newbie...advice?

[seahorse lover]

Hi everyone ! I am so thrilled to have found this site, I think I will be able to get wonderful advice and knowledge from here.

I am in the research fase of starting my first saltwater tank. I have just started looking for information on how to start and plan on buying some good books to help me learn. I was hoping though that some of you might be able to give me some advice?

I would like to have a tank with mainly seahorses and maybe a couple of fish. Other then that I am not sure what I am going to do. LOL! Could anyone give me advice on what would be the best types of fish to go along with the seahorses? I have read I think that clown fish do okay?

Also what is a good size tank for a beginner? I was thinking maybe a 30 gallon? What sort of equipment would I need to keep the seahorses happy? What sort of rocks/plants should I look for?

Any advice would be wonderful...I am just gathering up as much info as I can.
Thanks soo much!!
Kelly

[eaglelox]

i have heard that sea horse's are tuff to start with. require alot of special care. as far as fish go, if you still go with the sea horse's the fish have to be very mellow fish. someone else can say what kinds. you might want to start a reef tank with a few fish first. when it is well established and you have been through your leaning curve, then maybe a seahorse tank. but thats just my 2 cents. have a good day sea horse lover.

[Alice]

Kelly,

Welcome to The Reef Tank!

JennM is our resident Sea Horse expert, Bill-e, Brooke and a few others have also kept sea horses in the past.

Sea Horse tanks need to be set up a little differently than a regular fish only tank or reef tank. Currents must be kept lower and especially with the larger "horses" they need a tank that is taller than it is long. Sea Horse keepers often use hex tanks.

Compatiblity with other fish is an issue as Sea Horses need calm tank mates and only a few or they will get out-competed for food. The tank raised horses are easier to sustain as they are trained to accept non-live foods; wild caught horses often die of starvation. They need to be fed small meals several times a day as they really have no "stomach."

Sea Horses are also prone to diseases unique to them so reading up on symptoms and treatments would be a good idea. I'm hoping that Jenn and the others can provide you with some reading material and the links to the horse boards that are out there.

I find Sea Horses fascinating creatures but they represent a commitment of time I just don't have. Good reading and good luck; glad to have you here!

Alice

[hesaias]

You can try the breeders registry, http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca..../shorse_n1.htm and http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca..../shorse_n2.htm

There is some good info there. I tried the seahorses, but I killed 2 of them and couldnt bring myself to try again. However, there are many folks who have succeeded with them, so dnt let my bad exp. bother you

Good luck and Welcome!

[Megan]

If you are serious about the seahorse thing then you should check out www.seahorse.org

[seahorse lover]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and the advice. I did just find www.seahorse.org and am busy reading up all I can on there. I am very excited about starting my new hobby. LOL! I am off to read, read, read, and I am sure I will be back with more questions as I get further along. Right now I am just lost....there is so much to learn and know before starting.

It is exciting though!!! Thanks again!

Kelly

[OodleyBoodely]

Kelly, welcome to TRT! I've never kept 'horses, but, have looked into their care and such. If you do decide to go with a 'horse tank right away, you might want to go with the captive breds as they are much hardier and easier to feed. Yes, they will cost more, especially once you tack on shipping, but, IMO, as a beginner, this is your best bet for success. Take a look at oceanrider.com. Good luck, and, let us know what you decide!