Basic Questions

[JLind3214]

Hey guys, I am looking to add another tank to my collection and I have wanted seahorses since I was very young and have read up on them quite a bit, although I really prefer advice based on experience from fellow reefers.

I know that they get stressed with too much lighting, and I was wondering what type of lighting that you have on your tank. Also, I know they need peaceful fish kept with them and would firefish be an acceptable companion for them??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!

[Jim_Dont_Care]

jamey1010 can help u with that just give a pm or something

[katymunoz]

I had leds on my seahorse tank, but really any lights should work besides halides.

Yes you can have firefish, mandarins, small goby species, pipefish, and probably others I'm not thinking of right now.

[JLind3214]

So would just a basic light work then? Since I'm not trying to grow any coral in that tank?

[katymunoz]

Yes, but If you could get a t-5 light that would be best because some basic lights can really promote algae growth and make your tank "gross"

[JLind3214]

So would something like this work?

Deep Blue Deluxe Aquarium Hood - PetSupplies.com

[JLind3214]

Or this? I feel like this one would be better...

Odyssea T5 Aquarium Lighting

[Jim_Dont_Care]

the second 1 dont look bad but if its just fish u can get away with a 2 bulb look on ebay probably get 1 for cheap on there

[dputt88]

try marineland double brights

or if you want plants try the marineland aquatic plant LEDs. that way you save mooney in the long run (no need for light bulbs)

[JLind3214]

Do I need to put liverock in the tank? Just wondering cause I wanted to start and get it cycled... I know I need some things in their for them to hold onto but not sure if I need rock.

[katymunoz]

The eBay t5 fixture will work just fine. Or the marineland LEDs if you want to go that route.

I would have live rock in any saltwater setup, because it provides a large amount of filtration, and also provides an area for copepods and other small creatures to reproduce.

You should list everything you plan on having for the tank and the size so we can give you advice or the "go ahead" if you aren't missing anything.

Seahorses can be a bit tricky, and if you don't start with the right equipment, then they are just going to keep dying

[JLind3214]

Alright reefers,

Here is the set-up that I am planning on using for my seahorses.. Let me know if you think this works or if I need to add anything to it!

34 gallon tank, built in overflow with a sump, protein skimmer, heater, powerhead and a 20-24inch tek t5 lighting system

Some pieces of liverock, already have some pieces that will go in the tank and I made sure they weren’t sharp or rough edges, with about 30lbs of sand
I will be purchasing a couple artificial corals from my LFS, specifically a seafan that they make for seahorses as well as a feeding station… Eventually I will add some corals to the tank.. Making sure they aren’t SPS or anything that stings…

My Seahorses will be going in the tank with my 2 firefish that I currently own.. I will have snails, emerald crabs and a serpent star for my clean up crew…

I think that about covers it… let me know if I forgot anything!!!

[katymunoz]

I'd say the only area of concern for the tank would be the overflow. See if you can get some sort of screen or something to block the intakes. Seahorses are notorious for getting sucked into the small grates or getting their heads stuck, etc. they will easily end up in your sump and killed. The seahorses are very curious and don't understand the dangers.

Also I would put a filter sock on your drain line into your sump to catch all the bits of food that don't get eaten. Seahorses are really messy eaters, and mine never took to a feeding station. A filter sock will make cleaning a lot easier than cleaning a whole sump!