Seahorse & Pipefish Haven Part II

[Domboski]

One of my locally collected seahorses had babies:

Unfortunately my DIY rearing tank failed me. I wanted an above tank fuge setup so the SHs could have access to pods from the main tank. It was working perfectly except for the overflow. I had a screen over it and a lot of the fry were getting stuck to it. I decided to remove the screen and try using acrylic to aim the water current created by the maxijet away from the overflow hoping the pelagic babies would stay away from the overflow. I knew this probably wasn't going to work but thought it may delay the exit of the babies so when I was finished with my business meeting I could come up with something else. Unfortunately that didn't happen. I could see the fry eating the pods off the wall of the tank. It was awesome. I have to come up with a way to adjust the overflow. I don't want to lessen the current in the rearing tank because it prevents the fry from sucking in air at the surface. I'll try posting picks of the setup later and see if any of you have ideas that can help.

One of my pipefish is carrying eggs so I'll have to master the rearing tank setup soon.

 

[jackson6745]

Awesome Dom! You have very cool tanks! Nice to see something different

 

[nanchil]

wow.. Very nice.

 

[nanoreefer22]

very cool!!!!! how tiny are those little guys?

 

[Domboski]

Thanks guys! They were tiny Kris. Not even a half inch. Ok here are some pics of what I created. Pretty simple. I was talking with Andrew (asianer) and he was talking about creating surface tension to keep the fry from sucking in air at the top of the water. I was using flow to try and keep them off the top. If you know how I can create the surface tension or have a link let me know. I drilled a hole on the bottom of the bowl to connect the maxijet. The shape of the bowl creates a swirling action of the water that keep the fry free floating. It also keeps their food (rotifers and BBS) floating as well. Pods from the main tank collect all over the wall of the bowl. Plenty of food to raise the young. The problem I'm having is when I turn down the flow from the maxijet, the seahorse babies can get to the surface and suck in air. If the flow is too high, they get stuck against the overflow netting. My questions are:

1- Do I make a cover on the overflow that keeps the fry at a safe distance so they don't get caught up in the rush of water? or...

2- Is there a way to create surface tension that would allow me to keep flow to a minimum while keeping the fry away from the water surface?

Any input is appreciated!

 

[Paul B]

Nice seahorses Dom. I raised erectus a couple of times from adults I collected here.
You need to put fine plastic screening in the water for them to hold on to, otherwise they grab on to each other and pull oposite directions so they don't get anywhere.
For the newborn horses I use screening with 1/8th inch holes. If you take apart an old RO element, it is filled with the stuff. As the horses get larger I use larger screen or fishing line with a weight on one end and a float on the other.
Anyway, i am taking off tomorrow, if you want to go collecting.
Paul

 

[Chapz]

Dom, Looks nice.
Always something new with you.

As for the seahorses sucking in air from the top of the tank, is that not a good thing?

 

[Domboski]

It's not good because they can not expel the air and float at the top, eventually dying.

 

[Domboski]

The seahorse is pregnant again and I'm posting pictures of the pregnant pipefish. Any ideas on how to deal with the overflow issue would be appreciated. It seems I need to come up with something soon.

 

[Chapz]

Better get that set up ready quick. Your gonna be pumping pipefish and seahorses like crazy.

 

[Domboski]

LOL. I'll be working on it tomorrow. Hopefully I come up with something :idea:

 

[Domboski]

 

[nanchil]

Very nice.... What is the fish in the last pic?

 

[Domboski]

Very nice.... What is the fish in the last pic?

Thanks. Short bigeye (Pristigenys alta)

Here is a better picture taken by Lissa (ellebelle):

 

[georgelc86]

Did I just read that someone wants to collect 1" bass and fluke and put them in a 36Bow.

 

[Domboski]

This is not the thread for that discussion George. This thread is a discussion of my tank and associated questions. I know what your thinking but I'd prefer to keep that discussion out of this thread.

It is illegal to keep 1" seabass or fluke in a million gallon tank.

 

[jhale]

Dom, how are the butterfly's doing?

 

[georgelc86]

I know its was relfex sorry. I like the tank by the way. Are those rock fish that are trying to hide in the shells and sand.

 

[Domboski]

Dom, how are the butterfly's doing?

They are doing much better than I expected. They all eat cyclopeeze and half eat frozen mysis as well. I have a buch so I'm hoping to grow them out and offer them for free on the board. If all of them are not claimed Maritime Aquarium said that they would be willing to take as many butterflyfish as they can get. I'd also keep one for myself :splitspin

 

[Domboski]

I know its was relfex sorry. I like the tank by the way. Are those rock fish that are trying to hide in the shells and sand.

No problem G. I know you mean well. The topic doesn't seem to be one that can be discussed diplomatically and we already have a thread or two dedicated to it.