Can powerheads go in pony tanks?

[Knight_Solaire01]

Hi all. This may be silly but I was wondering if a small korelia 240 powerhead could go with a seahorse tank. The gorgonia that I got for hitching needs moderately moving water and I believe my intake doesn't do much in the way of stirring the water. I hear some people make small cages around their powerheads to prevent the slow moving ponies from getting stuck to them. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this?

 

[Montiman]

I have struggled with power heads sucking up horses and pipe fish in the past. I doubt the small Koralia 240 will be a problem because of the low flow. One of my favorite options for pony tanks with gorgonians is a Tunze wave box. It looks great with the gorgonians and because water rushes in and out of the box I have not had issues with the pump sucking up horses.

 

[rayjay]

First of all, seahorse tanks SHOULD have a lot of water movement and much of it can come from power heads of various types. You want a MINIMUM of 10X tank volume for flow, but many of us are more into 20X flow.
The main criteria is that the flow is NOT able to blast the seahorses against something so they can be damaged and that the intakes are protected so that seahorses cannot inadvertently be sucked up against them.
I have a lot of power heads and most of them I use black plastic mini baskets that are used in hydroponics for starter cultivation and use a glue gun to affix them. I've also use eaves-trough gutter guard that I cut and glue to specific applications. I've only had to use a deflector on one power head by putting a cap over the output tube that has holes drilled in it to re-direct flow, some straight out but most in holes 360° around the cap directing at 90° out from normal flow.

 

[IKD]

Adding @KarenFrye
I think she had a gargonian in her seahorse tank.

 

[deetu]

First of all, seahorse tanks SHOULD have a lot of water movement and much of it can come from power heads of various types. You want a MINIMUM of 10X tank volume for flow, but many of us are more into 20X flow.
The main criteria is that the flow is NOT able to blast the seahorses against something so they can be damaged and that the intakes are protected so that seahorses cannot inadvertently be sucked up against them.
I have a lot of power heads and most of them I use black plastic mini baskets that are used in hydroponics for starter cultivation and use a glue gun to affix them. I've also use eaves-trough gutter guard that I cut and glue to specific applications. I've only had to use a deflector on one power head by putting a cap over the output tube that has holes drilled in it to re-direct flow, some straight out but most in holes 360° around the cap directing at 90° out from normal flow.

Glue gun? It stays? I would think it would pop off after a while

 

[ThePurple12]

I had the same Koralia as you in my seahorse tank. Its power cord was a favorite hitching spot. The seahorses were OK because the powerhead's slots were so small and because I let algae grow all over it, making them even smaller. Anything bigger could be risky, though.

 

[rayjay]

Glue gun? It stays? I would think it would pop off after a while

I've had these Hagen powerheads now for 26 yrs, newest about 18 yrs and have been using the glue gun for various situations on them most of that time. For seahorse tanks alone, 18 yrs.. The glued baskets CAN be pried off, but even at that, some of the glue remains stuck on the powerhead intake cover.
If I want to use it for gluing rocks, I have to be sure the glue gets forced into the pore structure as the glue doesn't hold that well to the rocks.

 

[cassilyn]

I have a similar question now. I am working on my first seahorse tank build and planning out my system. I was going for these circulation pumps https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/rossmont-mover-m900-circulation-circulation-pump-2-pack-ro34052.aspx . Do you think I would need any modifications to protect the ponies?

Thanks
Cassi

 

[locito277]

What happened with mines is that the seahorses liked to lay on the tunze. It didn’t suck them in or stress them but it leaves pressure spots on the ponies that can get infected so long as you get a 3D printed cover for your pump you should be fine. Your seahorses will like the extra flow

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

I have a similar question now. I am working on my first seahorse tank build and planning out my system. I was going for these circulation pumps https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/rossmont-mover-m900-circulation-circulation-pump-2-pack-ro34052.aspx . Do you think I would need any modifications to protect the ponies?

Thanks
Cassi

I was looking at Korelia 240s because they are softer and can be directed at the few corals I have that need good flow.

 

[Henn]

Hi all. This may be silly but I was wondering if a small korelia 240 powerhead could go with a seahorse tank. The gorgonia that I got for hitching needs moderately moving water and I believe my intake doesn't do much in the way of stirring the water. I hear some people make small cages around their powerheads to prevent the slow moving ponies from getting stuck to them. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this?

