Questions about starting seahorse tank

[Joeiscool1978]

I have a 29 gallon fish tank with stand, I have an emperor Bio-wheel 280 power filter, and bak pak 2 protein skimmer.
I want to turn it into a seahorse tank.

29 gallon to small should I get 55 gallon?

The biowheel to strong for the seahorses?

How much live rock 1.5 or 2 LBS per gallon?

Any other information and help would be greatly appreciated.

[chrischris]

well it need to be stable for atleast 3 months befor you can add seahorses
add as much or as little live rock you want the 1- 1.5 rule of thumb is useless
and WELCOME TO THE REEF TANK

[Joeiscool1978]

What do you mean add as little or as live rock much as you want?

I thought live rock was a biological filter for the tank?

[jojon60]

29 gallons would be the smallest tank I would recommend for seahorses, and then I would put no more than two in there. If you can afford it get the 55. A hang on the back filter will not be to much flow. You can even add a small power head as long as there are low flow areas for them to hang out in.
As far as live rock goes about a pound a gallon and try to mix some of the tonga branch rock, It makes excellent hitches.

[VWD]

Good Advice,

[aquawolf]

The first question that needs to be asked is what type of seahorses are you thinking about getting? Your set up would probably be ideal for Reidi but too much flow for dwarfs and way too small for the larger breeds that can get up to a foot tall.

[jojon60]

The most important thing is to make sure you start with a good captive bred stock. Reidi, Erectus, Kuda, Barbs, these are the most common seahorses found for sale in the states that are captive bred. This way you are assured of them taking frozen food. Seahorsesource.com and Ocean Rider sell only captive bred seahorses. A pair of any of these would be fine in a 29 gallon. But I would not put anything else in with them.

Of course if you were thinking of getting dwarfs a five or ten gallon would do just fine. Except I would start with all dead sand and rock to avoid any nasties. Also you would have to hatch live brine every day to feed them as they need hours old brine shrimp a couple times a day to stay healthy.