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Dragon moray? You asking about a hawian dragon? Hope you have lots of money. Those are one of the most expensive eels I have ever seen. Some morays are fine in tanks. Snowflaks are really safe. Zebras are among the largest and still safe eels.

I think your best bet is to get the shark first. After it has hatched and grown a bit, then start adding to the tank.

Dan


Dan

Ribbon eels are difficult to keep, and they might be too "thin" compare to other fish he planned...I say other morays are better choice.

1)Referring to the cost of building your own tank...

You're right, building it yourself WILL cut down on how much it will cost. All you need to learn to do in the next year is how to build a tank. And not just any tank. A tank that is strong enough to hold about 500 gallons of water without separating (PHYSICS SPECIALISTS PLEASE INSERT THE PRESSURE AMOUNT HERE). All you have to do is know how to cut glass (or get it cut), manuever a 7ft long piece of glass, get the glass, silicon the glass together, build a stand that can hold over 5000 pounds...that all shouldn't be that difficult...

Either way, I wish you luck with managing that amount of $$$ and time and skill...

2)As for the swimming patterns and tank idea...

Sharks swim differently than most fish. A very long, very broad tank is the perfect tank for a shark, especially a bottom-dwelling shark like a bamboo shark. Due to the shark's body structure, it needs exactly that type of tank to be comfortable...

On the other hand, a tank that size is going to be a tight squeeze for that shark in the long run. If you're going to make such a long tank that is so wide, give it another foot width at least. If it can be longer, make it longer, but just try to give it as much room as possible without going less than 24" tall...

3)As for tankmates...

Puffers, rays, and eels are about the only real tankmates I recommend. Maybe look into a ribbon eel as far as eels go. If I were you, I'd just upgrade to any and/or all of those AFTER the shark is established and has grown some. Other than that, I wouldn't recommend any of those others, especially triggers, as they especially seem to enjoy shark eyes...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

I hate argue but,

Look bamboo sharks can get 3 feet. Your tank you want is seven feet

It's 7'x3'x2' So it's a side view tank

by three feet and two feet high. Have you ever seen these sharks swim around? The tank is only twice as long as a adult shark. Not to mention there is hardy no room to turn around cause the shark is as long as the tank is wide. For size comparision it is like keeping a 4" inch gaint danio in 8"x4"X2" betta bowl.

Also, danois are schoolers, the sharks I'm looking at are not. Your comparison is way off.

I'm don't really care if they are schoolers cause I'm not using that part to proved a point. Even in a 2000 gallon tank a shark such as the bamboo are all over the tank in a hurry, but go ahead.

The tank itself would be what I would be most concerned about, you're looking at a BIG number

true, which is why I'm going to build it myself. That should cut the price down alot, right?......right?

I know what you are saying about having a shallow tank. Still those sharks are very active swimmers and I personally don't think a shallow tank with the foot print of a larger tank is the answer. I could see a arrowana or another more docile fish, but not a shark. Like keeping a zebra or gaint danio in a betta bowl.

Active swimmers means they mostly go from side to side. Very few fish, if any, swim up and down for prolonged periods of time. In fact, the only fish which require any serious height to their tank are tall fish like freshwater discus and angels. And I hardly consider a 500 gallon tank a betta bowl. Also, danois are schoolers, the sharks I'm looking at are not. Your comparison is way off.

ok, if the lion is a real threat, then he's out. I got you're pm too.

Now, what would you suggest I start out with? I am still planning on getting a shark, I'll just wait about a year. That way, I can get used to a SW tank.

So, so I'll start out with:
some species of tang or good "beginner's fish" (I hate that term)
spotted grouper
puffer
What else could I add that would eventually be shark-friendly?

Last edited by djtj at 19-Apr-2005 23:33

I know what you are saying about having a shallow tank. Still those sharks are very active swimmers and I personally don't think a shallow tank with the foot print of a larger tank is the answer. I could see a arrowana or another more docile fish, but not a shark. Like keeping a zebra or gaint danio in a betta bowl.

Just because two fish are raised together, that doens't mean they will get along. I promise...I'm sure plenty of people can offer up examples...

The likelihood of it happening is high enough that it's something to think about...

As for pricing on pieces, someone with more experience in saltwater hardware would be able to let you know better about that, but you can expect a lot of cost...

The tank itself would be what I would be most concerned about, you're looking at a BIG number...



PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

The money problem is a big one. But, I plan on doing this tank over a period of years. I've been saving up, so hopefully, I can knock out the essential stuff like filters, heaters, etc. right away. Then I'll get the gruper and the lionfish (although now I'm having serious second thoughts about the lionfish, the sad part is that he was the whole point I wanted to get into marine)The shark is surprisingly cheap, only $30 for an egg. I honestly expected to pay over $100 for one, but that site the iltat linked changed my mind completely. So, if I stock it piece-by-piece, it won't kill me. Plus my birthday and Christmas are coming up. How much do you think the equipment would caust, not including the tank, stand, or fish. Also, I'm thinking about a cheap alternative to a normal canopy. They're really expensive! So I was thinking of using some kind of really big desk lamp or a group of them strung together. It's a $9.99 lamp v. a $100+ canopy.

Now, what's the chance of the lionfish/shark thing happening? I mean, if they are raised from birth together, wouldn't they get along? Is it a small enough chance that I can risk it, or would you advise against it. I'll overfeed my shark anyway (don't want the gruper or eel disappearing either).

