Starting a seahorse tank

[phantomg23]

before I go buying a bunch of stuff, i would like some guidance just in case i do something wrong. Heres what im thinking. (i have had a few reefs so im not a newb by the way)

56 column tank
20 gallon sump
no fuge(maybe)
reef octopus skimmer rated for 2x my tank. not too sure which one yet
2 nano koralia pumps
mag 3 return pump with loc line as returns
brs reefsaver
par38 bulbs
shallow sand bed
im going for nps(par 38 is just for aesthetics, and also if i want to throw in something photosynthetic)

so what am i missing?

 

[mtc1966]

sounds good . I may suggest a little more power then a nano at least in one corner of the tank.

 

[phantomg23]

even with a double lock line return?

 

[phantomg23]

this should be ok for the skimmer right? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-nwb110-4-pinwheel-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html

 

[mtc1966]

even with a double lock line return?

I run a slow return on my tank so skimmer can work more efficiently . so I guess the answer would depend on the flow of your return . just remember seahorses can handle more the once thought as long as the y can hitch and have lower flow areas. they actually enjoy riding the waves in front of the power heads.

 

[mtc1966]

oh and that's a good skimmer

 

[namxas]

I'd consider running a larger return pump (at least a Mag 5 or something else in the 500 gph range). See how that runs, and then consider additional flow if needed.

Also, the Corallia nanos are the best model for SH setups as they already have a guard over the propeller (SH have gotten their tails amputated by unprotected PH's).

As MTC mentioned, SH can handle flow much better than the "old" info dictates, so start with about 10x return and go from there.

 

[afm32607]

Not sure if you've made a decision yet but I'd figure I'd throw in my experience.

I have a 55 gal standard 4' tank, no sump. I use a power filter for a 70 gallon tank, an aquamax hob skimmer (while the air hose plugs up constantly it is the best skimmer I have ever owned), and a refugium (not sure if it has any benefit whatsoever, other than as a breeding ground for bristle worms).

For power heads I use 2 hydor evos (the 550 version) and the sea horses are fine as long as I give them a place to hang on to out of the way. I have seen a brittle star turned into many little brittle stars because it crawled into the power head though, so I'm always a little worried about the seahorse tails.

As a side note I got my guys from southwatchseahorse.com and they ate frozen mysis the day after I put them in. Don't waste your money on special colors/patterns of seahorses, they wind up looking like a rock no matter what the breeder says.

 

[SantaMonica]

You are missing an export for phosphate.

 

[rayjay]

I'm in my 20th year of salt water hobby now, and I've never ever checked for phosphates in any of my tanks, be they reef, fish only, or seahorse.
Never check for nitrates either since about my first year.

 

[Jonnyhot]

I decided to skip on water change , for about 9m , and my nitrate got out of control . I started losing stuff , now I do water change weekly