Hi there, I just joined this great web site and I breed Dwarf Seahorses. There are also gorgonian beds on the bottom of the unit so there needs to be a current. There are several ways to make a safe current. Seahorses don't have a problem with rapid water flow into the tank. They have lots of problems with input suction. For small tanks it is possible to modify a power head to be safe. It needs to be mounted in a pot with only the output sticking through the wall. Fill the pot with knitted shade cloth or a clean Poly Planting bag as a filter. That reduces the suction pressure and eliminates any grating. In the Marine Pond ( photo ) there are two pond pumps wrapped in shade cloth under water that each do 200 gph. The pumps last years and the only output from the pot is by a piece of hose. A small version should do for you. If you use a suspended mesh, the under tank can have stuff that would hurt the ponies but has to be there for cleaning. Also, there can be no mesh that can change size. They will get their tails caught.

 

[cassilyn]

I was looking at Korelia 240s because they are softer and can be directed at the few corals I have that need good flow.

Hi!
I chose the Rossmonts for the same reason. They have a gentle flow and are big enough for my 42-gallon tank. I'm going to also have a few coral in the tank (gorgonians and maybe a leather) and they can either have a 120 degree output so that I can give the corals the gentle flow they might need. They also have a 60 degree output should the need arise. They also have a protection grid to keep fish out, I am just not sure I'll need extra protection for pony tails or not. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they look like in person then I can try the hydroponic baskets recommended earlier. Anyone else have any tricks for this? This is also billed as the smallest pump in the world, which is kind of important to me. I'm getting a rimless tank and love the clean lines. They also have wireless controller so that I can control the flow and movement, from what I understand. I still have some more research to do on them to learn how to use everything. I looked at the Korelia 240s, but they say they are for nano tanks, so I don't think they'll work with my tank. But with the gentle flow of the Rossmont, I think I'll get the same benefits you do. Thanks a lot for the info. I'm still learning what I need for the little guys to be happy, so I'm constantly researching different products. Any other recommendations are more than welcome.

Cassi

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

Hi there, I just joined this great web site and I breed Dwarf Seahorses. There are also gorgonian beds on the bottom of the unit so there needs to be a current. There are several ways to make a safe current. Seahorses don't have a problem with rapid water flow into the tank. They have lots of problems with input suction. For small tanks it is possible to modify a power head to be safe. It needs to be mounted in a pot with only the output sticking through the wall. Fill the pot with knitted shade cloth or a clean Poly Planting bag as a filter. That reduces the suction pressure and eliminates any grating. In the Marine Pond ( photo ) there are two pond pumps wrapped in shade cloth under water that each do 200 gph. The pumps last years and the only output from the pot is by a piece of hose. A small version should do for you. If you use a suspended mesh, the under tank can have stuff that would hurt the ponies but has to be there for cleaning. Also, there can be no mesh that can change size. They will get their tails caught.

That looks amazing!

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

So I just picked up a Voyager Nano 2000 for my 32 gallon biocube. I decided to go with this as it was a very small model and I only really need one for what is considered a smaller tank in the hobby(because ponies will go in here later). I will have to rearrange the pumpkin lepso and red montepora rock with the GSP rock. I’ll do this so that my GSP, Gorginaian, Kenyan feather(I can’t remember the name), and zoanthids get a solid direction of flow. I can’t wait to stick this in my tank when I get home.

 

[Henn]

Hi!
I chose the Rossmonts for the same reason. They have a gentle flow and are big enough for my 42-gallon tank. I'm going to also have a few coral in the tank (gorgonians and maybe a leather) and they can either have a 120 degree output so that I can give the corals the gentle flow they might need. They also have a 60 degree output should the need arise. They also have a protection grid to keep fish out, I am just not sure I'll need extra protection for pony tails or not. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they look like in person then I can try the hydroponic baskets recommended earlier. Anyone else have any tricks for this? This is also billed as the smallest pump in the world, which is kind of important to me. I'm getting a rimless tank and love the clean lines. They also have wireless controller so that I can control the flow and movement, from what I understand. I still have some more research to do on them to learn how to use everything. I looked at the Korelia 240s, but they say they are for nano tanks, so I don't think they'll work with my tank. But with the gentle flow of the Rossmont, I think I'll get the same benefits you do. Thanks a lot for the info. I'm still learning what I need for the little guys to be happy, so I'm constantly researching different products. Any other recommendations are more than welcome.

