using 20 gal. hex?

[volivier]

I put this on seahorse site and no reply.....
It is 20 1/2 in tall. Then from point to point (where each panel attaches to the next panel) across the tank is 18 3/4 and from side to side across the tank is 16 1/4 in...

I've kept a 135 reef ready oceanic tank since around 1996, SPS since 3-06, soft corals before, Freshwater since 1990 off and on. I understand the cycling of a tank. I tried seahorses from LFS sometime in the late 90's, kept them alive for about a month only, after reading on your site i'm sure they were wild caught. A local member of my reef club works at a LFS and says they order raised SH from ORA. H.riedi I want to make sure I do this right, don't want to kill the SH when I get them.

1.)I have some dry base rock I want to use, in particular; 2 5" lace plate pieces I'd like to glue to the sides of the tank for ledges. I've read LR will introduce bad pests
2.) should I use any of my existing sand to seed the new 20 gal? (bad pests?)
3. pipefish?
4. jawfish
5. DSB
6. whisper 30 HOB filter
7. Lighting ?
8.) Should the SH be added after any other tankmates or first?

 

[ann83]

1&2) Bad pests usually aren't that bad for adult larger breed SH but you can always freshwater dip things before you add them.
3) Pipefish are not a good idea, they can spread diseases to your SH and vice versa because they are so closely related but each carries its own dormant strain of things like vibrio.
4) Possibly, have you researched experiences with jawfish on seahorse.org? Search jawfish in the forums, there's plenty of info for you to make your own decision.
5) I don't like them, but again, a judgement call.
6) If you want an HOB, go with the Whisper TetraTek or an Aquaclear.
7) Whatever you want. SH don't need much, so it all depends on what macros and SH safe coral you are keeping.
8) First, and a long QT for anything you add.

A 20 hex is small for an SH tank and you will need to go with a small species of SH. Most would recommend Breviceps for that size tank, but they will need a chiller ($$).
Be patient with SH.org. I have to admit I saw your post over there earlier but I was busy and didn't have time to reply. Also, lots of your questions can be answered in the library and by searching the forums.

 

[TamiW]

regarding the sandbed, i would say no dsb for one reason; it takes away height from the tank. i personally like dsb's, but don't use them with seahorses for that reason. i suppose in an extra high tank it wouldn't be so bad, but most people don't use those tanks.

 

[volivier]

thanks, i've been reading the articles too, but figured I'd ask everyone specifically about what I wanted to do. I've got the tank home, got to clean it a little and make sure it doesn't leak and i'll be ready for business. I plan on using the plastic rods from mini-blinds for the SH to hang on to, not only these, but for a start in my decorating. Thought to glue some small shelf pieces to the side and have the rods help support them too. I know they are smaller than my thumb, but its one of the things i've already got on hand.