Need help setting up shark tank

azreefer

azreefer

New Member
I'm hooked! I already have a reef tank so instead of making the 240 a reef, I'm going to do Leopard sharks. I realize that I will need to put them in a bigger aquarium in a few years but that won't be a problem. I've been looking for a reason to buy a bigger tank anyway. What is the best method for filtration on a shark tank. I currently have two of these canister filters.
They have a filter membrane in them but have no means of mechanical filtration. I guess I could pull the filters out of them and pack them with bio-media. Are these worth using or should I set up a wet-dry filter. Either is possible but I would rather use these if possible to save some money. For pumps, I have two Little Giant pumps that will circulate 810 gallons per hour. Will this be sufficient or should I turn the water over more. Also, I would assume a uv sterilizer would be helpful. Correct? Thanks for the help! I can't wait to get it set up.
 
azreefer

azreefer

New Member
The pumps are 4-MDQ-SC rated at 810 gph. I have two of them so I could move 1620 gallons per hour. Do you think this would be sufficient? I was thinking about putting 50 lbs of live rock in the tank instead of using a bio media. I would think that 50 lbs of live rock would grow more bacteria than bio balls in a wet dry. If I run the two canister filters with the filter membranes in them ( I realize I will have to clean these membranes every couple of days ) and hook up a huge protein skimmer do you think I will have sufficient filtration? To keep disolved oxygen high, I figured I would return the water through spraybars at the top to keep a lot of surface agitation.
Fire away! I need all the help I can get here :D
 
jim27

jim27

Member
How big are you willing to go after they outgrow the 240? Do you have a place to donate them too if things don't go as planned?
 
splash1914

splash1914

Member
buy or make a wet dry and use the two canisters as extra support.... 50 lbs of LR will not be sufficent to be used for your media/biological filtration.....LR should be a support to your wet/dry... espcially in an aggressive set up.... I have 200lbs of LR, 100lbs of LS, plus a wet/dry and skimmer.........make sure you buy a skimmer as well...are the pumps 810 gph at 4' or 1'... it makes a difference... having two is good.... Seriously, to be successful buy a wet/dry, skimmer, LS,LR and a RO unit.... Good luck....
 
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