Diver's Pony Paradise - New photos! (pg. 64)

[Felicia]

So I just figured out that ORA sells seahorses and my LFS can order them for me when I'm ready. That could be a nice option since I won't have to be the one to deal with the shipping and stuff. Here's what they offer:

 

1) ORA Colored Erectus - they sell these separate from the back H. Erectus. They're supposed to be in the color range from yellow, to orange, to red.

 

2) ORA Yellow Kuda - they say these are the most likely to stay yellow most of the time

 

3) ORA Orange Kuda - stunning but supposedly only offered occasionally

 

Good to know that's another option for getting my seahorses!

 

$235 shipped? Not for this cheapskate

 

True, seahorses are pricey though!

[Kfmmartin19]

Damn those r sick. I like the first one the best.

 

Any idea of price?

 

I wonder if my LFS can order them...

[Felicia]

Damn those r sick. I like the first one the best.

 

Any idea of price?

 

I wonder if my LFS can order them...

I like the first one but I also really like the yellow kuda since they are more likely to actually stay yellow. Not sure on price yet. I just asked if they could get them. Based on prices on the internet though, I'm guessing $70-$80 each. But then if I go through the LFS, I won't have to pay $40-$50 in shipping on top of that.

[Zia]

Man! So yellow! Your seahorses stay yellow all the time right? So many of the seahorses seem to change colors on a daily basis, but I can't believe how bright yours stay. Makes me tempted to order from the same source.

I'll answer it ova here so anyone else interested in the info..

 

I know seahorses are capable of changing colors, somewhat, but in my two experiences keeping seahorses. Mine always stayed very close to there original purchased colors. In times ive noticed mine get slightly duller in color but have never witnessed them change more than a shad or two lighter or brighter. But never change to a completely different color all together?

 

Here's the wysiwg pics from SW, before i purchased them

Poni

 

Tales

 

Here's there color straight from a prolonged stressful shipping sitch

As you've seen in my thread, theve maintained there color.

 

Gratuitous pic

 

Here's my first pony from a few years ago (Hippocampus ingens) and she always kept her original color also. Dang i miss her now...

[masterbuilder]

Following your build closely

 

Funny thing is..... I just given a "never seen water Oceanic 30" about two weeks ago and doing the AIO routine just as you are. Unlike your tank I was planning a standard mixed reef. But after seeing your little herd I could be persuaded to change my mind.

 

For mine, waiting for UPS to get here with a Razor Nano LED, Tunze 9004 and other assorted equipment. As soon as I get all my stuff, can layout the rear chambers. I wish the O30 was not quite so tall but for your pony setup I cant think of a better tank. So...back to your awesome build........

[Zia]

$235 shipped? Not for this cheapskate

This is about as good as it gets in terms of price for tank bred domestic ponies.

 

140.00 w/ free shipping.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Seahorse--Erectus--USA-Captive-Bred--Unsexed_p_7221.html

 

They also carry the ORA also

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/ORA-Seahorse--Kuda-40unsexed41_p_1712.html

 

This is also a very good deal from a super quality breeder. With free shipping. Maybe you could call and request brighter color ponies.

http://seahorse.com/shop/1st-Time-Buyers-Special.html

 

This is what i almost went with before i got mine. Just request two females so you dont have to bother with seahorse fry

http://seahorse.com/shop/Sunburst-Special.html

 

Martin Alert: Really cheap prices but dunno nothing about em

http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Salt-Water-Vertebrates/

 

http://www.seahorsesource.com/erectus.html

 

I almost ordered a second pair from these folks, and i'll say they sent me wysiwg pics and and awesome service. If i do get another pony it will be from them.

http://shop.shop.seahorsecorral.com/

[gena]

That orange one is stunning!

 

Nice job on the AIO, Felicia!!!!!

[Kfmmartin19]

This is about as good as it gets in terms of price for tank bred domestic ponies.

