Feedback on my set-up? Seahorses arriving Tuesday!

flsvedlund · 08/18/2013, 04:31 PM

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share photos of my set-up and see if anyone has any feedback.

Its a 30 gallon cube (20"W x 18"D x 20"H) and I turned it into a DIY AIO. The back chambers contain the filter media, the heater, the skimmer, a refugium, and the return pump.

Here are some photos. I will be adding macro algaes and some more soft corals later this coming week.

My seahorses are shipping tomorrow and will arrive Tuesday morning. I am getting 2 female H. Erectus that I picked out from Southwatch Seahorse Farm. Here the are:

gnu · 08/19/2013, 10:34 AM

Your tank is beautiful! Good luck and congrats on your new girls

Don't be too disappointed when they change colors, one of mine was bright yellow when shipped, and now she's cream colored.

btreyes · 08/20/2013, 05:59 AM

Wow! That looks awesome! Where did you get the yellow gorgonians?

Devaji108 · 08/20/2013, 10:21 PM

nice tank! plz keep us posted...with lots of pics of course!

flsvedlund · 08/22/2013, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnu

Your tank is beautiful! Good luck and congrats on your new girls

Don't be too disappointed when they change colors, one of mine was bright yellow when shipped, and now she's cream colored.

Thank you! I'm glad you like the tank!

So far they are staying nice and brightly colored. They faded a bit during shipping but once I put them in the tank they colored back up nicely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by btreyes

Wow! That looks awesome! Where did you get the yellow gorgonians?

Thank you! The yellow gorgonians are all from KP Aquatics (sealifeinc.net).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

nice tank! plz keep us posted...with lots of pics of course!

Thank you! I definitely will post more photos. Here are some of my two new seahorses in the tank.

btreyes · 08/22/2013, 05:51 AM

They are absolutely beautiful!

JLynn · 08/22/2013, 06:36 AM

Adorable! Good luck with them!

10sojs · 08/22/2013, 12:36 PM

Nice pic. Thank you for sharing!

btreyes · 08/23/2013, 06:18 AM

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I would think about attaching those ricordeas to the rocks. White liverock has a tendency to turn dark brown/gray and the seahorses tend to change the colors of the rock. I've found that when I get my liverock completely covered in coral, the seahorses turn/stay much brighter colors.

mwilliams62 · 08/24/2013, 09:20 PM

Beautiful tank setup and of course the pretty seahorses.

Devaji108 · 08/26/2013, 12:57 PM

very nice!
do you have some pics of your DIY AIO?
would like to see what/ how you did it.

flsvedlund · 08/26/2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btreyes

They are absolutely beautiful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLynn

Adorable! Good luck with them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10sojs

Nice pic. Thank you for sharing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwilliams62

Beautiful tank setup and of course the pretty seahorses.

Thank you everyone! So far they are doing very well and have settled nicely into their new home. They're also eating great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by btreyes

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I would think about attaching those ricordeas to the rocks. White liverock has a tendency to turn dark brown/gray and the seahorses tend to change the colors of the rock. I've found that when I get my liverock completely covered in coral, the seahorses turn/stay much brighter colors.

Good thought! I actually added some macros over the weekend to fill in the blank spaces on the rocks. I also have some more softies in my main tank that I need to frag to put in the new tank, so hopefully soon most of the rocks will be covered. Very good advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

very nice!
do you have some pics of your DIY AIO?
would like to see what/ how you did it.

Yes I do! Here's a schematic of the design:

I also have a video to show it finished and running:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXcD6e31mMg

rayjay · 08/26/2013, 08:28 PM

You shouldn't have any need for that heater as target range temperature wise for the seahorses should be 68° to 74°F.

flsvedlund · 08/26/2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayjay

You shouldn't have any need for that heater as target range temperature wise for the seahorses should be 68° to 74°F.

Where I live the weather is very mild and the temperature is between 50 and 75 F pretty much year round. I leave my windows open at night when its in the 50's outside, so I need the heater to keep the temperature stable at night. The tank is running at a constant 73 F with the heater.

reefgoddess808 · 08/29/2013, 09:03 AM

I am teaming with jealousy! Good luck, absolutely beautiful set up and horses!

Devaji108 · 09/02/2013, 02:43 PM

how about a lil update...I know it's only been a bit....maybe a video update is in order?? tint tint

flsvedlund · 09/03/2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

how about a lil update...I know it's only been a bit....maybe a video update is in order?? tint tint

Sure! Here's a video of the seahorses eating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va2eqOmcq0I

Rob in Puyallup · 09/03/2013, 05:28 PM

Great video! Happy to see em eating and smoking!

