I got the bug....

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/100#post_3431611
So, a wise person told me to add my macros now and that is what I plan on doing. They said it is best to introduce them early on to consume the ammonia. I'll post the info he gave me in a bit.
Interested to see that info. I've always figured that leaving the ammonia alone in the beginning would help get the bacterial colonies established first. But I've also wonder how much it would really matter as long as you had something in the system to break down or consume the ammonia? How long since the cycle began?
 
bender77

bender77

Member
I had horrible luck with macros at the beginning of my seahorse tank, they all died. I really don't think my tank was dirty enough for them to survive. I can get grape caulerpa to grow now, but even it has trouble. I hope you have better luck than I do
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I added a 1 inch layer of miracle mud in my sand and I had all kinds of beautiful macros....HOWEVER...We had a blackout and hair algae got started...and it went crazy, no amount of water changes made a dent because it had all the food it needed. It was the worst nightmare I ever had. I have decided after that experience that plastic plants are very nice.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3431762
Interested to see that info. I've always figured that leaving the ammonia alone in the beginning would help get the bacterial colonies established first. But I've also wonder how much it would really matter as long as you had something in the system to break down or consume the ammonia? How long since the cycle began?
This is a PM from beaslbob:
IMHO the appropriate time to introduce macros is while the tank is first being setup. You already missed that so now would be your closest to that time. LOL
You might consider red grape macro algae. Plenty of places for the sea horses to hitch on and it can grow very rapidily when it is the only macro in the system.
Otherwise with higher lighting grape caulerpa is a good choice. With lower lighting caulerpa prolifera does good.
In my experience macros can "fight" each other so one type tends to crowd out the other.
The reason for my recommendation on when to add is exactly them same things they say about fully cured live rock. Live rock covered with algae works the same.
What happens is that during the cycle the macros consume ammonia instead of nitrates which prevents the ammonia spikes. then as aerobic bacteria builds up the macros are forced to get their nitrogen from the nitrates. so what happens is you get at most a nitrate spike for a few weeks which then drops down to 0. With no ammonia spikes.
my .02
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Now, the fun part is I need to decide on my stocking list. I am going to order my macros tomorrow morning.
Any ideas of what to put in? I can't figure out what I should put in it.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432378
Isn't this supposed to be a seahorse tank?
Yeah, but other fish and critters can go with sea horses. I just haven't made up my mind what horses I should put in there. The only thing I know for sure is that I want all my fish including the horses to be captive bred, preferably ORA.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Hi Krista didn't this site just have some Erectus Captive Bred SH on sale - Banggai Cardinals can go with SH from what I understand. I think Renee and Gregs Lionslair has a good write up about macros - I know Greg put some good information on my old lion thread that was going on before. Have a look, I wish I could get some up here. Good luck. PM Terasa for SH she has some real good sources
Edited - I spelt your name wrong originally it was Krita, sorry LOL
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432506
Hi Krista didn't this site just have some Erectus Captive Bred SH on sale - Banggai Cardinals can go with SH from what I understand. I think Renee and Gregs Lionslair has a good write up about macros - I know Greg put some good information on my old lion thread that was going on before. Have a look, I wish I could get some up here. Good luck. PM Terasa for SH she has some real good sources
Edited - I spelt your name wrong originally it was Krita, sorry LOL
Thanks, Teresa PM'ed me last night and gave me some great ideas for the horses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432639
Ahhhh... now I see. What do you think about pipefish?
Pipefish aren't really a good match for horses. Many of the pipes are wild caught and carry diseases that the horses can get. (This is just from my limited knowledge).
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Krista is right. Unless you can find captive bred pipes, which are hard to find, then they should not be mixed with captive bred horses. They can carry pathogens that can infect each other.
It has been done, but the imo the risk is too great.
T
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
So, I've been thinking and anyone please chime in whether it is wrong or a good idea. I am going to order the macros first (today) and then once I start getting algae I am going to add my CUC (a variety of snails and some peppermint shrimp). Then, I am thinking I will add the horses a couple of weeks after that if all is going well I will order my fish (if I decide I even want fish). I am thinking of just keeping the horses, macros and maybe some easy corals. I just want the focus to be on horses and the macros, so I don't want to detract from the horses by adding a bunch of corals and I am completely afraid of the fish jeopardizing the health of the horses.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432740
So, I've been thinking and anyone please chime in whether it is wrong or a good idea. I am going to order the macros first (today) and then once I start getting algae I am going to add my CUC (a variety of snails and some peppermint shrimp). Then, I am thinking I will add the horses a couple of weeks after that if all is going well I will order my fish (if I decide I even want fish). I am thinking of just keeping the horses, macros and maybe some easy corals. I just want the focus to be on horses and the macros, so I don't want to detract from the horses by adding a bunch of corals and I am completely afraid of the fish jeopardizing the health of the horses.
Sounds like a workable plan. I had no problems with my horses and adding any fish. I started with coral amd macros as well. The whole tank was set by the time I added the horses. I made sure there were no power heads they could hitch to and hurt their tails (my biggerst concern)
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432659
Thanks, Teresa PM'ed me last night and gave me some great ideas for the horses.
Pipefish aren't really a good match for horses. Many of the pipes are wild caught and carry diseases that the horses can get. (This is just from my limited knowledge).
That is not necessarily true.. I have two and they were tank raised and born. Need to hunt around. I have heard this too but the tank raised pipes are excellent tank mates for SH's One forgets that horses can too pass down deseases, so one would have to get both tank raised horses and pipes.
 
bender77

bender77

Member
Even tanked raise pipes and tank raised horses from different sources can pass diseases that can be fatal to each other. It really is a risky endeavor to mix these guys, or even horses from different sources or species.
I love your pipes Kiefers. How big are they? I would love to have a pair some day.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bender77 http:///t/387854/i-got-the-bug/120#post_3432754
Even tanked raise pipes and tank raised horses from different sources can pass diseases that can be fatal to each other. It really is a risky endeavor to mix these guys, or even horses from different sources or species.
I love your pipes Kiefers. How big are they? I would love to have a pair some day.
yes, mixing can be risky and quite the handful, however, if you have healthy specimens (IF) you may have a winning combo of beauty.
Approx. 3 inches.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Update, I work with stupid people who don't know how to promote people and pay them. The build is on hold until they can get their act together and pay me right. Bills come first and that leaves me with no tank money. Hopefully, they can get their act together by early next week and my tank stocking can commence.
I just needed to vent a bit.
 
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