New Seahorse Tank Build - Direction Please

[LovnChely2]

I have found a 70GL that I will be setting up for seahorses.

My plans at this point are 70Gl tank with Live Rock and a 2" sand bed, 29Gl sump, Skimmer, fuge, with a Mag 9.5 return which will go into a spray bar. I haven't found lighting yet, but I'm thinking T5's (but also looked at LEDs to keep temp down) so I can keep some softies in there as well.
(A few sea fans, xenia, and gsp along with zoas of course.)

I would also like to put algea in the display tank but I am curious which type would be best. I know there is a red one and the name escapes me at the moment.. that along with some culerpa for starters.

My plans right now include 4 H Erectus but that is still a good 4-6 months away. I want to have the brine shrimp hatchery going atleast 2 months prior. I also want to maintain water temp in the display for those 2 months. Once those two projects are functioning I will begin building a nursery in order to be ready in the event that they produce quickly.

This tank is being put together now with the intent of being used as a transition tank while I take my 120Gl down and rebuild that system. Which I'm hoping that project will be done in a month. Once the 120Gl is back up and running livestock will be moved in that tank and the seahorse tank will be half built.

I have put many hours into researching seahorses as this has been something I wanted to do for many many years. I know that I still have lots of learning to do so please feel free to post any thoughts you have. I'm looking to those that raise and keep searhorses for advise in this exciting journey.

Steph

[namxas]

A Mag 9.5 seems like an awfully large pump to be feeding just a spray bar on that size setup. Not to mention that IME, Mag 7's and 9.5's tend to run a tad warm anyhow, so if you're trying to keep the temp down, you may want to go with a more efficient pump (one that draws less power/fewer Watts).

Macro-wise, for the red color, you're probably thinking either Botryocladia (red grape), red Gracillaria ("tang heaven"), or Halymenia (dragon's tongue, IIRC).

I'm not sure what the laws in TX are regarding certain species of Caulerpa, but C. prolifera is a good one that can be "planted" for a seagrass bed look. I've also used C. taxifolia (feather), C. serrulata (razor), C. racemosa (green grape), and C. brachypus. I know that razor and prolifera should be legal, while the others are on a state-by-state basis.

I've also used Ulva (sea lettuce), Codium (nice stuff), and "pink galaxy" (gorgeous stuff, hard to find).

I can't say enuff good things about live macro, esp. in a SH setup.

I'm not sure why you want to start culturing Artemia so soon...when you have fry, you need newly hatched nauplii (< 24 hrs old), and you'll be hatching twice a day (start one in the AM and one later for your PM feeding. Hatching takes 18-24 hrs).

My last recommendation is to get your SH from a reputable breeder or hobbyist/breeder, and insist on TRUE CB specimens, which breeders will have. SH ship really well, and the "cost of ownership" of a CB specimen vs. the so-called "tank raised" specimens you find at the LFS is a LOT cheaper in time and prophylactic meds. Besides, true CB SH will come to you happily eating frozen mysis, which is another huge advantage.

Kudos for doing your research up front!

HTH

[LovnChely2]

Thanks for the advise, I apprecaite it.

I will check out the heat while the 70 acts as a transition tank and consider changing out the pump before it goes SH.

I am leaning more towards LEDs as they cut down on heat as well.

Thanks for the great advise on the macro.. Does anyone know of a good source to get it through?

My only reason for starting the hatchery early was simply be sure I had a handle on it before getting the horses.

As for where they will come from.. Seahorse Source for sure. That was decided years ago. I have seen to many threads over the years that talks about buying them elsewhere and not having a good outcome.

Steph

[LovnChely2]

Here is the new tank. Cleaned, repainted, and ready to be plumbed.

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[LovnChely2]

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[LovnChely2]

Well, this was going to be used as a temp tank while I was remodeling my 120GL and that plan, like most in this hobby, has changed. I couldn't find the right equipment for the 70GL so everything from the 120GL is going in Brute trash cans and plastic totes. That was done Sunday.

I couldn't find a 29GL tank to use as a sump so I decided to go with a 20GL Long. Well, just before I started to add the baffles to the 20GL, I found a 29GL that was already a sump. I also found a Mag 9.5 for my return. I will be monitoring the temp on the tank so if the Mag causes to much heat it will be replaced.

Now I'm trying to decide on what skimmer to go with. I have my eye on the Reef Octopus 4" but it is only rated for 100GL and some say that may not be enough with seahorses. (Any thoughts on this would be appreciated)

I will be working on the 120GL for a while so this project will be put on hold for a week or so then I will begin plumbing. Is the drain generally larger than the return? Should I go with a 1" drain and 3/4" return?

Steph

[namxas]

For most setups, I run one or more 1" drains. Since I run Durso-style standpipes, the drain B/H is 1", but the standpipe is actually 1 1/4" reduced to 1" at the bottom where it slips into the B/H. If you need it, I can link you to an article Renee (seahorsedreams...AKA "Mrs Namxas") wrote on how to build a DIY Durso-style standpipe.

For returns, I typically use 3/4" because there are lots of options in terms of Lock-Line fittings to choose from.

Finally, I'm a big fan of black flexible tubing for my plumbing jobs. It's easy to work with and route, and is easily changed/tweaked if need be. I use black to mitigate internal algae growth, plus everyone knows black is sexy!

HTH

[LovnChely2]

Actually the tank already has a Durso installed. but for some reason drain was reduced to a 3/4" instead of the unual 1".
I got lucky simply because the tank was a seahorse tank when i bought it so most everything is complete.. just needs some tweeking..

I like the idea of the black flex tubing, is it spa flex?

Steph

[namxas]

Nope...just thick-wall pond tubing (I believe it's Lee's brand).

Here's a pic of a tank that I plumbed with it (minus the dual drain hoses):

[pentrix2]

oh my, that is an awesome tank. Amazing how you plumbed that tank. beautiful setup. i would love to see pictures of it running though.

[namxas]

Steph,

I've really been liking the Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer I have on the tank in the picture above. It's a tad smaller than I would have liked to run, but I needed a smaller footprint to fit it into the sump (as you can see, between the sump, the main return pump, and the CL pump, there's zero extra room under the stand for an external skimmer.

oh my, that is an awesome tank. Amazing how you plumbed that tank. beautiful setup. i would love to see pictures of it running though.

Thanks for the kind words. Designing and building our tanks and seeing them come to life is one of the things I enjoy.
I don't wanna hijack the thread, but here's a quick peek:



The tank houses our adult P. volitans lionfish.

[LovnChely2]

Well after months of having to hold up the S/H tank build I'm back at it.

This weekend I plan on getting the tank running. It has had water in it and pumps in it with LR and some sand, but I haven't had the chance to get the sump running and everything operating properly. That will happen on Saturday.

I've found a small skimmer that will do the job for now. I will get everything running and keep some softies in the tank to see what the temp is going to run. Most likely I will be ok without a chiller through the winter but will have to add one before May. I found some used lights that I will make work for now, just 4 24" T5's.

I still do not anticipate adding the Seahorse until after the first of the year.

I am purchasing a clean up crew this next week. What do you guys (and gals) typically have as a clean up crew? Just snails? My sand bed is about 1-2" deep.

Steph

[Swanwillow]

do you have an update? (I'm curious)