Need a little help

[posiden]

I have decided to consolidate my hobby into 1 maybe 2 tanks. The main tank (if 2) will be in the living room. We have decided to do a seahorse tank. I have done a little reading and need to do more but, I thought I would ask now and talk with the more experienced on my decision for the tank.
I have a 75 gallon tank right now. Its not being used and I'm considering it for the tank. "IF" we should get tired of the challenges with seahorses and/or I can't keep them alive. I would like a tank that will look just as nice setup as a reef. The other tank I had in mind was a 65 gallon. I like it cause of the little bit extra in height it will give me but....I already own the 75. Then again, the cost of the 65 is minimal if it would be better for the horses.
The other thing is I'm kinda torn at how I want to setup the tank. Should I do an AIO or should I run a sump?? My 75 is drilled but I have no problem closing the holes off. IF the tank should be turned into a reef, I really don't think I'll be doing an SPS tank. I'm more of an LPS guy. I like the SPS but not a tank full of them.
I'm also not a big skimmer person. Is it imperative that I run a skimmer on a seahorse tank? I will if I need to. If I do, how efficient does it need to be?
I also have quite a few parts in the way of lighting. I'm sure the halide is out of the question due to heat issues so......I have a 4 X 65 watt PC fixture for the tank, along with 2 Ice Cap 660 ballast's that I can either run T-5s or VHOs with. I plan on having soft coral in with the horses along with the compatible fish. Which one will be better??? The T-5s will be over-driven.
Any help would be great.

 

[novahobbies]

what are the dimensions for the 65 g tank - 36x18x24?
If you had the budget, I think the 65g tank would be a little nicer to view with seahorses as the focus. the extra couple inches of height compared to a 21" 75 gallon tank would be nice, but not absolutely necessary. H. Erectus, H. reidis, and similar-sized species will be fine in the 21 inch tall tank. I personally like the 24 inch height, but that may be my own preference only.
The 75g tank would be great for 3 to 4 seahorse pairs. Two pairs or less and you risk "losing" the fish in the background - they do like to hide on occasion. I definitely recommend a skimmer, as seahorses generate a lot of waste - and the skimming action raises the amount of dissolved oxygen. Horses have primitive gills, and they really need a higher O2 potential than regular reef tanks. As to what KIND of skimmer....take your pick. A Bakpak would probably be fine; an in-sump skimmer....up to you. If your tank is drilled for a sump I'd say go ahead and use what you have. I know people will warn you about seahorses and low flow, but the trick is to balance enough flow to filter the tank and leave areas of low water movement with hitches for the horses to rest in. You're going to want areas like this anyway for the feeding dishes so the food doesn't instantly blow away.
As for the lights - I'd do the overdriven t5s instead of the PC bulbs. I currently run a single 150w MH over mine with some small 14w actinic t5s. My temp varies from 75 max during the day to 71 at night, and that's with an Ice Probe chiller and a fan blowing over the water. A pair of 150 or 175w MH's would look nice on a 75, but you're probably guaranteed to need a chiller with that kind of lighting. Be warned - even without the MH lights you may STILL need a chiller to keep the tank around 72, so if you have to buy one, get one with the idea that you may someday upgrade your lighting.

 

[posiden]

Yes that is the size 65 I was thinking of. The cost of the 65 seems minimal in the grand scheme of the setup. If there was some other reason to use it over the 75, I would do so.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Your info cleared up why the tanks are generally small in size. Its interesting how they are "dirty" when their so peaceful to watch. I will incorporate a skimmer in my build.
I think at this point I want to turn the 75 into a AIO tank. I would like to keep H. Erectus. I was only wanting one pair but, I am willing to do two pair. I wanted to give myself the best chances with lots of water to horse ratio. I know what your saying about loosing them in the background though. This is going to be a huge learning experience. It should be fun.

 

[novahobbies]

You realize, of course, that you're now contractually obligated to post pics of the build here.

I'd like to see how you turn a 75g tank into a DIY AIO system...I've only ever seen it done in smaller tanks in the 20 or less range. I personally like 75g tanks; I think they're a much better entry level saltwater tank than the old 55g standby is.

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327078
You realize, of course, that you're now contractually obligated to post pics of the build here.

I'd like to see how you turn a 75g tank into a DIY AIO system...I've only ever seen it done in smaller tanks in the 20 or less range. I personally like 75g tanks; I think they're a much better entry level saltwater tank than the old 55g standby is.
Consider it done.

