rich130981
New member
I am seriously thinking of setting up a seahorse tank with 2 pairs. I was hoping someone here has successful kept them, and could give me some advise in setting up my tank.
Seahorse tank
- Thread starter rich130981
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rich130981
New member
The biggest pain I've read about is daily looking for their poop to suck it out. I read they take really big dumps.
sjkarrow87
Member
I have 3 seahorses at the moment
I technically bought 1 pair however for some reason the vendor sent me 3... My biggest fear before getting them was keeping the temp constantly at 72-73 degrees. The warmer the water the bigger risk of infection.
The trio is very active and eats twice a day.
Be prepared to watch the temp often if you don't have a chiller. Also I target feed each horse to ensure they are getting enough food. Each meal consists of 2 cubes of Mysis shrimp and brine. They also have macro algae in the tank filled with pods.
I technically bought 1 pair however for some reason the vendor sent me 3... My biggest fear before getting them was keeping the temp constantly at 72-73 degrees. The warmer the water the bigger risk of infection.
The trio is very active and eats twice a day.
Be prepared to watch the temp often if you don't have a chiller. Also I target feed each horse to ensure they are getting enough food. Each meal consists of 2 cubes of Mysis shrimp and brine. They also have macro algae in the tank filled with pods.
rich130981
New member
I was planning on the temp being 76. I thought the tropical seahorses lived in warmer water. A temp of 71-72 with my setup will not work.
rich130981
New member
Without a chiller theres no way i can keep the tank that low.
What about lighting. I wanted to keep zoas with the seahorses. I read that bright lighting bothers them. I only read this in one of a ton of articles though. Is that acurate?
What about lighting. I wanted to keep zoas with the seahorses. I read that bright lighting bothers them. I only read this in one of a ton of articles though. Is that acurate?
sjkarrow87
Member
A chiller should be fine. I have my horses under 2 par 38 bulbs and they haven't had an issue
You need to keep the temperature below 74 degrees for seahorses. As Ted mentioned, a higher temperature will lead to more of a chance of bacterial infections. The bacteria in the tank will reproduce more quickly at a higher temperature. Lighting does not matter as long as you give them show shady spots to hide if they wish. You do not have to clean up after them if you have a clean up crew in the tank. I suggest nassarius snails for this purpose. You can also train the seahorses to eat out of a feeding dish. This way, you can remove uneaten food which will keep the tank cleaner. Make sure you buy CB seahorses if you get them. I recommend seahorsesource.com
rich130981
New member
Beth thanks for the info. I have already been reasearching cb seahorses. I have found a few dealers that have caught my eye. The site ytou posted is one of the cheaper sites. Is there a good beginner seahorse, or should i buy what i want for long term. Also is there a general guideline to how many can be kept in a tank. I have a 60g cube i will be using to house my seahorses?
SkullV
They Got My Number
Erectus is the way to go for your first seahorses. Super easy. I had a pair from Beth and caring for them was effortless!
appellativo
New member
Can I hijack this thread? My mother in law has a 30 gallon tank and she ordered two erectus. We are all worried about water temp. She wants to be able to turn off the A/C in the house at night and on weekends and on vacation and yet keep the temp at 74 (to prevent bacterial infection), so she is going to need a chiller, but they are expensive. I personally think its six of one and a half dozen of the other; either you're going to need to keep the a/c on low, or you're going to need a BIG chiller to combat temps in the upper eighties to nineties indoors in Texas with no A/C. Anybody got any words of advice, reality checks, info on good inexpensive chillers (we don't have a sump) or other helpful info? (what's likely cheaper, get a nice big chiller and run it constantly, or just keep the window unit at 74?)
appellativo
New member
There is ONE for sale on the local reef club/local classifieds. It's $400. I don't think there is such a thing as a cheap chiller (that works).
appellativo
New member
anybody heard anything about this one? I'm scared you have to drill the tank though...can you use any chiller without a sump/drilling?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/iceprobe.html
http://www.aquariumguys.com/iceprobe.html
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appellativo
New member
sounds good. did you buy yours new online, at lfs, or from an individual? which model did you get and how has it held up (how long you had it?)
If you are going to get the seahorses, invest in a good chiller. In the long running, spending the money now will outweigh the cost of treating the seahorse if it gets a bacterial infection. Plus, you won't have the stress of checking the temperature all the time. Seahorses are not an impulse buy and in the long run, planning and preparing correctly for them makes them easier to care for and much more enjoyable.
I would go with Erectus as your starter seahorse.
PM me if you have any specific questions or need any help with your horses. I'm always here to help.
I would go with Erectus as your starter seahorse.
PM me if you have any specific questions or need any help with your horses. I'm always here to help.
appellativo
New member
Thanks Peka. Yes, the erectus should be arriving today. I'm leaving for vacation but it's my mother in law's tank. I wish I could see them before I go! A pic will have to suffice. She's had the air jacked down, and is ordering the chiller today. Cross your fingers for us.
