Using Existing Sump for Seahorse Tank

[Roger]

I'm thinking about starting a seahorse tank, and was contemplating putting it beside my 180g, and using the sump I already have. This would simplify skimming (yes, I know I'll need a better skimmer), heating, water top-up, and water changes. I'm wondering if I'm overlooking a reason this will not work. From my reading/searching, I know that seahorses require a slightly lower temp than my 180, but is there any other concern with this plan? Looking at getting a 37g column tank, drilled with lower flow than the 180.
Thanks,
Roger

[smp]

Go to www.reefvideos.com and check out Marte's seahorse tank video. He's a member on this site and his seahorse tank is world renown :)

[Mikee]

WOW, smp thanks for showing that great video!! i'm speachless. I always thought SH's and fish dont work together but i guess for some it does and others not. Also from researching i've read they need a fairly cool temperature usually below 80F but in his setup it was fairly warm above 80F? and his SH's look stunning aswell as the tank..both tanks actually!

[Roger]

Thanks for the great link! Like Mikee, I though a lower temp was preferred - hence my question. It looks like this may be feasible after all.
Thanks again
Roger

[Mikee]

Actually now that i think of it back when my dad had a pair of SH's in his tank that temp was always around 80-84 summer time. I wonder if there are any negatives to having a higher temp long term for SH. Also was wondering if anyone had those similar clownfish for sale? they are amazing!

[smp]

I think he's been doing this a while, it might not be for everyone. Just thought I'de throw it out there because it's such a great setup. One of my biggest inspirations probably. He's got the best ricordia collection I've seen.


I thought of doing this too, and maybe with a chiller it would be more ideal. Feed the chiller output into the SH tank maybe? Not sure if that's a great idea, but maybe it could be with the proper temp controller and a heater in case the temp gets too low in the smaller body of water. Have the cooler SH tank drain into the shared sump....

[Mikee]

It is a great inspiration thats for sure. I love all the rics aswell. The corals he chose are perfect to go with seahorses since they dont need much flow and
you would'nt need much lighting for those corals which is a + for SH tanks for keeping temp lower.

[Dene]

Yes, you can use an existing sump and plumb in a tank for seahorses. Temperature is important and a temperate water seahorse tank should be maintained at 74-77 F, a tank that is too warm will encourage parasites and bacteria (especially vibrio sp.), the long term effect on a seahorse is on their immune system, lessening their chances of a long lifespan. I would strongly suggest adding a small UV sterilizer between the sump and the seahorse tank (it is always a good idea to run a sterilizer on a horse tank).

It is highly recommended that seahorses are not kept with other fish so that they do not have to compete for food. The reason that Marte's horses are not starving to death, is that he has set-up 3 specific areas for the horses within his ricordea tank (the areas with the macro). This gives them specific areas to hunt for amphipods and copods to supplement their diets. It is a very well planned set-up.

However, I would not recommend a set-up like Martes for the average hobbyist.