210 gallon predator tank, decisions.

[screwloose]

Ok, so most of my time in the marine hobby has been spent on a reef tank, however, recently I decided to stop doing reef and to do a predator tank. I'm setting up a 210 gallon from scratch and am in the process of planning my plumbing and filtration.
I want a pretty open tank, so there wont be a whole lot of live rock, maybe 100 lbs at the most I'm thinking.
I'm not even sure yet of what fish I would like, I kinda wanted a small shark, but it sounds like my tank wouldn't be quite wide enough, 24" wide.
anyways, I have done some reading and I am thinking of using a wet dry filter and a in line fluidized sand filter along with a skimmer, however, it was my experience from reef keeping that the wet dry filters caused nitrate problems.
will this be the same case for a predator tank? are there any other recomendations you all can give me?
thanks in advance!

 

[aw2x3]

A wet dry can certainly be used. Alot of us remove the bio balls and replace with live rock pieces/rubble. I've never used a sand filter, so I cant give advice on that.
If you dont want alot of live rock in the display, pack it into the sump. You'll still get the very useful filtration from it and it'll be out of sight.
A large sump, with an incorporated refugium, an oversized skimmer and you're set.

 

[screwloose]

Thanks!
I had a refugium in my reef tank, I was thinking of going that route, but I was worried that it might not take care of the large chunks of food and things that would be in a predator tank. I thought the wet dry would take care of that better maybe.
should I incorporate any kind of mechanical filter?
So right now, I'm looking at a large sump with some LR, a protein skimmer, probably an aqua c, and a refugium, probably like 25 - 30 gallons. Is there anything else you guys would recomend? what about fish? What is something enjoyable that will live happily in this 210?
I mean, I thought yellow ray and then I thought banded cat shark, but I am concerned about the 24" width.

 

[krj-1168]

Well - screwloose, with a 24" wide tank - sharks aren't completely out of your reach.
The Coral & Marbled Catsharks(A. marmoratus & macleayi) reach about 24" and can be kept just fine in a 210 gallon tank.
The Bamboos, Eppies or a Horn pup will be fine for a year or two(depending on the species, and size of pup), in a tank that size. But will eventually need a larger tank or pond.

 

[screwloose]

hmmm, I will have to look into them then, I am going to be building a house in like three years, maybe I could even pull off a bamboo and upgrade to a wider tank in the new house.
are there any rays that would be ok in a 24" wide tank?

 

[psusocr1]

how long is the 210?? rays need alot of swimmign room and as you said very minimal rockwork with fine sand..
also if your going refugium make it more like 75 gallons not 30