: ( lost one

Gopi · Jun 12, 2015

I lost one of my female erectus overnight. Not sure why yet. I was checking out the tank on my way out for an appointment when I noticed her. I'll have to do all the water tests when I get home. Hadn't seen any changes in behavior or symptoms of disease so I'm just so sad and surprised.

Aside from testing for any clues and doing a water change, any ideas for next steps? I have 1 female and 2 males remaining in a jbj 45. They were all fairly active and were actually hanging around the body which drew my attention to her.

Shep · Jun 13, 2015

I'm sorry for your loss

I wish I knew more about seahorses so I could help [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG]

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 13, 2015

How did the water tests turn out? How old was she? What is the tank temp?

Gopi · Jun 13, 2015

Well, I haven't been able to do my tests quite yet. I have a broken finger on my right hand and that's made things difficult. I'm hoping the swelling will be down enough for me to hold vials later today and test lefty.

I've had the ponies since March, got them from Seahorse Source. They eat hikari mysis and the pods I've stocked the tank with. Temp is about 76. (Which is room temp for our house) Warmer than I'd like, I've been looking into chiller and fan options, but I haven't figured out what my best option is. I placed a query in the equipment forum about chiller recommendations a few weeks ago but got no replies.

Last water change was 2 wks ago. I did also add more gorgs and hitches to the tank at the time.

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 13, 2015

I would definitely do some water changes and get that temp down. I would get some clip on fans and have them attached to the top of the tank. For the chiller, I would go with this one: http://www.marinedepot.com/Aqua_Eur...oller-Aqua_Euro_USA-ED1151-FICHINQCBC-vi.html

Gopi · Jun 13, 2015

Thanks! I'll order up the chiller once I figure out which pump I need. Working on sweet talking hubby into carrying and lifting water for me.

My tests showed an embarrassing level of nitrate (40-80) so several water changes are coming. Maybe tiny amounts at a time if I have to go with one hand...

Gopi · Jun 14, 2015

I think my nitrates weren't as high as I thought. Hubby helped change about 20 gallons and the nitrates are now at 10. Vacuumed sand, rinsed sponges, and cleaned the skimmer cup while at it. Other 3 ponies seem happy for now.

vlangel · Jun 14, 2015

Hi Gopi, I am sorry about your loss. I just had a chiller leak and used fans until my new one came in. Fans blowing on the surface and on the sump can take the temperature down 2 or even 3 degrees. My new chiller is a Coralife 1/6 hp rated for 90 gallons. It's fairly quiet and was easy to set with a built in controller.

Gopi · Jun 14, 2015

Thanks, vlangel. I'll look into that chiller too. I'm guessing a fan wouldn't get tank temp below room temp. I'm using some frozen saltwater bottles in the back area for cooling right now.

For the chiller, I would need a pump to move water from tank down to the chiller... Does the chiller have a pump to move the water back up or does my in tank pump have to be strong enough to push it the whole way?

vlangel · Jun 14, 2015

No, the chillers do not come with a pump, so your in tank pump would have to pump it up. The pump would not have to have as much umph if the chiller sat on a desk, cabinet or some other elevated, sturdy surface.

Gopi · Jun 16, 2015

I placed my order for chiller and accessories this morning. I went with the 1/10 Aqua Euro chiller that @SeahorseKeeper suggested. I'll put the progress of setting that up into my seahorse build thread. Hopefully our AC will keep up the heat today. It was already in the 90s when I woke up this morning...

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 16, 2015

How are the other seahorses doing?

Gopi · Jun 16, 2015

They seem just fine. Eating well...really enjoying the feeding station I set up. I think I missed a brood release because on male's pouch looks much slimmer than a few days ago but I can't find any signs of fry. (I caught the first birth in April because I just happened to look over at the tank.)

SantaMonicaHelp · Jun 18, 2015

Gopi said:
They seem just fine. Eating well...really enjoying the feeding station I set up. I think I missed a brood release because on male's pouch looks much slimmer than a few days ago but I can't find any signs of fry. (I caught the first birth in April because I just happened to look over at the tank.)

That sounds exciting! Post a pic if you find any fry

~CI