How to convert a reef tank to a shark tank??

datsunfiveten · 08/11/2012, 10:28 PM

I have a 180 gal with a 40 gal sump. Currently a reef tank with soft coral and some fish. I want to change over to shark tank i use a protien skimmer and a filter sock for filtration and i have around 220 pounds of live rock. I was wondering what i need to do to allow it to house sharks i know that i can not have live rock in display. But what else is needed?

natebedwell06 · 08/12/2012, 07:04 AM

if you want it to house sharks, make your 180 a refugium because your going to need a lot bigger tank

azjohnny · 08/12/2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natebedwell06

if you want it to house sharks, make your 180 a refugium because your going to need a lot bigger tank

+1....a lot bigger than that. At least 350 gals

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bsagecko · 08/12/2012, 08:22 AM

Like everyone else has said you will need a larger tank...

I am assuming your 180g is standard 6x2x2 at which point the only shark really suitable for that tank size would be Izu Catsharks (Scyliorhinus tokubee); however they require water temperatures around 50~60 F so you will need a massive chiller to keep the temperature low. Also sourcing them will not be easy as they are infrequently imported and even when they are you will pay around $1000 possibly more per shark. There was a guy breeding them down in the Tampa, FL area but I'm not sure if any are still available as that was about 2 years. However, if you removed some of that rock from the display tank and had the chiller/filtration to deal with the bioload and the needed cold temperatures your tank is large enough to house one and they do quite well in captivity if the requirements are met.

Outside of this species your looking mostly at around or above 500 gallons with a several thousand dollar filtration system and I would highly recommend the Ultima II or something similiar.

Hope this helps

datsunfiveten · 08/12/2012, 08:33 AM

Thanks for info i seen the sharks on live aquira that say 180 min. I want to do a cold saltwater shark tank area of 400 gal but i thought the bamboo sharks would be cool untill i could afford it. but i will stick to reef tank for now

alprazo · 08/12/2012, 07:44 PM

Cold water is the only way to go with a 180.
The chain cats are great looking and captive raised are available. I also have a friend breeding izu. Another option as mentioned. You'll trade the lighting and heating costs for a chiller. The one for lobster tanks is set at 55f. Easily found used and is the perfect temp for the chains. You won't need 400 for them.

humaguy · 08/12/2012, 08:14 PM

get a stock tank or a frp tank...

datsunfiveten · 08/12/2012, 10:16 PM

Those are really cool little sharks never seen them before i am used to lepoards, seven gills, and soupfins. Ill look more into them

08/11/2012, 10:28 PM	#1
datsunfiveten Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 69	How to convert a reef tank to a shark tank?? I have a 180 gal with a 40 gal sump. Currently a reef tank with soft coral and some fish. I want to change over to shark tank i use a protien skimmer and a filter sock for filtration and i have around 220 pounds of live rock. I was wondering what i need to do to allow it to house sharks i know that i can not have live rock in display. But what else is needed?

08/12/2012, 07:04 AM	#2
natebedwell06 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rockville, Indiana Posts: 209	if you want it to house sharks, make your 180 a refugium because your going to need a lot bigger tank __________________ 225 gallon with 60 gallon sump, 8 bulb t5 with sps and lps Current Tank Info: 225 fowlr with some lps

08/12/2012, 08:22 AM	#4
bsagecko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,685	Like everyone else has said you will need a larger tank... I am assuming your 180g is standard 6x2x2 at which point the only shark really suitable for that tank size would be Izu Catsharks (Scyliorhinus tokubee); however they require water temperatures around 50~60 F so you will need a massive chiller to keep the temperature low. Also sourcing them will not be easy as they are infrequently imported and even when they are you will pay around $1000 possibly more per shark. There was a guy breeding them down in the Tampa, FL area but I'm not sure if any are still available as that was about 2 years. However, if you removed some of that rock from the display tank and had the chiller/filtration to deal with the bioload and the needed cold temperatures your tank is large enough to house one and they do quite well in captivity if the requirements are met. Outside of this species your looking mostly at around or above 500 gallons with a several thousand dollar filtration system and I would highly recommend the Ultima II or something similiar. Hope this helps __________________ There are three things that will never be believed- the true, the probable, the logical (Steinbeck) Obey little, Resist much Current Tank Info: Out of the Hobby until I have a Fortune :)

08/12/2012, 07:44 PM	#6
alprazo salt '82, reef '88 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Delaware Posts: 983 Blog Entries: 4	Cold water is the only way to go with a 180. The chain cats are great looking and captive raised are available. I also have a friend breeding izu. Another option as mentioned. You'll trade the lighting and heating costs for a chiller. The one for lobster tanks is set at 55f. Easily found used and is the perfect temp for the chains. You won't need 400 for them. __________________ Saltwater since '82, reef '88, sharks '92 "Common sense solutions" is purposefully ignoring science. Current Tank Info: SRO XP8000, RK2 25PE, RF Orca 250

08/12/2012, 08:33 AM	#5
datsunfiveten Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 69	Thanks for info i seen the sharks on live aquira that say 180 min. I want to do a cold saltwater shark tank area of 400 gal but i thought the bamboo sharks would be cool untill i could afford it. but i will stick to reef tank for now

08/12/2012, 08:14 PM	#7
humaguy Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Western Ct, NYC Posts: 2,839	get a stock tank or a frp tank...

08/12/2012, 10:16 PM	#8
datsunfiveten Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 69	Those are really cool little sharks never seen them before i am used to lepoards, seven gills, and soupfins. Ill look more into them