Need help choosing Dwarf seahorse equipment...?

Question

I am a probationer still having my first SW aquarium I have had it running for 5 months, no problems. Anyways I am planning on setting up a seahorse tank (dwarfs), I am planning on using a 5 gallon hex aquarium. I have found one filtered but it is a bi-wheel and 35 gph. But I have a plain 5 hex tank and I have found many filters but cannot choose one here are the links of the filters I have found(Listed Most liked-neutral): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16742&pcatid=16742
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+9821&pcatid=9821
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+6704&pcatid=6704
I will also include a sponge filter can someone explain to me how those work exactly? Does Sea Lettuce need special lighting? Thank you very much any questions to specify your answer e-mail me or just ask! Again thank you very much!

Any information you have to offer about seahorse care please don't hesitate to include.

Answer 1

Kyle, here's my opinion of the filters - I know someone who got the kind shown in the first link, and they are tearing them (6) apart just about every day because they doesn't work correctly. That's not saying yours won't but from what I've seen (and experienced at his place) they're more trouble than anything. The second would be preferable to the third I think, if for no reason than you can control the flow rate. I've never used the Azoo filter, but Red Sea has one almost identical (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/207474/product.web ). I have two of the Eclipse tanks (your 3rd link), and these have an internal filter with a biowheel, but you can't control how fast the water flows. This will be important, since seahorses aren't strong swimmers. That's why an undergravel or sponge filter is usually recommended.

A sponge filter is just a block of foam with rigid plastic with holes cut into it. An airstone is used to draw water (with debris) through the foam and holes in the tubing: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10987/product.web much like how airstones power an undergravel filter. If you Google "DIY sponge filter" you'll find a lot of ideas on making them yourself.

Sea lettuce (Ulva sp.) I managed to grow in a 55 gallon saltwater with just two standard fluorescent tubes with full-spectrum lighting. So in a 5 gallon, you shouldn't have too much trouble. If your Eclipse is the type with a screw-in bulb, just replace it with a compact fluorescent that's full spectrum. You can get these at WalMart, usually in the pet department for about $6-7 bucks. Make sure it's the full spectrum, though, not the ones for general household use. Sea lettuce (at least at the store where I bought mine) comes in rather large sheets. You might want a separate tank so it doesn't overwhelm your seahorses if you plan to keep this in their tank. It's also smooth, so they won't be able to hitch their tails to it.

Here some info on dwarf seahorses (or seahorses in general):
http://www.seahorsesource.com/about.html
http://www.seahorsefarms.com/info/index.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tube-mfi.htm
http://www.seahorse.org/

Answer 2

As far as Seahorses go, Dwarfs are some of the more difficult species to care for, so I would research your question further on www.seahorse.org, where they specialize in Seahorse care. They have a lot of good information there.

Regards