What Kind of Tank to Choose

[rykna]

Hi All!
Hope everyone had a awesome Christmas. Over the 12 hours it takes to drive to my Grandma's my hubby Brian and I discussed what to due with my 45 gallon tank. Snow Falke Eel VS. Blue Mustang Sea Horses.
Sea Horses won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now what have I gotten myself into........... :thinking:
I spent the majority of my christmas vacation pouring over books about seahorses. I have come to the conclusion, thus far, that the most intesnse commitment to seahorses is the feeding....thoughts on this???
The other thing I am still pondering is what type of coral to introduce to the tank for the seahorse to hang onto. So far most information leans toward SPS corals.....thoughts on this?????
I am still not convinced of SPS corals due to the fact that most seahorses live in shallows areas where various types of sea grasses and mangroves roots grow proving "hitching posts".
I am still waiting for my 45 gallon to cycle so the seahorse won't be arriving for at least another month.
SPS or Sea Grasses, I also have to upgrade the light to a MH(imho).
thoughts on this?????
I was also reading about the mating habits of the seahorses......when in the right habitat the couple is more than happy to commense. So I I am guessing that I will be looking for future homes for the offspring....anyone interested????

The babies sure are cute, but even harder to feed than the adults. I am going(I will turn my 15 gallon into a brine shrimp factory) to have fun harvesting baby brine shrimp and other small critters. So if anyone is interested in live "sea monkeys" I should have slew of them by April.

Thanks,
Rykna

 

[poniegirl]

Hi Rykna! Happy to hear you have decided to saddle up!
In a species only tank and if the horses are captive bred (a MUST IMO), feeding is not a great ordeal. They should come to you feeding on frozen mysis shrimp and this is a good food for them. If you can supply live copepods for them to hunt and snack on, so much the better!
They should be fed a minimum of twice daily, small amounts. More, if there is no 'pod population. Some keepers have a day of fasting scheduled in the week, but I never was able to do that.
Corals are NOT needed, but a few can be kept. I have xenia, zoas and a clove polyp. Seagrass and hitching rocks are best. Again, 'pods thrive in these mediums and you want to do all you can to encourage them to multiply. Mangrove is nice, but VERY slow to grow and the leaves have to be kept above the water-line.
You will not need MH lighting and I would advise against it because of temperature issues. Seahorses prefer a lower temp range, 72 to 76 is great, and MH on a 45 gallon is asking for trouble, just my opinion.
This is un-requested advice, please forgive me: For first horses, I would very strongly suggest two of the same gender, females are easier in my experience. If you keep two females for a time to get the groove going, then add two males down the road, I think your experience will be that much smoother.
Also, order meds now to have on hand. Diamox and a topical antibiotic at the very least.
Back to work!

 

[fender]

Regarding SPS and seahorses - SPS require lots of water flow, something that isn't recommended for seahorses.

 

[rykna]

sorry this is a accidently mutil thread subbmitted

I will lock this one and copy all the response to the 1st one.
Thanks All!

 

[rykna]

I accidently doubled posted. Please Lock, close, or delete this thread.

Thanks,Rykna