shark tank

leopardshark

leopardshark

Member
soon to build my shark tank. im going to buil just a look down but i want some suggestions on filtration. i want to do a 12' by 12' by 2' tank. i want to know if it would be ok to put a 125 next to the tank with powerful enough pumps to turn the system around about 8 times an hour. i will also do some live sand in the 125.any suggestions please. novice what do you have your system running on?
 
novice150

novice150

Member
Approx. 2,150 gallons!:D Nice!
So if your turning the tank 8 times an hour (a little excessive for a shark tank of this size IMO) your going to be turning 17,200 gph. You could look into rainbow lifegard's pumps. I use these, they are low cost, but not necessarily cost effective. Obviously there are much better pumps out there, but IMO they work good.
If you plan to use the 125 as a sump, that is nowhere near the size you'll need. I'd say at least 300-500 gallons. On the other hand, it would work fine as a low flow fuge.
In addition to my sump, I run 2 large fluidized bed filters, a large skimmer, a large canister filter, and 2 UV sterilizers. I use 2 5000gph rainbow lifegard pumps, one on an open loop and the other closed. I also use live sand and little live rock.
 
novice150

novice150

Member
Make sure that the pumps you buy are either designed for saltwater use, or they come with optional saltwater seals!!!
Normal pool pumps wont stand a chance in a marine application.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would suggest a Boat shop. Look for bilge pumps, there are some good ones.
Also, an Ozone generator will assist greatly in breaking Urea down into Ammonia.
 
novice150

novice150

Member
Bang Guy: I have to question your advice on the use of bilge pumps to run a tank. First off, most bilge pumps are designed to run off 12v. Second, they are not designed to run continuously. Third, I personally (correct me if I'm wrong) have never seen a bilge pump that will turn 5000 gal + an hour.
I would still recommend using a pump which is designed for continuous use in a marine application.
Splash: I haven't taken any pics of the fluidized bed filters. They are rainbow lifegard units. Nope, didn't build them:D Looked into it, but it was cheaper to buy them versus build them. I'll take a pic or two and send them your way if your interested.
 
leopardshark

leopardshark

Member
ok i havent gone to any stores yet but novice , did you make your own sump? im still trying to figure out if i should just make it and buy all the skimmers sterilizers and pumps. Im still debating on making the tub a 16' by 16' by 24' or smaller. IM definetely going to go as big as possible. Another concern of mine is how are you heating yours and how would i heat a big tub like this. Thanks for the info guys.
 
novice150

novice150

Member
Leopardshark: Yes I built my own sump, in a sense. I used a pre-made plastic tank. AKA horse trough. Then with a little use of a skill saw, drill, silicone, etc.... I had a sump. If you'd like to know more about how I did it, just let me know.
If your mechanically inclined, and willing to do a little research, you can easily build your own sump/skimmer/etc.
I dont use any form of dedicated "tank" heaters. I use my house to maintain the temp of my tank. Really big tanks are very stable in terms of temperature. IMO, if your house has an efficient heating/cooling system, you should be fine.
 
mikegray

mikegray

Member
i love that 1700g and that shark
i asked you on a different section for those black tip shark movies u made.
mggray@sbcglobal.net
can u send me them please. i gotta see this
-mike-
also im trying to get together a reef. i dunt kno what to get for the best performance. think u can assisst me on what to get for a 46gallon tank. i want the best reef that i can get for myself. and i want it cleeaaan :)
 
leopardshark

leopardshark

Member
ok thanks novice. yes i would like to know how to make a good sump and a protein skimmer. i am getting closer to start buying the equipment i just need a little more info. My father and I have decided to final the size on the tank. It will be 8' wide by 16' long and 2' tall. the tank itself will be two and a half feet tall but the water level will be only two feet. what i believe we will do is put two pool liners inside the tank and clamp them over the edges. At the end of the tank end board will be about 2-4 inches shorter for the sump right next to it. basically the tank will be extended for the filter and the water will poor into it. But i would like more info on your filter because if yours looks more efficient then i would like to go with yours. I have a pretty big house but we fluctuate our heating a lot but i will for sure stop that for the tank. We also came up with the idea of around the edges there will be extra wood on an outward slant on hinges with a thin layer of acrylic screwed or glued onto it. This will be if the sharks decide to jump they will hit it and slide right back into the tank. The sides will be on hinges so when i am by the tank i can put them down for access. any additional information is needed from anyone thank you.
 
leopardshark

leopardshark

Member
novice what did you pay for your rainbow lifeguard pumps a piece? i looked into dolphin pumps and at work i get the benefit of cost. so i can buy them at wholesale. for a 5200 gph pump its $280 a piece and i would use two so that would be around $600 and that would be wholesale could you imagine retail? But i mean i will do it if needed but i just would like to know how much you paid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top