Under skimming SH tanks?

[Capt_Cully]

I'm new to SH/pipes. I've got a 70gal RR w/~20gal sump refugium.

Got a great deal on a Tunze 9002 (rated for 58gal). Will this suffice? It's my understanding that under skimming in this biotype would be more beneficial than overskimming (as is desireable in SPS setting).

Or should I stick with a skimmer rated for 90-100gal?

Thanks

 

[krazeekiddie]

Hi!

To be honest, as long as you are cleaning up after their feedings & doing regular water changes, you should be fine!

We don't use skimmers at all on your horse tanks!! Just diligence in cleanup! =) (and mindful water changes)

Skimmers are not a requirement IME/IMO!

=) Heather

 

[Capt_Cully]

All of my experience is with SPS/LPS tanks so it's hard not to run a skimmer. That said, one of the most inspirational SH and pipe tanks I've seen, is rarely cleaned. It is surprisingly stable. The owner has done just ONE waterchange in 6 months. This is counter-intuitive to me, but it's the truth.

Any comments? I mean, do you or don't you want more nutrient rich water for horses and pipes?

 

[krazeekiddie]

Never heard of that being a need to be honest (them needing/liking nutrient rich water).....

We do weekly water changes on our tanks & wouldn't do anyless. No unusual deaths, everybody is healthy & happy.

I am no expert for sure, but have never heard of or seen that!

No skimmers, just feeding stations for easy food clean-up, diligence in cleaning & water changes! No special lights, just have to keep very good track of your levels. PH IME seems to be the one you have to keep your eye on most, they are very sensitive to fluctuations.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ok, that certainly makes sense. I mean, having a large SPS tank, means I'm hyper-vigalent when it comes to maintenance. So that's not a problem.

 

[krazeekiddie]

Then it seems you would be a great horse candidate!

What species are you thinking??

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm really excited about getting pipes. Definitely banded and I'd like some african blue stripes. I've got a friend who's going to take them for a month and teach them to eat for me. He's got a 100% success rate at it. As for horses, still need to do some research there. Nothing too crazy though. The hardier the better. And preferably captive bread. Just picked up the tank yesterday. 70 gal oceanic. 36 long, 18 wide, 25 high. Gonna be sweet!!!!

 

[krazeekiddie]

That is awesome!!!

Great sized tank as well. You can do some pretty awesome things with a tank like that. I love seeing the large syngnathid systems.

Are you planning on doing a softie planted tank???

Erectus are an excellent choice when thinking of a nice hearty horse. IME they have wonderful personalities as well. I love the colorations my Reidi have, but they are far lazier than our erectus!!! I would do some researching on the erectus, sounds about what you are looking for!!

Word of caution on mixing pipes & horses. Some people do not even mix species of seahorses. (ie reidi & erectus)

They all carry similar pathogens, & what one species may be tolerant to & carry, the other may catch.

I have also heard of people who do it with great success! So that is something you should consider & keep in mind while you are making your plans!

That is really awesome on the frozen training, those deff are some beautiful pipes!!!

When you are ready on the horses, let me know. My mother & I have Erectus & Reidi. (Raised from fry, from CB parents!)

Are you going to tie in a sump/refugium?? Horses & pipes alike LOVE pods!! Amphipods & copepods! So you would have a place for a natural food source as well! I love watching our horses "hunt" it is deff really neat.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how to have a sump and refugium, as well as a smaller hang on fuge that will drip directly into the tank without a pump to provide fresh live pods.

My SH mentor has both pipes and SH in the same tank with success. Erectus was what I was thinking on going with, for lack of further research. But, I think it is a wise choice to stick with them.

I've already started collecting softies for the system. Picked up a BRIGHT green nepthia, a photosynthetic gorg, and a photosynthetic sea fan yesterday. I have them in my big SPS tank for now. They seem to have made the trip ok. Planning on doing alot of shrooms, zoos and acans in this system. Getting a T5 set up for the lights. And still planning on running a skimmer. Can't decide on sticking with the small one I've got, or a larger one rated for 75-100 gallons. Probably start with the small on and see how she goes.

 

[krazeekiddie]

I would see how it goes with the smaller one, you may find you are really fine!

Yup, as I said some people mix with great success, others are very against it! IMO, as long as you are buying quality CB livestock from reputable people, the results are usually spectacular!

Good choice on the T-5's, halides would get a little to hot as you should keep your tank temp around 74. Anything much higher you have a much greater increase in disease & pathogens.

Erectus are a wonderful choice for a hearty horse. As mentioned before as well, really playful & energetic as well.

You can do some beautiful softie tanks, seems like you are off to a great start as well!!! Now on the acans, I have never seen anyone put them in a SH system....I have colonies myself, & love them & they are my favorites. Do you think there will be any problems if your SH or pipes rest on them??? Just curious, I know my acan colonies have fallen on a few of my trachs & fried them.....not sure if that would apply here. They don't have sweepers, so yuo are good there, but just would be curious as to what would happen in a SH "sat" on one!

 

[asianer]

Hello, I have a predominantly acan and chalice reef tank with a mated pair of reidis. They started breeding a month and a half ago and have had 2 broods so far, the seahorses do sometimes drift into the acans mouth and I have only seen them quickly recoil once; probably due to the tentacles trying to grab but otherwise no issues!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12062096#post12062096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krazeekiddie
I would see how it goes with the smaller one, you may find you are really fine!

Yup, as I said some people mix with great success, others are very against it! IMO, as long as you are buying quality CB livestock from reputable people, the results are usually spectacular!

Good choice on the T-5's, halides would get a little to hot as you should keep your tank temp around 74. Anything much higher you have a much greater increase in disease & pathogens.

Erectus are a wonderful choice for a hearty horse. As mentioned before as well, really playful & energetic as well.

You can do some beautiful softie tanks, seems like you are off to a great start as well!!! Now on the acans, I have never seen anyone put them in a SH system....I have colonies myself, & love them & they are my favorites. Do you think there will be any problems if your SH or pipes rest on them??? Just curious, I know my acan colonies have fallen on a few of my trachs & fried them.....not sure if that would apply here. They don't have sweepers, so yuo are good there, but just would be curious as to what would happen in a SH "sat" on one!

 

[Capt_Cully]

my friends SH/pipe tank is stocked with acans. no reports of trouble either.

 

[pledosophy]

Keeping optimum water quality with seahorses is great, especially if your planning on mixing species.

Seahorses don't need nutrient rich water however many seahorses keepers also keep a variety of macro algaes with seahorses that do benefit from the added nutrient.

IMO there is no such thing as to clean of a tank.

Your plans sounds good. I suggest adding a UV to the system as well to also help reduce any chances of bacterial infection. Keeping the temp under 74F, (I shoot for 72) will also aid your endevors by limiting the growth rate of harmful bacteria's.

Since your planning on keeping mostly corals fromt he sounds of it and not so heavy on the macro's (although I'm sure there will be some in the refugium) then I think the skimmer is a plus. I'd be sure to run it in the sump and not as a hang on to the display.

HTH

 

[krazeekiddie]

Thanks for the insight on the acans.

=)

 

[Capt_Cully]

Designing a sump. The problem is designing some sort of intermediate refugium. Ultimately I'd like to have it above or hanging onto the display. That way it would be like a weigh station for wayward pods not chewed up by my pump. I'd like them to proliferate in this mini refugium and drip into the display, supplying inhabitants with live food as well as frozen.

Any designs out there? Other than buying a CPR HOB fuge.