Shark Tank

[Teen Aquarist]

So I am going to get a shark tank. I want to keep the cost down as much as I can, so I will prob get a glass tank. I heard that sharks cant have any metal in the tank is that true how could I filter the water if I cant have any metal? I'll prob get the cheepest lighting I can get for the tank would that be ok? Oh and what size of tank should I get? I like the idea of having a shark egg and raisng it.

[widmer]

IMO it would be more of a win-win situation for you and the shark if you hang around in the hobby for a while first and try keeping some regular fish before you commit to the multi-hundred gallon aquarium necessary to keep a small shark. At this point, if you're not familiar with any filtration devices that are aquarium-safe, it might be better to surf the forum and do some more reading.

[Teen Aquarist]

I have a full reef. So I feel I can handle a shark.

[widmer]

Where did you get the impression that filters leach metal into the water?

I just read your sig, is that what you mean by fully stocked reef?

[Teen Aquarist]

lol no I dont have the reef in my sig not enough space.

[ReefTECK]

Yeah, even the smallest, most inactive sharks, the cat sharks, like a banded cat shark, or a port jackson, etc. will grow to be about 30" within a very short period of time. Requiring at very minimum a 180 gallon tank, and that's being VERY liberal. Most people would advocate an aquarium closer to 300-500 gallons for an appropriate habitat for even one of these cat sharks. I would feel awful myself, tanking a grown cat shark in a 180 for any length of time.

A tank of 300-500 gallons, bare bones (basic sump, tank, rock, sand, skimmer) would run about $8,000 easy.

Aquarium equipment today is designed to keep metals out of the water, specifically, what you might have read is copper. Copper is regularly used in commercial aquarium systems to treat for bacteria and parasites.

And to honest with you, I fell in love with a pair of blue spot stingrays in my 400 gallon tank at work (also this tank is too small IMO), and I've adored the baby cat sharks we've special ordered once or twice over the years, but cat sharks are lethargic and kind of lame after a while.

If you want a "shark looking" shark, the smallest ones (besides a handful of cold water species) would be a smoothound, and the smallest of those reach 44" in size at adult age, somewhere around 3-4 years. You would want a 8'x6'x2' tank at very least (700 gallon) but seriously, these are very active sharks and both you and the shark would prefer closer to the range of 12'x8'x3' (2200 gallons).

Keep the dream alive, do some research.

Cheers,
Andy

[Teen Aquarist]

Hmmm I read somewhere that sharks can sence metal and it makes them crazy if any metal is in the tank. I am planing on getting this: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...pcatid=294&N=0

[Teen Aquarist]

Hey would 1,700 gph be ok in the 180g or 220g shark tank?

[marlin_dory]

listen IMO i would just leave the shark in the ocean where there is prectine water quality but if u think u can keep a shark y dont u make a wood enclosure and put pond liner in it let the water fill up the liner and afterwards nail, staple or whatever to keep the pond liner in place

[ReefTECK]

adult reaches a length of 3-5 feet.

Yeah, and although liveaquaria has some decent stuff on their website, they're still a commercial outfit designed to sell things. That makes their judgment a little questionable on the suggestion of a 180gallon aquarium.

I'm strongly opposed. It would be more feasible and cost effective to build a pool in say the basement of your home, you can find fiberglass pools at www.polytankco.com or www.aquaculturetanks.com, or find one of the many "how tos" online for a DIY project.

Just be ready and willing when the time comes. Because that shark will get to the size that your going to look at him in a 180 gallon tank and your gonna go, "damn, you really need a bigger tank." With a banded cat shark that can take almost 6 years, but it comes up faster than you think. And it's very difficult to find public aquariums that will take a shark in.

[avshockey311]

Keeping the cost down on a shark tank would be nearly impossible. I am with everyone else, you probably should do a little more research and really get an idea of what it is going to take to operate a successful shark tank. If it was me I would not want the shark to "survive" but rather be happy and healthy in its captive world. IMO sharks are better off in their natural habitat.

