seahorse or peacock tank?

[deejeff442]

next weekend i will be taking the lr out of my 33 tall tank and put it back into my 225 dt that is being treated for ich.
i want to make a sh or peacock mantis tank out of it .
cant decide which way to go?
i assume the mantis would be alot easier to keep but after keeping up with meowsers sh thread on her sh tank and seeing the pics i really like the beautifull seahorses.
what would you guys do?

 

[teresaq]

seahorses are really no harder then keeping a reef. You just have to be sure to buy captive bred horses, keep the tank at cooler temps (under 75 degrees) and to keep your water pristine.
Only you can decide, but your aksing this question in the seahorse forum where everyone will tell you horses.
T

 

[deejeff442]

i figure the mantis probably hides alot.my lfs has a few 6-7 inch ones but seeing the sh threads and reading info on google sh care they seem pretty hardy except it lists a ton of medicine to keep on hand for infections.
are they that prone to infections or as long as i get a pair that are healthy they will be fine.
it also lists shrimp and snails are safe to keep with them.
i was thinking a couple blood shrimp.
i have plenty of lr for the tank.
i think i would also get a hob skimmer and filter.
the tank is in our walkout base ment so the temp should be ok down there.
what do i need for them as far as decor for them to wrap thier tail around?
how many will fit in a 33 tall? one pair or two?i would be ok with one pair .

 

[teresaq]

Read thru thr first three threads, that will get you started.
as to how many for a 33 gal wil depend on the species, but as long as water quality is good, you could fit 2 pairs especially if you add a sump and skimmer.
As far a bacterial infections, as long as you keep your temps down, and keep anything that can sting, or scrape the horses out of your tank then they are less likely to get them. Also try not to mix species and sources.

 

[dingus890]

It's like night and day. Seahorses are super peaceful and you can have many pairs depending on the size of your tank. Mantis shrimp can only be kept one to a tank and kill everything. They try to bust the glass of the tank at night and can slice your finger off if your not careful......so I would go with horses....LOL

 

[aquaguy24]

I'd go for a mantis. Have u thought about a fuzzy dwarflionfish or anyother type of scorpionfish. How about an angler. My red angler is my favorite fish even tho he's not as active.

 

[deejeff442]

dont the mantis just hit the bottom or the sides also?
i was going to put a piece of thick acrilic on the bottom .
taking temps of the water in my tanks without the heaters the water is still 75-78 and i dont want to get a chiller just for a 33 gallon tank.
didnt think of an angler i will look at them ,i dont like lions too much.
i just have the 33 set up with a heater,#3 koralia and a hob filter.
it has my lr from my 225 that just came back with ich but,thats another story.
i would like to use the 33 after the lr is out for something.