Sea Horse info

Im interested in setting up my 20 gallon tank as a species only sea horse tank. Can I run a berlin setup with them? Any other info anyone can give me on sea horses would be great too.

 

A 20 gal tank is probably too large for the dwarf Zostera, and too small for a pair of other seahorses. I have seen posts that say a pair of H. Fuscus MAY be OK in a 20, but better if a 20 tall or larger tank.
Seahorses are very susceptible to bacterial diseases so temperatures should be kept at 74°F or lower. Also, as seahorses seem to have some immunity to the pathogens they carry, but little immunity to the pathogens of other seahorse species, it's also not wise to mix seahorses from different sources even if they are the same species.
There are also very experienced keepers that feel live rock is a no no as well. They would use sterilized rock and let it re culture using an ammonia source. (i.e. ammonium chloride)
The best chances of success would be with seahorses that have been bred in a tank and raised in tanks.
Wild caught are cheapest but very risky and probably won't eat frozen food.
Net pen raised are often referred to as captive bred but because they are raised in pens in open water, are subjected to the same pathogens that plague wild caught with the only advantage being they are trained to eat frozen mysis.
Price is often a good indicator as the best ones will be the most expensive.

 

I have a pair of H.Erectus in my 12G nano. I have the water set at 68º now. as stated, warmer water leads to problems. One of my pair isn't feeling so well now, he stopped eating when I put him into the tank. The other is doing great. Definitely get tank bred if you decide to try your hand in keeping these guys. I personally have LR in the tank, as well as chunks of chaeto, but that is to help maintain the population of pods in the tank. Horses do need a taller tank though, don't go for long tanks.

 

So far sounding like Im on the right track. I have a 20 tall that Im thinking about doing this in. I think a Berlin system is going to be my only option at this point because I dont want to hook up a wet dry or other filter. Im thinking about building a fuge into the tank to keep some chaeto and the power head in to lower current in the tank. 68 degrees? That seems really low glad I asked before I got started on any of this. Hopefully I should have a light next week so I can start the process with the rock. Thanks for all the help.

 

Your reef looks amazing ray by the way.

 

After looking through some species with my fiance wev decided to go with H.erectus. Think Ill get two. I read online that they typically are found in sea grass. Is this something you can grow in an aquarium and if so does anyone have a link to where I can buy some?

 

check out reefcleaners.org they have lots of plants

just remember i don't think anyone mentioned it they need lots of hitches like well seagrass, tongs branch, etc

 

Nobody mentioned it yet but I read they like some plants to hang on. I found a plant called a Red Mangrove Propagules looks perfect for them to grab on. Here the site I found them on if anyone wants to look. Ill check out that site too. Thank you.

 

Nobody mentioned it yet but I read they like some plants to hang on. I found a plant called a Red Mangrove Propagules looks perfect for them to grab on. Here the site I found them on if anyone wants to look. Ill check out that site too. Thank you.

Saltwater aquarium refugium , marine plants, algaes, nitrate reduction

 

You really need a larger tank for a pair of erectus. I'd use a 29 gallon, minimum. I agree with rayjay's advice 100%.