Seahorse Tank Suggestions

[srbball22]

Ok, well i've been doing tons of research since i've had this idea of turning my dad's 29g freshwater tank to a seahorse tank. I just need to have some suggestions about equipment. I'm going to make it a seahorse, macro algae, and softie tank. I'm planning on H. Erectus CB for my seahorses, about 2 or 3. I want to keep it as basic as possible.

1.Filter - can I just use my dad's old power filter and add a powerhead or two for flow, -or- I was thinking maybe a more powerful power filter, -or- I was maybe thinking of getting one of those small hang on the back refugiums. that goes in the order I would prefer most. any suggestions would be great.

2.Skimmer - What skimmer would be most effective on a seahorse tank? I want a hang on the back one like Bak-Pack, but those are a bit expensive. Anything cheaper?

I'm still just getting ideas and it won't be a while before i set this up, I just want to have everything planned out before I do anything.

 

[jucoho]

Was the power filter for the freshwater tank? Saltwater filters and freshwater filters have different capacities. With some filters, 2 freshwater filters are equivalent to one freshwater filter.

Seahorses are messy eaters. They tend to spit up their food after it's been shredded up and then eat some more. Having a decent filter is important. Have you looked into canister filters? Fluvals canister filters seem to do well and are easy and cheap.
I have an Eheim, but they tend to be more expensive.

I would advise you don't use the skimmer unless it's in a sump. As you know, the male seahorse has a pouch for babies (fry).
Skimmers create microbubbles that get in the pouches, regardless of whether or not the male has fry at the time,, causing massive swimming problems for the seahorses.
The skimmers do well in sumps though, IMO.

The refugium and powerheads sound like good ideas.
One powerhead will be more than enough. Seahorses are slow swimmers. Too much flow, and they will feel like they're in a hurricane.
I suggest a Maxi-Jet 400 for a 29 gallon. You want between 2-4 times turnover. Aim it at the surface (about a half inch under) for aeration. I believe oxygen saturation is vital.
I have a Maxi-Jet 900 in my 55gallon sh tank. It's great.

 

[ReefNutPA]

Re: Seahorse Tank Suggestions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7144415#post7144415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by srbball22
1.Filter - can I just use my dad's old power filter and add a powerhead or two for flow, -or- I was thinking maybe a more powerful power filter, -or- I was maybe thinking of getting one of those small hang on the back refugiums. that goes in the order I would prefer most. any suggestions would be great.

You're going to get LOTS of different answers on this question as there is more than one way to run a tank. Personally, yes, you can just use a HOB power filter for mechanical filtration. I run regular Whisper filters on all my SW tanks. I don't like canisters, personally.

2.Skimmer - What skimmer would be most effective on a seahorse tank? I want a hang on the back one like Bak-Pack, but those are a bit expensive. Anything cheaper?

An easy/relatively inexpensive skimmer is an AquaC Remora. I have one on my SH tank and it works fine. The Bak-Paks I have used in the past created lots of bubbles, so I stay away from them now.

I'm still just getting ideas and it won't be a while before i set this up, I just want to have everything planned out before I do anything.

Your best best is to do tons of reading.... then do some more Nobody can tell you specifically what will work best for you. We can all only give our opinions based on our experiences. It will be up to you to piece all the information together and figure out what will be best for your situation. Although... .we'll all be here ready to help 'ya out if you need it

To give you an example, my tanks are extremely low-tech. My reef tanks and SH tank run the same way... I use a DSB, LR, skimmer, HOB filter...and that's it. I definitely follow the philosophy of "more biology, less technology". I have no sumps or refugiums. They may be nice to have - but not necessary for success. I know plenty of people with refugiums that grow/harvest macroalgae to "help reduce their nitrates", however, like thousands of other hobbyists without refugiums... my nitrate levels are already at 0ppm.

Tom

 

[pledosophy]

O.K. my .02,

You can use a really cheap do nothing filter if you have a good amount of healthy liverock and can be patient and wait for the tank to properly cycle.

Refugiums are great, those hang on ones are easily made, In the long run I have found it cheaper to build a 20g fuge and buy a return pump then to mess with the HOB's, but the HOB is easier.

I would use the cheapo filter with the fuge if it were me, but I over filter everything.

Skimmer, there are much cheaper paper weights and doorstops out there, try a brick.

 

[srbball22]

thanks for all the responses!!! One question, if im going to have lots of macro algae and plants in my seahorse tank, is there a point to having a refugium? I have a refugium on my 65 gallon with cheatomorpha filled with pods and stuff that im planning on putting a lot in my seahorse tank. I might just get a stronger power filter since they are only like $20-$30. I'm planning on about 20 pounds of live rock and about a bag of live sand. This gets my biology. I also prefer to have more natural filtration. I'm still thinking about a skimmer...

 

[srbball22]

also, I forgot to ask about powerfilters. What would you recommend to buy? (brand/model) for a good amount of flow. Would it possibly be better to buy 2 smaller ones so I get more flow around the tank without getting a powerhead?

 

[kjdeut]

Looking at how much my tank is fed and the amount of junk my skimmer pulls out of the seahorse tank I wouldn't call it a doorstop. Also IME skimmers do not stop marco algae from growing as some would have you believe. I have never had a problem growing macro algae in a system with a skimmer. If you go without a skimmer you will need to make sure you really stay on top of your water changes.

I'm assuming your 29 gal is not drilled so if you went with anything other then a hang on fuge you would need a hang on overflow which opens up the possibility of flooding.

My question to the group is if a 29 gal is big enough? When you factor in 20 lbs of live rock and a bag of sand that doesnt leave a lot of room for a horse that can grow to 8".

 

[srbball22]

My question to the group is if a 29 gal is big enough? When you factor in 20 lbs of live rock and a bag of sand that doesnt leave a lot of room for a horse that can grow to 8". [/B]

Is there a smaller seahorse that is just about as hardy as erectus? I'm trying to provide the best life I can for them so Im taking my time and getting it right the first try.

 

[ewaldm]

I have no personal experience, but I'm considering starting a seahorse tank as well. I plan to go with H. kuda because of their slightly smaller size, and through my reading, they are just as easy as erectus, and reidi, their fry are just more difficult to raise.

 

[kjdeut]

I have been into reef tanks for about 10 years but only like 6 months or so for sea horese which is why i was asking the group. I know I have read that they need room and from watching mine they like to go up and down, whcih is why i was asking. I use a 29 as a sump on my show tank and I was looking at it thinking how much room woyuld be left after rock and sand are added.

Ken