Forum > New Marine Tank!

PikachuPunka

Jan 7 2006, 09:02 AM

Hi there!

How are you all? I hope you're doing great! I'm posting because I'm planning to set up a Marine tank soon, and I'm hoping to keep a pair of Seahorses in there. Now I know I can keep Gobies and Blennies with them, but I was also told by one person that a couple of Clowns should be fine with them, too. However, a friend of mine has told me the I should avoid Clowns if I'm to be keeping Seahorses at all costs. What exactly can I keep with a pair of Seahorses? My tank is 30"x18"x15" and I have a Fluval 204 external filter. I haven't even begun to set the tank up yet because I'm still doing all my research & I don't feel I'm ready to start it just yet, but I would like to know what can be kept with what

I'd be grateful for any advise anyone could offer me!

take care & Blessed Be,

XxXxX Emma XxXxX

koko

Jan 7 2006, 10:57 AM

Personally I wouldn't keep anything with seahorses, since they are so delicate and picky with foods

Padda's pal

Jan 7 2006, 11:14 AM

why not start with something easier and cheeper to keep like just having the clowns then when you fell ready to move on you can always sell them ?
ps these should not be kept with seahorse's as they will eat all the food

monkeyknukles

Jan 7 2006, 03:05 PM

Take koko's and padda's advice start with easy fish first then work towards the picky fish unless this is not your first salt tank

Mfish

Jan 7 2006, 09:02 PM

Sea Horses need an established tank to thrive. I wouldn't get them until later down the road.

GFandy

Jan 8 2006, 04:17 AM

i agree with everyone elses advice,
clowns may be too aggresive (esp. when they have eggs) towards the delicate sea horses. You should start off simpilar, like just clownfish (no anemone until the tank is set-up and running perfectly for @ least 6 months).

*tip* That external filter may produce a large amount of nitrates, which although Ok for fish, aren't really bad for invertebrates. You'd need lots of macro algae or sea grass to get rid of them.

Have fun with your new tank, when you get it up, tell us ALL about it!

o yea... I applaud you on doing your research before setting it up!!
have you been to visit the people at Reef Central? They have a very active board, with thousands of posters.

enjoy your aquaria

koko

Jan 8 2006, 12:05 PM

Well the external filter would do harm if you have charcoal in there but if you just use sponges or phosorb in the there that would be okay....

Clowns are great starter fish and so are gobies

Anther great site is http://www.aquatic-hobby.com great people and very friendly

tinkerbell

Jan 10 2006, 06:38 AM

hey koko (sorry to butt in) how much would you guess it cost youto set up your gorgeous nano? its a 12g, isnt it *ponders* how much work is it?

sorry for all the questions!! *looks sheepish*

GFandy

Jan 10 2006, 11:50 AM

QUOTE(GFandy @ Jan 8 2006, 07:17 AM)

i agree with everyone elses advice,
clowns may be too aggresive (esp. when they have eggs) towards the delicate sea horses. You should start off simpilar, like just clownfish (no anemone until the tank is set-up and running perfectly for @ least 6 months).

*tip* That external filter may produce a large amount of nitrates, which although Ok for fish, aren't really bad for invertebrates. You'd need lots of macro algae or sea grass to get rid of them.

Have fun with your new tank, when you get it up, tell us ALL about it!

o yea... I applaud you on doing your research before setting it up!!
have you been to visit the people at Reef Central? They have a very active board, with thousands of posters.

enjoy your aquaria
[right][snapback]455186[/snapback][/right]

WHOA i just noticed what i wrote!! i meant in the tip.... "aren't really good"

wow i can't belive its takin me soo long to notice sry

PikachuPunka

Jan 12 2006, 05:12 AM

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all your advice! I never thought of keeping fish first, you know! I was more inclined to go with what my friend said about keeping Clowns with Seahorses, but I wanted to make doubly sure first. I think keeping the easier fish to begin with is a fantastic idea, and aren't Clowns a sort of Damsel fish, too? So they'd be really good for my tank, wouldn't they? I've gone for the external filter because of the ease of which it can be maintained. My good friend, Laura, is setting up her Marine tank again (she had it set up for years!) and she's going to help me with all aspects of the filter. Yes, as soon as I have it set up, I will DEFINITELY let you know all about it! Can I keep a puffer with Clowns? My boyfriend is absolutely fascinated with puffers! There are so many wonderful fish I would like to keep, but I know I can't!

Well thank you very much for all your advice! Any new advice is always gratefully received!!

