24 gallon seahorse build (1 Viewer)

[ConnorG]

So I have been deciding on what to do with my 24 gallon Cardiff bullet aquarium. I was either going to set up an angler tank, or a seahorse tank. I weighed my options and opted to dive into a seahorse tank. After some research I made the choice to get a pair of H. Erectus seahorses off a site named Seahorsesource.com. Based off their description and others I have read I concluded that the 24 gallon would be a good sized tank given the 24 inch tall height. It also has a built in sump with a protein skimmer as well as some phosphate media. The tank itself has been set up with lr and oolite sand for 2 months.

All of their seahorses are tank raised or captive bred and trained and raised eating frozen mysis. Tonight in preparation of ordering the seahorses I ordered some macro algea and a purple gorgonia for the SH to perch on. The tank has about 20 pounds of lr as well as a Kenya tree frag, some palythoas, devils hand leather and another white gorgonia.


I will post some pictures, I would still like to purchase a frag or mini colony if finger leather as well.

What do you guys think?

 

[guy9smiley2]

Sounds cool can't wait for pics!

 

[ConnorG]

Pictures!!!!!!

I am still trying to decide between H. Elected or H. Kuda...any suggestions?

 

[Hortdork]

That looks great! I started out in saltwater wanting to do seahorses first, but after weeks and weeks of research I decided that will be my NEXT SW tank. Let me know how seahorsesource works for you because that's where I was going to order mine. I would probably start with H. erectus if I were you, just because they're supposed to be one of the hardiest species to keep. Are you planning to keep your temps below 74 to avoid bacterial infection? Looking forward to following this thread, and good luck!:biggthumpup:

 

[ConnorG]

Thanks! And yes I do plan on keeping it lower. I am still deciding between Seahorsesource.com and Seahorsecorral. Com as well. They sell already mated pairs and that is what I am looking for!

 

[Nanofreak79]

The horses you plan on keeping are a tropical species, and do not require a chiller to keep the temps low. Only temperate species require the lower temps.

 

[ConnorG]

The horses you plan on keeping are a tropical species, and do not require a chiller to keep the temps low. Only temperate species require the lower temps.

Agreed. Tank has been turned down a bit to the 74 mark. It will be hard with the lighting (only pc) but they produce. Some heat if cuz it will not stay down!

My next task is figuring out how to build a feeding station! I have seen some really cools ones but have no Clyde how they did it! Any ideas? I am also in the search for some branching sponges if anyone knows if any for sale?

 

[ConnorG]

Just called cosmic aquatics, they have a banded pipe fish in stock eating frozen. Would that be a good addition. Would my tank be big enough?

 

[Nanofreak79]

I would work on making sure they get fed by you directly at first, numerous times daily. After that or if the source you get them from is using a station then implement that. The pipefish will usually readily take nutramar ova. My pipefish have a hard time with mysis shrimp and brine as well, unless I chop it up some. Honestly they get more nutrition from the ova then mysis/brine anyway.

 

[ConnorG]

I emailed the company directly and asked them if the used a feeing station or not and am awaiting a response.

Good point that was a good catch!

 

[Chuckytt]

Seahorses rule!

 

[ConnorG]

How can I prepare some plastic plants so that they are able to be put in the tank? I spake them in vinegar and then rises them really well. Would that suffice? They were previously in a fw tank.

 

[Nanofreak79]

You can use a light bleach solution to soak the plants, then rinse and if you are worried let sit in some dechlorinator to detox any leftover bleach. A good rinse or two should be fine though.

 

[ConnorG]

So I emailed the company about the feeding station..this is what he said:

Hi Connor,

I like feeding stations but we have too many seahorses in a tank to utilize
them. Our juvenile tanks will have between 400 to 600 in them and when they
get larger we will have 60 to 100 in a 75 gal glass tank. Just too many for
a feeding station to work. I am an advocate of utilizing a feeding station
in a typical display tank.

So how should I make one?

 

[ConnorG]

I just ordered a reef keeper lite to control the temp as I have had a hard time with keeping it steady. It should be here within the next few days and then next week on Tuesday I will hopefully be ordering the ponies!

 

[Nanofreak79]

http://www.aquariumtechnik.at/SPA1000EN.html
Here is a feeder. It took qhuite awhile to track down where to buy these, and it looks like there a UK product. From looking around most are using bowls of varying types.

 

[RyanTurner]

If you want something natural, use a Tridacna clam shell.

 

[ConnorG]

If you want something natural, use a Tridacna clam shell.

Where would I buy a shell like that? I know SWE had some but they were huge!

 

[cubetankguy]

most craft store sell empty shells of varying sizes... try michaels

 

[ConnorG]

I received my reef keeper today, temp is extremely stable now! I am wondering if anyone knows what the shipping policy for seahorse source is? I have seen that they guarantee live delivery. But nothing about like a 14 day guarantee? Any idea?

Edit:
Anybody know if I am able to add one "pony" now and then in a few weeks add another one?