Requirements of a shark tank?

[james1990]

Hey all,
I'm planning on a big upgrade when I move into my new house within a year, so I'm looking at what type of tank I would like to run. I want to stay away from a mixed reef. I was thinking of doing a small SPS tank, and a large softie or fish only tank.

question is, I know I can't have much else in a tank with a shark, but what size tank is recommended to house one safely and in good health? Does the equipment have to be as serious as a reef tank? I just want to see what I would be getting myself into.

Any information would be awesome. And pics would be better!

 

[thirty6]

id check out jarretsharks threads, probly answer good amount of questions you might have. good luck, that sounds like a serious committment

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

id check out jarretsharks threads, probly answer good amount of questions you might have. good luck, that sounds like a serious committment

1+ he's the king shark on MR LOL. He's the guy you need to ask question about setting up a shark tank.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Reefs

 

[skene]

+500G
extra large skimmer
scuba/snorkelling equipment to clean the inside of tank

 

[JonnyJ]

A truck load of SAND, and Deep pockets to feed correctly.

 

[jaa1456]

It all depends on the type of shark you are looking to keep. There are different requirements for different sharks. If you are looking into the bamboo and small cat sharks you would need a 300 gallon DD by Marineland for 1-2 of them. Or at least an 8 foot tank with at least 30"s wide. The depth can be shorter but at least 18"s I would say. If you plan on a black tip reef shark or anything else like that then you will need at least a 10' tank by at least 3' and I would say at least 24"s tall.

 

[Geraud]

There are a lot of examples on http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/

In general, requiem sharks (aka "Sharky looking" sharks, the smallest ones being the black tip reef afaik) require preferably a round pool so that they can swim constantly and cannot get stuck in a corner.

 

[ravi197699]

and try to have round corners of the tank so that they don't hit the glass

 

[noelskii]

 

[Reef Fixations]

Best case scenario for a shark that doesn't swim should be at least 8 foot long. Take into consideration how long a shark is or can get and then also take into consideration that sharks don't swim like a tang or an angel would where there is no method to the madness, they just go where the breeze takes them. They have a "glide pattern" and after a couple of small movements of their tail, they'll just glide to the other side of the tank. If you have a 2' shark and a 6' tank, the shark isn't going to wait til he hits the glass before he turns around so you have less than 6' of swimming room. By the time he pushes from one side towards the other he's at the other side and there wasn't even enough time for him to glide making it not the best enviroment for a even a small shark of only 2'.

10-12' tanks are best if not larger IMO.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

For the smaller benthic species, such as the "cat" sharks , you will need a 300 (6'x3') MINIMUM since they don't leave the substrate or move much but a larger system would be better. The Requiem Sharks are going to start at 3,500-4,000gal MINIMUM and that's for the small guys like the Leopards. Sharks are not an easy animal to care for and you need to do a lot of research, not just on sharks but on the actual species you intend to keep because each one can have specific needs or signs of distress or potential health issues. Don't buy them with the intention of giving them away because most of the species you can house in those small tanks are already overflowing at most aquariums, plan on housing them for the duration of their life.

The equipment needed for their systems isn't much different from your reef just on a much larger and more expensive scale.

I really recommend doing your own research on this one before you get your heart set on anything.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

+500G
extra large skimmer
scuba/snorkelling equipment to clean the inside of tank

500gal isn't large enough to require SCUBA gear or snorkels. If you can buy an algae magnet for the tank that isn't a special order, it doesn't require dive gear.

 

[james1990]

advice all over the place here, but I see where the requirements lay. Believe me, I wasnt set on this but wanted to do some research. seems like 8-10 foot is the min tank size and 3foot deep. Would make a great room divider tank. awesome info

 

[lfsmarineguy]

3' deep is still barely cutting it with the benthic sharks as some of the females can get just over 3'. I would say 3'Hx4'Wx8-10L would be a decent tank for a pair just expect the acrylic to get scratched up with them in there.

 

[brunoboarder2444]

Make a saltwater pond with a viewing window!

Also for a tank like that look into plywood tanks

Sent from my PC36100 using Reefs

 

[OOtzie]

you need an oval tank because sharks like to swim in a circle, needs to be 10+ft long and at least 5-7feet tall. There's a reason they keep them in the aquarium.

 

[Weicowireman]

Really deep pockets and a continuous flow of cash

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

Lots of good advice on this post but one is missing!!! I would stay away from a shark tank IMO!!! I was like you when I first bought my shark!!! Thought very cool idea?? I first got a 150gal with Leopards sharks. Then that went to bamboo sharks and then ended with 2 nurse shark and black/white tips!!! One thing that stunk was the sharks kept getting bigger and I needed bigger tank. tanks went from 150 to 250 to 350 to 450 to 1000gal I ended up with 2 nurse sharks that are close to 4-5' long in a 10' long tank!!! I lost one last year and it broke my heart. Was about 13 years old. We tried to call every Aquarium but nobody wants sharks because either to big or they have to many!!! The tank maintenance is double then any reef due to the poop they give out. Cleaning filter pads every 2 days sucks!!! 200gal Water change every 2 weeks to keep ammonia down. Can't keep any fish with him because he eats anything that he see. My advice is you see sharks in aquarium for a reason so go visit one often!!! Listen some might disagree but when you have one for close to 15 years the money I went thru between tanks,salt, skimmers,etc it ended up a lot. I would buy a nice 500gal and put some eels, triggers, puffers, angels,etc looks better then 1-2 sharks swimming around. It gets boring........
Black tips cost $900-1400 per shark and they are so easy to kill if water is not perfect!!!
Good luck and PM me with any questions

 

[kres1024]

If you want a shark just stick with a bamboo don't get to big there're fine with angels ,eels ,puffers ,tangs ..ect

 

[cmantis]

Here you go:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fod/3248521304.html