I was going to do a thread but, I was wondering where would be the best place to do it? I want it here cause it is going to be built with the horses in mind. Please don't wonder off too far, I'm going to have questions!
Yea, I agree. I like the 75 foot print. It offers a lot more then a 55 does. I was going to build it a little funny. Different chambers and what not, to do different things for the tank.
Which makes me wonder, Just how important are pods in a seahorse tank? I've that they're a must and I've read that the horses don't touch them once they reach adult hood???

 

[novahobbies]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327401
Which makes me wonder, Just how important are pods in a seahorse tank? I've that they're a must and I've read that the horses don't touch them once they reach adult hood???
Depends on the 'pod, really. Are you talking copepod, amphipod, isopod, or something else? Copepods are great little beneficial waste-disposers and should always be considered an indicator species for tank health. That being said, they have no value for or against the seahorses. Copepods are too small to be of any use to most "normal" size seahorses, and while the horse may occasionally snick a large copepod, it would never be the horses main diet. Amphipods are a different story. As a larger crustacean, Amphis are definitely on the dinner menu for many horses. When I was setting up my tank, I had amphis crawling EVERYwhere during the tank cycle period. They pretty much ruled the roost for a while.... until I introduced my female H. erectus. She immediately set to hunting them down, and now the only time I see an amphipod is late at night when they feel safe to venture out without the snick of doom descending from above. Isopods (at least the common aquarium species...) fall somewhere in the middle of these two groups - both in terms of size and importance to the seahorse. These are kind of cool little bugs that are beneficial to the aquarium, but not really nutritionally valuable to your seahorse.
So what does all this mean to the seahorse keeper? Honestly, it doesn't mean much. The horses you choose should be captive bred and raised animals that are already weaned on common frozen foods like mysis shrimp. When all is said and done, the additional nutrition your seahorse will derive from an occasional hunting trip in your live rock is negligible. Pods of almost any stripe will be seen as beneficial in your tank, but if you don't see them......don't sweat it. The seahorses will be fine with just the mysis.

 

[posiden]

Ok sweet. I have a package of "Reef Pods" culturing in a glass cylinder. They will soon move into a 10 gallon tank that is cycling right now. I hope to build a nice big population while I build the tank. Then once its cycled off, I plan to add them and let them grow out again. I'm planning on 2-4 months (after cycle) of the tank running before I purchase the horses. It seemed (from my reading) that is the best way to do it.
I also have planned on buying my horses from seahorse source. Are they a good place?
Edit;
I just looked and the "Reef Pods" are Copepods. I guess I better find some Amphipods to go in too.

 

[2quills]

Following your lead here. The wife has been wanting a S.H. tank for quite a while now. I think it will be my next project after my other build is done. Would very much like to see how this turns out for you.
@ Novahobbies...I hope you'll be able to stick around for a while. You seem to be a wealth of great information on a good many things. I caught your thread about the new move coming up and wish you and yours all the best.

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327819
Following your lead here. The wife has been wanting a S.H. tank for quite a while now. I think it will be my next project after my other build is done. Would very much like to see how this turns out for you.
@ Novahobbies...I hope you'll be able to stick around for a while. You seem to be a wealth of great information on a good many things. I caught your thread about the new move coming up and wish you and yours all the best.
What size tank will you do?
I'm gonna start a build thread here soon. I just need to figure out what direction I want to go. I said I was gonna do an AIO but...............the tank issss drilled. I could do a sump on the other side of the wall very easy.
What's you position on the sump? Should I or, should I not.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327877
What size tank will you do?
I'm gonna start a build thread here soon. I just need to figure out what direction I want to go. I said I was gonna do an AIO but...............the tank issss drilled. I could do a sump on the other side of the wall very easy.
What's you position on the sump? Should I or, should I not.
Not sure what size but I had kicked around the idea of something like an 80G cube...24x24x31tall. I've read that where sea horses are concerned that vertical swimming room is a little more importatan than horizontal? Maybe even something a little smaller like around a 50G cube. It's still up in the air right now, I need to get my other build done first.
I'm always a fan of the flexiblity of having a sump. Through I'm interested to hear what your ideas where on an all in one.