Cassi

I am glad to help anyone trying to keep Ponies. There are several very important issues that you need to know./ Brine shrimp are maybe OK for fish but they are very bad for ponies. I have had a pony eat a tiny shell husk and die. The size difference between a Fry Pony and an adult is like the difference between a finger ring ( baby ) and a hula hoop ( average 1 year adult ). Brine shrimp are not the correct size for babies ( way big like X3 ) or full adults ( way small ). Brine shrimp eggs do not have a shell. The egg wall is like a callus that soaks off. It is gummy and not digestible. Most small copods and such have internal shells. They are real shells and the pony can crack them and spit the pieces out. Ponies do not like Arctic Pods because the red shell is excessive but they can spit them out. If you use the Nylon Tulle Fabric in a tank it should be silicone onto the front glass with an outline then the Window trimmed out. The cleaning crew can still get all around the outside of the bag but the ponies are visible in the cutout in front.. The fabric gets really grassy meadow looking.
Feeding Solution: You might get your ponies to surface feed on crinkle wing fruit flies. The trick is used for Mantis Breeding and is the Banana Bag. Take a fresh washed banana, cut three 1/4 inch holes on the inside curve surface evenly spaced, go to a Pet Store and buy a Crinkle Wing ( they can not fly ) Culture ( small size flies ). Put some of the culture in each hole. If the banana is hung over a Pond or tank the hatching flies fall onto the water ( with Mantis it is just hung in the Insectarium ). The banana will simply turn black and dry out. They never stink. Any new banana with holes will be colonized and keep it going. Hanging the banana in a bag contains the flies until they are poured in. Even though the flies are adult size food it takes the feeding pressure off and the adults will not take the fry food. This food is also a very natural and healthy fish forage. To buy natural copods in this amount would be impossible.
The photos are to temp you into a Tub form, think 35 gallon coffee table reef. One shows the only pony cleanup crew. A population of breeding lettuce nudibranch and the other shows what I get to see all the time. Look under the calerpa at the couple sharing a morning tail hug.

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

I am glad to help anyone trying to keep Ponies. There are several very important issues that you need to know./ Brine shrimp are maybe OK for fish but they are very bad for ponies. I have had a pony eat a tiny shell husk and die. The size difference between a Fry Pony and an adult is like the difference between a finger ring ( baby ) and a hula hoop ( average 1 year adult ). Brine shrimp are not the correct size for babies ( way big like X3 ) or full adults ( way small ). Brine shrimp eggs do not have a shell. The egg wall is like a callus that soaks off. It is gummy and not digestible. Most small copods and such have internal shells. They are real shells and the pony can crack them and spit the pieces out. Ponies do not like Arctic Pods because the red shell is excessive but they can spit them out. If you use the Nylon Tulle Fabric in a tank it should be silicone onto the front glass with an outline then the Window trimmed out. The cleaning crew can still get all around the outside of the bag but the ponies are visible in the cutout in front.. The fabric gets really grassy meadow looking.
Feeding Solution: You might get your ponies to surface feed on crinkle wing fruit flies. The trick is used for Mantis Breeding and is the Banana Bag. Take a fresh washed banana, cut three 1/4 inch holes on the inside curve surface evenly spaced, go to a Pet Store and buy a Crinkle Wing ( they can not fly ) Culture ( small size flies ). Put some of the culture in each hole. If the banana is hung over a Pond or tank the hatching flies fall onto the water ( with Mantis it is just hung in the Insectarium ). The banana will simply turn black and dry out. They never stink. Any new banana with holes will be colonized and keep it going. Hanging the banana in a bag contains the flies until they are poured in. Even though the flies are adult size food it takes the feeding pressure off and the adults will not take the fry food. This food is also a very natural and healthy fish forage. To buy natural copods in this amount would be impossible.
The photos are to temp you into a Tub form, think 35 gallon coffee table reef. One shows the only pony cleanup crew. A population of breeding lettuce nudibranch and the other shows what I get to see all the time. Look under the calerpa at the couple sharing a morning tail hug.

Thank you for your insight. I hope to hear more if you have more experience to share. Do you have any pairs for sale? If so what kind?

 

[Henn]

The only reliable source for Dwarf Seahorses that has always come through is Jason Fox. Get the regular mated pairs. The tank raised are very expensive and fair the same as wild caught. There is one very different thing about sea horses, they live their whole lives in a year or so. My oldest and still favorite male came from Jason Fox mated ( big yellow ). It lost it's mate in shipping. It gave birth to 5 babies, it mated again with and old female and had 7 babies then she passed away, finally at around 18 months old he mated with a very young female and had 3 babies. Within a month he faded away. People get used to a fish that lives forever. With sea horses, It is the dynamic of the group that is forever. Of all the living things that I have bred, only Mantis have a shorter life. Of all the things that I have bred, nothing has been more amazing than these ponies. I intend to give them away here in LA to people that build any reasonable system. My application to the LA Reefers
Club is pending.

