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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 3:08:15 PM
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Guys, Gals,
I'm looking at getting another tank. The wife has even OK'd it. Actually she suggested it, so no way I go wrong here. 
I'm looking at setting up FOWL shark tank. I've done a little reading, at it seems that most of the smaller cat and bamboo sharks all like a mostly fine sand tank, with some live rock to go and hide under, so FOWL seems to be the way to go. Asking the LFS they recommended pairing the shark with a ray, as most things will pick on the shark. Not a problem with me at all, although I had also wanted a burr fish, and possibly a large angle. Anyone have any experience with that fish combination?
At the moment I'm looking at tanks between 180 and 200 gallons. I've got my eye on a diamond 190 gallon too. That shape would give plenty of swimming room, more than, a normal rectangle. Then I can put some rocks at the back and make a cave, and leave the front open and sandy. Underneath I'll run a skimmer, wet/dry, and Rainbow 4 filter combo (the chem, mech, UV, heater set), which should keep it clean. I know the sharks are messy, so I'll over size it.
I already have a 175 Gallon reef, with RO/DI and auto top-off etc, so I have just about every bit of ancillary equipment already lying around, and can spare all of that.
So, guys... who can point out the flaws? I'd much rather here them today, than after I have this tank set up.
Now, I'm off to buy a couple more fish books to read up,
Alex
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Alex and Coral
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:54:52 PM
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Hi--
thanks for the question.
When you say new tank diminseions--care to elaborate? A normal 180 or 240 are 6ft , or 7 ft long, this 180, 190, 200 your describing is not typical.
you are correct about sand bottoms and some rockwork/caves for the animals to hide/retire too.
Also may i ask what the plans are for filtration on this system
Frank
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"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems."- John Gardner
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 3:08:15 PM
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It isn't a rectangular tank, but a diamond. This should allow much more swimming space than a regular rectangular tank.
Filtration will be a wet/dry, 4-part Rainbow LifeGuard (mech, chem, heat, UV), and a skimmer.
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Alex and Coral
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:28:54 AM
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A 180 - 200 gallon tank is too small for bamboo sharks. The only sharks that will be able to be housed in this tank would be the smaller coral cat sharks.
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/30/2008 8:30:27 AM
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| I have been planning on buying a bamboo shark for a couple of years and i think im going to do so in a couple of months...I have read that 200 gallons would be enough....You say that would not be and recomend a Coral Cat Shark....I tried looking up Coral Cat Sharks an could not find any information, actually articles with the bamboo shark even popped up....Could you provide any links to more information about the Coral Cat Sharks... Thanks....
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:54:52 PM
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Sonny--
Do you have Scott michaels book "sharks & rays?
It a great resource for answering shark questions.
Frank
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"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems."- John Gardner
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/30/2008 8:30:27 AM
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| No, I plan on buying it ASAP
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/7/2008 7:06:23 AM
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| I've got my eye on a diamond 190 gallon too. That shape would give plenty of swimming room, more than, a normal rectangle. Plenty? I think that is stretching it. A 500 gallon aquarium is only big to humans. To be honest if you really want to set up a shark tank I'm surprised you aren't looking into a 750 gal or even something larger. To say that a 190 gal has plenty of swimming room is a pretty bold statement. Adam
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Did you notice that I don't have anything useful to say down here?
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/30/2008 8:30:27 AM
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| That type of shark stays smaller than most humans except little kids....
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2008 8:29:50 PM
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| I would say that a 180 gal tank is way to small. I twice, unsuccessfully both times, tried to keep a 6-8 inch bamboo shark in my 5 foot long 100 gallon tank. My experience was basically that the shark needed a larger tank. It would swim around the tank and constantly bump into everything. I will admit that the tank had quite a bit of live rock, but it did have a rather large area of sand. I will never again attempt to put any kind of shark, not even a shark egg in a tank less than 1000 gallons. And furthermore, I would not/could not endorse putting an animal like a shark in anything less than 500 gallons. I would seriously consider getting a larger tank. And I would consider getting a custom tank built. Something like this: 8 feet long by 6 feet wide by 2 feet tall. And even then, the tank is fairly small for a 40 inch shark. Just imagine if someone locked you in your walk in closet; you wouldn't like that, would you? I may sound like I'm getting carried away with myself, but know what I'm saying is my honest opinion. Rick P.S. Just because the books say you "CAN" (read can, not should) put a shark in a 180 gal tank does not mean that you should. The books also say that you can put a Queen Angel (A fish that grows to a foot and a half when fully grown) in a 180 gallon tank. I've seen a fully grown French Angel in a 180 gal. tank and all that the fish could do is pace back and forth. It barely had enough room to turn around in the tank. There are many other instances where our trusty books are seriously mistaken. Such as when they say that you can put the 7.5 foot long Green Moray into a 180 gal tank or likewise with the Giant Moray (grows to nearly ten feet and 150 pounds) in a 260 gallon tank. It is nothing short of insanity, with all due respect. If you do try the shark, best of luck to you, but be forewarned.
"What luck for government that men don't think." --A.H.
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