Re:thanks Pete

Dear Jan:

You’re very welcome!

Okay, that’s good to know that the ammonia reading was just a typo — zero ammonia is more like it!

The Aquarium Pharmaceuticals liquid reagent test kits are adequate, particularly if your LFS can double-check your water chemistry readings for you occasionally, but if you want to upgrade, the Salifert test kits are very well regarded and not too terribly expensive (still reasonably priced).

Your LFS can check the levels of dissolved oxygen for you, but there are easy-to-use test kits for O2 available that you may want to keep on hand, Jan. Methods for measuring dissolved oxygen in the aquarium can be as simple or as sophisticated as you desire, ranging from basic test kits under $10 to electronic probes costing hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, the humble seahorse keeper doesn’t require anything too fancy along those lines, and the basic O2 test kits will do nicely for our purposes.

For instance, the Tetra Oxygen Test Kit (TetraTest 02) is a good liquid reagent test kit for fresh or saltwater with simple color scales for comparing readings that tests for 02 in the range of 2-14 PPM. It will cost you between $8.50 to $14 depending on where you shop and should be available at any well-stocked LFS. Salifert also makes a nice 02 Test Kit (their 02 Profi-Test) that will run you about $20.

Yes, target feeding your seahorses and training them to use a feeding station can be a lot of fun and the interaction this requires often forges a close bond between the seahorse keeper and his charges. A natural depression in the live rock should make it convenient feeding trough for your seahorses, Jan, and once they learn to associate the Turkey baster with their gourmet goodies (which normally happens very fast), you can lead them right to the feeding station, and they will be queuing up there for their meals before you know it.

Best of luck with your new seahorses, Jan! Here’s hoping you have them eating right out of your hand in no time!

Happy Trails!
Pete Giwojna