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

The only reliable source for Dwarf Seahorses that has always come through is Jason Fox. Get the regular mated pairs. The tank raised are very expensive and fair the same as wild caught. There is one very different thing about sea horses, they live their whole lives in a year or so. My oldest and still favorite male came from Jason Fox mated ( big yellow ). It lost it's mate in shipping. It gave birth to 5 babies, it mated again with and old female and had 7 babies then she passed away, finally at around 18 months old he mated with a very young female and had 3 babies. Within a month he faded away. People get used to a fish that lives forever. With sea horses, It is the dynamic of the group that is forever. Of all the living things that I have bred, only Mantis have a shorter life. Of all the things that I have bred, nothing has been more amazing than these ponies. I intend to give them away here in LA to people that build any reasonable system. My application to the LA Reefers
Club is pending.

Oh man I am in Nashville that would be so far away. I will see about Jason Fox

 

[cassilyn]

I am glad to help anyone trying to keep Ponies. There are several very important issues that you need to know./ Brine shrimp are maybe OK for fish but they are very bad for ponies. I have had a pony eat a tiny shell husk and die. The size difference between a Fry Pony and an adult is like the difference between a finger ring ( baby ) and a hula hoop ( average 1 year adult ). Brine shrimp are not the correct size for babies ( way big like X3 ) or full adults ( way small ). Brine shrimp eggs do not have a shell. The egg wall is like a callus that soaks off. It is gummy and not digestible. Most small copods and such have internal shells. They are real shells and the pony can crack them and spit the pieces out. Ponies do not like Arctic Pods because the red shell is excessive but they can spit them out. If you use the Nylon Tulle Fabric in a tank it should be silicone onto the front glass with an outline then the Window trimmed out. The cleaning crew can still get all around the outside of the bag but the ponies are visible in the cutout in front.. The fabric gets really grassy meadow looking.
Feeding Solution: You might get your ponies to surface feed on crinkle wing fruit flies. The trick is used for Mantis Breeding and is the Banana Bag. Take a fresh washed banana, cut three 1/4 inch holes on the inside curve surface evenly spaced, go to a Pet Store and buy a Crinkle Wing ( they can not fly ) Culture ( small size flies ). Put some of the culture in each hole. If the banana is hung over a Pond or tank the hatching flies fall onto the water ( with Mantis it is just hung in the Insectarium ). The banana will simply turn black and dry out. They never stink. Any new banana with holes will be colonized and keep it going. Hanging the banana in a bag contains the flies until they are poured in. Even though the flies are adult size food it takes the feeding pressure off and the adults will not take the fry food. This food is also a very natural and healthy fish forage. To buy natural copods in this amount would be impossible.
The photos are to temp you into a Tub form, think 35 gallon coffee table reef. One shows the only pony cleanup crew. A population of breeding lettuce nudibranch and the other shows what I get to see all the time. Look under the calerpa at the couple sharing a morning tail hug.

Wow! I would have never thought to feed them something like this. And thanks for the information about brine shrimp. I was considering them as a supplement. I plan on using mysis shrimp as the main food source, but am looking for ways to add variety to their diet. I'll have to print your method for feeding the flies and see if I can find them locally. Thanks for all of the great information!

 

[rayjay]

Wow! I would have never thought to feed them something like this. And thanks for the information about brine shrimp. I was considering them as a supplement. I plan on using mysis shrimp as the main food source, but am looking for ways to add variety to their diet. I'll have to print your method for feeding the flies and see if I can find them locally. Thanks for all of the great information!

cassily, please don't confuse information about keeping dwarf seahorses in a pond with keeping standard seahorses in an aquarium.
The needs of dwarf seahorses are NOT the same as the needs for standard seahorses.
Also, IMO, the statements/claims made about brine shrimp (artemia) are most definitely different than how I see them.
While the statement as I read it is that brine shrimp are incorrect size for dwarfs with being too large for dwarf fry and too small for adult artemia, hobbyists have been keeping them with enriched live brine nauplii for decades now, including the dwarf fry. By hatching the cysts, harvesting, sterilizing, growing out to Instar II stage where they can then be fed works well for normal dwarf keepers. However most quit because of the labour it can involve.
Growing them out to Instar II stage is because Instar I CANNOT feed as their digestive tract is not completed until Instar II stage. Also, the carapace of Instar I is much tougher and not easily digested by the rudimentary digestive tract of seahorses, dwarfs OR standards.
As for "Crinkle Wing fruit flies" I have no idea what they are, but unless they are larger the the average sized fruit fly at 2-3mm it wouldn't be suitable for standard seahorses as due to their size it would take an inordinate amount of them to be of any nutritional value. Same applies to most copepods available to hobbyists. Amphipods on the other hand are a decent size and make great addition nutritional assets to a feeding regimen.
Henn has a GREAT setup for his dwarfs, but it's not something that everyone can do. I most certainly can't use my garage for it or do it outdoors, and anyone living in apartments can't do it.
I compliment him on his very successful endeavour.