 

140.00 w/ free shipping.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Seahorse--Erectus--USA-Captive-Bred--Unsexed_p_7221.html'>http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Seahorse--Erectus--USA-Captive-Bred--Unsexed_p_7221.html

 

They also carry the ORA also

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/ORA-Seahorse--Kuda-40unsexed41_p_1712.html'>http://www.saltwaterfish.com/ORA-Seahorse--Kuda-40unsexed41_p_1712.html

 

This is also a very good deal from a super quality breeder. With free shipping. Maybe you could call and request brighter color ponies.

http://seahorse.com/shop/1st-Time-Buyers-Special.html'>http://seahorse.com/shop/1st-Time-Buyers-Special.html

 

This is what i almost went with before i got mine. Just request two females so you dont have to bother with seahorse fry

http://seahorse.com/shop/Sunburst-Special.html'>http://seahorse.com/shop/Sunburst-Special.html

 

Martin Alert: Really cheap prices but dunno nothing about em

http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Salt-Water-Vertebrates/'>http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Salt-Water-Vertebrates/

 

http://www.seahorsesource.com/erectus.html'>http://www.seahorsesource.com/erectus.html

 

I almost ordered a second pair from these folks, and i'll say they sent me wysiwg pics and and awesome service. If i do get another pony it will be from them.

http://shop.shop.seahorsecorral.com/'>http://shop.shop.seahorsecorral.com/

 

Hmmm I'm liking the first (saltwater fish) option. I could get a regular and an ORA Colored one for $167 shipped

[Zia]

Hmmm I'm liking the first (saltwater fish) option. I could get a regular and an ORA Colored one for $167 shipped

In there description for the 'regular' one it say's

''Colors typically range from black, brown, grey, green, yellow, orange, and red''

 

Maybe when your ready, you could call them and request yellow or orange one's and hope they keep there color

[Kfmmartin19]

In there description for the 'regular' one it say's

''Colors typically range from black, brown, grey, green, yellow, orange, and red''

 

Maybe when your ready, you could call them and request yellow or orange one's and hope they keep there color

That's true, and then that way it'd be even less...I like the way u think

[Zia]

That's true, and then that way it'd be even less...I like the way u think

 

[Felicia]

Following your build closely

 

Funny thing is..... I just given a "never seen water Oceanic 30" about two weeks ago and doing the AIO routine just as you are. Unlike your tank I was planning a standard mixed reef. But after seeing your little herd I could be persuaded to change my mind.

 

For mine, waiting for UPS to get here with a Razor Nano LED, Tunze 9004 and other assorted equipment. As soon as I get all my stuff, can layout the rear chambers. I wish the O30 was not quite so tall but for your pony setup I cant think of a better tank. So...back to your awesome build........

Oh yay! I'll have another person with an Oceanic 30 on here! The tank is such perfect dimensions for seahorses! You should consider it I'm jealous that you're getting a Razor! I may have to save up for one of those. I'm getting a Tunze 9002, so I built the chambers around that and the other equipment I picked out. Do you have a thread for your new build yet? Post a link for me if/when you do. I want to follow what you do with your cube.

 

This is about as good as it gets in terms of price for tank bred domestic ponies.

 

140.00 w/ free shipping.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Seahorse--Erectus--USA-Captive-Bred--Unsexed_p_7221.html

 

They also carry the ORA also

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/ORA-Seahorse--Kuda-40unsexed41_p_1712.html

 

This is also a very good deal from a super quality breeder. With free shipping. Maybe you could call and request brighter color ponies.

http://seahorse.com/shop/1st-Time-Buyers-Special.html

 

This is what i almost went with before i got mine. Just request two females so you dont have to bother with seahorse fry

http://seahorse.com/shop/Sunburst-Special.html

 

Martin Alert: Really cheap prices but dunno nothing about em

http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Salt-Water-Vertebrates/

 

http://www.seahorsesource.com/erectus.html

 

I almost ordered a second pair from these folks, and i'll say they sent me wysiwg pics and and awesome service. If i do get another pony it will be from them.

http://shop.shop.seahorsecorral.com/

Thanks for all that info Zia! I may have to go with Southwatch just because I know yours stay their vibrant color. Those two ponies you have are half the pop in that tank. Southwatch isn't badly priced either. Only $90 for the bright yellow H. Erectus. Btw, do they do free shipping? I couldn't find on their site where it said a shipping cost and if I add ponies to my cart and go to checkout, it says "free shipping". If so, then that's an awesome deal.

