Wanting to start a shark tank?

[wolffvet]

I have a reef tank and would like to set up a shark tank. What is the smallest tank that I could house a smoothhound and a lepord in to start off? They would be the only things in the tank besides some sand and a couple a pieces of lr. I already have a sump, uv sterilizer I just need to know what size tank?

 

[jim27]

First I would like to point out that leopards grow to about 6ft and smoothhounds grow to about 3ft and they are both very active.
How long do you plan on keeping these sharks? IF you have a good home already lined up for them when they outgrow your tank you could keep them in something like a 180 or 240 gallon for 1-2 years.
Because of the fact that a majority of use DON'T have a garanteed place that can take an overgrown shark I don't recommend "starting them off" in a small tank with plans to upgrade in the future. Save your money until you can afford a tank to properly house the sharks(which will have to be around 5000 gallons for these).
I recommend starting out with something relativly inactive like coral cat sharks or bamboo/epaulette sharks.

 

[wolffvet]

ok, lets say that I go with 2 bamboo sharks, would a 180 be the smallest or would say 150 gallon work for a 1 or 2? I am going to graduate college in a year and will be building a tank in the wall in my house. I would just like to have a shark tank until I get the big one done. It will be at least 3000 gallons as I already have the person to build and we have worked everything out. I pay fof all the materials and he is going to do the labor for free.

 

[jim27]

For bamboo's I would go no lower than a standard 180g, which is 6'x2'x2'. You can't go any smaller on the length or width.
After you get the 3000g built you can move the bamboo(s) into it and put some smoothhounds in it as well. The smoothhounds most commonly available only require a tank of about 1500-2000 gallons(depending on what kind you get) so you'll be able to keep a few adults in a 3000.
What are the dimensions of the 3000g going to be?

 

[wolffvet]

Actually the tank is a little over 3000 gallons as drawn up and the measurements are 12' X 5' X 7' and will show through the living room wall. The rest will be in a room that was framed off from the garage. What do you think?

 

[jim27]

I also suggest you buy this book. Aquarium Sharks and Rays

 

[wolffvet]

I sure appreciate your help

 

[jim27]

You'll want to make the tank as wide and long as you possibly can. Is the height 7' or 5'? I'd make the tank about 4ft high.
How long can you make it?

 

[wolffvet]

The wall is 20 ft. so I could use probably 16 - 18 ft. It was 7 tall but 4 sounds better and I like the idea of going longer.

 

[jim27]

I say make it about 15ft long,7ft wide, and 4ft high if you can. Those dimensions work out to be about 3,141 gallons(which is the same a 12'x5'x7'). That will give you lots of room for smoothhounds as well as other sharks.

 

[jim27]

You could also do something like 16'long, 80"wide, and 4' tall

 

[wolffvet]

sounds like a plan to me! I wrote those dimensions down. I really like the sound of them better. I am going to try and draw the whole thing up using autocad one of these days. Thanks again for all the help!

 

[jim27]

No problem.

 

[wolffvet]

what did you use for your substrate? live sand? Just curious also what sort of filtration do you reccomend?

 

[fshhub]

a tank like that or even yours
i owuld reccomend a good wet dry with outstanding skimming(2 if ned be even more)
lots of rock and a dsb with plenty of circulation

 

[jim27]

For the 180 use at least 2" of ls for a substrate. Only put about 20lbs of lr in the tank so you don't take up too much of the sharks swimming room.
You'll want a large wet/dry as well as a good skimmer rated for about 300+ gallons since sharks are so messy.

 

[wolffvet]

what skimmer would you reccomend? I use a Kent Nautlis Te for my 100 gallon reef.

 

[jim27]

I like my berlin turbo skimmer. It removes a good amount of crap from the tank. ETSS also makes pwerful skimmers for larger tanks.

 

[gibbus]

You are going to need a custom made skimmer for the tank.

 

[splash1914]

I wouldnt get a 4' high tank. I maintain a 400 gallon tank that is 3'H and it is a pain in the arse to clean... I couldnt imagine a 4'H.... Sorry for chiming in so late.... JMO....