Starting SH tank. Please Read

Y

yoadrienne

New member
i'm starting a 20 gallon tank for A seahorse. i have zero experience and have no idea what i'm doing. my Bf is starting a reef tank and he does alot of reading so he knows more about this than i do but i wanted suggestions from people who have experience. i'm not getting coral because i read that alot of coral isn't seahorse safe. and i don't plan on putting a seahorse in my tank for a few months until i get the hang of things and of course so the tank can cycle.

i have a 20H because of space issues and upgrading in the near future isn't an option. would you say it's too small or can i make it work for now?



EVERYTHING I HAVE SO FAR:

coralife 24" 65w 50/50 lamp
Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand mixed with Aragamax Sand
100w heater
AC 110 converted into a refugium
20lbs fiji live rock
skimmer undecided
palm light for the refuge

ANY SUGGESTIONS?
OR DOES EVERYTHING SOUND OKAY?
 
Last edited:
It will be very difficult to keep your parameters safe in a 20 gallon with a pair of tropical seahorses. It is possible, but you will really have to be strict about water changes, siphoning waste, and not overfeeding/removing uneaten food. With this being your first saltwater aquarium, I really wouldn't recommend it. A 20 gallon will be more appropriate for some of the smaller species like capensis or breviceps, but those MUST have a chiller ($$$). If you are willing to shell out the money for a chiller, that will make things a lot easier on you. Also, don't go deeper than 1" for your sandbed since you already have such a small aquarium. A deep sandbed will take up too much swimming space and reduce height (which is important for SH).
 
On a side note... you may want to call/visit Jorge at Draco Marine as he is also in Baltimore and often allows visits, etc. Just a thought.

Tom
 
30 gallons or more, at least 2ft tall. But, 25 gallons and 18" tall would be doable, just not ideal.
 
Tank size is one of those nebulous topics. There is no magic 'right size'.

Many, many people with 20 gallon tanks have run into health problems with their horses.

Like Anne, I like 30 gallons as a rule of thumb, but bigger is better. As you can see from my profile, I run a 40g tank with a 40g refugium.

FWIW, if you can, I would go with two smaller heaters instead of on big one. There is less chance of a heater failing and cooking the inhabitants of your tank. This is not nearly as much of a problem with newer heaters, but better safe than sorry.

You are lucky to be so close to a breeder. I would love to visit someplace like Drako Marine.

Good luck.

Fred
 
alot of things that i have read from peoples experience with SH's say they prefer this size tank over that size tank. at the lfs a man that worked there said a 10 gallon would be fine for a pair of SH's. i would never put any in a 10 gallon though. me and my BF actually mapquested Draco Marine and it wasn't what i thought. we weren't allowed to talk to or visit anyone because it was just a place where they do experiments with SH's. so their business is strictly online.
 
Are you sure you couldn't get a 30 gallon tall? If im not mistaken, they have the same foot print as a 20 gallon. It would allow you a lot more leeway, and you could even get multiple pairs down the road.
 
Yup. Its hard to know which advice to take. You will find, though, that most of the more experienced keepers recommend a larger tank.

Thats a good suggestion whatnot. I have not looked at tank sizes and footprints.

Another way to increase water volume is by adding a sump/refugium above or under the tank.

Fred
 
well i have a 20H and today i put it on my dresser to make sure i had enough room in height because i have shelves above my dresser. i actually had a couple more inches to spare so i'll look into the 30. and i will have a refugium.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Seahorse Macro Setup Question
Replies
4
Views
316
vlangel
vlangel
AGWL
Starting over
Replies
6
Views
461
griss
griss
Adam6495
Where to start?
Replies
2
Views
471
griss
griss
F
Starting tank again
Replies
6
Views
566
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
J
Bare Bottom QT tank won't start cycle :(
Replies
13
Views
963
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Back
Top