Hello everyone.
I currently have a 37 gallon reef tank, and I'm in the process of upgrading to a 92 gallon corner tank. It's still in the early stages, but I've learned enough with my "little" tank to know that I need to take it slow. I wanted saltwater fish for years and just settled for freshwater thinking that it would be too hard and expensive for me. Well, it probably is too expensive but oh well, you can't take it with you . Anyway, since I have caught the bug, and I've always wanted seahorses I had decided to convert my 37 gallon to a seahorse tank. Now, I found a 39 gallon hexagon tank that needs to be resealed, and I was thinking that would be a better option for ponies. I am still in the early planning stages, and I would like some feedback so that I can set this up right and have healthy animals. Here are my plans currently...
Should I use the 37 gallon, or the 39 gallon hexagon?
sand or sugar sand for the substrate?
HOB filter
Live rock
possibly build a false rock wall
bangaii cardinal (I've read these do well with them)
mandarin
peppermint shrimp
snails
maybe a few non-agressive corals
small pump with airline
macro algae
Would a sump or protein skimmer be necessary, or very beneficial? Should I have them before I get the first sea horses? Would this be something that I could add later?
How many sea horses could be kept? I'm thinking that I'll probably get H. Erectus.
What kind of light would I need? I know if I add corals that I'll probably get another LED, but if it's only the ponies and macro algae would a normal tank light that has a full spectrum bulb be sufficient?
Thanks for all advice. I'm anxious to get started, but I want it done right.
I currently have a 37 gallon reef tank, and I'm in the process of upgrading to a 92 gallon corner tank. It's still in the early stages, but I've learned enough with my "little" tank to know that I need to take it slow. I wanted saltwater fish for years and just settled for freshwater thinking that it would be too hard and expensive for me. Well, it probably is too expensive but oh well, you can't take it with you . Anyway, since I have caught the bug, and I've always wanted seahorses I had decided to convert my 37 gallon to a seahorse tank. Now, I found a 39 gallon hexagon tank that needs to be resealed, and I was thinking that would be a better option for ponies. I am still in the early planning stages, and I would like some feedback so that I can set this up right and have healthy animals. Here are my plans currently...
Should I use the 37 gallon, or the 39 gallon hexagon?
sand or sugar sand for the substrate?
HOB filter
Live rock
possibly build a false rock wall
bangaii cardinal (I've read these do well with them)
mandarin
peppermint shrimp
snails
maybe a few non-agressive corals
small pump with airline
macro algae
Would a sump or protein skimmer be necessary, or very beneficial? Should I have them before I get the first sea horses? Would this be something that I could add later?
How many sea horses could be kept? I'm thinking that I'll probably get H. Erectus.
What kind of light would I need? I know if I add corals that I'll probably get another LED, but if it's only the ponies and macro algae would a normal tank light that has a full spectrum bulb be sufficient?
Thanks for all advice. I'm anxious to get started, but I want it done right.