75 Gal Bala Shark setup

[Vet_Rider]

This is my current tank setup. I transferred from a 55 Gal about a year and half ago. Finally upgraded my filter system too mid last year. I had two Bala sharks and one died on me. Had a placo and Chinese algae eater which both died by my accidental doing. So the Bala is all I have now.
I am looking to make some changes to the tank setup and would like to add more fish. Any suggestions within reasonable costs $$?
I’d like to leave the sand in it, but if I must I can loose it.
I have well water, so it’s a constant PH/Alkaline battle. Wouldn’t mind some suggestions there too as far as chemicals are concerned.
I’m currently fighting the Red Algae issue also with some red algae treatment.
Thanks

 

[Ancistrus Fan]

This is my current tank setup. I transferred from a 55 Gal about a year and half ago. Finally upgraded my filter system too mid last year. I had two Bala sharks and one died on me. Had a placo and Chinese algae eater which both died by my accidental doing. So the Bala is all I have now.
I am looking to make some changes to the tank setup and would like to add more fish. Any suggestions within reasonable costs $$?
I’d like to leave the sand in it, but if I must I can loose it.
I have well water, so it’s a constant PH/Alkaline battle. Wouldn’t mind some suggestions there too as far as chemicals are concerned.
I’m currently fighting the Red Algae issue also with some red algae treatment.
Thanks

View attachment 1563956

How big is your Bala shark? He really should be in at least a 6 foot tank and a 4 foot tank shouldn’t be a permanent home. So I would recommend rehoming the Bala shark and replacing it with a red tailed shark. These guys are semi aggressive and I wouldn’t normally recommend them but it’s another shark that’s similiar to the Bala. You could add some larger danios like the giant danios, maybe some loaches and gouramis and have an awesome Asian tank.

 

[Vet_Rider]

How big is your Bala shark? He really should be in at least a 6 foot tank and a 4 foot tank shouldn’t be a permanent home. So I would recommend rehoming the Bala shark and replacing it with a red tailed shark. These guys are semi aggressive and I wouldn’t normally recommend them but it’s another shark that’s similiar to the Bala. You could add some larger danios like the giant danios, maybe some loaches and gouramis and have an awesome Asian tank.

He’s about 6” long, he’s the only one that has survived from the initial 55 gal I started 4 years ago. Don’t really have room for a tank bigger than that 75.

 

[Conchonius]

If you really want to keep him, I'd avoid putting in any more fish with him. A single bala in a 75 will be very cramped as is. These are fish of the open waters that need more swimming space than their size may imply, and they aren't exactly tiny. If you water change frequently, check your nitrates, and have a tight lid on (balas are panicky and may jump, doubly so without a shoal to feel safe in), it might be doable without stressing the animal... but putting other fish in such a tank would be a bit cruel.

As for algae, the traditional solution is to keep the tank dark. Aquatic plants don't actually need that much light, a 4 hour on/20 hour off cycle will keep them going while killing off the algae.

 

[neutrino]

I wouldn't keep a bala shark alone in a tank, they're social fish and, while they're probably happiest in a group of their own species, they can also be kept singly in a peaceful community tank and do just fine. (I've done both) When they feel insecure-- and no other fish in a tank would make one insecure-- they can be nervous and jumpy.

As to a 75 gal tank, it's not what I'd do, but I've been maintaining a 75 gal tank for a couple in their 80s, with two bala sharks, probably 6.5 and 8 inches, and they're doing well with some smaller fish in the tank, a black skirt tetra and small upside down catfish, as well as a small, red bristlenos and group of Lake Aytinjo boesemani rainbowfish I purchased on their behalf. Bala sharks are certainly very capable of outgrowing a 4 ft tank, but it takes time and (for various reasons) not all of them reach their full potential size. But even if yours ended up as a 14 inch or larger fish and too big for a 4 ft tank, much better for the fish to rehome it if or when it becomes appropriate, but not to keep it alone. Meanwhile, any number of peaceful tankmates that don't get too large can work.

 

[neutrino]

...By the way, the fish in the photo is overfed. Bala sharks can get that way, but better to keep them sleeker looking and not so rounded.

 

[Vet_Rider]

If you really want to keep him, I'd avoid putting in any more fish with him. A single bala in a 75 will be very cramped as is. These are fish of the open waters that need more swimming space than their size may imply, and they aren't exactly tiny. If you water change frequently, check your nitrates, and have a tight lid on (balas are panicky and may jump, doubly so without a shoal to feel safe in), it might be doable without stressing the animal... but putting other fish in such a tank would be a bit cruel.

As for algae, the traditional solution is to keep the tank dark. Aquatic plants don't actually need that much light, a 4 hour on/20 hour off cycle will keep them going while killing off the algae.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Vet_Rider]

...By the way, the fish in the photo is overfed. Bala sharks can get that way, but better to keep them sleeker looking and not so rounded.

I usually only feed him once a day. The only thing I’ve been able to get him to eat so far, is dehydrated shrimp (maybe two to three chunks at best, and the occasional blood worm. Other than that, I’ve not been able to get him to try anything else. What I’ve tried other than the above lays on the ground and I have to fish it out.

 

[Vet_Rider]

I wouldn't keep a bala shark alone in a tank, they're social fish and, while they're probably happiest in a group of their own species, they can also be kept singly in a peaceful community tank and do just fine. (I've done both) When they feel insecure-- and no other fish in a tank would make one insecure-- they can be nervous and jumpy.

As to a 75 gal tank, it's not what I'd do, but I've been maintaining a 75 gal tank for a couple in their 80s, with two bala sharks, probably 6.5 and 8 inches, and they're doing well with some smaller fish in the tank, a black skirt tetra and small upside down catfish, as well as a small, red bristlenos and group of Lake Aytinjo boesemani rainbowfish I purchased on their behalf. Bala sharks are certainly very capable of outgrowing a 4 ft tank, but it takes time and (for various reasons) not all of them reach their full potential size. But even if yours ended up as a 14 inch or larger fish and too big for a 4 ft tank, much better for the fish to rehome it if or when it becomes appropriate, but not to keep it alone. Meanwhile, any number of peaceful tankmates that don't get too large can work.

I had at one time a phantom placo and somehow I ended up stirring the sand up too much and killed him. But Bala didn’t really seem to mind him, but the placo also kept well to himself along with the Chinese Algae eater. I have been told that a gold nugget placo beings they don’t get that big is a suitable addition for Bala shark and decent community fish. As far as the ones you listed, I’ve never considered, but will look into it. ATM though I’m still battling the nitrate issue along with red algae. The lights I have have a day and night light switch. I’ve been keeping the night light on a lot more to see if I can get the Algae under control. Also changing the water as regular as I can and adding some PH solutions slowing as to not shock the Bala. Thanks for the info.

 

[neutrino]

I usually only feed him once a day. The only thing I’ve been able to get him to eat so far, is dehydrated shrimp (maybe two to three chunks at best, and the occasional blood worm. Other than that, I’ve not been able to get him to try anything else. What I’ve tried other than the above lays on the ground and I have to fish it out.

It's not so much how often you feed as total intake, which I judge it by the shape of my fish-- bulging belly or overly round for the species and I feed less. Bala sharks do tend to get beefy when they're large, but shouldn't be overly round and at your size they should still be more on the sleek and torpedo shaped side. Don't mean to criticize, it's just better for the fish and averts potential issues with bloat, fat deposits in the liver, etc.