Need help!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

SilasX93

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 13, 2009
12
0
0
Texas
I posted this in a general discussion and was redirected here.

Me and my friend are going to start a fish tank project, and we've got a couple of questions, so I thought this forum may be the best place to post my question. We want an enormous, hexagonal, saltwater tank complete with leopard sharks, hound sharks, epaulettes, rays, and various colorful reef fish. We want it to be about 6-8 feet in diameter and about 10 feet high. we were wondering what the gallonage and maintenance of this tank would be. We were also wondering what type of reef fish would be okay with the sharks and rays.

We are also interested in seahorses, puffers, and eels, if those would work with the type of fish described.

Thank you,
Silas

This project is for a successful resteraunt and money is not much of an issue.
 
I'll let the more established guys here tell you everything's that wrong with that scenario - but the gist of it will be that that tank IS WAY TOO SMALL - for even a single adult leopard. For sharks, you're more concerned with footprint than vertical height. I'd suggest doing a lot more research - I was in your boat when I first landed here, and learned a lot fast. Maintenance will be extreme. Additionally, leopards are a cold water shark, as are gray smooth hounds.

Seahorses? