Our Sea Horse tank!

[Galeepley]

We've been wanting to start a Sea Horse tank for the longest time, and now, we felt like it was time to give it a shot! With the help of Jordan (OG) we managed to get ourselves a neat little set-up.

Tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200069.jpg

Sump (5 gallon) (isn't that the cutest little skimmer)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200082.jpg

"Mustang" the Sea Horse hiding in the back corner (will get better pics)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200084.jpg

Close ups of Gorgonia, Yuma, and Zoos
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200078.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200079.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200074.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200076.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200075.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200072.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/lisatory/P3200071.jpg

[Redeye]

is it easier keeping gorgs in a horsey tank, due to the small volume and heavy feeding?

[victortrav]

love it very nice clean tank

[Galeepley]

is it easier keeping gorgs in a horsey tank, due to the small volume and heavy feeding?

It definately is easier than trying to squirt food directly at them HOPING that they'll get some

[Redeye]

how long has it been running?

[Galeepley]

The tank's been running for a month and was filled with water from already established water out of our other tanks. We JUST got the corals and SH last night.

[phishphood]

Not sure how the gorgonians will work with seahorses. Either a)the SH will keep the gorg polyps from extending as they continually hitch to it or b) the gorg polyps might sting the horses? They're pretty sensitive when it comes to that. One thing (don't quote me on this though) is for some reason I want to say seahorse tanks shouldn't be too brightly lit as it bothers them, but again I have no backup for that. I wouldn't even call it a claim, just something that popped into my head.
One more thing is make sure you have snails in that tank as I'm going to guess algae will be growing pretty nicely if there's nutrients and light and nothing eating it. Along those lines, a shrimp would probably be a decent idea to eat otherwise-uneaten food. I'd say not a skunk cleaner just so that it doesn't continually harass the SH by trying to stay on it and clean it. But I love the look of that tank and that skimmer is pretty nifty. Powered solely by airstone?

Oh, and have fun siphoning the sand :)

[Redeye]

the airstone method was the original method if i'm not mistake, still see them from time to time (the old ones)

[SDguy]

Those are REALLY tough gorgs to keep (non photosynthetic). Good luck with them. I'm guessing you're going to have nutrient problems though, trying to feed them, so be prepared to remove them if you have to in order to keep water quality high for the sea horses.

[iVgOnMaD]

actually, some seahorses live in very bright light, but hide in the shaded areas.

Also, try to keep the flow strong (~7 x gph) near the sand bottom so nothing has a chance of settling.

Try to get the biggest, most efficient skimmer you can afford and fit in that sump, sea horses eat at least their own weight or more in food every day, since they digest food differently than other fish, so the large skimmer helps remove all the un-eaten stuff before it brings down the water quality.

[SA_Fox_Mulder]

Cool looking tank. Good luck with the Sea Horse.

[Moloch]

You may want to get the horses use to a feeding dish (a half a clam shell or the like). That was the only way I was able to know they were eating plenty and was still able to control the food from blowing around. Good luck!

[Reefbabe]

Neat...like a little horsey trough. Never knew you could do that for seahorses.
The tank looks great. Hope everything works out well for you!

[varanoid]

nice gorgonians! Look really healthy. How long have you had them? Where did you get them? And what kind are they. Best of luck to you.

[Rushdog86]

my friends dad has the seahorses in a tank with mh like 8 seahorses different types. they love grabbing on to anything so im sure theyll grab on to that. e as a huge colt coral they all hang on. ask jordan tho he breeds tem he has to know how to care for them.

[treylane]

IME, gorgs like very, very clean water. If the water's clean, they'll open up pretty quickly when you put food in, but once the water is dirty they just hide... but maybe somebody else has had a different experience.

[SDguy]

IME, gorgs like very, very clean water. If the water's clean, they'll open up pretty quickly when you put food in, but once the water is dirty they just hide... but maybe somebody else has had a different experience.

My purple frilly gorg stays closed exactly 3 days before the 4 week mark, which means water change time. Like clockwork. Seems to be the most sensitive coral in the tank to overall water quality/age. More so than any SPS. Go figure...

[DaChrisDude]

Wow, very clean setup. I love your choice of Gorgs, Sea Fans, and Macro's...very very nice.

[sdmasseuse]

Not sure how the gorgonians will work with seahorses. Either a)the SH will keep the gorg polyps from extending as they continually hitch to it or b) the gorg polyps might sting the horses? They're pretty sensitive when it comes to that. One thing (don't quote me on this though) is for some reason I want to say seahorse tanks shouldn't be too brightly lit as it bothers them, but again I have no backup for that. I wouldn't even call it a claim, just something that popped into my head.
One more thing is make sure you have snails in that tank as I'm going to guess algae will be growing pretty nicely if there's nutrients and light and nothing eating it. Along those lines, a shrimp would probably be a decent idea to eat otherwise-uneaten food. I'd say not a skunk cleaner just so that it doesn't continually harass the SH by trying to stay on it and clean it. But I love the look of that tank and that skimmer is pretty nifty. Powered solely by airstone?

Oh, and have fun siphoning the sand :)

Gorgonians aren't a stinging plant so they won't sting the horses. In nature that's what the horses hang on to so I don't know where you are getting your info:rolleyes:

http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/hipp-ing.html

[iwantone]

The sand could potentially be a problem and will likely need frequent cleaning. The gorgonians are pretty, but keeping them alive will likely be a challenge.
I hate to piss on the parade but fake gorgonians and a quarter inch fine sand bottom would make a much easier set-up. Good luck.

[Galeepley]

haha you guys are only 9 months late. we dont have this tank anymore

[RedMangrove]

Not sure how the gorgonians will work with seahorses. Either a)the SH will keep the gorg polyps from extending as they continually hitch to it or b) the gorg polyps might sting the horses? They're pretty sensitive when it comes to that. One thing (don't quote me on this though) is for some reason I want to say seahorse tanks shouldn't be too brightly lit as it bothers them, but again I have no backup for that. I wouldn't even call it a claim, just something that popped into my head.
One more thing is make sure you have snails in that tank as I'm going to guess algae will be growing pretty nicely if there's nutrients and light and nothing eating it. Along those lines, a shrimp would probably be a decent idea to eat otherwise-uneaten food. I'd say not a skunk cleaner just so that it doesn't continually harass the SH by trying to stay on it and clean it. But I love the look of that tank and that skimmer is pretty nifty. Powered solely by airstone?

Oh, and have fun siphoning the sand :)

http://www.realagentmarketing.com/photos/seagrassmacrotank/11_30_2007_1.jpg