preparing for a shark

[jm38092]

I have a couple of questions about setting up a shark tank. I might get a 125 gallon tank and i have some questions about setting it up for a shark. I would use live sand for the substrate, and place some live rock in it so it has something to hide behind, and to help with biological filtration. My question is what kind of filtration should i use, and how long should the tank cycle. I would be placing a banded cat shark egg in the tank. So my next question is how long will it take to hatch? I think i've found plenty of info on feeding the sharkling once it's hatched, so i have that part covered, i just need to know everything up until that point. Also, how long could it live in a 125 before it needed an upgrade. Thanks for any help.

 

[gasguzzler]

I run a wet dry made from a 55 gallon with 2 750 Mag drives. I also run a HOT Magnum 350. I think you should at least set up a 180 if this is the only tank you plan to keep it in. Most would argue that it needs a larger tank, but as long as it is by itself, you should be OK. As far as incubation time goes it varies greatly with temperature and how old the specimen is. Usually from my experience, after the yolk sack disappears, there is about a two week wait. DO NOT GET NERVOUS AND CUT HIM OUT!!! You might kill him.

 

[mattiej]

I second what gasguzzler said. If at all possible go with a 180. If not you might have to tranfer the shark in as little as a year to year and a half. Otherwise your choice of substrate is very good. You will need a very reliable and properly sized bio-filter and a high quality protein skimmer. It would be best to have the filter cycled and ready to go before you introduce the egg case, however you might consider using the chemical method of cycling the tank ( use an ammonia solution and seed the filter with a bacteria culture from some live rock). Remember there will only be enough bacteria to handle a small bioload at first, when you start feeding the hatchling do so cautiously at first to allow the nitrifying bacteria time to grow in population. You won't need much live rock but be very sure that any structure you build will not be undermined by the shark and cause a rock slide. I would recommend placing the rock directly on the tank bottom ( a trick I've used is to use a piece of inert window screening and lay that on the tank bottom first-this helps keep the rock from sliding should a shark dig under the rock) and then placing the sand around it. A good canister filter will allow you to use carbon or polyfilters when needed and provide extra current. It would help to have a gentle current constantly wash the case, not too strong but just enough to keep detritus from settling. I also agree with gasguzzler that it is unwise to try and cut the shark out early. Good luck.

 

[benthic]

All good advice so far. Just wanted to suggest that you look into getting a reef ready tank in the 180+ range, unless you just don't mind buying another tank a couple years down the road. Check out something like the new all-glass 210 reef ready, not that much more than 125's. You'll want the sump for a good skimmer, like a becket type.
You don't need to do much with the egg case, just be patient and let it come out when it's ready. Keep the lids on the tank too, they can jump.

 

[midwest reefer]

some things Id add...
Be sure that your LR is on one side of the tank, leaving atleast 4 feet x however wide the tank is of open sand. open sand will allow more swimming room.
Use the finest grade sand, the bigger the sand, the highter the possibility of scratching its belly.
Go with atleast a 240... Bamboos grow to 3 feet, and a 180 is only 6 feet long ...
Run a magnum 350 like said above and throw a UV sterilizer on it. This will help prevent you from disaster...(learned the hard way)
Make your own sump if possible, with atleast 3 gallons of bio balls for bio filtration, a decent filter pad for mechanical and definatly a good skimmer.(skimmer is critical)
Make it the only animal in the tank.

 

[jm38092]

I apperciate all the help and suggestiong guys. The reasong I was looking at the 125 was because i knew someone selling one and I thought I was going to be able to get a good deal. It turned out they wanted like 500 dollars for the tank and filter, and the filter they were offering wouldn't be up to par for what the shark would need. So i'm going to keep looking before I decide offically what to do.

 

[mattiej]

That is a great idea. Sharks are facinating animals and can live long lives with the proper care and home. It is best to start out right so that you can enjoy the animal rather than constantly have to work just to keep the shark alive. WAY TO GO!!:jumping: