My very first Seahorse tank from day 1

[llovsbarbie]

Blog about the start of my sea horse tank. First time owning them and taking my time making sure everything is in order for them. Just tonight we got a 56 Gal tank (tall) and some dead live rock that I plan on bringing back to life (ps, if you have any suggestions on bringing it back please do share). Will be updating as I go with pictures. Enjoy

Working on getting more stuff. Was thinking of black sand (harmful??). Still need to get a filter, heater and live sand.








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UPDATE:
scrubbed rock and set the tank up.
Have a protein skimmer going, but no filter or heater. (going out tomorrow for those)
Added three cupfuls of live sand from my other tank. Would have my live rock, but have Aptaisia (sp?)on it and I don't want to spread it to the new rocks.
Even added a piece of raw deli shrimp to get the cycle going (rumors have it that it helps, guess we will see).
Keeping it in master bedroom. It stays dark most of the time.

Water is still settling from sand.




Set up the cascade canister filter and heater. Tested water..
PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:0




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Day 3:
PH: 8.0
Amm: 1.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Day 4:
PH: 8.0 (even added PH buffer, but didnt come up any. Adding another dose tonight)
Amm: 50.-1.0 (what ever number that would be)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0








went to the LFS today and picked up a nice piece of live rock (dead coral) that looked really cool. Helps out with the cycle and will be an awesome resting place for the seahorses. Here some pics of the tank and rock set up. Prob pick up some more rock later on. Do plan on putting some fake colorful coral pieces to bring in some color.

sorry. I could have wiped down the glass first. lol
















Day 7
Did 10% water change today.
PH: 8.4
Amm: 1.0
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 5.0




Day 8
PH: 7.4
Amm: 0.50-1.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

 

[teresaq]

I want to post a few things here, but need to go out, so
Tank looks like its coming along.
your rock - hum let me come back for that
Your sand, -are you adding more???
what are you going to use for hitches????????
you are prob not going to need that heater since horse tanks need to be below 77 degrees, chiller is more likely.
T

 

[llovsbarbie]

Still adding and yes, def adding more sand. Just used a few cup fulls from my main tank to possibly help with cycling. Rock, not nearly finished. Chiller, on the look out. Feel free to give any advice (first seahorse tank) and still in the process of prepping.
As for hitches. Ordering artificial coral and plants.

 

[teresaq]

Unlike a reef tank, seahorses need some open area to swim when they are danceing.
Try arrangeing your rock like a horse shoe with tall structures on the ends. Use acrilic rods or epoxy--you have small pieces that could be pieces together., attaching your corals to those. Be sure the fake corals do not have rough scratchy surfaces.
Then you could use your plants in the middle to make a nice haven for hitching and sleeping.
Make sure there are no Aptasia in the tank. They can sting your horses and cause death from infections. Once cycled add some pepperment shrimp, just in case.

 

[llovsbarbie]

thanks!! I was very unsure of the arrangement of the rocks and was trying to go off of what I seen. The rock I have in there is dead rock (had been sitting for a while). The only piece of live rock I have is the plant looking one. Do you think aptasia can still exist say if that rock once had it years ago? Just last night I checked and all test came back great. It is fully cycled. I still need to add sand. Do you think I should get more live rock? Do you mind including a picture of your setups? Sorry about the questions, I really appreciate the help. Also, I have no power heads in there, is that suggested? I heard seahorses dont like current so that made me second guess it. Thanks again.

 

[teresaq]

Here is a link to one of my threads with pics. I need to get some new ones.https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/379537/time-for-a-few-pics

 

[llovsbarbie]

beautiful. I have one more question and I promise to leave you alone. When it comes to seahorses and coral, what type of lighting do you use? I have heard that some can be way to strong for sh, but what is strong enough for coral and easy enough on the ponies? Thanks.
By the way, beautiful tank!!!

 

[teresaq]

Lighting all depends on what you want, pcs or t5s are fine.
I have t5s on my tank. 6 bulb tek fixture. As long as the horses have some place to get out of the light if they want to, like plants, then all you really need to worry about is how much heat the throw off.
I keep photosynthetic gorgs under the t5s.
Since you cant keep any stinging corals or anemones then you dont need MH and they would be too hot.

 

[teresaq]

and please ask all the questions you want.
T

 

[teresaq]

Quote:
Originally Posted by llovsbarbie http:///forum/thread/382479/my-very-first-seahorse-tank-from-day-1#post_3340018
Also, I have no power heads in there, is that suggested? I heard seahorses dont like current so that made me second guess it. Thanks again.
As for Power Heads, - I have a Hydor Koralia Nano
and a maxi jet with a spray bar attached.
you must have flow, just a gental one - horses can handle more then you think.
Also, dont forget an open air line. I use long ridged air pipe attached to an air line. no air stone though. you want large bubbles for oxygin exchange.

 

[llovsbarbie]

TeresaQ,
Sorry it has been a while since Ive replied back. Do you mean an actual air tube like a bubbler? I probably misunderstood you, but isnt that bad for them? I am sure you mean something else, do you mind going into detail.
PH: 8.4
Amm: 0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
Temp: It has been staying at 72, but plan on getting a chiller to maintain it for sure.
I have added more live sand. Rearranged the rock work. Plan on adding way more fake plants and such for them to hitch to. Still need to add a power head as well and lights. Slowley getting everything together. Working on more than one tank at a time doesnt help. Still accepting any advice given!!
Thanks!

 

[novahobbies]

A rigid air line is a common piece of seahorse equipment.....many seahorse keepers have them. Teresa is a big fan of them (I don't think they're necessary if you have a protein skimmer, but they don't hurt....and horses often like to "play" in the bubbles). You don't want an airstone on the end...just get an air pump and have it attached to a rigid air line that goes down near to the bottom of the tank. It will produce big bubbles that helps your lower water current a bit, as well as increased O2 absorption.
Good lookin' tank so far.....the 56g is a very nice size!

 

[llovsbarbie]

Thanks! I'll look into it. Got a few more things to get and then I will have everything, but the horses. Please feel free to give any advice or suggestions!!! Thanks you guys!!!