Adding a Shark.....

[daleg3556]

I have been keeping marine fish for over 20 years. I have basically the same filtration system now as I had then. Undergravel with powerheads and a tank mounted Aquaclear. I have added a protein skimmer. My current tank is a 75g. I have had good success probably because I do not have a large tank load. I have a Tomato Clown I have had for 17 years, a Niger Trigger for 4 and a Clown Trigger for 1 1/2. Last week I was at the fish store buying supplies and saw a Bamboo Shark. I had never seen one before. $99 later he was in my tank. So far doing well. At this point I know I need to upgrade. I could fit a 150-200g tank where mine sits. I am trying to determine what would be the best filtration? Would live rock and protein skimmer work, or are there better alternatives? Thanks for any insight. Dale

 

[jake65]

...um I'm still stuck on the 17 yr old tomato clown...thats amazing!

 

[daleg3556]

I got the Clown in 1988. In 1989 I lived in Charleston, SC when Hurricane Hugo struck. Was without power for 11 days. Rigged up a car battery with a boat bilge pump to circulate H2O. He survived that and 2 moves since. Still going strong. Dale

 

[Krish]

um I'm still stuck on the 17 yr old tomato clown...thats amazing!

Yeah...That's what I was thinking.(LOL). Yeah, I think you will definately need a good skimmer because predator fish produce a lot of waste. The problem with adding a lot of LR IMO, is the shark wouldn't have much place to rest or swim depending on how it is set up. I would go for the biggest tank you can afford. The more water the better. Just a few thoughts...

 

[Krish]

Any pictures by any chance of the sharky?

 

[MtnDewMan]

I have a pair of Oscellaris clowns that I have had for 15 years. Well done on your 17 year old clown.

 

[daleg3556]

I will try and post a pic of the shark tomorrow. I have been participating in wrist watch forums for years and posting pictures. I am new to this site, but assume I can figure it out. I worked 12 hours in the ER today and too tired to do it, but off Tomorrow! Thanks for your replies. Dale

 

[Krish]

You are right about being new! Sorry I missed that. I can't believe I did! Welcome to RF buddy, glad you are here!

 

[clayswim]

Welcome to RF!
Yeah, you'll definitely need more filtration. Do you have the live rock already, or would you be adding some? If you're adding it you have to make sure the rock is completely cured; otherwise it would be adding even more stress to the system. Lots of live rock will work in a tank with large fish, but as Krish pointed out Sharks don't really prefer massive amounts of rock. One thing that might be possible is to add another tank to the system and place your rock in there. It could even be something like a Rubbermaid livestock tank with lots of water flow. If you decide against live rock for biological I'd suggest a trickle filter; just keep an eye on nitrates.

For chemical/mechanical you just can't beat a really good protein skimmer. They remove an extraordinary amount of waste and cost next to nothing to maintain. I also run carbon every once in a while, although it's not really necessary.

Clayton

 

[NaH2O]

Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!!

I'll be the first to admit, I know nothing about keeping sharks in an aquarium. I did find this article very informative, so if you haven't read it, then you might want to. It will help you set-up the new tank: Sharks For the Home Aquarium?. A great protein skimmer will be very important, according to the article. It also indicates that some triggers are opportunistic shark pickers. Are you worried about the shark eating your clown at all?

 

[daleg3556]

Photo of my shark

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/da/daleg3556/shark1.jpg

Here is a photo I snapped this AM. Sorry for the algea on the side of the tank, but he was resting comfortable and I did not want to disturb him. Dale

 

[spongebob lover]

ohh boy there's a shark in there !!!!
welcome to Reef Comedy !! hmm really don't know anything about sharks the only info i knwo it's that they bite .
anyways i just wanted to say welcome

 

[Detri]

Welcome friend, I to have the oldschool hang-on fiilters. I hope my clowns live that long . Nice shark by the way

 

[Krish]

The shark looks cool Dale! Time for that new tank now!

 

[Maxx]

Dale,
Bamboo sharks are among the less active sharks suitable for home aquariums, but they are still pretty active. Depending on the dimensions, the 200 gallon tank might be sufficient to keep it, but only barely. The ideal shark tank has alot of surface area and room for the shark to swim more than "laps" back and forth in the tank. Long and narrow isnt ideal for shark tanks.

Other things to keep in mind....
It sounds strange, but most sharks kept in home aquariums are not aggressive and are usually picked on by more diminant fish.
Fish like your triggers, large angels, old cranky territorial clowns etc, dont make good shark tankmates. I've seen sharks killed or badly injured by larger angels, tangs and triggers.

I suggest you reconsider the shark or dedicate a tank to it and go from there.

Nick

 

[bradreef]

great looking shark. Haven't seen the color in person but I am sure it is great. I would think that they would prefer a sandy substrate like the rays because they lay in it..

 

[daleg3556]

Hi Maxx,
Thanks for your input. At this point asking me to re-consider the shark is like asking the government to re-consider medicare. And by the looks of things may get about as expensive, but hopefully I will have better results. So far everyone is getting along pretty well. The shark is eating well and has no battle scars. I have a new wet-dry filter system and larger protein skimmer on order which will accomodate a larger tank. I am planning to establish the filter for a few weeks and then switch to the bigger tank. I do not have the space for 2 tanks, so will have one bigger one. I have done pretty well for the past 23 years by not messing around too much with success. This is the biggest change I have made. Truth be told I have not checked my water chemistry in over 10 years and do not even own a test kit. But then again I have not added or lost a fish in over 18 months. They all appear healthy and at times I think micro-managing can do more harm than good. I realize I have entered an area where I have not been before and have much to learn. I will do my best to ensure my fish live long healthy lives. Dale

 

[Maxx]

I hadnt realized you already ahd the shark in your tank. My apologies for the misunderstanding. How long have you had it in the tank with the triggers and clown? Any issues?

Nick

 

[daleg3556]

Hi Nick,

Almost a week now. So far so good. I can't say at feeding time the Triggers are not a little territorial, but if I reach in an place a piece if squid or shrimp in front of the shark he will come right over and eat it. I know I run the risk of getting bit by doing that, but frankly the niger Trigger is more concerning as far as biting to me than the shark...at least at this point. For a number of years my tank has just sat in the living room and I fed them and did a monthly partial water change...often dredding going through the motions. The shark has really got me excited about my fish again!! Dale

 

[Maxx]

Its always fun to hand feed something like that. I used to hand feed my leopard shark. A suggestion on hand feeding critters with teeth.
Make a fist. Hold the food with the side of the hand, between the thumb and index finger or curled in the index finger. The object is to have no fingers, (which smell like food since they're holding food) exposed for hungry critters to gnaw on.

Nick