 

I hadn't seen that package on Ocean Rider. Still pricey, but not too awful since shipping is included. I'd really love to go with Seahorsecorral because they just seem so awesome but man are they pricey. It will cost me just under $300 for 2 seahorses from them.

 

Saltwaterfish is where I got the idea to see if my LFS could order ORA Seahorses. That's also a reasonably priced option, but I don't know if they maintain their color all that well. I googled for photos of ORA seahorses and they don't look nearly as colorful as yours, Zia. Yours almost look like cartoon seahorses or something compared to a lot of the other "yellow" ones I see. Southwatch must have their breeding down!

 

Btw, your orange seahorse was stunning! Where did you get it?

 

That orange one is stunning!

 

Nice job on the AIO, Felicia!!!!!

Thanks, Gena! I just hope it works the way I want it too once there's water in there.

 

My Maxi-Jet return pump came today and it fits nicely in the chamber I made for it. Good to know the dimensions listed online for it were correct. I did a bit of sanding on the stand tonight to smooth out some imperfections. I plan to spray paint the stand and the back of the tank this Sunday.

 

Oh, I also ordered some nice abalone shells off ebay tonight. I was going to build that seahorse feeding station but decided it looked awful and bulky in the tank. I was planning to put it in the tank at feeding time and then remove it, but that seemed like a pain. I decided to do something different! I only spend a couple bucks on the material for the other one to try it out, so no biggie. The new plan is to pick the nicest abalone shell and epoxy it into the rock work so that it sticks out of the rock with the "bowl" side up. It will look natural and will serve as a bowl to put the mysis in. I'll use the clear plastic tube I bought to deliver the mysis down into the bowl. Supposedly its super easy to train the seahorses to use the feeding station. Since my tank doesn't have the insane filtration that Zia's does, I want to minimize the mess from feeding.

 

Like this:

[Kfmmartin19]

Cool idea on the feeding station

 

Btw get a razor. U know u want to

[Felicia]

Cool idea on the feeding station

 

Btw get a razor. U know u want to

Ha! Want to give me the money for one? I got to be able to afford these crazy expensive seahorses. I need bright colors which means $$$$$.

[Kfmmartin19]

Ha! Want to give me the money for one? I got to be able to afford these crazy expensive seahorses. I need bright colors which means $$$$$.

I'm getting nervous already

 

I don't like buying expensive things cuz I always find a way to break/kill them

[Felicia]

I'm getting nervous already I don't like buying expensive things cuz I always find a way to break/kill them

Yeah, I'm worried about getting such expensive seahorses. My normal price cut-off for fish is $50 so I won't be devastated if they die. I'm just going to make sure to test out the tank with fish before I add the seahorses. I figure if I take it slow then they should do well once I add them.

[Kfmmartin19]

Yeah, I'm worried about getting such expensive seahorses. My normal price cut-off for fish is $50 so I won't be devastated if they die. I'm just going to make sure to test out the tank with fish before I add the seahorses. I figure if I take it slow then they should do well once I add them.

Ya and I guess it's not that bad cuz we can always blame Zia if it comes to that.

 

I've never spend over $40 on a fish or coral

 

I'm scurd

[Felicia]

Ya and I guess it's not that bad cuz we can always blame Zia if it comes to that.

 

I've never spend over $40 on a fish or coral

 

I'm scurd

I'm going to be terrified until mine make it through a week or so and I get the feeding routine down.

