Pot Bellied Seahorses

[novahobbies]

I'm in the same camp as you are. The blue background may or may not do anything, but if you like the color, then it's perfect for blocking out the back "junk." I keep a blue background on my horse tank, and I couldn't tell you if it ever did or did not encourage them to pick a color...but I'd rather see that plain color versus the rat's nest of hoses and wires running out the back.
For what it's worth, I'm experimenting with a couple ideas to make a more 3-d look for the back of my big tank. You might want to try it with those cutouts you were looking at. I'm toying with the idea of using transparent blue film as the "front" coat, then printed cutouts of rock bommies and reef structures, as well as an extended seafloor printed on the back. I'll follow up with either a blue or white background that's opaque to block out the background crap. I tried this using a clear blue spray paint first on a 10g tank, and the clear looks good but it's too pricey - I'd wind up spending 60 bucks just on the clear blue layer.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3467287
I'm in the same camp as you are. The blue background may or may not do anything, but if you like the color, then it's perfect for blocking out the back "junk." I keep a blue background on my horse tank, and I couldn't tell you if it ever did or did not encourage them to pick a color...but I'd rather see that plain color versus the rat's nest of hoses and wires running out the back.
For what it's worth, I'm experimenting with a couple ideas to make a more 3-d look for the back of my big tank. You might want to try it with those cutouts you were looking at. I'm toying with the idea of using transparent blue film as the "front" coat, then printed cutouts of rock bommies and reef structures, as well as an extended seafloor printed on the back. I'll follow up with either a blue or white background that's opaque to block out the background crap. I tried this using a clear blue spray paint first on a 10g tank, and the clear looks good but it's too pricey - I'd wind up spending 60 bucks just on the clear blue layer.
It sounds like a beautiful project...if it works I will copy it. Right now I have a piece of plastic I painted blue and put up there. The blotches of coraline on the back ruins the look. I also see dust looking stuff on the glass...from the sand no doubt, it was pretty cloudy at first. No doubt the dreaded diatom bloom is yet to come...SIGH...I hate new tanks.

 

[novahobbies]

I LOVE new tanks! I love the project aspect of new tanks! New things to try, new things to watch....sure, ya got the cycle, and the diatom bloom, and usually a cyano bloom...but it's all worth it in the end.
I'm an eternal tinkerer, though, so no tank project is ever really done. That's part of the reason I left the stencil painting of the blossoms off of the seahorse tank. It's something I'll still be able to do when other projects slow down.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3467336
I LOVE new tanks! I love the project aspect of new tanks! New things to try, new things to watch....sure, ya got the cycle, and the diatom bloom, and usually a cyano bloom...but it's all worth it in the end.
I'm an eternal tinkerer, though, so no tank project is ever really done. That's part of the reason I left the stencil painting of the blossoms off of the seahorse tank. It's something I'll still be able to do when other projects slow down.
LOL...I like perfection. I like my plans to turn out just right the first time. I do lots of precautionary measures to try and prevent the problem in the first place. I don't give up, but I don't like the ugly stage....and I know there is no skipping it.
It's kind of like having children...I can stand the pregnant stage, and I love the little bundle of joy in the end...but I hate the pushing it out part everytime.

 

[saxman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/40#post_3467285
I used a scraper and got the big crusty stuff, but the blotches are there to stay.
If your tank is glass, don't mess with scrapers...go to the HW store and get a box of single-edge razor blades, and go at it...the stuff will come off easily. We use them all the time on our glass tanx.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3467440
If your tank is glass, don't mess with scrapers...go to the HW store and get a box of single-edge razor blades, and go at it...the stuff will come off easily. We use them all the time on our glass tanx.
Thanks...I'll try that..razors, I should have guessed.

 

[flower]

I ordered a background...This is the closest thing to what I wanted.

They are also selling a gel that is supposed to make the back look really good, has anyone ever used this stuff before? It sounds good...but messy.

Also ordering 2 new power heads. The Koralia I have would have to be covered because they have an open front where a seahorse could hitch to, and hurt their tail. 1000 GPH I have one already, I figure three should be plenty in the 90g. I also have an overflow directed two ways and the chiller output hose is going to be attached to a spray bar. I don't want anything too strong, this is a seahorse tank....but I don't want cyano problems

I have not yet gotten the razor blades to clean up the coraline...I hardly leave the house anymore. I have plenty of time, I could wait for the grandkids to come back for a visit and put them to work.

 

[novahobbies]

I've used that gel, and it's.....okay. get yourself a small squeegie to help move air bubbles out. I didn't and I regret it. Also, you may need another container of it...or two....I used one whole container for my 37g tank background, and it only barely covered the surface area of my background. I'm sure I could have done a better job with it.
It seems to be sticking just fine, but my prior planning was lacking. I'm sure you will do a much better job. Next time I do a background I'm going to "stick" with self adhesive vinyl.
see what I did there??

 

[smallreef]

Did you not want to spray paint a background on your tank? is that why you choose the water one? either way hopefully you wont have any problems with saltcreep inbetween it, I guess thats what the gel is for...

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3468254
Did you not want to spray paint a background on your tank? is that why you choose the water one? either way hopefully you wont have any problems with saltcreep inbetween it, I guess thats what the gel is for...
I painted my last SH tank... black. It is just so permanent. Somebody told me if I could mimic the ocean color the horses would change color more. So I figured to give it a try. Pot bellies are spotted with big blotches, not like the smaller ones. They remind me of giraffes the way they are marked. Those blotches can change between brown and bright orange to yellow and green.
The gel is for salt creep and to make a nice seal on the background and make it more vibrant according to the ad...we shall see. I never had any salt creep issues anywhere but around the return hose and in the sump...never in the back of the tank.