[ReefTECK]

Hey would 1,700 gph be ok in the 180g or 220g shark tank?

1700gph what? total water motion? Return pump? That would all depend, on what the head load on the pump is, wheather its a hi pressure pump. How many auxilary filters and devices are you going to run (ie Ca Reactor, UV, chiller, fuge, canister filters, fluidized bed filter, etc.) and thus plumb off the return line.

You really don't have enough experience to be entertaining this idea to set up anytime immediately. I can respect if your just wanting to discuss the possibilities etc. But don't pretend, or suppose that its going to be any small undertaking.

[Teen Aquarist]

Well my dad had a shark for years and years in a large tank. So he knows how to care for them. He has been keeping salt water tanks for over 25 years.

[xdfireguy]

You should definitely check out Scott Michael's book "Aquarium Sharks & Rays". I have read it cover to cover and learned a lot about shark "husbandry" and came to the conclusion that keeping any type of shark is not for me, at least not anytime soon. Some people have great success, depending on the species, but even the smallest ones need a lot of room.

[Teen Aquarist]

Originally posted by ReefTECK


1700gph what? total water motion? Return pump? That would all depend, on what the head load on the pump is, wheather its a hi pressure pump. How many auxilary filters and devices are you going to run (ie Ca Reactor, UV, chiller, fuge, canister filters, fluidized bed filter, etc.) and thus plumb off the return line.

You really don't have enough experience to be entertaining this idea to set up anytime immediately. I can respect if your just wanting to discuss the possibilities etc. But don't pretend, or suppose that its going to be any small undertaking.

Return pump.

[ReefTECK]

It's an awesome goal, but don't pretend like you can do it in a 180.

[kar93]

If your dad has kept marine sharks before then you should have a good long chat with him about them before even buying a tank.

[bdif]

There's no such thing as a 180-220 shark tank. Would just be a place to keep them while they slowly die...

[ReefTECK]

For sure! Then, get your hands on his wallet...and run boy RUNNNNNNNN!!! All the way to the aquarium factory!

[kar93]

Also do alot of searching round the forums and google.There is a shark build on here its a 240g which is going to house a BABY shark and will probably need upgrading when the shark starts to grow. Although being seen as one of the hardest creatures in the ocean, sharks are very sensitive. The population is declining fast enough already so please if you are serious about this, Research ALOT before doing anything.

[Teen Aquarist]

Ok OK I can get a round 460 g tank it is not clear so I would have to look at it through the top. Or I could get a Fiberglass Tank with Window 336gal. Does that make you guys happy lol?

[xdfireguy]

Where in the world do you put a 460g tank? I would have to build an addition to the house for the tank, and another for the equipment alone.

Hmmm...that would be nice...now if only I could find that winning lottery ticket.

[snorvich]

I don't think they are trying to make themselves happy. I think they are trying to insure that the shark has some chance at staying alive.

[adammreef]

not trying to steal your thread or anything , but has anyone ever heard that when you keep a shark in your home it can sense the electrical current in the house and can confuse the shark and make it more difficult to locate prey and rocks in the tank? IMO sharks should be left in the wild where they belong just my 02

[chrismunn]

if you want a shark, you should consider this...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...00g_tank_1.php

i would also disagree with a shark in a tank as small as a 220.... im no expert, but having a shark in a tank thats just big enough for it to turn around in isnt the route your going to want to take.

besides gallonage, i would take into consideration the dimentions of the tank. your not going to want a 700 gallon tank thats 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 15 feet tall. but rather a tank thats 700 gallons and 4 feet wide by 10 feet long by 1.5 - 2 feet tall.
the exact numbers on that are just example numbers and are not by any stretch of the imagination accurate, but just used as an example, so hold the hatred please!

seriously though, what that guy did in the link i posted, is awsome!