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327890
Not sure what size but I had kicked around the idea of something like an 80G cube...24x24x31tall. I've read that where sea horses are concerned that vertical swimming room is a little more importatan than horizontal? Maybe even something a little smaller like around a 50G cube. It's still up in the air right now, I need to get my other build done first.
I'm always a fan of the flexiblity of having a sump. Through I'm interested to hear what your ideas where on an all in one.
There's the perfect tank at my LFS for you. Its a 24X24x25 cube. Its pretty nice and I almost bought it a while back. I just can't afford the extra depth of the tank. Where mine is going I need to keep it at the 18" max.
I agree on the sump thing. I would like a sump myself but, I'm torn on the simplicity of an AIO. My ideas on it are to cut glass and build a sump section and then cover it up with the DIY rock wall. I was going to do the sump section in a crazy shape so it would give the wall a nice base line for shape. Lots of small pieces of glass and lots of silicone but, it should pay off in the end with the look.
I was thinking of doing a section like a normal sump. Meaning, an OF weir into the sump section and filter it like normal. I was going to do another section of it in reverse. By pumping water into it, I could grow cheato and culture pods, and have them go into the display without having to go through the pump. Giving me a much bigger chance at having a large population in the tank. I was going to use 4 maxi jets hidden in the sump section. This way the horses wouldn't be exposed to the PHs. I would also get a large GPH rating for very little wattage, helping me keep the temp down. I was also going to plumb the MJs outputs to different spots in the tank so I would have lots of flow points.

 

[2quills]

Sounds like a very doable size tank. I know I've seen some of those cube or column style tanks at some of the larger pet store chains down here. I just don't think I'll ever buy another one of those mass manufactured tanks again after my 55G freshwater tank failed a couple of weeks ago.
I actually think your AIO idea sounds pretty cool, especially the fuge. The idea of having a one-off system is pretty sweet.

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3327922
Sounds like a very doable size tank. I know I've seen some of those cube or column style tanks at some of the larger pet store chains down here. I just don't think I'll ever buy another one of those mass manufactured tanks again after my 55G freshwater tank failed a couple of weeks ago.
I actually think your AIO idea sounds pretty cool, especially the fuge. The idea of having a one-off system is pretty sweet.
Well I think Novahobbies and you have pushed me into a sump. It will be unique. No worries there. If I could draw on the computer I would post a diagram. I could build it faster then I could learn how to draw it on here.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Well I think Novahobbies and you have pushed me into a sump. It will be unique. No worries there. If I could draw on the computer I would post a diagram. I could build it faster then I could learn how to draw it on here.
Cool, man...I'll be watching, waiting!

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/381712/need-a-little-help#post_3328206
Quote:
Well I think Novahobbies and you have pushed me into a sump. It will be unique. No worries there. If I could draw on the computer I would post a diagram. I could build it faster then I could learn how to draw it on here.
Cool, man...I'll be watching, waiting!
Cool. At least I know I will have two folks willing to help me out along the way. I have been looking around for a while tonight and I'm gonna order up a couple things.
An Eheim 1260
Two Maxi jet 1200's
A Coralife Super Luft Air Pump. SL-65.
I should start a build thread soon. I'm gonna go really simple on the skimmer build for this tank. Hence the luft pump.

 

[novahobbies]

How's it coming? It's been a whole week.... can't you see you have us on the tips of our toes here? ;-)

 

[al&burke]

Hi Posiden, Excuse my newbieness - What is an AIO. What kind of drawing software are you using. If you need a hand let me know. I am very interested in this thread.

 

[novahobbies]

All In One. Like a nanocube, but DIY.

 

[al&burke]

Cool, Thank you

 

[posiden]

Ah, a little action here. Sorry, I've been away.
So far no real progress to report. I have ordered a few things and the only thing I'm waiting on ATM is my rock. That should have been here today. I'm having it shipped to a buddies house.
I do have,
80lbs of Special Sea Floor grade substrate,
I got several Maxi Jet pumps, 3 900's and 3 1200's
I got a heater. Probably won't ever need it but.....ya-know,
A bottle of Selcon,
A bucket of salt...Sea Chem,
I have the tank,
I have two tanks for sumps, A 20L, or my old 29 Bio Cube???
Pc lights for now...2 Ice Cap 660 ballasts for later on.

I do have a Halide but, I don't think I'm gonna use it.
25lbs of Macro rock from Marco Rocks. The Key Largo. Plus the rock from old 29 Bio Cube.
While away for Thanksgiving, I picked up some sea grass along the shore. I'm not sure it will live but, its gonna be fun trying it out. Its currently in two different tanks ATM. I guess I will soon see. I also managed to capture some Pods with the water I put the grass in.
I have planned on another thread for a while now but, I wanted to get a good bead on things, before I dove in. 2Quills has pushed me over into the sump mode so, this tank will have a sump of some sort. I'm considering making it a............somewhat of a display??? Not real sure how to pull that off yet so, not sure if that will happen. I want some Cheato algae in the tank and, I'm trying to figure out how I can grow it in a column to kinda, simulate kelp. Maybe I should just buy some kelp?