 

There's a local seahorse breeder that has black H. Erectus for pretty cheap, so I may end up getting one of those to make sure I know what I'm doing before I add super expensive ones. I like the black ones, I just also want the pop of color from the bright ones. If I do that, I'd have 3 ponies: a black, and two yellow.

[Zia]

http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/ziareefer/media/1111111_zps4aa4312e.jpg.html'>

[Kfmmartin19]

What??? U have to acclimate these damn things?!?!?

 

Normally I just tape the bags to the ceiling above my tank and then cut the bottom and watch my new critter fall 8 feet into the aquarium

 

Why?, you might ask

 

 

 

 

And I don't really have an answer...

 

Edit: I need some sleep

[Zia]

Like this:

Much better, alot less bulky and blends in with scape better. But you'll find you wont even need that after a few weeks. There more a pain than anything else. I stopped using mine after two days.

Just turn off your powerheads and squirt a little bit in at a time. When that small portions eaten than a little more etc.. There good swimmers and will swim and catch most of it. What falls will be consumed by your cuc and lil fishy pals.

 

There's a local seahorse breeder that has black H. Erectus for pretty cheap, so I may end up getting one of those to make sure I know what I'm doing before I add super expensive ones. I like the black ones, I just also want the pop of color from the bright ones. If I do that, I'd have 3 ponies: a black, and two yellow.

That's awesome you have local pony breeder. That will be a great resource for you. I also want a black pony one with cool white highlights or white markings of somekind. And i love ponys with lots of Ciri like one of mine has. But i want one with lots more.

[Felicia]

You two are hilarious. Get some sleep!

 

Much better, alot less bulky and blends in with scape better. But you'll find you wont even need that after a few weeks. There more a pain than anything else. I stopped using mine after two days.

Just turn off your powerheads and squirt a little bit in at a time. When that small portions eaten than a little more etc.. There good swimmers and will swim and catch most of it. What falls will be consumed by your cuc and lil fishy pals.

 

That's awesome you have local pony breeder. That will be a great resource for you. I also want a black pony one with cool white highlights or white markings of somekind. And i love ponys with lots of Ciri like one of mine has. But i want one with lots more.

Good to know! All these breeders recommend the feeding station and a lot of people seem to use one. I guess maybe some seahorses aren't as active with hunting as yours? I'll build the shell into the scape so I can use it if I need it but if its easier to just target feed them, then I'll switch to that. I just want to minimize the amount of mysis I have left uneaten since my tank doesn't have a sump or big skimmer or anything.

 

Yeah, I'd love a black and white one. I am really thinking that I may go pick up one of his black ones (hopefully with some white) to start with and then order 2 expensive colorful ones. 3 would probably be a nice little group for this 30 gallon. Most of the sites say 10 gallons per seahorse. Only issue is, the local breeder has decided to take a break from breeding. He had 50 seahorses left when I emailed him about a week ago. He said summer demand is low, so there should be some left in August when I can add one to the tank. Once he's out of these 50 though, he's getting out of breeding for the time being. That's unfortunate. Hopefully I can get one from him before he runs out. His price was really cheap compared to online.

[Zia]

You two are hilarious. Get some sleep!

 

Good to know! All these breeders recommend the feeding station and a lot of people seem to use one. I guess maybe some seahorses aren't as active with hunting as yours? I'll build the shell into the scape so I can use it if I need it but if its easier to just target feed them, then I'll switch to that. I just want to minimize the amount of mysis I have left uneaten since my tank doesn't have a sump or big skimmer or anything.

Yea target feeding is easier for me to control how much mysis goes in the tank. Plus they come right up to the feeding tongs and i can feed them individually and insure there both getting optimal amounts per feeding. Thell start to recognize your baster or tongs and go where ever the tip of it is pointed. There fast learners like that.