Devaji108 · 09/03/2013, 07:33 PM

how active would yu say they are? hicking 90+ % of the time or more or less?
loving your set do the SH bother the gorgs?

yes vety nice video BTW

Devaji108 · 09/03/2013, 07:55 PM

what was your experience with KP aquatics?
is that big reg gorg a knobby sea rod? how is every thing doing? what are you feeding them?
thanks

flsvedlund · 09/04/2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob in Puyallup

Great video! Happy to see em eating and smoking!

Thanks! They didn't eat for a bit after shipping, which I was warned about by the breeder but was still stressful. It was such a relief to have them start eating! I feed them like I did in that video twice a day and I let them both eat until they are full. So far they seem super healthy and happy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

how active would yu say they are? hicking 90+ % of the time or more or less?
loving your set do the SH bother the gorgs?

yes vety nice video BTW

Yeah, they're not super active. They spend most of their times hitched and then they'll swim to a new hitch and hang out again. They do spend time moving around on the hitch hunting copepods and just kind of checking everything out. If I stick my hands in the tank to do work they get more active and the smaller on will swim up and hitch on my fingers. They also get more active at feeding time and for a while at night right before the lights go out.

The seahorses don't seem to both the gorgonians much at all. Most of them are already used to the hitching and don't even close their polyps when the seahorses hitch to them. I've only got one (a purple ribbon gorg) that hasn't been doing very well. It still looks healthy but doesn't have its polyps out very often because it closes them whenever a seahorses hitches to it. Other than that one though, they don't both anything else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

what was your experience with KP aquatics?
is that big reg gorg a knobby sea rod? how is every thing doing? what are you feeding them?
thanks

I love KP Aquatics. I've ordered from them 4 times now and I do not have a single complaint. They have great stuff for very reasonable prices. Their "standard" sized gorgonians are nice and big for the price. I placed a very large order for this tank, including a mated pair of jawfish, gorgonians, sponges, starfish, hermits, and snails, and I didn't have a single casualty. Everything arrived healthy and I was impressed with the size and quality of everything. Also, they always throw in freebies! I got 10 freebies with the big order for this tank including a free gorgonian, 2 free sponges, a free starfish, and some extra snails and hermits. I HIGHLY recommend KPA!

The big red thing is actually a red tree sponge from KP Aquatics.

Everything is doing very well! I'm feeding the seahorses PE mysis twice a day. For the morning feeding, I thaw the shrimp and let it soak in VitaChem overnight. For the evening feeding, I just feed the thawed shrimp with no enrichment.

flsvedlund · 09/04/2013, 03:18 PM

I just received my third seahorse from Southwatch Seahorse Farm! She's gorgeous and arrived safe and sound this morning. I highly recommend Southwatch Seahorse Farm for anyone looking for nicely colored and healthy captive bred H. Erectus. Their prices are very reasonable, and include free shipping. Jon (the owner) is very helpful and is great about answering questions and sending photos to let you pick out your seahorses. They breed for nice coloring and patterns and so far my seahorses have stayed the colors they were in the photos when I picked them out. They definitely do a great job breeding for seahorses that will maintain their bright coloring. Mine will change shades a bit within the yellow range, but they have yet to turn brown/black/grey or any other drastic color change.

Anyways, here's my newest seahorse!

Allmost · 09/04/2013, 03:37 PM

a couple Qs, how are the seahorses doing with the MP10 ? any Issues ? do you have it at 100% ?

how are you feeding the gorgonians and sponges ? some of them, like the yellow one seem to be none Photosynthetic ?

tank and horses look amazing, congrats.

flsvedlund · 09/04/2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allmost

a couple Qs, how are the seahorses doing with the MP10 ? any Issues ? do you have it at 100% ?

how are you feeding the gorgonians and sponges ? some of them, like the yellow one seem to be none Photosynthetic ?

tank and horses look amazing, congrats.

Thank you!

The seahorses actually really enjoy the flow. I just made sure to set it up so there are calmer spots they can hang out in, but they also like to hang out in the high flow areas part of the time as well. I do not have the MP10 on 100%. Its probably running around 50% most of the time although I turned it down to like 25% today to let the new seahorse get settled in. I just ALWAYS have the foam guard in place on the MP10 to make sure that the seahorses cannot get their snout or tails into the propeller. I put it into feed mode when I feed them and that is low enough flow for them to maneuver after their food.

