tank size and filtration for seahorse tank

[taillonjohn]

I would like to have a small seahorse tank (2 seahorses) for my kitchen counter top. what is the smallest size for 2 horses? I am thinking 20 g tall? (is a 10 or 15 g possible at all) I get they like low flow, so thats easy. what about filtration? Would an emporer bio-wheel work? or do you really need a skimmer? What about bio-filtration? does it rely on LR, or would the bio-wheel be sufficient? Does a seahorse tank work on the same concept as a reef tank, or a fish only tank? I have both, but don't know what knowledge is correct to apply for seahorse tank. I'm doing as much research as I can, and have a lot of info, I guess I'm most stumped on what is the best bio-filtration... any suggestions? tks.

 

[taillonjohn]

I'm ok, I just found this thread, tks anyway

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/printthread.php?s=&threadid=1009187&perpage=265

 

[fishymann]

Glad you found my thread informative, read through it and you'll see just how much i managed to learn. If you got any questions dont hesistate to ask.

 

[taillonjohn]

fishyman, that was an awesome thread, has just about all the info you need to start a seahorse tank. and I'm just like you, I dont have a million dollars to spend. hope you update your thread when you finally get your seahorses.

I'll think I'll build one up this weekend. I just finished cycling a 10 gallon tank for my son, so I'll just buy a taller tank, and transfer the water and sand into the new tank, and I think I should be ready to go.

 

[fishymann]

sounds good, just make sure that you let the water sand and (rock would be the best to transfer) age a little bit first and then let it sit a bit before you add the seahorses. I think i maybe getting them either this weekend or next.

 

[pledosophy]

IMO I am not a biowheel fan.

I have kept tanks with no filters just liverock and macro algaes but IMO it is easier to have some type of filtration running.

Ideally if you had the cash and were not planning on keeping macro algaes a protein skimmer would be helpful to remove the DOC's.

Seahorse tanks if being kept without corals would operate on the same principles as a FOWLR tank, howver with a much lower flow more accomadations for detritus removal have to be made. Also IMO the salinity should stay around 1.022-1.023 some like to run FOWLR tanks lower.

If you could swing a 29g tall it might make your life easier, a 20g tall is doable just takes more work.

On a 20g tank I'd probably go with a filter like the Whiser 20-40 or something similiar where you could still have a floss filter and room to add bags of stuff should the need arise.

If your going to put any type of lighting at all then I suggest getting some nice macro algaes to aid in your filtration.

Just keep up the WC's since the tank is so small and the bioload will be high.

HTH

 

[fishymann]

I hear biowheels are a no no because of nitrate build up. (as im sure he read in my thread)

 

[bill-e]

I had a similar desire, to use a small tank. I wanted to use a 15 gal tall (13x13x22) but I've been talked out of that. I then thought about one of the 24-29 gal nano cubes but that seems to be a compromise as well.

Now I just ordered a 37 gal column tank from Perfecto. It is 20x18x24....which is way bigger than I had planned and I have no real idea where to put it yet. But I can use my Remora hang on skimmer and I could, depending on how I make the stand, even do a sump and run my old Reef Devil.

 

[fishymann]

trust me you'll be happy you went with a 37 gallon, im using one and its great, not the same footprint but still you got the height which is great.

 

[bill-e]

fishyman,

What do you have for lights on it. I'm thinking the 20" Current Orbit.

But it is still kind of a big tank...my wife is gonna be a bit upset.

 

[Duddly01]

The 24 gal. nanocube works great doe my H. Erectus, after I modded the heck out of it.

My shopping list:
24DX Nanocube
moonlight fix
20lb LR in display. red grape kelp Macro, dead gorgonian
select a flow surface skimmer
1st chamber, saphire protien skimmer
2nd chamber converted to refugium, lighting on oposite cycle.
- cheato and 3lbs. LR
- cut opening in tape back, coralife mini aqualite (6700K)
- double sided velcro to hold light
3rd chamber, Maxijet 1200 return with Hydor Flo deflector
- rio 400 pump to chiller (return in 1st chamber beside skimmer)
JBJ Arctica nano chiller, to keep temp at constant 74f.
nanotuners heatshield and fan upgrade kit, Nanocubes run hot.

Flow is turbulent and easy with very few dead spots. Temp is extremely constant and parameters are steady but I think I have spent more on this small tank than my other tanks combined. Happy horses can be expensive.

 

[taillonjohn]

"I hear biowheels are a no no because of nitrate build up. (as im sure he read in my thread)"

There fine if you know how to use it properly. with no sand, no LR, a bio-wheel is fine. I've run fish only salt tanks for years with only bio-wheels. Not that that is the filtration method I've decided on for this project. I won't use a skimmer (for now), there not really needed on small tanks, water change is the main filtration method on small tanks. So in my mind (still researching), a seahorse tank is much like a fish only tank. Bigger is not possible for my right now, I live in a small apartment, and I'm already worried that my reef tank will go through the floor one day

question: are there powerheads in a seahorse tank? an MJ400 maybe?

question: anyone have seahorse tanks that are not 'tall'

 

[fishymann]

I use a daul sattellite (2) 65watt fixture. You need enough movement so the water isnt stagnant, so if that means you need a power head or two then yes you can use them. I'm thinking about adding one to my tank to help break up the surface and then shut it off when feeding. By the way john i just ordered my seahorses and will have them saturday.

 

[bill-e]

fishymann,

Do you have any pics of the tank with the light?. I also need to make a stand.

As for the light, do you mean two dual 37w satellite fixtures (for a total of 4 bulbs) or one fixture (with 2 bulbs)?

And lastly, how did you do the overflow?

Thanks

 

[fishymann]

Do you want pictures of the fixture? If so i can get a few for you, if you just mean the tank with them all the pictures in my threads have them on. Its 2 65watt bulbs (one is 6700K,10000K. the other is 460NM 420NM). My overflow is extremely unconventional. I used a pure syphin to get the water into my sump. I have two lines that go over the back of the tank, into the display tank, then meet up and then one line brings ties them into the sump with a ball valve to control the flow.

I suggest you buy a real overflow or make one.