Seahorse Tank Substrate

[cassilyn]

Hi All!

I am looking at a 1/2" sand bed in my new tank. Is oolite too find? What is the best particle size for the ponies? I know large is bad (or so I've heard), but what are your thoughts on this?
https://www.marinedepot.com/caribsea-ocean-direct-live-sand-oolite-20-lb
Thanks for the help!
Cassi

 

[rayjay]

Can't help on substrate as all my seahorse tanks are bare bottom by preference.

 

[cassilyn]

Can't help on substrate as all my seahorse tanks are bare bottom by preference.

I'm considering bare bottom, but I really like the look of the sand. Can you share pics of your tank so I can get an idea of what it would look like should I choose to go that route?
Thanks
Cassi

 

[rayjay]

I don't really have anything current but what I do have is on my website. I'm unlike your normal seahorse hobbyist as I don't care a lot about the overall looks of the tank but really only the seahorses themselves.
http://www.angelfire.com/ab/rayjay/seahorse.html

 

[cassilyn]

I don't really have anything current but what I do have is on my website. I'm unlike your normal seahorse hobbyist as I don't care a lot about the overall looks of the tank but really only the seahorses themselves.
http://www.angelfire.com/ab/rayjay/seahorse.html

Thanks for the link. They look like seahorse playgrounds. I am most concerned with the happiness and health of my seahorses, too. I have a while to wait until I can fund my build, so I am asking all the questions I can think of to give them the best possible home I can. If bare bottom is better for them, then I will definitely go that route. It also looks much easier to keep clean. Thanks again!
Cassi

 

[rayjay]

It's not that bare bottom is BETTER for seahorses than a substrate, it's just much easier kept for me as I'm 77 years old with numerous health problems but just can't give up the hobby that I've spent the last 18 years learning.

 

[cassilyn]

It's not that bare bottom is BETTER for seahorses than a substrate, it's just much easier kept for me as I'm 77 years old with numerous health problems but just can't give up the hobby that I've spent the last 18 years learning.

I understand. You are just giving me options I hadn't considered much before. Thanks

 

[deetu]

I used this when I had my big seahorses.
https://www.chewy.com/natures-ocean-bio-activ-live/dp/162524

I tried to use it for the dwarf seahorses but couldn't keep the nitrates down...Those little boogers are harder to keep then the big ones... so went bare bottom.

 

[Miller535]

Personally since flow is generally so low in a seahorse tank, I would go bare bottom just to mitigate detritus and algae issues. And I'd paint the underside of the bottom of the tank.

I personally do not like oolite at all as it gets everywhere, even when you are just cleaning the glass. If sand I would just go with the standard grade.

 

[cassilyn]

I used this when I had my big seahorses.
https://www.chewy.com/natures-ocean-bio-activ-live/dp/162524

I tried to use it for the dwarf seahorses but couldn't keep the nitrates down...Those little boogers are harder to keep then the big ones... so went bare bottom.

Thanks for the tip! I really like the look of sand.

 

[cassilyn]

Personally since flow is generally so low in a seahorse tank, I would go bare bottom just to mitigate detritus and algae issues. And I'd paint the underside of the bottom of the tank.

I personally do not like oolite at all as it gets everywhere, even when you are just cleaning the glass. If sand I would just go with the standard grade.

I plan on having decent flow, but am still considering bare bottom just to make housekeeping easier. Thanks!

 

[deetu]

Thanks for the tip! I really like the look of sand.

I like having Nassarius snails and they need sand

 

[rayjay]

Personally since flow is generally so low in a seahorse tank,

Low flow seahorse tanks are/should be YEARS in the past. In fact, you want a MINIMUM of ten times flow but many of us long term keepers are closer to 20X or higher.

 

[cassilyn]

Low flow seahorse tanks are/should be YEARS in the past. In fact, you want a MINIMUM of ten times flow but many of us long term keepers are closer to 20X or higher.

That's what I thought. The pump I picked out is 660gp, so about 12X. Do you think I should go higher? I haven't committed to anything yet. That's why I'm on here asking so many questions :)

 

[rayjay]

I wouldn't go bigger at this time. As you set up the system and adjust flow so as to try to keep ALL areas in motion you may find a need for more flow. IMO however it is better to have MULTIPLE flow sources when trying to accomplish no dead zones, so you can add something at a later time and of a flow lever you feel will work best for you based on your particular setup. Remember, the higher an individual source is, the more consideration you need to apply to keeping seahorses from being damaged by being thrust against something due to flow they may not be able to handle in some areas.

 

[cassilyn]

I wouldn't go bigger at this time. As you set up the system and adjust flow so as to try to keep ALL areas in motion you may find a need for more flow. IMO however it is better to have MULTIPLE flow sources when trying to accomplish no dead zones, so you can add something at a later time and of a flow lever you feel will work best for you based on your particular setup. Remember, the higher an individual source is, the more consideration you need to apply to keeping seahorses from being damaged by being thrust against something due to flow they may not be able to handle in some areas.

Thank you. The more I learn, the more I think I have the setup together that I want to get. All of your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[deetu]

I wouldn't go bigger at this time. As you set up the system and adjust flow so as to try to keep ALL areas in motion you may find a need for more flow. IMO however it is better to have MULTIPLE flow sources when trying to accomplish no dead zones, so you can add something at a later time and of a flow lever you feel will work best for you based on your particular setup. Remember, the higher an individual source is, the more consideration you need to apply to keeping seahorses from being damaged by being thrust against something due to flow they may not be able to handle in some areas.

I was wondering how you felt about this system I did to help reach more dead spots. The return has a elbow to agitate surface and tube with many holes going down to get the whole back. I painted it black and added a second since

 

[rayjay]

Unfortunately there is NO way to tell if it is going to be sufficient until you have it set up with everything in place. Every thing you put in the tank, and, where you put each item, is all going to affect the flow throughout the tank.
Is this going to be a dwarf tank? What size is it and what is the return pump flow rate?

 

[deetu]

[Re="rayjay, post: 7471333, member: 87077"]
Unfortunately there is NO way to tell if it is going to be sufficient until you have it set up with everything in place. Every thing you put in the tank, and, where you put each item, is all going to affect the flow throughout the tank.
Is this going to be a dwarf tank? What size is it and what is the return pump flow rate?
[/QUOTE]
This is my FOWLR that l put picture to show you what l meant. It has the same pvc pipe return that l was asking about in my erectus tank.

 

[rayjay]

OK, if it's for the erectus tank, is the return pump rated for AT LEAST ten times tank volume? I'm assuming too that the tank is at least about 30g for a pair of erectus.
However based on my personal experiences, this will NOT provide sufficient movement throughout the tank to keep detritus in motion long enough for it to be picked up by mechanical filtration.
Another thing I experienced with multiple holes drilled in a tube/pipe is that unless you calculate the size AND number of holes to match the ACTUAL output flow AND output pressure capability of the pump, some holes will put out most of the flow while others will have little or none. The holes that the flow is naturally trying to exit (like at a capped end of tube) need to restrict flow enough so flow is backed up to provide pressure to have more flow exiting the other holes, especially ones furthest from where the pipe is capped, even though they may be closest to pump source.