All of my gorgonians are actually photosynthetic. However, the sponges and the spiral wire coral are NPS. I just feed some PhytoFeast every other day. I broadcast feed it by dropping some into the flow so that it gets dispersed all over the tank.

Devaji108 · 09/04/2013, 11:55 PM

beautiful new addition!

08/18/2013, 04:31 PM	#1
flsvedlund Lion Tamer Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 184	Feedback on my set-up? Seahorses arriving Tuesday! Hi everyone, I just wanted to share photos of my set-up and see if anyone has any feedback. Its a 30 gallon cube (20"W x 18"D x 20"H) and I turned it into a DIY AIO. The back chambers contain the filter media, the heater, the skimmer, a refugium, and the return pump. Here are some photos. I will be adding macro algaes and some more soft corals later this coming week. My seahorses are shipping tomorrow and will arrive Tuesday morning. I am getting 2 female H. Erectus that I picked out from Southwatch Seahorse Farm. Here the are:

08/26/2013, 08:28 PM	#13
rayjay Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,969	You shouldn't have any need for that heater as target range temperature wise for the seahorses should be 68° to 74°F. __________________ Seahorses. Culture nanno, rotifers and brine shrimp. Current Tank Info: Seahorses

08/19/2013, 10:34 AM	#2
gnu Moved On Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 183	Your tank is beautiful! Good luck and congrats on your new girls Don't be too disappointed when they change colors, one of mine was bright yellow when shipped, and now she's cream colored.

08/20/2013, 05:59 AM	#3
btreyes Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 190	Wow! That looks awesome! Where did you get the yellow gorgonians?

08/20/2013, 10:21 PM	#4
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	nice tank! plz keep us posted...with lots of pics of course!

08/22/2013, 05:51 AM	#6
btreyes Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 190	They are absolutely beautiful!

08/22/2013, 06:36 AM	#7
JLynn Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 291	Adorable! Good luck with them!

08/22/2013, 12:36 PM	#8
10sojs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 242	Nice pic. Thank you for sharing!

08/23/2013, 06:18 AM	#9
btreyes Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 190	Oh, I forgot to tell you, I would think about attaching those ricordeas to the rocks. White liverock has a tendency to turn dark brown/gray and the seahorses tend to change the colors of the rock. I've found that when I get my liverock completely covered in coral, the seahorses turn/stay much brighter colors.

08/24/2013, 09:20 PM	#10
mwilliams62 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,056	Beautiful tank setup and of course the pretty seahorses.

08/26/2013, 12:57 PM	#11
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	very nice! do you have some pics of your DIY AIO? would like to see what/ how you did it.

08/29/2013, 09:03 AM	#15
reefgoddess808 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 382	I am teaming with jealousy! Good luck, absolutely beautiful set up and horses!

09/02/2013, 02:43 PM	#16
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	how about a lil update...I know it's only been a bit....maybe a video update is in order?? tint tint

09/03/2013, 05:28 PM	#18
Rob in Puyallup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 191	Great video! Happy to see em eating and smoking!

09/03/2013, 07:33 PM	#19
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	how active would yu say they are? hicking 90+ % of the time or more or less? loving your set do the SH bother the gorgs? yes vety nice video BTW

09/03/2013, 07:55 PM	#20
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	what was your experience with KP aquatics? is that big reg gorg a knobby sea rod? how is every thing doing? what are you feeding them? thanks

09/04/2013, 03:18 PM	#22
flsvedlund Lion Tamer Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 184	I just received my third seahorse from Southwatch Seahorse Farm! She's gorgeous and arrived safe and sound this morning. I highly recommend Southwatch Seahorse Farm for anyone looking for nicely colored and healthy captive bred H. Erectus. Their prices are very reasonable, and include free shipping. Jon (the owner) is very helpful and is great about answering questions and sending photos to let you pick out your seahorses. They breed for nice coloring and patterns and so far my seahorses have stayed the colors they were in the photos when I picked them out. They definitely do a great job breeding for seahorses that will maintain their bright coloring. Mine will change shades a bit within the yellow range, but they have yet to turn brown/black/grey or any other drastic color change. Anyways, here's my newest seahorse!

09/04/2013, 03:37 PM	#23
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	a couple Qs, how are the seahorses doing with the MP10 ? any Issues ? do you have it at 100% ? how are you feeding the gorgonians and sponges ? some of them, like the yellow one seem to be none Photosynthetic ? tank and horses look amazing, congrats.

09/04/2013, 11:55 PM	#25
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	beautiful new addition!