Seahorse Filtration?

[chicagodog]

Few questions from someone looking to enter the world of seahorse keeping!! Have kept reefs, currently have a 40 gallon mixed reef. Have a 20H laying around with lighting, heaters, power heads, just need sand, water, and Seahorses! I have a question about filtration, as I have read that some people don't like live rock because of things that may grow/crawl out of it. Accustomed to the 1-2 lb per gallon Live rock rule in Reefs, can I just use macroalgae and a HOB filter with carbon and bioballs?? Cycle with ammonia, put some Live rock rubble for the algae to hitch onto, and run the filter for biological and chemical filtration, using some filter floss for mechanical, and macro for nitrate/phosphate uptake. Does this sound right, or do I need live rock?? I also have pod filled chaeto to put into it, so would help in feeding.

Input/advice appreciated, as I just went through the first 40 pages of this forum, and couldn't find the exact answer I was looking for

Thanks!!

CD

 

[seamonkey2]

CD, IMO is a matter of preference, people will tell you, don't use live rock there are to many dangers blah blah blah, others will advocate for the use of LR

bottom line, your preference, you allready have a reef and know the benefits of LR

I have a 240ga reef and a 215ga SH tank both have a large amount of LR, I like it that way and have no problems, there is pleanty of food hiding in the LR for the horses to eat

I only have a couple of leathers in there and a lot of blade culerpra, the love that, so once again, is your call, is your tank, take the best from ohters and use it, but is your tank

I'm sure everybody can argue against my point of view, but my horses are very fat and happy, you can't argue with that

good luck

Jose

 

[kba981]

i have both bare bottom and tanks with rock. I like both types of setups. I have a 30 tall with only a emporer 400 HOB with live rock and sand. The reason some poeple dont like live rock is the chances of disease and hydroids. while there are risk .I love live rock and sand. my juv tanks i do run bare bottom easier to clean all the poop.

 

[Hekim]

You could always use something like Caribsea Reef Rock. If you cycle with ammonia (or a raw table shrimp) it will develope the bacteria for bio filtration pretty quickly. Culture some pods and you have most of the benefits of LR without the pest.

Its not as attractive but it is an option.

 

[Fredfish]

I agree with seamonkey, its your choice. The only place it becomes an issue is when keeping dwarf horses.

Seamonkey, a 215 gallon seahorse tank? We need pictured dude!!

If you can seed your tank with water and some rock/sand from the reef tank it will cycle a little faster.

By the way, a 20g is on the small side. You will need to keep a close eye on your water quality.

Fred