Seahorse tank???

nstarman

nstarman

Member
I am looking to start a seahorse tank. I have had saltwater tanks in the past but never a setup for seahorses. I recently moved and was unable to take my tank. I am looking at purchasing a new one. I think i have found one but was looking to get some advice from others, so please tell me what you think.
39 gallon tank
40 lbs live rock
2 120 Ballast and fixtures
custom piano hinge lid and stand
penguin 550 power head
maxi jet 600 power head
rio 1400 26 wat pump
excaliber protein skimmer
100 watt them.
magna float cleaner
instant ocean salt
water primer
ph buffer
hydrometer
net and other small items
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Nice. That sized tank should be adequate for 3-4 H. erectus or H. reidi seahorses. You'll need to make some modifications to the filter to make sure the horses can't get sucked up against the overflow. Also the setup as listed has much more flow than needed for a seahorse tank, but if the price is right I'd say you could do a lot with this size tank. The lights may be an issue.....remember seahorses need cooler water, and the lights may heat up the tank too much. You may need to consider a chiller. Many horses need an average temperature of 72-75 degrees.
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
well i purchased the setup. I was going to try to post pics though the process but apparently I don't know how to resize photos. Also, apparently, I have a completely different setup than what I'm used to. Will have to try to figure this one out too.
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
Figured it out. Since purchasing it, I have cleaned the tank and taken out all the lighting. Pic 3 shows some of the old lights. they were in really bad condition. broken and rusted brackets. I'll have to figure out what will fit in the canopy and not overheat the tank.



 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
What kind of filtration did this come with, besides the skimmer? HOB overflow, or power filter of any sort?
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
LOL No, because they look to me like old magnetic ballasts. Rusted out brackets, probably bad sockets if that's the case, plus old magnetic ballasts that may or may not have their overheating fail safes compromised........ well you get the idea.
'Course, it's hard to be sure from the pic. But they LOOK like old magnetics through the layer of dust.
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
Lights were the first thingto go. I have to figure out how a new lighting system. I don't believe this came with a filter system although it did come with bio-balls. I will have to look into it. That is the part I'm not 100% sure on. I don't know a ton about those so i'll have to do a bunch of research to figure out what to use
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
So I think I might go with a Rena Filstar Canister Filter. I have never had a canister filter. What is everyone's opinion?
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I have a rena and really like it. I run the one with 3 media baskets on my horse tank. I also have a sump though. If you set it up with a spray bar along the back of the tank, it will give a nice gental flow.
T
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Do you plan on any corals in this tank? For lights, I would do a retro pc or t5s.
You could do a two or three bulb t5 and still keep shrooms and gorgians and macros.
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
At this point in time, we are not doing any corals. Maybe down the road but not with the seahorses. I just saw a spray bar for the first time and i really like the idea. I was actually thinking about putting that in this tank but try to hide it under the lip at the top of the tank. the only problem that i am running into with the lights is the canopy. it really took out a lot of room. If i have to, i will get rid of it but the tank is more for my girlfriend (i'm just doing the leg work and supplying $$$) and she really love the canopy.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I would do a PC retro like this.
Manufacturer: Hamilton Technology
Dimensions: 23" x 7" x 2" (L x W x H)
Availability: Built to Order - Usually ships in 1-3 days
Item #: 10118
Retrofit compact fluorescent lighting system complete with your choice of two from the following bulbs: 55 watt 6700K Daylight, 55 watt 8800K Daylight, 55 watt 10000K Daylight, 55 watt 71000K Actinic Blue, and 55 watt Actinic 03. Comes complete with remote electronic ballast, a switch and power cord for each lamp allowing for dawn and dusk control and polished aluminum reflector.
Description Our Price Qty
24" Retrofit: 2-55W Powercompacts Dual Control $139.00
They also have a 4 bulb is you want more light

 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
I really like those. I like the dusk and dawn setup. I had that on my old tank and really enjoyed it. Getting filter tomorrow..... Christmas Eve.......Will hopefully have new pictures tomorrow.
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
Finally got some new pictures up. Had to get rid of almost the entire old set-up. Only thing left from the original is the heater, tank, and stand. Got lucky though and found out the local college has set up a salt water filter and UV steralize straight from the ocean for everyone to use so the tests on the water came out perfect. Also, had to reinforce the stand. Although the guy I bought it from said he had it set up, the stand seemed shaky. The old skimmer would not work. I tried everything. Went out the other day and bought a brand new one instead. My girlfriend finally realized that this is not a cheap hobby, even though I tried to explain that before we bought the tank. She is happy with the results though. She can't wait for her seahorses.


 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Looking very nice. Are you adding any Macro algeas???? You are going to need a lot more hitches in there. What kind of lights do you have. If you have enough light you could add photo gorgians. I have three that are doing very well.
Also, what is your tank temp. You prob arent going to need that heater, you are prob going to need a chiller instead.
T
 
nstarman

nstarman

Member
We haven't discussed adding macro algeas really. We just started tossing around the idea of coral. Light is a Coralife T-5 10,000K and Actinic. Tank finally 74 degrees tonight. It was sitting at 63 when i first put in water. Heater was set at 79. I'm keeping a close eye on it though as I'm trying to keep it at 74. We will be buying some things for them to hitch to this week. LFS will not have seahorses in for a few more weeks so i have a little more time
 
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