Cookie jar dwarf horse build w/ closed loop refugium

[reesed5]

Go look at betta tanks. I know one that is a square with built in refugium and comes with lights. It may be only a gallon though.

 

[David M.]

Those aren't exactly eye candy. I'm pretty set on the tank I have now, just gotta figure out how to keep the kids out.

 

[vlangel]

I am a bit tech challenged but its thread title is "large dwarf tank". I just went back and read the whole thread and its really interesting. She has kept dwarf SH before and this is an experiment but seems to be going really well.
If you could put a smaller tank above that gravity feeds into your frag tank and use it just to raise mysis and pods then your dwarf SH would be supplemented. She also feeds frozen cyclopese to the shrimp but some of the dwarf SH eat it as well.

 

[David M.]

http://www.mysaltwaterfishstore.com/dwarf-seahorse-monster-25-pack/

Anyone ever order from them? 25 for 100 bucks is really cheap.

 

[David M.]

Actual progress update!

I went and bought some 1/2 bulkheads today, which required a 1 1/8 hole. A few snags... I borrowed a buddies drill cause his was nicer, and the battery died mid drill which ended up melting the bit to the acrylic. That was pretty terrifying getting it unstuck. Then once the hole was drilled the acrylic circle got stuck in the bit, but I got it out eventually. Finally got both holes drilled and they looked great! Well... 1 1/8 is too small. Kinda bummed cause the package said 1 1/8 hole was needed. But oh well, I have to find a small bulkhead that will fit 1 1/8 now.

 

[vlangel]

It looks great though.

 

[David M.]

Problem solved.

 

[David M.]

First round of holes drilled in the stand. Now just going to take a dremel to the sharp edges and round them out.

 

[David M.]

Might not be pretty, but it's functional. Going to try and get some rock work done today too.

 

[Squid]

True dwarf seahorses are tiny and get no bigger than 2", the smaller the tank the better for them, even in a 1.5g pico they are hard to spot even with 10 of them in there. I'm assuming your doing the other "dwarf seahorses"?

 

[Chrisfish]

This is the jar I found, its small, and not very good looking. I want something unique if possible. But at this point I'll just be happy with a 3g square jar.

And to think on 12/17 you were looking at a 2 gallon cookie jar, LOL, I would say that jar has gotten really big! Can't wait to see the final out come, have been watching from the beginning.

 

[David M.]

Refugium fit like a glove!

 

[David M.]

True dwarf seahorses are tiny and get no bigger than 2", the smaller the tank the better for them, even in a 1.5g pico they are hard to spot even with 10 of them in there. I'm assuming your doing the other "dwarf seahorses"?

Nope, I'll be doing true dwarf seahorses, just a lot of them What're you reffering to when you say the "other" dwarf seahorses. I thought there was only one species of dwarf seahorse?

 

[David M.]

On that note, I'll start out with about 25 and let the population grow on its own. From my understanding once theyre happy the breeding is uncontrollable. So within a few months I expect to have plenty of horses.

 

[David M.]

And to think on 12/17 you were looking at a 2 gallon cookie jar, LOL, I would say that jar has gotten really big! Can't wait to see the final out come, have been watching from the beginning.

Yea...lol. Should probably edit the title. I just got lucky with this tank, originally was going to make it a frag tank for my 80g shallow. But couldnt pass up the opportunity to make it a ****** shallow reef for dwarfs.

 

[cmcoker]

Yea...lol. Should probably edit the title. I just got lucky with this tank, originally was going to make it a frag tank for my 80g shallow. But couldnt pass up the opportunity to make it a ****** shallow reef for dwarfs.

Just wondering how you are planning to keep the food dense enough for these guys, in that large a tank. I have looked into these guys, and all the resources I found recommend pico tanks because the dwarfs don't really go hunting for food. You pretty much have to have the tank saturated with food.
Could you point me to some resources they say otherwise? or what your plan is, and how you developed it?
Thanks.

 

[David M.]

Large feedings and I'll probably turn off the return pump for them. I'll have to have a rather large population to make sure a majority of the food gets eaten, and possibly a filter sock after feedings to soak up the uneaten food. I'm not saying it won't be difficult, or even prove impossible. That's why I'm trying to get lots of feedback here. There's a thread that was shown to me where someone kept dwarfs in a 40b, so it's possible. Still trying to work out all the kinks. I have read the same as you, Pico preferred. Thought I'd give it a shot though.

 

[David M.]

Well I talked to my wife last night, and she isn't too keen on taking over the feedings any more. I travel for work occasionally and she agreed to help, I don't think she really understood what it entailed. So... Looks like this is on hold for a while. I'll probably end up doing something different with the tank. Sad day.