It's back to the books for me!!

take care & Blessed Be,

XxXxX Emma XxXxX

koko

Jan 12 2006, 12:17 PM

QUOTE(tinkerbell @ Jan 10 2006, 06:38 AM)

hey koko (sorry to butt in) how much would you guess it cost youto set up your gorgeous nano? its a 12g, isnt it *ponders* how much work is it?

sorry for all the questions!! *looks sheepish*
[right][snapback]456629[/snapback][/right]

You dont even want to know how much money I have spent to get it to its spot now....but the first month atleast 800

koko

Jan 12 2006, 12:21 PM

QUOTE(PikachuPunka @ Jan 12 2006, 05:12 AM)

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all your advice! I never thought of keeping fish first, you know! I was more inclined to go with what my friend said about keeping Clowns with Seahorses, but I wanted to make doubly sure first. I think keeping the easier fish to begin with is a fantastic idea, and aren't Clowns a sort of Damsel fish, too? So they'd be really good for my tank, wouldn't they? I've gone for the external filter because of the ease of which it can be maintained. My good friend, Laura, is setting up her Marine tank again (she had it set up for years!) and she's going to help me with all aspects of the filter. Yes, as soon as I have it set up, I will DEFINITELY let you know all about it! Can I keep a puffer with Clowns? My boyfriend is absolutely fascinated with puffers! There are so many wonderful fish I would like to keep, but I know I can't!

Well thank you very much for all your advice! Any new advice is always gratefully received!!

It's back to the books for me!!

take care & Blessed Be,

XxXxX Emma XxXxX
[right][snapback]457438[/snapback][/right]

Me personally wont mix puffers with Clowns.... I think since its a first time tank your going to need time on your side. First thing is going to get the Live rock if you want to do that, sand or bare bottom. Then I would go with a hardy fish like a Gobby for the first time but your going to need to let the tank sit for alteast 1 month or more before you add anything to this tank, SW tanks take alot more time to deal with at first than the FW tanks.....

Also Carbon isnt nessasary for a SW tank, I dont use it what so ever in there....

Your best bet right now is just focusing on the water quality and the tank right now then look into what you want to add after getting the water quality up to par

tinkerbell

Jan 13 2006, 02:45 AM

QUOTE(koko @ Jan 12 2006, 01:17 PM)

QUOTE(tinkerbell @ Jan 10 2006, 06:38 AM)

hey koko (sorry to butt in) how much would you guess it cost youto set up your gorgeous nano? its a 12g, isnt it *ponders* how much work is it?

sorry for all the questions!! *looks sheepish*
[right][snapback]456629[/snapback][/right]

You dont even want to know how much money I have spent to get it to its spot now....but the first month atleast 800

[right][snapback]457642[/snapback][/right]

koko

Jan 13 2006, 09:55 AM

Yeah this tank is just a money horder

Oh and to make it worse now, my hood broke anc Im trying to find another light source

Reef Man

Jan 13 2006, 02:32 PM

Good advice.... I would say LR is the way to go for your biological filter and if you are going to use an external filter then don't put bio-beads or balls or any bio filter material in it...it will act like a nitrate sponge and you will see your trates climbing... I know that there are conflicting ideas about carbon in a reef setting...I will give you the other point of view.... Carbon will take out the toxins that some soft corals emit.... Some leather corals do a chemical warfare tactic to make room for their growth...it is a terpentate type of chemical and the carbon will suck it right out of your system.... I do the opposite from koko...I run carbon 24/7 knowing that carbon is short lived I change it routinely...

Also...if you are thinking of keeping an anemone with the clowns don't do it until the tank is well established...8-12 months...and make sure you are running MH lighting....other wise your anemone may live but not thrive...and it will not live as long as it should.....

Clowns and horses do not mix...... I guess that is enough babbling here...

koko

Jan 13 2006, 03:59 PM

Reefman you may babble all you want

Reef Man

Jan 13 2006, 04:02 PM

Thanks....!!!!

PikachuPunka

Mar 13 2006, 10:41 AM

Hi again!!

Thanks for all your replies (sorry it's taken so long for me to actually reply to you!)! Still haven't set my tank up - not quite ready yet!

Now, do I need a Protein Skimmer???????? Someone has told me that they're a necessity, and someone else has told me that I won't need one because I'm only keeping a couple of Clowns!! It's all so confusing!!

Padda's pal

Mar 13 2006, 11:41 AM

you can get by with out one but you will find life much easyer with one (myself i wouldnt be without one), they cost a bit but they are so worth it !!

Reef Man

Mar 13 2006, 02:55 PM

Agree totally with Padda's pal... You will be much happier with a protein skimmer....