new it horses. inline tank

mmm33732

mmm33732

Member
i've been intrested in sea horses for a while now. i've read a bit here and there about them. so currently i have a 55g reef with 17g sump (soon to be 125g tank) anyways, i know you need a species specific tank. i have an eclipse 6g i was thinking about using. that size seems to be good for the species i've been looking at. i realize it would be hard to maintain stable water parameters in a tank that size, so what i was thinking of doing is having a 1/2 line enter and exit that tank and have it plumbed in with my other tank so they share water, pods, and nutrients, but nothing more. kind of like how a sump setup where the horse tank is the main tank and my reef tank is the sump... if that makes sense. anyways, how does that idea sound? also, what else is really needed for the horses to survive? like i said, i'm still pretty new to sea horses and their specific requirements.
 
rykna

rykna

Active Member
Originally Posted by NyButterfly03
I would think that a 6gal would be way too small ulness you were going to be getting dwarves IMO.
Deffinately. When purchasing seahorses you need to know their adult length. A Kuda, for instance, grow 8-10 inches from tail to snout. They require a 24" tall tank. I don't even like putting my dwarf seahorses in the 15 gallon. Makes me feel closterfobic.
I'd say at least 45 for my comfort.
 
mmm33732

mmm33732

Member
huh. well i guess you guys know your horses. i was going off of the recommendations of various sites for sea horses i found. i think seahorses.org even said it would be fine. don't quote me on that though. so why wouldn't it be a good idea to just simply put them in with my other fish and all? what is all needed to ensure they do okay other than good water perimeters and pods and all?
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
Basic guidline I always recomend, your tank should be three times as tall as your horse will be at adult age. Your idea of the Psuedo-sump is a very good idea, I have seen this used and would help you maintain better water quality. As for adding your horses to your reef, what is your flow rate in their and what reef creatures are in the tank?
 
rykna

rykna

Active Member
Originally Posted by mmm33732
huh. well i guess you guys know your horses. i was going off of the recommendations of various sites for sea horses i found. i think seahorses.org even said it would be fine. don't quote me on that though. so why wouldn't it be a good idea to just simply put them in with my other fish and all? what is all needed to ensure they do okay other than good water perimeters and pods and all?
DUDE........First and ultimate must do~ NEVER...and i cannot express this enough NEVER take any info regarding seahorses or any kind of fish as correct. In the 25 years I have kept fish the is one universal truth..Do your own research~never rely on your lfs or any source to give you good info. There is only one lfs here in the twins that i will set foot inside, the last one I ditched; one of the employees tried to sell me a dead plate coral for $50 explaining the mold on it was because it was a sponge. We all have too many "I wish I would have known...." stories...
The research I have done regarding seahorse care has extended to emailing 2 marine biologists. They were able to admit that they didn't know, unlike 99% of the US fish store population.
Use the existing tank successes and mistakes here in the seahorse forum. Start with my first Seahorse Valiant. My lack of understanding/disregarding water quality lead up to my seahorse's death. After 2 weeks of research, I can now tell people exactly what lead up to the out break of the parasites that killed valiant.
Seahorse Org does have a lot of good information, but it is only information, or a guide~ like the Bible. The words in the bible are records of God's word, taken down by humans. It is not to be taken Literally word per word.
Any how enough preaching...
If I were you i'd start by making a plan for the seahorse tank.
What kind of horse do you want to get? Get all the meds needed, food enhancers, books, etc.
Your tank will need to cycle for 6 months anyhow. Spend those months reading and researching all you can. Double and triple check your food and meds.
 
mmm33732

mmm33732

Member
so i did even more research yet again and did some more thinking. i've decided not go get any seahorses. i don't think i'm up to dealing any diseases they may come down with and all the meds. maybe someday i'll reconsider, but for now i'm gunna pass on setting up any type of tank for them. thanks for your help guys. saved me some time and money as well as maybe a seahorses life.
 
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