EDIT: I just checked on the eel prices... Holy %^^@%#$^! That might be a bit of a problem. Anyway, I'll have to check my LFS, which sells them. I thought they were only $60-$80 there, but it appears my memory might be a bit off!

Last edited by djtj at 19-Apr-2005 22:08

Opps, sorry.

Bio balls are plastic balls that hold benificial bacteria. I've seen them used in large tanks. The water goes in one end, and out the other. Some don't like bio balls, others swear by them.

Dan


Dan

I was wondering if anyone here keeps sharks, or at least knows about then. I am planning of building a 200 gallon tank (actually, it has the surface area of a 400-500). I was wondering if I keep a bamboo and/or horn shark with other fish? I was thinking of equally large fish like loinfish, puffers, small moray eels, or triggers.

I wouldn't keep a lionfish with any type of shark. Once your shark begins growing, it will become a dangerous fish. As long as it is well fed, it won't really hunt for a meal, but if the lionfish swims directly in front of his mouth, he will snap at it. The result of such a situation would be that your lionfish would most likely be killed by the bite and your shark would be killed by the spines. While this is rather unlikely, it would always be a possibility. That's a possibility that I would not want to face if you have a shark that is 24" raised from an egg and a lionfish that has been a member of the tank for a comparable amount of time...

The tank sounds good for the type of setup, but I wouldn't have any tankmates if I were you, besides a few small, peaceful fish. Definitely nothing that could nip at or bother the shark, and definitely not a fish that I would regret losing...

Also, good luck saving up for that tank, because I'd hate to hear the expense for it...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

I went back and checked your first message. It's a bit confusing. Perhaps if you had given diminsions, this would have helped.

You're right, that would have been the smart thing to do, wouldn't it have?
It's 7'x3'x2' So it's a side view tank.

I didn't want to go with 12" for the reason you just said. But, I think 2' should be enough for the lion, right? I'm thinking more of a baloon because a porcupine gets up to 3', right? I think baloons are only 1'. I don't want too many big fish in the tank.

And is a dragon moray ok? It's been sort of a dream-fish of mine ever since I started keeping fish. I don't thik they would bother a posionous lion, would they? I'll add the lion first (all I saw were 2" babies) and let it grow to full size before I add anything else.

What's a bio ball? I have to admit, the only filters I'm familliar with are HOBs, canisters, undergravel and box. I've also heard about things like sump filters, and I know it has something to do with an estra empty tank under the main one.

BTW, I decided to get a black banded cat shark instead. They are much cheaper than the bamboo and they come in egg form, so i can see it hatch!

One question, which should I add first, the egg or the lionfish? Both of them will be babies, so which one grows faster? I don't want the lion eating the shark egg, or visa versa.

Last edited by djtj at 19-Apr-2005 20:33

I went back and checked your first message. It's a bit confusing. Perhaps if you had given diminsions, this would have helped. I understand what your saying now. Is this more of a look down tank, or a side view? I'm thinking your tank will be less then 12" tall. This is not very much water hight after you add sand and some rock. Now this setup will be great for a shark and the moray. You may have some problems with the lion, depending on what you go with. A volitan is a rather large fish. Also, the puffer you choose will make a difference. A pourcupine is a very large fish and 12" of water may not be enough. All of these should be fine with a shark provided you get them big enough. You biggest problem will be the bio load on a tank that size. You will need to run a lot of bio filteration, such as a large bio ball set up to remove all the waist.

Dan


Dan

I just can't see that setup working in a 200-300 gallon

I'd appriciate it if you read the post throughly before adding your opinion. If it is too hard to understand, I'll try a different approach. Mikey hit the nail on the head. It is a 500 gallon tank. However, it is very shallow.I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think you're listening to me.

And the minimum tank size for most of these sharks is 120-180 gallons. Every website I went on s far assured me of that. I know my tank is more than adequate for a shark. I just want to know what to put with it.

So my question is: What to put with a bamboo shark, and possibly(but not probably) a horned shark?

Here's a list of my ideas:
marine betta
dragon moray eel (or smaller eel, I really love dragons though)
lionfish (a must becasue it's my mom's favorite, can't have a tank without mom's seal of approval)
pufferfish(setimental reasons, used to catch them with my brother down at the pier)
tangs or other large active fish, I don't know any names becasue I don't keep saltwater

Which kinda goes into the problem, this is my first SW tank. I don't need beginners fish becasue I consider myself able to take on something like a shark. Although I don't have any direct experience with SG, etc. I am a very fast learner and I think some intensive planning with reading would help bring me up to speed. Trust me, when it comes to fish, I think I can handle something tough.

Also, are bamboo sharks active? I know some sharks need to continue swimming to breathe and I want something like that which will move around alot and not just sit on the bottom. It's not something that would

Last edited by djtj at 19-Apr-2005 18:57

There is a similar setup at LFS where I live. There are three sharks, I believe one is a bamboo and the two other two I can't remember. There are also some angels and other large 12 plus inch fish with them in a 2000 gallon tank. I just can't see that setup working in a 200-300 gallon. Sharks are way to active for that small of a tank.

Ahh, I see what your saying. It's just a very shallow tank.

That would certainly work better than a tank with the deminsions of a standard 200 gallon.

But, in fish, gallons aren't that important, right? Becasue the surface of the tank is 7ft. x 3 ft. That's the size of a 500 gallon tank, and a heck of alot bigger than a 200!

200 gallons will likely be too small for a shark, at least IMO.