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Hello all,
I have been thinking about raising seahorses for some time but I haven\’t done it yet. This sight was highly recommened. I currently have 4 fish tanks set up now, I have successfully breed African cichlids and I have 2 tanks with Asian gar & rocket gar (yellow finned baracudas), so I am not new to fish tanks however I am new to marine tanks. I have a 40 gallon tank that is begging to become the home for seahorses. I will have a ton of questions but I will start off with the basics.Is a 40 gallon tank big enough to properly raise seahorses? and can I get a detailed list of equipment (Filters,lights,pumps,salt mixture,live rock,plants, etc.) to get me started? I will have more questions about cycling and ease of species and feeding as I go.
Thank you very much Ray
Filteration: I prefer to have power or canister filters. To be on the safe side over filter the water. Do whtever you prefer, wet/dry filters also work well.
Lighting: Power Compact( Satilite) Includes Lunar lights
Salt Brand:Instant Ocean or really watever works
Live Rock:cured
Hitching Posts: fake corals and plants. Do more research if you want real coral hitching posts
How to Cycle: Make up the salt water get tank running.getfew damsel fish until ammonia goes up and back down. Get rid of the damsel fish. Make sure everything is perfect before adding any seahorses.
I would get Mustangs as a starter!
to get all these go to either http://www.drs.fosterandsmith.com
or http://www.thatfishplace.comGood luck with your 4th aquarium. Ive been doing well with my 4th. Yay for crazy aquarium lovers!:woohoo:
oh also they like to eat grilled mysis shrimp witha light Vibrance cream sauce. Haha im being stupid now!
Post edited by: nigelseahorse, at: 2006/12/10 20:07: :silly:
Post edited by: nigelseahorse, at: 2006/12/10 20:11
Ray,
Welcome to marine tanks.:)
A 40 gal would be excellent for Seahorses.
I recomend a Magnum350 canister filter. Easy to use, lost of media options and can be gotten in the HOB( hang on back) if space is a restricion. What ever you choose make sure the flow isn’t going to knock the horses about. The flow can be deflected off the side of the tank or diverted through rock to "cut" the flow.
Some people use protien skimmers, I don’t. Haven’t had any problems, some will tell you they’re a MUST and other’s say not to use at all with seahorses.
Lighting depends on what you want other than horses. live plants (macroalgaes) will need better lighting than just fish and rock . Coral’s will need even more lighting. Decide if you want to have live plants or corals then light the tank for those. I use T5’s and compact florecents for my Corals and natural light florecents for my planted tanks.
Live plants such as Calerpa Proliffera make excellent natural hitches as do some soft corals. The lighting and flow needs of these should be addressed. Faux corals and plants are very easy to maintain and are very beatifull while providing lots of safe hitches. Tonga branch live rock is also an excellnt dual purpose hitch.
I’d would add 30-50 lbs. of life rock. Fully cured is best, but if you can’t find it or you order your rock online curing your rock is a must. I use a massive amount of tonga branch live rock.:) Your LR should be light weight in comparison to it’s size. Pickup 2 peices of rock about the same size, whichever peice weighs the less is the better rock. The LR should be porous so beneficial bacteria can grow, the denser the rock the less nitrifying bacteria is going to grow on it.
As far as salt I use Instant Ocean and RO water.
You will also need test kits! Ph, amonia, nitrite, nitrate and salinty as well as a hydrometer are a MUST!!!!!! Use them, you’re fish will love you for it. As you already raise fish I supect you knew that tho.;)
I started with a pair of Captive Bred H. Erectus. Still have them. There are several Species that make great starter horses and would do fantastic in your tank.
Best of luck, Kris
Post edited by: Kris, at: 2006/12/11 10:35
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Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
