Seahorse Tank [+4 img]

[Aligator93]

Update.

Good news and not so great news.

Not so great news first, is that I find I struggle with the gorgonians, so, while I had to whittle away at them a bit- I still have some full sections I hope to maintain and grow. I just don't think I have a strong enough flow for them, no matter where I try to situate them. My Xenia is also not extending- I think it might have had to do with a water change a while back ago, and I'm thinking my pH is on the low end for them- so, still trying to make some adjustments.

The good news is that everyone else is doing well. The horses just seem to grow so fast. I think I'm finally able to determine that I do have a male and a female. I also recently added:

Also, if anyone has any input, I posted elsewhere in the forum on this, but...

I live near the beach- and when I go, I'm tempted to collect some of the grasses and plants that wash up, just for variety and additional places to hitch. I'm just worried about introducing anything harmful. Any way I can rinse or clean them first, or would I be better off not collecting it? Any other comments, concerns, suggestions, that I should be aware of or take into consideration?

 

[divewsharks]

it may not just flow and water change related for the gorgonian and the xenia. from the pics it looked like the type of gorgonian you have is photosynthetic as of course is the xenia as such, they may not be receiving enough light based on where they are located in the tank.

 

[mattkd5]

very nice i just added the same starfish to my seahorse tank

 

[strout]

Just a question: the Pistol Shrimp, dosn't bother the seahorses?

 

[Aligator93]

Strout, no, my pistol shrimp is tiny and they never interact. I hardly ever see him in passing. He holes up with the 2 gobies. If I watch their burrow for a while I'll see him. He's super shy and never ventures more than an inch or two from the entrance to either move some sand or grab a piece of mysis.

 

[Brian77]

Thanks again. They seem to have grown quite a bit, and have a more 'mature' look to them I guess.

As a treat I gave them phyto-fed brine shrimp so they could have some activity and chase. They liked them, and so did the gobies and dragonet.
It was fun to watch, although I must admit even the little brine shrimp are cute.

As for tank equipment, I use:

- Nova Extreme T5HO
39w 460nm actinic
39w 10,000K

- Tunze nano DOC skimmer 9002

- Marineland C-160

Your tank looks great! I have a 30 gallon high that I am looking to add a skimmer to and have been hearing good things about the Tunze 9002. How do you like it? Do you have any issues because of water level changes or micro bubbles?

 

[Aligator93]

Your tank looks great! I have a 30 gallon high that I am looking to add a skimmer to and have been hearing good things about the Tunze 9002. How do you like it? Do you have any issues because of water level changes or micro bubbles?

Thanks! I would say I'm happy with the skimmer. I've never used one before, so I honestly can't really compare it to another. The pieces fit inside rather simply, but awkwardly, but you don't really need to access it often. As for the skimming... be patient. In the very beginning had mine adjusted too high and came home from work one day to find a full cup and foam splatter on my wall. I had nothing to gauge from when it said adjust in small amounts, but, after a while it'll settle in and you get used to it.

I don't experience micro bubbles and it handles the water level changes fine. If it's a little low from evaporation, I just bump up the adjustment so it foams a little higher. Just have to keep in mind to bring it back when you top-off. It's also pretty quiet. Cleaning the cup with the provided brush is fast and easy.

Good luck with your tank!

 

[Aligator93]

Some updated pictures:

The rockwork is basically the same- the caulerpa has been filling in well, and now there are a number of red grape accents throughout. I was so happy when I was able to keep it growing from a small piece that snuck into my clump of caulerpa.

This is down the length of the tank.

And... finally, now that they are more mature, anyone have a better guess at an ID for them?

 

[Octoshark]

Perfect timing on that yawning goby picture. Did you actually capture that with a camera in the right place at the right time or was it part of a video in which you paused the video at that point and then took the still image and turned it into a photograph?

 

[Aligator93]

Right place at the right time. I tend to hang out with my camera every so often when everyone is being out and active. Someone was probably swimming in the area and the goby got defensive. Occasionally I have to laugh at the 2 gobies- they'll turn and try to dart back into the burrow, but there has been once or twice they've turned and bumped straight into the rock.

 

[mattkd5]

tank looks great