What's the best set up for seahorses?
- Thread starter Cichlids
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JennyL
New member
If you could tell us what species you are interested in keeping, it would be easier to help.
There are a variety of ways to set up a seahorse tank but again, it depends on the species you have in mind.
Have you done any research on keeping seahorses? Some indepth reading is very helpful in the beginning so you can aquaint yourself to some of the basics of keeping seahorses.
There are a variety of ways to set up a seahorse tank but again, it depends on the species you have in mind.
Have you done any research on keeping seahorses? Some indepth reading is very helpful in the beginning so you can aquaint yourself to some of the basics of keeping seahorses.
Yes, I was thinking of keeping H. erectus. I have read that this speacies is the most common and the easiest to keep. I've done some research and read that a trickle filter is a good idea. I'm unsure about a uv sterilzer? I wanted to put in some soft corals too. I fond a speices safe list on seahorse.org. I was thinking of using a pc duel light srtip. Seahorses need low flow so maybe just one pump that would go to a proteen skimmer that would flow into a trikle filter then graivty feed back into the tank. I was thinking of black sand that is about 1in think. What do you think? Thanks for the help!!!
Think long and hard and do research!
Think long and hard and do research!
Your tank size is ok for erectus (perhaps 2 pairs). I've successfully been keeping one pair in a 29g for 7 months. They are very entertaining to watch, but they are also a lot of work. Making sure they eat enough, and making sure your around enough to feed them, can sometimes be a challenge. Unlike most fish and coral that can go without food for a few days and be okay-- in a few days without food sh will start dying. If you go on vacation, it can be difficult to "train" someone else to feed them for you (they'll either underfeed or overfeed). Due to the amount of food you feed them weekly/3x per month water changes are nearly required (tank setup, etc. obviously effects the frequency of changes).
The tolerated flow rate is debatable. The key is they need a place in your tank with low flow (an preferably low light) to escape to when they don't want to be out and about...
I'm not sure if I'd use a trickle . . . they tend to raise nitrates in my experience. You won't need any help doing that. I'd just do a sump with a refugium.
Here is my list of questions to ask yourself:
- Can you be around to feed them twice a day 6 days a week (some folks don't feed once a week)? If not, an extended feeding once a day (basically feed twice within 1/2 hour or so)?
- Can you find someone to feed them when your away more than a day?
- Can you keep the water temp 72-74F (do you have AC during the summer or a chiller on the tank)?
- Can you change 10-20% water weekly?
- Do you have access to PE Mysis or other 3/4" shrimp like creatures?
- You're going to buy captive breed! (trust me, it's easier and worth the money)
- You're going to have time to watch them and learn there behaviors? Subtle changes seem to indicate "problems" before they become PROBLEMS :>)
Think long and hard and do research!
Your tank size is ok for erectus (perhaps 2 pairs). I've successfully been keeping one pair in a 29g for 7 months. They are very entertaining to watch, but they are also a lot of work. Making sure they eat enough, and making sure your around enough to feed them, can sometimes be a challenge. Unlike most fish and coral that can go without food for a few days and be okay-- in a few days without food sh will start dying. If you go on vacation, it can be difficult to "train" someone else to feed them for you (they'll either underfeed or overfeed). Due to the amount of food you feed them weekly/3x per month water changes are nearly required (tank setup, etc. obviously effects the frequency of changes).
The tolerated flow rate is debatable. The key is they need a place in your tank with low flow (an preferably low light) to escape to when they don't want to be out and about...
I'm not sure if I'd use a trickle . . . they tend to raise nitrates in my experience. You won't need any help doing that. I'd just do a sump with a refugium.
Here is my list of questions to ask yourself:
- Can you be around to feed them twice a day 6 days a week (some folks don't feed once a week)? If not, an extended feeding once a day (basically feed twice within 1/2 hour or so)?
- Can you find someone to feed them when your away more than a day?
- Can you keep the water temp 72-74F (do you have AC during the summer or a chiller on the tank)?
- Can you change 10-20% water weekly?
- Do you have access to PE Mysis or other 3/4" shrimp like creatures?
- You're going to buy captive breed! (trust me, it's easier and worth the money)
- You're going to have time to watch them and learn there behaviors? Subtle changes seem to indicate "problems" before they become PROBLEMS :>)
Last edited:
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
what do u have in ur 29 gallon ie rock corals what?
My 29 has all kinds of soft corals, a couple of lps (duncan, blasto, etc) and live rock (35lbs).
Here are some older pictures I took with my phone.
The whole gallery, though I haven't taken any new pics in the last month or so . . . the male is starting to grow ciri.
My Seahorse Tank
BTW, I am fully aware that keeping a clam with SH upsets some folks. Sorry. Mine seems t be working out. I am a risk taker I guess
Don't keep clams with SH unless you too are willing to take a small, but avoidable, risk.
Here are some older pictures I took with my phone.
The whole gallery, though I haven't taken any new pics in the last month or so . . . the male is starting to grow ciri.
My Seahorse Tank
BTW, I am fully aware that keeping a clam with SH upsets some folks. Sorry. Mine seems t be working out. I am a risk taker I guess
Don't keep clams with SH unless you too are willing to take a small, but avoidable, risk.
