Shark Tank Filtration

[deuce biggalow]

Somebody sent me an e-mail telling me that if I get a protein skimmer that turns the water over 6 times per hour, I will not need a wet/dry system in the tank. It will be a fish only - marble cat shark, banded shark, and a few tangs, etc. Is this a bad idea????? Justin

 

[gibbus]

Yes you should get a protein skimmer. Sharks produce alot of waste

 

[beefller]

Here is a link for skimmers that turn over large amounts of water and it has some good information for using skimmers. I have a wet/dry filter but am adding a skimmer simmilar to these. I am making mine myself because these are out of my price range. My current skimmer is not near enough for my shark.
<a href="http://www.superskimmer.com" target="_blank">ETS Skimmers</a>

 

[deuce biggalow]

My question is Do I need the wet Dry, if I get a protein skimmer this large? Justin

 

[risc]

Yes you need a wet/dry... and maybe even a carbon filter or a fluidized bed filter.
Unless you plan on changing your water every 8 days... plan on getting a LOT more filtration.
Jim

 

[deuce biggalow]

Okay this is what I will most likely have on the tank. It is a 240 Gallon Tank, I will plan on having 2 or 3 small sharks (banded sharks) and a ray. Let me know what you think. I need a large protein skimmer I found this one, it comes with 2 sedra 9000 pumps, it costs $489 Is it worth it? It is the Euroreef G5 It is rated for a 600 Gallon tank. I will also be using a u.v. sterilizer 36 watts double helix, a wet dry, probably around 30 gallons for the sump, and also a fluidized bed filter.It just seems so expensive. I do not want to cut any corners, does this sound like overkill. Thanks So much, without you guys, I would have a couple dead sharks listening to what my LFS tells me.. Justin

 

[swtanks]

You could skip the uv sterilizer to save some cash. Don't really need it. Even with the skimmer, wet/dry, and the sand filter, expect to be doing lots of water changes. 25% changes every 2 weeks works good for me. These things can really make a mess at times when they eat.

 

[deuce biggalow]

The u.v. is 130 bucks, you think it is worthless. What do you think the most important piece of equipment is. Thanks, Justin

 

[swtanks]

You don't really need the to spend the money on a UV. Since you are skipping the tangs you won't have to worry about ick infestations. Sharks very rarely (if ever) get the diseases that other fish do.
IMO, the most important piece of equipment would be the protien skimmer. Followed by a wet/dry.

 

[tvan]

I don't was thinking of using two 36 watt Helix uv's (hydrothruster q2 two outlet 1050 gph pump)with my sump and a protein skimmer instead of a 50% water change a month. I've got a 250 gallon tank. I'm gett'n to old to be lift'n 125 gallons a month. If the sump can't handle the particle load I'll be lookin into pool filtration.

 

[swtanks]

The UV's are not going to replace water changes.
There will be phosphate and especially nitrate build-ups in the tank. Water changes keep these in check.
You cannot skip water changes by adding UV sterilizers to the setup.

 

[underthesea]

Well you do need a good protein skimmer and a large wet dry trickle filter. You can go with out the uv steralizer though. you also need to make sure you do your water changes that is a must other wise you are going to have some problems in the long run.
Also if you want to set a tank for sharks and thing of this nature you need to make sure you know what you are getting into before hand. Water changes are a must. If you do not want to do a 50% water change all at once then change out about 10% of your water every week or about 25% every two weeks. This is just my sugestion. I hope it helps

 

[tvan]

I was under the impression nitrates could be controlled with livesand and live rock. and phosphates could be controlled with pads in my sump. Even a 10% water change a week has to be a shock fishes system.

 

[swtanks]

You will never be able to add the amount of LR that would be required to a shark tank. The LR and LS filtration works great in a reef tank. A shark tank is completely different. You need swimming space which means you cannot load the tank up with 1 to 2 lbs of LR per gallon. You can still use LS but the denitrification occurs in the areas that are devoid of oxygen. Sharks dig so they will be exposing these layers to oxygen. You will still get some of the denitrifying effect but not as much as, once again, in a reef tank.
A 10% weekly water change will not shock your fishes system. Just make sure the replacement water is made up 24 hours in advance and keep it aerated and warm. This way the temp and SG are the same as the tank's water you are removing.
You can limit phosphates and nitrates buy not overfeeding and by doing regular partial water changes. There is no "magic bullet" to eliminate the need for basic maintenance. You also have to watch out for these phosphate sponges. One brand in particular (Kent) will release the phosphates back into the system if it is left in the sump and it cannot absorb anymore.

 

[deuce biggalow]

I am only going to have a brownbanded bamboo, a a marble cat shark, a ray, and I would actually like to put fish such as tangs, and some others in the tank. It is 240 Gallons, I do not want it to be a "shark tank", it is not going to only be sharks. Are the requirements you have mentioned the same with the small load that these 3 small sharks rays can produce. All of these sharks at the moment are still babys, I am in the beginning stages of building a house, and I would like to build a huge tank,,,, huge for sharks fish etc. also. Thanks for the help guys. Justin

 

[risc]

In my 240 tank I have a 500 gallon protien skimmer, a 400 gallon wet/dry with two 200 watt submerged heaters, an emperor 400 with nitrate sponge, and a magnum 350 with the micron filter installed. I also run a 35 watt UV to keep the algae growth down. In my tank is a 36" bamboo cat a 28" nurse a 25" wards wobbegong. I change the water about once every 3 months. Just to give you guys an idea about proper feeding and tank management. When I change the water I only change maybe 12% to 15%.
Deuce if you plan on keeping that many fish in your 240 you will be overstocked. You may need to change the water over far more often. Also if you plan on having your live sand manage your nitrate levels you are going to need about 10" of live sand. It's just not effective. Sharks create massive amounts of waste. And when they do it they level huge piles of it. You can literally scoop it out. Stay away from tangs chances are they will become lunch one day or they will make your shark sick.
Jim