wasitgreen
New Member
>>I DO NOT JUST WANT ONE TO SHOW OFF TO OTHERS OR BECAUSE I SAW ONE IN A MOVIE<<
I'm new to saltwater, but have been around animals since I was about 5 (11 years ago), dangerous and high maintenance, my parents would only give me minimum help so I could learn on my own, unless I was failing hard, so you could say I was their sole caretaker and I was quite good at it. Lately I have had a desire for a pet that pretty deadly, not for show, or a "wow" factor, but because I have always wanted something that I must be aware of regularly, it eventually came down to an Eyelash Viper or a type of shark, now I'm not ignorant to species I know there are different types/behaviors/sizes/looks/temperments and I know I wouldn't find a "Mini-Jaws" or an iconic Hammerhead, so I choose a shark to see if they were for me. My family, being them, research EVERYTHING before buying so that's what I did, I found there are indeed small sharks, and price wasn't bad. The problems are lack of good shark info (maybe a deterant for 'adrenaline junkies' or idiots who want a shark to impress others) but I have never had the money, knowledge to care for any saltwater fish, or the simple fact I had a fear I'd screw up and kill the fish (when I had freshwater tanks a fews years back (I was 7ish) I had a tendency to WWWAAAYYY overfeed to the point of death) I never forgave myself and have stuck to reptiles, tarantulas, and scorpions. Lately I have been reading that bigger tanks tend to be more forgiving so that kind of started driving my want. I have since realized that because I'm selling my gun, I'd have about $2k for whatever I want, and I found a nice 300 gallon tank (96"Lx30"Wx24"H), which brings me to these questions:
1. I have a very nice guy close to where I live, (scuba instructor, I think 20+ yrs in saltwater; 15 at least) who said generally saltwater is cleaner due to micro-organisms etc. but is more expensive, I want to know if that's true.
2. I obviously want a shark, all the info I can find is conflicting max sizes, and care, but generally with care I see something like 'Care Level: Expert (Beginner if a suitable tank is provided)', I know they have big bio-loads and most swim a lot, I want to know how easy it is from those of you with some experience with them (I can have that shop owner help me setup the water etc.).
3. With that size tank (8'Lx2.5'Wx2'H) would a shark/reef combo be a good idea (reef would be at one side, not back to allow maximum width) to get a shark.
4. If it would be fine what would be the best species, I don't care if they are boring, as it's not the intent,
- Mustelus californicus (Grey Smoothhound)
- Chiloscyllium plagiosum/Chiloscyllium punctatum (Marbled Bamboo/Black Stripe Catshark)
5. Would I be able to have Pterois russelli or Pterois volitans or Pterois radiata?
6. What lighting would I need?
7. Would a wet/dry filter, UV sterilizer, Little Giant pump, Red Sea Protein Skimmer, 5 Koralia power-heads, and various reef supplies ( ie. Kent liquid calcium parts A and B, Iron, Reef supplements, Live Sand, etc.,) be good?
8. What other fish/cleaner inverts/anems/corals/etc. could/should I get?
Thanks guys/girls for reading, basically, my life story, I'll try to add more info and Q's as I get them.
(TL;DR: Check bold)
I'm new to saltwater, but have been around animals since I was about 5 (11 years ago), dangerous and high maintenance, my parents would only give me minimum help so I could learn on my own, unless I was failing hard, so you could say I was their sole caretaker and I was quite good at it. Lately I have had a desire for a pet that pretty deadly, not for show, or a "wow" factor, but because I have always wanted something that I must be aware of regularly, it eventually came down to an Eyelash Viper or a type of shark, now I'm not ignorant to species I know there are different types/behaviors/sizes/looks/temperments and I know I wouldn't find a "Mini-Jaws" or an iconic Hammerhead, so I choose a shark to see if they were for me. My family, being them, research EVERYTHING before buying so that's what I did, I found there are indeed small sharks, and price wasn't bad. The problems are lack of good shark info (maybe a deterant for 'adrenaline junkies' or idiots who want a shark to impress others) but I have never had the money, knowledge to care for any saltwater fish, or the simple fact I had a fear I'd screw up and kill the fish (when I had freshwater tanks a fews years back (I was 7ish) I had a tendency to WWWAAAYYY overfeed to the point of death) I never forgave myself and have stuck to reptiles, tarantulas, and scorpions. Lately I have been reading that bigger tanks tend to be more forgiving so that kind of started driving my want. I have since realized that because I'm selling my gun, I'd have about $2k for whatever I want, and I found a nice 300 gallon tank (96"Lx30"Wx24"H), which brings me to these questions:
1. I have a very nice guy close to where I live, (scuba instructor, I think 20+ yrs in saltwater; 15 at least) who said generally saltwater is cleaner due to micro-organisms etc. but is more expensive, I want to know if that's true.
2. I obviously want a shark, all the info I can find is conflicting max sizes, and care, but generally with care I see something like 'Care Level: Expert (Beginner if a suitable tank is provided)', I know they have big bio-loads and most swim a lot, I want to know how easy it is from those of you with some experience with them (I can have that shop owner help me setup the water etc.).
3. With that size tank (8'Lx2.5'Wx2'H) would a shark/reef combo be a good idea (reef would be at one side, not back to allow maximum width) to get a shark.
4. If it would be fine what would be the best species, I don't care if they are boring, as it's not the intent,
- Mustelus californicus (Grey Smoothhound)
- Chiloscyllium plagiosum/Chiloscyllium punctatum (Marbled Bamboo/Black Stripe Catshark)
5. Would I be able to have Pterois russelli or Pterois volitans or Pterois radiata?
6. What lighting would I need?
7. Would a wet/dry filter, UV sterilizer, Little Giant pump, Red Sea Protein Skimmer, 5 Koralia power-heads, and various reef supplies ( ie. Kent liquid calcium parts A and B, Iron, Reef supplements, Live Sand, etc.,) be good?
8. What other fish/cleaner inverts/anems/corals/etc. could/should I get?
Thanks guys/girls for reading, basically, my life story, I'll try to add more info and Q's as I get them.
(TL;DR: Check bold)
