Up Grading

[jj_harrison]

I am going to build a new tank when i get home. I would like an acrylic 4'x4'x2' tank with a center overflow.

Fish...
I have a bamboo Cat yellow tail damsels and a Velvet Damsel (thinking of getting rid of him, he is HUGE)
I want a Volitain, Snow Flake, and maybe some yellow tangs for color.
Would really like to get a porcupine puffer and a Chain Cat shark.

Let me know on the tank and the inhabitants I know the puffers aren’t supposed to be with the sharks but all the porcupines that i have had have been nice... I would like a Huma Huma if it wasn't by polar!!!

 

[aw2x3]

Absolutely not, on any species of shark, in that tank...unless you're planning on a Coral Cat.
Bamboo Cat Sharks will reach lengths of close to 4' (trust me...I've bred them...I know). Any species of Damsel would be considered food and/or pick on the shark (especially it's eyes). Puffers are another "no no" when dealing with sharks. They're notorious for picking at/biting slow moving, bottom dwelling fish (which Bamboo's are) and as with Damsels, often go for the eyes first.
I've kept Bamboo's with a 15" Volitan Lion and I wouldnt recommend it. Both get highly excited during feeding and the last thing you want is the shark getting stung by the Lion. It's a few days of agonizing, horrible death for the fish on the other end of the Lions sting.
Triggers are a BIGGER no-no, especially with sharks. When hunting, in the wild, it's a Triggers instinct to go for the eyes, just like the Puffer. You may hear of good Humu's, but 9 times out of 10, you're gonna hear bad stories.
I have kept Bamboo's with Morays (Hawaiian Dragon and Whitemouth, which I still have) and have been just fine. There were, however, times when the shark and/or moray would get a little excited and there were bites taken out of each. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[jj_harrison]

ok this is what i wanted. so what should I build? and money is an object I wanted to get this built now. but If i have to build a diffrent tank than thats cool he will have to live in the 125 for a while longer. so should i build a 8' 180? I dont know thats why i was asking i just thought that it would be a cool tank.... I was looking at just getting 2 sheets of 1/2 acrlic let me know.

 

[jj_harrison]

oh yea I wanted some cliforna blue dot rays....
so was the snow flake a go or no go?
and I know im not getting a trigger there tooo crazy!

 

[psusocr1]

do more research.. if you search this board you will learn alot of things such as no tirgerrs, puffers, wrasses, angels with sharks,, also blue dot stingrays are another bad idea which can all be explained on this board int he search function..
thewn when you narrow down what you learned and want to keep it will be easier for everyone to help you out

 

[jj_harrison]

Thanks for the help.
Have any of you kept them in a tank and not went with a pond? I see that the pond is probably easier but I would like to still be able to see the shark.
After reading a bit more I’m looking at building a tank like AC's but with fiberglass and an acrylic front. I would just like to be able to see my shark allot more, and I would like to get him a friend. I will keep reading on what friend that will be but now he will have to be lonely.
What would be a comfortable dimension for him full grown?
And the book is on the way... Thanks again!

 

[krj-1168]

Yes - quite possible to build a large shark pond/tank with a large viewing window in the front.
There's a couple guys that have built shark tanks (with viewing windows) in their homes of 1,500 -3,000 gallon range. You will likely have to do a search.
One had a bonnethead shark in his, the other had a Blacktip reef pup with a Horn Shark & a whitespotted bamboo.
I also seen (on another forum) were someone custom built their own a 900 gallon fish tank, (10' x 4' x3') using epoxy, wood, fiberglass, & an acrylic viewing window.
As for the best tank mate for the Bamboo shark - that 's fairly easy - another bamboo shark(although it can be of a different species - if you don't plan on breeding). Also a coral catshark could also work well. As for the California ray - I would suggest maybe a Cortez(since they're a warmer water species, and fairly hardy - like the bamboo).
Again - NO to the puffer, NO to a trigger, NO to dasmels(possible food). The Lion is very iffy. Tangs should be okay, Snow Flake Eel should also be okay.
For a bamboo (especially a Brown Banded Bamboo), with other fish species - I would recommend a tank/pond that's at least 500-600 gallons (8' diameter pool or a tank 8' long x 4' wide x 2-2.5' deep). But as always bigger is even better.

 

[jj_harrison]

Ok I am going for the 1000+ gallon tank! I think 5’x9’x3’ with a 3/4" but most likely 1" thick sheet of Acrylic built into a wall. 5*9*3*7.47=1008 (is that right)
I still kind of want to do the rock structure in the middle or is that a bad idea? I have 250 lbs of live rock now I will just use that for in the tank. Then I will build 2 large skimmers and some fluidized bed filters.
Volition would be cool but I don’t think I would want some thing that could kill my shark if it wished. Snowflake would be cool too what about the ribbon tail blue dot? Is that the same one? I don’t think I will get a ray and the Damsels will go to the LFS but I would be happy with some tangs for sure.
That should be fine for the Bamboo and Epaulette sharks I won’t get a requiem shark, I don’t think that the tank would be big enough for a Sharpnose even. I don’t want to have to put it in a pond later.
Stock list
Bamboo (already have Titius)
Epaulette
Tangs (not sure which but a few yellows)
Snowflake
I will Post my plans so i can get your guys input maby some cool things you wish you put on your tanks. Thanks for the help

 

[sharkboy13]

neato

if my parents would let me have that thatd be cool. a structure in the middle i think is a good idea. try to make fairly hollow yet sturdy, the eel and sharks will want caves.
good luck
jon

 

[jj_harrison]

I like the idea of epoxing the rocks together but would you let all your live rock die to do this? or is there some glue you can use underwater?

 

[krj-1168]

Nice tank size.
Good stock list - nice choices.
The Sharpie(sharpnose) is certainly not an option. It will out grow the tank - not doubt. These guys need at least 2,500-3,000 gallons bare minimum.
Also Chain cat sharks - are a cold water species (requiring water temps less than 60F).
The Blue spot ribbon tail ray - is the one you want to avoid - these really do very poorly in captivity.
The LR in the middle of the tank may block your view of your sharks when they go behind it.

 

[jj_harrison]

Here is what I was thinking...
I would like to do some pillar rocks and some flat rocks on top of those then stack all the rest on top. I would like to make it so he could swim under the rocks easily. And the tank will be 1 foot wider than the viewing window on each side so I hope it will give it that endless look. Like if you were looking into the open ocean from your living room. Cause it will be in the wall.
I would just like to know how people are epoxying there rocks together with out killing them. Thanks for all the help now I just need to work out some details about the tank.
1. I would like it to be on a stand off the ground but dealing with 4 tons of water is a lot!