seahorses for christmas?

metalmagiccusto · 11/22/2008, 01:13 PM

i was thinking of getting my girlfriend some seahorses for christmas but i dont really know anything about them. i have had a reeftank for a while and im up for the challange but im not sure what to buy and how to set it up? i would like to start with a small 15 gal. octagon tank but im really open right now. all info will be very helpful!

Naperenterprise · 11/22/2008, 01:20 PM

IMO its the same water parameters as a reef. But with very low water movement. Another important factor is the intake to your filters, sea horses get sucked into tubes, over flows, etc... very easily.

They are very interesting to keep and breed. Make sure you get them on the proper diet.

kingsord0 · 11/22/2008, 05:26 PM

I would recommend getting a tank that is 2-3 times taller than the adult height of the seahorses, so if you could get a 25+ gallon tank it would be better than a 15. That would also make it easier to care for because if something small goes wrong then it isn't as big a problem with the larger amount of water.

Also you don't need a very high flow rate for the seahorses so a lower-flow filter would be a good idea.

Try to get a captive bread if you can because they are more hardy and easier to feed.

I'm not an expert so wait for one of the more experienced keepers for more info, because they know their stuff.

P.S. Remember to do as much research as possible.

metalmagiccusto · 11/23/2008, 12:38 AM

thanks guys for your help! Ive been reef keepin a while so i know to research and take my time.. lol i learned the hard way the first time thats why im askin about it now so i get all my ducks in a row. im wanting to use some of my reef water to start cycling early this week so it will be more than ready by xmas.

pledosophy · 11/23/2008, 02:43 AM

If your gonna get the girl a tank get some xenia and a pair of nemo;s she'll be stoked. Drop in a midas blenny and your golden.

If you wanna do seahorses you have a lot of reading to do. Plus if this isn't the forever girl, what happens later. Not to be a jerk, just sayin. I bet she'd love a midas blenny and some xenia, maybe even a frogspawn. Ohhhh pretty.

Sorry not trying to be a jerk, but, know what your getting into. If your serious try the search feature.

metalmagiccusto · 11/24/2008, 12:41 PM

i think this one is golden and its not about the saltwater tank that would b no big deal for me but this girl is totaly in love with seahorses ....the funny part is she has never seen the ocean but loves annything to do with it!!! go figure right?

REEF-n-Chicago · 11/24/2008, 01:47 PM

go for it!! BUT do the research

David123 · 11/25/2008, 11:31 PM

Why do you need the water from the reef tank to cycle, personally, I like to cycle sterile for horses, buy the bacteria in a bottle, also some bottled ammonia.

This way, you know there is no carry over disease that can harm your new charges.

11/22/2008, 01:13 PM	#1
metalmagiccusto Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 50	seahorses for christmas? i was thinking of getting my girlfriend some seahorses for christmas but i dont really know anything about them. i have had a reeftank for a while and im up for the challange but im not sure what to buy and how to set it up? i would like to start with a small 15 gal. octagon tank but im really open right now. all info will be very helpful!

11/22/2008, 01:20 PM	#2
Naperenterprise Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hopewell, PA Posts: 24	IMO its the same water parameters as a reef. But with very low water movement. Another important factor is the intake to your filters, sea horses get sucked into tubes, over flows, etc... very easily. They are very interesting to keep and breed. Make sure you get them on the proper diet. __________________ ~Jason~ Current Tank Info: 400 gallon reef, 85 gallon & 65 gallon reef

11/22/2008, 05:26 PM	#3
kingsord0 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Warren CT Posts: 245	I would recommend getting a tank that is 2-3 times taller than the adult height of the seahorses, so if you could get a 25+ gallon tank it would be better than a 15. That would also make it easier to care for because if something small goes wrong then it isn't as big a problem with the larger amount of water. Also you don't need a very high flow rate for the seahorses so a lower-flow filter would be a good idea. Try to get a captive bread if you can because they are more hardy and easier to feed. I'm not an expert so wait for one of the more experienced keepers for more info, because they know their stuff. P.S. Remember to do as much research as possible. __________________ Charlie Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Starting to go Reef

11/23/2008, 12:38 AM	#4
metalmagiccusto Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 50	thanks thanks guys for your help! Ive been reef keepin a while so i know to research and take my time.. lol i learned the hard way the first time thats why im askin about it now so i get all my ducks in a row. im wanting to use some of my reef water to start cycling early this week so it will be more than ready by xmas.

11/23/2008, 02:43 AM	#5
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	If your gonna get the girl a tank get some xenia and a pair of nemo;s she'll be stoked. Drop in a midas blenny and your golden. If you wanna do seahorses you have a lot of reading to do. Plus if this isn't the forever girl, what happens later. Not to be a jerk, just sayin. I bet she'd love a midas blenny and some xenia, maybe even a frogspawn. Ohhhh pretty. Sorry not trying to be a jerk, but, know what your getting into. If your serious try the search feature. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

11/24/2008, 12:41 PM	#6
metalmagiccusto Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 50	ahhh i think this one is golden and its not about the saltwater tank that would b no big deal for me but this girl is totaly in love with seahorses ....the funny part is she has never seen the ocean but loves annything to do with it!!! go figure right?

11/24/2008, 01:47 PM	#7
REEF-n-Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA (san pedro) Posts: 1,456	go for it!! BUT do the research __________________ Jordan My tank gets DRUNK every morning Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon w/ 100 gallon sump; 240 gallon

11/25/2008, 11:31 PM	#8
David123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Port Lincoln/ South Australia Posts: 119	Why do you need the water from the reef tank to cycle, personally, I like to cycle sterile for horses, buy the bacteria in a bottle, also some bottled ammonia. This way, you know there is no carry over disease that can harm your new charges. __________________ Education is the bane of ignorance. Cheers David