 

[flower]

Update:
For my 90g Pot Belly tank, I ordered a little in-tank filter....Whisper 40i In-tank Filter - Up to 40 gallons - 6 in. x 5.5.....it can sit in as little as 2 inches of water. I plan to put this in the skimmmer chamber to keep the water clean and not clog up my new skimmer pump. I have no way to put a filter sock on the hose (my solution for the other tank), the media just lifts out and slide back in like a HOB overflow filter. This should suit my purposes just right. $30.00

 

[meowzer]

I use to use one of them on a FW tank....they work just fine....only you have to make sure the bottom doesn't get clogged

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3469185
I use to use one of them on a FW tank....they work just fine....only you have to make sure the bottom doesn't get clogged
Glad to hear they work as the ad says...there is nothing but detritis sediment that builds in the sump. It clogged the last one up on my skimmer, and I'm a little concerned about my return pump. Those pumps are expensive, $185.00 for the skimmer, and the return is close to $300.00 so a $30.00 filter down there for prevention just makes sense to me. I can't get down to the floor well enough to vacuum the sump, the arthritis in my knees make it near impossible. The stuff is like silt and stays suspended if there is water movement so the little filter should pick it up and trap it...I hope.

 

[mr. limpid]

So Flower, you have a filter for your filter.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3469194
So Flower, you have a filter for your filter.

Well I can't use a filter sock on the system, the hose goes into a bubble catcher and it's too hard to try and change a sock once a week. It is zip tied in place so it doesn't bounce out of there. I must find a way to protect the pumps from getting clogged. I can't get down and vacuum the sump to clean it up. I just replaced the skimmer pump for $185.00
I have an expensive return pump...not to mention the whole system relys on it.
I also have a pump on the chiller, a pump om the Duel carbon and phosphate reactor and another pump on the Aquaripure. They are cheap ones, but I don't want them to clog and have to replace them either.
So ...LOL....as funny as it sounds, I have a filter for my filter.

 

[mr. limpid]

And a lot of pumps. Do you back up pumps for your pumps, then you would have pumps for your pumps,lol.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3469251
And a lot of pumps. Do you back up pumps for your pumps, then you would have pumps for your pumps,lol.
LOL...I do have lots of gizmos, and I don't even have the ATO hooked up, which also takes a pump, and I have a doser pump for dosing calcium not hooked up...LOL

 

[flower]

I need advice on snails....
I have the brown algae bloom....the tank is cycled, and I'm ready to begin the temperature drop...I'm going to the store for hose here in a bit so I can get the chiller online tonight. My plan is to drop the temp one degree each day until I reach the goal of 65/67 degrees I have never done a cold water tank, and I'm not sure when to add the CUC. I have to order margarita snails because of the chill....how many for a 90g tank? I have brown algae all over, but should I wait for more algae before ordering them?
I have never kept a margarita snail before, all the ads say they require lots of algae and should be in a well established tank....which this is not. They actually sound about as hungry for algae as an urchin. If that's the case then I certainly can't put more than one in there. They are about 1/2 to 1 inch in size. Can anyone help?
Adding another question....can bummble bee snails be in a seahorse tank? There is nothing in the compatibility chart concerning any snails. These have the same temp needs as the margarita snail (cooler temps) but they eat wasted food and the dead. I don't have corals in either tank, only macros and they eat bristle worms. I just wonder if they would get on seahorses since the hitch up and hug the decor at night....I wouldn't want the snails to think they are dead and start munching.

 

[novahobbies]

I doubt the bumblebee snails would try a seahorse tail snack. BUT....I'm just not a big fan of these, as IMO they don't really do enough good to warrant their inclusion. Just my opionion...your mileage may vary.
Having never personally owned a Margarita snail, I really can't comment too much on these. I suspect that you should probably keep them in similar numbers as you would Mexican turbos...one or two to start, and more as needed when the tank matures. At least, that's how I have stocked MTS's.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/391007/pot-bellied-seahorses/60#post_3469421
I doubt the bumblebee snails would try a seahorse tail snack. BUT....I'm just not a big fan of these, as IMO they don't really do enough good to warrant their inclusion. Just my opionion...your mileage may vary.
Having never personally owned a Margarita snail, I really can't comment too much on these. I suspect that you should probably keep them in similar numbers as you would Mexican turbos...one or two to start, and more as needed when the tank matures. At least, that's how I have stocked MTS's.
Thanks,
SWF and all the other online stores want $34.00 shipping. The snails cost around $2.00 each, if I start with a couple then I spend $34.00 to get $5.00 worth of snails. No stores around here carry Margarita snails. I'm going to have to order the full CUC and feed them nori sheets...so you say I need the same number as in the reef....it might be worth $34.00 to ship them.
The only reason I looked at the bumble bees is because I need cold water snails (their temp needs are the same as margaritas), the nassarius are the ones that eat extra food and burrow under the sand but they can't take the cold. Maybe the reason folks have had bad experience with BB snails could be the fact they need cooler water than a reef. The BB snails do the same as nassarius but can handle the cold. There are larger snails out there like the spider conch and queen conch.