New to sea horses

Omakoshark · Apr 27, 2020

Hey all! I am very new to sea horses. I have a 10 gallon empty cycled tank. It has low flow and a small 24w fluorescent light. The tank has one piece of live rock and a few pieces of red ogo. The tank is already loaded with live pods. Planning to buy a lot more of macroalgae and train the horse to eat frozen brine. How does it sound? And where can I get some cheap horses to start with?

Thomashtom · Apr 28, 2020

kp aquatics has them. a 10 gallon is kind of small for them!! Better off getting dwarf seahorses!! I would only start with a couple

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

I really wanted the dwarfs but they sound like a lot of work unless you can get them to eat frozen brine

Thomashtom · Apr 28, 2020

No you want them eating frozen mysis

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

Oh ok. I didn’t know you could get them to eat it.

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

Like anything frozen.

rayjay · Apr 28, 2020

Dwarfs will not survive long term on frozen food. And, a 10g will take about 100 to make it practical.
10g is NOT sufficient by a long shot to hold a pair of standard seahorses. Minimum recommended size is 30g for one pair.
Seahorses are so susceptible to bacteria diseases the water quality has to be kept even better than for reef tanks, and, for the conditions that degrade the water there are NO test kits available to the hobbyist to be able to tell you when a problem is about to happen.
Seahorses are very MESSY feeders causing water to quickly degrade to problematic conditions and many even have troubles with a pair in 30g.

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

So I don’t think seahorses are right for me now. I guess I should look for something else

rayjay · Apr 28, 2020

You can make a mini-reef tank out of it with proper selection of corals for it, and even small fish like gobies.

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

Yea, but I wanted to do something more unique than that. And the light isn’t powerful enough.

Paulie069 · Apr 28, 2020

Omakoshark said:
Yea, but I wanted to do something more unique than that. And the light isn’t powerful enough.

I disagree with the tank size requirements only my opinion from what I’ve been able to do for 3yrs now,, like I said. My own opinion
But I will have to say I honestly don’t think you should have seahorses. Now I know I don’t know you I’m making my assumption by what I’ve read in your thread. Started off with,, wanna give seahorses a try,,,what seahorse is the cheapest,,,,they sound like to much work,,,wanted one to be different/unique,,Not once expressed any love or respect for the unique little creature or the fact you didn’t mention any places to hitch or anything like that. Sorry if I sound like a jerk but please think it thru
I once had 8 seahorses in a 10gal tank
till I got a 20 then had 12 in one tank for 2 yrs. But I’m anal about care and have a seahorse addiction

Omakoshark · Apr 28, 2020

I was really in love with them. I really wanted to get in to them, the only reason I wanted cheap one was so if they didn’t do well, at least I didn’t blow a hundred fifty dollars on a pair. But I decided to do a tide pool tank instead.

Paulie069 · Apr 29, 2020

Omakoshark said:
I was really in love with them. I really wanted to get in to them, the only reason I wanted cheap one was so if they didn’t do well, at least I didn’t blow a hundred fifty dollars on a pair. But I decided to do a tide pool tank instead.

If u ever get properly setup for ponies I can give u a pair of Erectus which are the hardiest seahorses,, all 16 of mine eat frozen mysis and brine shrimp never a problem

fishguy242 · Apr 29, 2020

happy reefing guys

Omakoshark · Apr 29, 2020

So when you say “proper setup” you mean like hitches, and size?

Paulie069 · Apr 29, 2020

Omakoshark said:
So when you say “proper setup” you mean like hitches, and size?

More or less hitches size is erelevant anything 10gal n up,, as far as filtration I used a Walmart setup with hob filter off shelf

Paulie069 · Apr 29, 2020

Paulie069 said:
More or less hitches size is erelevant anything 10gal n up,, as far as filtration I used a Walmart setup with hob filter off shelf

Please know I’m not knocking you I’m just looking out for the ponies

Omakoshark · Apr 29, 2020

The tank is set up and ready to go. I just need some stuff for it to hitch to. I am torne between sea horses and a tide pool. I love the both, and they are so cool!

Paulie069 · Apr 29, 2020

Omakoshark said:
The tank is set up and ready to go. I just need some stuff for it to hitch to. I am torne between sea horses and a tide pool. I love the both, and they are so cool!

Have 2 tanks,, start another one and when it is ready hit me up for ponies