Seahorse tank build

[rogerrgr]

I bought a Marineland 60g cube reef ready tank and stand to use as my new seahorse tank. I chose this size tank to be able to house 2 pairs, and enough verticle height for possible mating, and the water volume to help with stability.
I plan on having an in stand sump, skimmer and refugium, if I can get it all to fit! The tank will be lower flow so still have to decide on the return pump and possible powerhead.
The tank will also have to be set up to be pretty quiet since it's going to be setup in the bedroom.
The tank will have a matching black canopy with 2 controllable computer cooling fans and either t5 or cf lighting, to help with heat. It will be a species only tank with some rock and lots of different colored macro. I will be using small grain argonite sand 1/2''-1'' deep.
I also plan on running a chiller to help keep tank temp at 72. I've been looking into the JBJ chillers and they seem to run very quiet.
I will also be setting up a quarantine tank and possibly other tanks to attempt to raise babies if I decide to buy a male horse. Still extensively researching that part!
I do not plan on housing any fish with them, and am getting captive bred/raised seahorses.
Now on to the fun part of getting it all set up and cycling! Pics to follow!

 

[rayjay]

Sounds like you've been doing some research.
I wouldn't plan anything yet as to what containers for fry raising because tanks may not be the way to go for your future fry, especially if they are pelagic.
Why is the tank only to be lower flow?

 

[rogerrgr]

Sounds like you've been doing some research.
I wouldn't plan anything yet as to what containers for fry raising because tanks may not be the way to go for your future fry, especially if they are pelagic.
Why is the tank only to be lower flow?

Yes, I've been doing quite a bit of researching on here, lots of great information! I really don't want to do my own trial and error.
Good point about the fry setup! Fry setup is in the distant future though, just trying to get an idea of where I am going to put things such as possible tanks. I am most likely going with H. erectus seahorses.
By lower flow, I meant lower than my 125g reef tank with 2 tunze 6105's! For the return flow, I would like to use the locline spraybar setup. I also have a tunze 6025 that I have to check into a little more, possible foam cover. I do know that if they swim in front of that, they will go shooting across the tank, so don't know if that would be good or not.
For a return pump, I'm thinking of using a mag drive pump 5 or 7, still undecided.

 

[rayjay]

As long as the flow is directed to open water, the seahorses will probably "play" in the flow, assuming it dissipates before they get smashed against something.
I have several seahorses that like to do this.

 

[rogerrgr]

As long as the flow is directed to open water, the seahorses will probably "play" in the flow, assuming it dissipates before they get smashed against something.
I have several seahorses that like to do this.

Thanks, I will definately try that!

Here are some pics of the tank I got before cleaning and final positioning. I'm not using the sugar grained sand it came with. Still rearranging furniture. Hopefully plumbing, sump and water fill this weekend!

 

[Devaji108]

nice, I have been looking into those tanks as well...
good luck and keep us posted!

 

[rogerrgr]

nice, I have been looking into those tanks as well...
good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks!
Things have not been moving along as quickly as I have hoped for, but the tank is finally spottles and cleaned and in place! I also bought a coralife clamp on light and a mag 7 return pump.
Right now I'm still working on the sump and plumbing. You can't rush great progress I guess!

 

[mtc1966]

is that a metal halide ? that may be a bit intense for seahorses.

 

[rogerrgr]

is that a metal halide ? that may be a bit intense for seahorses.

Yes it is, it is a 150w de clip on light. I have it adjusted pretty high above the tank and it does not appear to be as bright as one would think.. My 2 compact flourescent 55w each appear brighter than this fixture.
I chose this light to not be limited on the macro and plants that I can grow, yet not be too bright for the seahorses hopefully...

 

[mtc1966]

cool sounds good keep us posted

 

[rogerrgr]

Tank is finally cleaned, the sump is built and plumbed, it's full of water and running for a month now. I'm using a reef octopus 110 newer style skimmer, and put my sand and rock in there this weekend. I still have to rearrange it some.

Now I am looking for somewhere to get some different kinds of macro to start with. Any ideas of where to get some, or anyone that has some for sale is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Pictures coming soon..

 

[mtc1966]

a lot of the good stuff seems to be out of season right now. may have to check with local reefers

 

[rogerrgr]

The tank has been up and running unstocked for a year with the macroalgae and neon green nepthea. We finally purchased some seahorses! We ended up getting 3 pairs of southern H. erectus from seahorse corral. They have been in their display tank now for 2 days. Finally got around to adding some pictures to do some updates on the thread. They are even eating mysis out of the seashell bowl. The powerhead on the top right is not in use right now. The algae stuck to the vines on the macro is from me scraping off glass and didn't suck it out of there yet! Next to add is all of my other colorful display macroalgae that I have been collecting! I will try to get some better pics, some of the seahorses have some pretty yellow on them currently.

 

[rogerrgr]

Any ideas of how to build something around my tunze 6025 powerhead? Or any pics of similar setups? Maybe a gutter guard cage or something? I really don't want to use a sponge if possible, that will build up stuff on it and cut down flow. It puts out nice flow but I do not want one of the seahorses to get sucked up against it, so I don't currently have it plugged in but did try it out while I was watching and it didn't blow the seahorses around or anything.

 

[rgreene]

makes me want to get a pair

 

[rgreene]

or two

 

[PiratesReef]

had a seahorse tank one time with curp in it the seahorses did great but the curp went asexual and cloud the water I thank you have to thin it every now and then

 

[SantaMonica]

Did you place that macro in those spots?

 

[rogerrgr]

Did you place that macro in those spots?

Sorry for such a late response. I just put a couple pieces in the sand and it started to grow everywhere. I cut the runners every so often, in case part of it goes sexual then it won't be one huge connected piece. I do trim it often. I will try to post some more updated pics.
All 6 seahorses are doing great and growing! I think I'm liking them better than my reef tank, they are very fun to watch!

 

[9NUFC]

Researching Seahorse Tank Build

Researching Seahorse Tank Build

I am looking and been doing a lot of research on a Seahorse tank. As a youngster I had several freshwater tanks and now much older looking to get back into the hobby, but also add a relaxing/calm touch to my daughter room. I am looking at the 29 BioCube and look to purchase some 10-15lbs of live rock, Caulerpa prolifera and red grape Caulerpa for color. Down road, but not too far down I would like to add in Sea stalks, Yellow Finger Gorg, Sun Coral and Ancanthastrea, before adding 4 horses.

I am still researching and considering: 1 Catalina Goby, 1 Striped Mandarin Dragonnette and 1 Bangaii Cardinalfish.

Or is that too much for a horse tank? I am looking for something to add some color and movement to the tank. Thoughts?

Also any suggestions on Stars or Snails to help with overall tank healthiness?

Will a feeding station work with the other fish in the tank?

Other thoughts or suggestions are welcome; especially those on take set-up as much has changed and different, since my days to tinkering with tanks.

@Rogerrgr GREAT Tank! Thank you for all the great pics too. You have set the standard high with your Seahorse Tank.

Thanks!:twitch: