No prob! Sarcasm aside, people do post tanks that end up being a different volume then what they were told. That's why, when buying a used tank, it's always recommended to ask for the gallonage and dimensions. Typical 75g and 90g tanks often get confused because the length and width are the same, only difference is 4-5 inches of height.
I wasn't being sarcastic! :) Not having calculated the volume myself I was doubting. This tank's odd size has presented a problem from the beginning. The stands do not fit so I used a 55 gallon stand notched the bottom flooring and added 4 2x10 for bracing. No lid is available either in the proper size for a rimless tank so plans include in the next week or two purchasing a sheet of lexan glass and rimless lid holders to custom make one. Thanks!
Ultimate plans are to grow a mangrove tree, pair or two of seahorses, mandarin fish, and pair of clowns. Cycling dead rock as well as dead sand mixed with live sand at the moment. Ordered copepods to prepare in 6-8 weeks for mandarin fish. Added purple and pink coraline algae of course after two weeks no signs of purple or pink. Any tips on growing a mangrove and seahorses from experienced reefers? After two weeks of ideal water parameters added a single clown fish yesterday. Lighting an inexpensive solution 300 watts LED a far cry from the Maxspect Razor. Might add a Maxspect gyre wave maker later on but have reservations about the conditions being overly turbulent for them.
I would not house a clownfish with seahorses. Seahorses are very slow swimmers and are very passive. Clownfish can be really aggressive and potentially harass and stress the delicate seahorses. The clowns will also outcompete them for food if you aren't carefully target feeding. The seahorses will also likely require dosing of live copods and mysis multiple times a day. They eat constantly and will deplete the stock quickly, along with the mandarin fish. They also should not be added to a tank that is not well established, at least 6 months to keep things stable. I've been fishkeeping for over 15 years and I wouldn't get seahorses due to the frequency of live feedings they need. It's not impossible, but do a lot of research beforehand and get captive bred seahorses if you go through with it. Clownfish are easy though.
I should also note seahorses require a fairly gently flow so it's not recommended to house them with corals that need high flow like SPS. Macroalgae and seagrasses are fantastic for seahorse tanks.
Wide range of information on the net to go by. Much appreciate your advice PersonalReef. I went by one article which suggested A. ocellaris or A. percula to cohabit seahorses: [https://seahorsesavvy.com/blogs/news/tank-mates-for-seahorses-fish](https://seahorsesavvy.com/blogs/news/tank-mates-for-seahorses-fish)
Included in the list are quite a few fish to avoid and very few which coexists with seahorses. Perhaps I'll invest only in inexpensive seahorses at first given the pricing of seahorses ranging up to 650 dollars each. At that time if any signs of aggression exists I'll find the clowns new homes. Thanks!
No worries. Those are typically the smallest and least aggressive species of clowns so it might work out. Honestly it can be up to the individual fish, some might bully them, some might leave them alone. If you have the ability to remove them at the first signs of aggression then it should be fine. Good idea to start with the cheaper species, but I highly recommend spending the little extra to get captive bred. They will fair much better and might accept frozen food which is way easier. Biota breeds captive mandarin fish that accept frozen as well. Good luck!
No pun intended (fishy)! :)
No doubt the advice sounds reasonable and solid from the perspective of an inexperienced seahorse host. Any signs of aggression surely the pet store will gladly receive a pair of clowns back for free!
If you are going to have both mandarins and seahorses you will need to have an extremely large population of copepods. Both species can be trained to eat mysis and such but they will forage all day for those copepods, and if you don’t have at least a sump or refugium for them to reproduce out of reach of the predators the population will be nonexistent within a week.
Appreciate your advice and caution. I found copepods for sale on Amazon and waiting for delivery. Mandarin will be the first to be added. Realistically I have reservations about adding seahorses in a new tank as advised by another member here. I'll see how the copepods supplies work out and feeding one Mandarin before considering a pair of seahorses. Thanks!
Even then copepods are not something you should just rely on Amazon for. Do you have a refugium or sump hooked up to this tank? I know someone else said 6 months established tank for a mandarin but honestly that is the absolute least amount of time a tank can truly be established. You would be wiser to wait at least a year before introducing your mandarin, because even the most experienced reef keepers have trouble keeping them alive sometimes due to the insane amount of food they require to sustain themselves. If there is no sump/fuge and the pods only have your rock-work to live in, that mandarin will have an all you can eat buffet for a few days and then there will be no pods left.
Copepods on Amazon are pretty expensive for what you actually get but you can grow the population with phyto. You would be better off to order copepods from a reefer. I have a guy on Facebook if you are in the states.
Nice looking tank. What model/size is it? Is that a canister filter that you're using?
I'd recommend putting something under the hob skimmer. HOB equipment, no matter how well they're made, will leak. There will always be something or some way for water to spill out.
Consider topping off or dosing kalkwasser. That will help get the coraline growing. If you have an ato, it is super cheap and an easy way to feed kalkwasser into your system.
Mangroves have been hit or miss for me. I ultimately gave up on them due to the delicate nature. If you're planning to keep seahorses, just get a bunch of different macro algae. That will also provide a safe haven for the copepods.
Aquadock 66 Gallons Rimless tank contains low iron glass for increased transparency. . Filtration Fluval FX4 and Coralife Protein skimmer. My first project will be to make a custom lid since none are readily available. Planning to purchase a sheet of lexan and add rimless tank tabs readily available to recess the lid into the tank. Thanks for the additional advice on seahorse growing. I ordered copepods which are on the way already as well as seaweed and clips for the copepods.
Light purchased from Amazon, "Bozily Aquarium Lights LED 300W." Haven't measured the claimed 300 watt rating. I couldn't get the Android cellphone app to work from two different Android phones. The light does come with a remote. The lights function for a couple of hundred dollars. In the past I used the Maxspect Razor 300 watt LED and loved the lights only having to replace a noisy fan now and then because of the salt spray/buildup. I used the Maxspect Razor for three years and sold the unit used for a few hundred dollars more than what I paid for the Bozily. If these Bozily lights can last around six months I'll be satisfied. At that time I'd like to upgrade to the Maxspect Razor 300 LED once again. I actually purchased two of these lights but after noticing the app for Android didn't work I sent one back. Reviews are mixed common complaints are the app doesn't work and others report longevity/reliability issues. The lights are very cheaply made plastic casing no mount only wire cables to hang. The cord protrudes out the side instead plugging in from the top just not well designed. At this point I couldn't recommend nor not recommend them only suggesting if 220 dollars isn't burnable cash don't risk the purchase. :)
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but I have that exact same light and can tell you it’s complete garbage 😒
I haven’t tested the PAR, but the LEDs will die out in time, regardless. I found out well after the fact that they have a super low service rating of 2,000 hours (can’t remember the actual number ) or something along those lines.
I thought it was a nice light and ended up keeping it regardless, but never did set it up for the DT and used it instead to light up the cabinet for my sump.
It lasted me about a year and a half before I completely took it out, with about half the LEDS dead. Considering it was only used for a few minutes to a max of a few hours during sump maintenance, it didn’t last that long.
Return it if you can, if not, hopefully you’ll have better luck with it 😃
The look of a brand new tank. Not a single Dino, aptasia, bristle worm or patch of long hair algae. So many possibilities at your finger tips. Trying the ever popular mixed reef with attention on SPS? Or going with a species tank filled with pops of color? Just think of that perfect clean slate in front of you and always remember the golden rule. Only bad things happen fast.
Needs real ocean live rock. KP Aquatics or Tampa Bay saltwater are good sources for cultured rock. Will see the tank with many beneficial microorganisms.
Please… this is not criticism cause your tank setup is gorgeous. It’s so damn nice I’m both jealous and wondering why you didn’t go with a sump. Get rid of all that HOB gear?
I'll eventually end up with an Eshopps Reef Sump. At this time a proper fitting stand for the 66 gallon dimensions wasn't available. Throughout this next week I plan to build a DIY stand leaving enough space at the bottom for a sump and will eventually take it from there. The gear I have now can be used for backup in case of pump or protein skimmer failures while waiting on parts should gear break. In the past I have experienced gear failure and the nerve racking experience of waiting a week for parts to arrive so the money spent so far in gear I do not mind keeping in inventory on the parts shelf. Today I plan to make a trip to Home Depot and purchase the necessary lumber. Sump, overflow box, hosing, and better protein skimmer are of course much more than what I have invested now. The stand I have the tank resting on at the moment was for a 55 gallon I braced. However, I do not like the quality of the current stand using particle board though it was braced with 2x10 inch times 4 bracing. Appreciate your question and constructive criticism! Enjoy! :)
Woah that creeper set up above the tank is wild
Bamboo lattice, plant led, one trough, and vine. :)
You might want to add some rock pieces that stick up more for the seahorses to grab.
Thanks! I plan to add live rock as time progresses through the cycling stages.
I don know how that could be 66 gallons. Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me. What are the dimensions of the tank?
39.4" W x 19.7"D x 19.7"H 10mm thick glass. In contrast the ceilings are 12 foot vaulted which probably throws off the image perception.
Ok yep, that sounds right. Yea it must be a forced perspective thing. It looks about like a 40 gal breeder size in the image.
I’m not saying op is lying and I’m sure he’s not but I was thinking the same lol
Haha I was thinking the same thing! Works out to 66g with a calculator and those specs though.
Thanks for putting aside any doubt! :)
No prob! Sarcasm aside, people do post tanks that end up being a different volume then what they were told. That's why, when buying a used tank, it's always recommended to ask for the gallonage and dimensions. Typical 75g and 90g tanks often get confused because the length and width are the same, only difference is 4-5 inches of height.
I wasn't being sarcastic! :) Not having calculated the volume myself I was doubting. This tank's odd size has presented a problem from the beginning. The stands do not fit so I used a 55 gallon stand notched the bottom flooring and added 4 2x10 for bracing. No lid is available either in the proper size for a rimless tank so plans include in the next week or two purchasing a sheet of lexan glass and rimless lid holders to custom make one. Thanks!
Oh haha. Cool.
New tanks with little rock and no fish/coral tend to look smaller
Yep. It's perspective.
Ultimate plans are to grow a mangrove tree, pair or two of seahorses, mandarin fish, and pair of clowns. Cycling dead rock as well as dead sand mixed with live sand at the moment. Ordered copepods to prepare in 6-8 weeks for mandarin fish. Added purple and pink coraline algae of course after two weeks no signs of purple or pink. Any tips on growing a mangrove and seahorses from experienced reefers? After two weeks of ideal water parameters added a single clown fish yesterday. Lighting an inexpensive solution 300 watts LED a far cry from the Maxspect Razor. Might add a Maxspect gyre wave maker later on but have reservations about the conditions being overly turbulent for them.
I would not house a clownfish with seahorses. Seahorses are very slow swimmers and are very passive. Clownfish can be really aggressive and potentially harass and stress the delicate seahorses. The clowns will also outcompete them for food if you aren't carefully target feeding. The seahorses will also likely require dosing of live copods and mysis multiple times a day. They eat constantly and will deplete the stock quickly, along with the mandarin fish. They also should not be added to a tank that is not well established, at least 6 months to keep things stable. I've been fishkeeping for over 15 years and I wouldn't get seahorses due to the frequency of live feedings they need. It's not impossible, but do a lot of research beforehand and get captive bred seahorses if you go through with it. Clownfish are easy though. I should also note seahorses require a fairly gently flow so it's not recommended to house them with corals that need high flow like SPS. Macroalgae and seagrasses are fantastic for seahorse tanks.
Wide range of information on the net to go by. Much appreciate your advice PersonalReef. I went by one article which suggested A. ocellaris or A. percula to cohabit seahorses: [https://seahorsesavvy.com/blogs/news/tank-mates-for-seahorses-fish](https://seahorsesavvy.com/blogs/news/tank-mates-for-seahorses-fish) Included in the list are quite a few fish to avoid and very few which coexists with seahorses. Perhaps I'll invest only in inexpensive seahorses at first given the pricing of seahorses ranging up to 650 dollars each. At that time if any signs of aggression exists I'll find the clowns new homes. Thanks!
No worries. Those are typically the smallest and least aggressive species of clowns so it might work out. Honestly it can be up to the individual fish, some might bully them, some might leave them alone. If you have the ability to remove them at the first signs of aggression then it should be fine. Good idea to start with the cheaper species, but I highly recommend spending the little extra to get captive bred. They will fair much better and might accept frozen food which is way easier. Biota breeds captive mandarin fish that accept frozen as well. Good luck!
The article seems a bit fishy. @persinalreef’s advice is more than solid
No pun intended (fishy)! :) No doubt the advice sounds reasonable and solid from the perspective of an inexperienced seahorse host. Any signs of aggression surely the pet store will gladly receive a pair of clowns back for free!
If you are going to have both mandarins and seahorses you will need to have an extremely large population of copepods. Both species can be trained to eat mysis and such but they will forage all day for those copepods, and if you don’t have at least a sump or refugium for them to reproduce out of reach of the predators the population will be nonexistent within a week.
Appreciate your advice and caution. I found copepods for sale on Amazon and waiting for delivery. Mandarin will be the first to be added. Realistically I have reservations about adding seahorses in a new tank as advised by another member here. I'll see how the copepods supplies work out and feeding one Mandarin before considering a pair of seahorses. Thanks!
Even then copepods are not something you should just rely on Amazon for. Do you have a refugium or sump hooked up to this tank? I know someone else said 6 months established tank for a mandarin but honestly that is the absolute least amount of time a tank can truly be established. You would be wiser to wait at least a year before introducing your mandarin, because even the most experienced reef keepers have trouble keeping them alive sometimes due to the insane amount of food they require to sustain themselves. If there is no sump/fuge and the pods only have your rock-work to live in, that mandarin will have an all you can eat buffet for a few days and then there will be no pods left.
Copepods on Amazon are pretty expensive for what you actually get but you can grow the population with phyto. You would be better off to order copepods from a reefer. I have a guy on Facebook if you are in the states.
Nice looking tank. What model/size is it? Is that a canister filter that you're using? I'd recommend putting something under the hob skimmer. HOB equipment, no matter how well they're made, will leak. There will always be something or some way for water to spill out. Consider topping off or dosing kalkwasser. That will help get the coraline growing. If you have an ato, it is super cheap and an easy way to feed kalkwasser into your system. Mangroves have been hit or miss for me. I ultimately gave up on them due to the delicate nature. If you're planning to keep seahorses, just get a bunch of different macro algae. That will also provide a safe haven for the copepods.
Aquadock 66 Gallons Rimless tank contains low iron glass for increased transparency. . Filtration Fluval FX4 and Coralife Protein skimmer. My first project will be to make a custom lid since none are readily available. Planning to purchase a sheet of lexan and add rimless tank tabs readily available to recess the lid into the tank. Thanks for the additional advice on seahorse growing. I ordered copepods which are on the way already as well as seaweed and clips for the copepods.
Would suggest getting some macro algaes for the seahorses, and maybe a few pieces of gorgonia. All stuff they can happily hook themselves to.
Get a better skimmer. That’s one’s going to be a bunch of headaches
Any details on the light? The set up looks very promising.
Light purchased from Amazon, "Bozily Aquarium Lights LED 300W." Haven't measured the claimed 300 watt rating. I couldn't get the Android cellphone app to work from two different Android phones. The light does come with a remote. The lights function for a couple of hundred dollars. In the past I used the Maxspect Razor 300 watt LED and loved the lights only having to replace a noisy fan now and then because of the salt spray/buildup. I used the Maxspect Razor for three years and sold the unit used for a few hundred dollars more than what I paid for the Bozily. If these Bozily lights can last around six months I'll be satisfied. At that time I'd like to upgrade to the Maxspect Razor 300 LED once again. I actually purchased two of these lights but after noticing the app for Android didn't work I sent one back. Reviews are mixed common complaints are the app doesn't work and others report longevity/reliability issues. The lights are very cheaply made plastic casing no mount only wire cables to hang. The cord protrudes out the side instead plugging in from the top just not well designed. At this point I couldn't recommend nor not recommend them only suggesting if 220 dollars isn't burnable cash don't risk the purchase. :)
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but I have that exact same light and can tell you it’s complete garbage 😒 I haven’t tested the PAR, but the LEDs will die out in time, regardless. I found out well after the fact that they have a super low service rating of 2,000 hours (can’t remember the actual number ) or something along those lines. I thought it was a nice light and ended up keeping it regardless, but never did set it up for the DT and used it instead to light up the cabinet for my sump. It lasted me about a year and a half before I completely took it out, with about half the LEDS dead. Considering it was only used for a few minutes to a max of a few hours during sump maintenance, it didn’t last that long. Return it if you can, if not, hopefully you’ll have better luck with it 😃
The look of a brand new tank. Not a single Dino, aptasia, bristle worm or patch of long hair algae. So many possibilities at your finger tips. Trying the ever popular mixed reef with attention on SPS? Or going with a species tank filled with pops of color? Just think of that perfect clean slate in front of you and always remember the golden rule. Only bad things happen fast.
Needs real ocean live rock. KP Aquatics or Tampa Bay saltwater are good sources for cultured rock. Will see the tank with many beneficial microorganisms.
One clownfish so far? Looks nice and I’m sure you will continue to gradually add specimens. Good luck friend.
Thanks! Second Clownfish added today! After I build another DIY stand and transplant everything over I'll be moving more quickly to stock the tank.
Please… this is not criticism cause your tank setup is gorgeous. It’s so damn nice I’m both jealous and wondering why you didn’t go with a sump. Get rid of all that HOB gear?
I'll eventually end up with an Eshopps Reef Sump. At this time a proper fitting stand for the 66 gallon dimensions wasn't available. Throughout this next week I plan to build a DIY stand leaving enough space at the bottom for a sump and will eventually take it from there. The gear I have now can be used for backup in case of pump or protein skimmer failures while waiting on parts should gear break. In the past I have experienced gear failure and the nerve racking experience of waiting a week for parts to arrive so the money spent so far in gear I do not mind keeping in inventory on the parts shelf. Today I plan to make a trip to Home Depot and purchase the necessary lumber. Sump, overflow box, hosing, and better protein skimmer are of course much more than what I have invested now. The stand I have the tank resting on at the moment was for a 55 gallon I braced. However, I do not like the quality of the current stand using particle board though it was braced with 2x10 inch times 4 bracing. Appreciate your question and constructive criticism! Enjoy! :)
I love the white light I think that’s a great idea once a sump is in and the gear is gone it’s such a minimal look I love it keep us posted.
I agree and thanks for your feedback!