us with any alternative ideas) but you could make a new stand alone system and put the shorter side of a 29 gallon tank, and set up a new refugium and still have horses.