Maybe a SH tank

[monsinour]

I am contemplating doing a SH tank. The missus wants some really badly and I know they kinda need a tank of their own. So from what I have read so far, they need a tall tank so they can do their "breeding dance." I am not looking at this as a breeding challenge so is a "short" tank fine or are SH like dogs that need to run. If there isnt a large yard for the dog to run in, they go nuts like a tang in a 29 gallon. Since we cant trust the LFS with what they say, how can we be sure that the SH they offer are tank bred? I ask because everything I have read states that wild caught SH are tricky eaters. A HOB or canister I have read is ok. Do I need to be sure that the canister is over sized for the tank like a FOWLR setup? Sat I am able to find a tank that is ~30 gallons at 18" tall. Should I get a canister/HOB designed to do 60 to 80 gallons? Larger? Just how hard is it to feed these critters mysis? I have read that Live Baby Brine Shrimp is what they start eating and you should try to move them over to mysis. Since these critters are cooler water inhabitants, could a catalina goby coexist in the tank with them? (that would shoot 2 birds with one stone persay with the wife's wants) Do horses have to go in in even or odd numbers? Like are 3 ok or if you want more than 2 you have to get 4? As far as rockwork goes, since they need the space to roam, I would imagine that keeping the rockwork as flat as possible would be ideal? Is this possible:
2 SH
2 red legged hermits
2 margarita snails
2 catalina gobies
2 turbo snails
in an 18" high tank with
some fluval canister
1 PH
a HOB skimmer
If its not possible, what needs to change?

 

[meowzer]

Catalina gobies are cold water fish (60-70)...even though seahorses like cooler tanks (72-78)....not that cool..you do have to watch that the tank does not get too warm though
hermits are not always a good idea....they nip
remember.....seahorses swim up.....so you like taller tanks....
snails are fine, and IMO clown gobies or fire fish are good tank mates....they are calm fish and will not compete too bad for the food
the feeding issue is that seahorses are slow....and most fish (as you have seen) are FAST eaters
even/odd.....no matter
Canisters are ok, and you have to be careful with powerheads.....the horses wrap their tails on things, and could get stuck to a powerful one

 

[monsinour]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/381476/maybe-a-sh-tank#post_3323227
Catalina gobies are cold water fish (60-70)...even though seahorses like cooler tanks (72-78)....not that cool..you do have to watch that the tank does not get too warm though
Canisters are ok, and you have to be careful with powerheads.....the horses wrap their tails on things, and could get stuck to a powerful one
Could i go with a tank at 72 and hope the catalina survive in it? I have seen catalina gobies in tanks at 76 at LFS and agree that the LFS is moronic for doing so.
That is whats called hitching right? Would it be better to get the smallest PH I could find and get a few of them to create adaquate flow?
What about setting up a "display refugium" with tree like plants in there for the SH to hitch on? I have no idea how I would even get that to work in this house.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/381476/maybe-a-sh-tank#post_3323229
Could i go with a tank at 72 and hope the catalina survive in it? I have seen catalina gobies in tanks at 76 at LFS and agree that the LFS is moronic for doing so.
I really do not know that much about the Catalinas........but the yare very pretty....have you looked at the cardinal family....they have some nice colored fish...like the ruby cardinal or flame cardinal
That is whats called hitching right? Would it be better to get the smallest PH I could find and get a few of them to create adaquate flow?
YUP....they will need lots of "hitching" posts.....some people use plastic plants
What about setting up a "display refugium" with tree like plants in there for the SH to hitch on? I have no idea how I would even get that to work in this house.
You know.....someone on here did that once....BUT it was a large DT so it had a large refugium....I'll have to try to remember who it was

 

[smartorl]

I use all live hitches in my dwarf tanks. Corky fingers and any gorgs are excellent choices and because I feed live bbs, they help consume the excess. I had several corkies that were almost two feet tall, bushy, and beautiful. There were also two purple and one yellow sea fan that grew over the years and were huge.
Sadly, when I moved to MA, I sold my entire set up and they weren't as diligent about feedings and soon lost almost the entire lot (400+ ponies) and got discouraged and pretty much let it all go to crap.
I have two Catalinas. Tomorrow, when my brain is functioning, I will touch base on that. I have had excellent luck with them. Again, I feed live bbs and they have been thriving for the last 9 months.