 

Yeah, I'd love a black and white one. I am really thinking that I may go pick up one of his black ones (hopefully with some white) to start with and then order 2 expensive colorful ones. 3 would probably be a nice little group for this 30 gallon. Most of the sites say 10 gallons per seahorse. Only issue is, the local breeder has decided to take a break from breeding. He had 50 seahorses left when I emailed him about a week ago. He said summer demand is low, so there should be some left in August when I can add one to the tank. Once he's out of these 50 though, he's getting out of breeding for the time being. That's unfortunate. Hopefully I can get one from him before he runs out. His price was really cheap compared to online.

Wonder if he ships, let me know if he has anything extra ordinary

[Felicia]

Yea target feeding is easier for me to control how much mysis goes in the tank. Plus they come right up to the feeding tongs and i can feed them individually and insure there both getting optimal amounts per feeding. Thell start to recognize your baster or tongs and go where ever the tip of it is pointed. There fast learners like that.

 

Wonder if he ships, let me know if he has anything extra ordinary

Smart little things! I'll have to figure out what works best for me. Feeding them individually sounds nice to make sure they get enough food.

 

I can ask if he ships when I get back in touch with him when I'm ready for my first seahorse. I asked him about colors and here's what he said "At this stage of development they are all black with white strips or patches, depending on the individual. There will be some color change as they mature but they will not be bright colors. As you might expect colored seahorses would be much more expensive." I'll have to see how nice the white striped and patches are if he still has some left when I'm ready. I bet by then the nice ones may be gone. We'll see.

 

Btw, I meant to ask you, how do you go on vacation? With the seahorses needing to be fed 2 times a day 6 days a week, I'm trying to figure out how I can even leave for the weekend. I guess I could pay someone in my local club to seahorse sit. I always get a friend to check on my tank once a day, but twice a day is a lot. I wonder if I could rig up some sort of autofeeder. I don't travel much, but I do a weekend here and there and then at Christmas I spend about a week to 10 days with my family in Atlanta. I can't leave the tank alone that whole time, so I usually have friends pop in once a day.

[Zia]

Smart little things! I'll have to figure out what works best for me. Feeding them individually sounds nice to make sure they get enough food.

I'll have to make a video of how i regularly feed them for them for you. It's fun to watch em go through a whole feeding.

 

I can ask if he ships when I get back in touch with him when I'm ready for my first seahorse. I asked him about colors and here's what he said "At this stage of development they are all black with white strips or patches, depending on the individual. There will be some color change as they mature but they will not be bright colors. As you might expect colored seahorses would be much more expensive." I'll have to see how nice the white striped and patches are if he still has some left when I'm ready. I bet by then the nice ones may be gone. We'll see.

Interesting, maybe hell still have some special ones left

 

Btw, I meant to ask you, how do you go on vacation? With the seahorses needing to be fed 2 times a day 6 days a week, I'm trying to figure out how I can even leave for the weekend. I guess I could pay someone in my local club to seahorse sit. I always get a friend to check on my tank once a day, but twice a day is a lot. I wonder if I could rig up some sort of autofeeder. I don't travel much, but I do a weekend here and there and then at Christmas I spend about a week to 10 days with my family in Atlanta. I can't leave the tank alone that whole time, so I usually have friends pop in once a day.

That's kinda why i put them in my business to begin with. I knew i would have one or two people i could train to be tank sitters for me. I have a friend that owns a business across the street from mine. She comes over at lunch everyday to feed 'Her' ponies as she calls them. She is so memorized by them and gets her daily relaxation by seeing and feeding them. She knows how to turn the Hydors on and off and knows how much they eat etc.. So she will be my first choice TS for sure. She just built a new house and is already asking all the newbie questions and said ''you know i have this one wall where i could put a seahorse tank.... '' She has the fever bad.

 

I leave to Las Vegas at the end of the month for three days on business but my g/f will be here and equally knows there routine. So that trips covered. But yea make good with some locals in your club because you will no doubt need a very understanding seahorse loving TS someday.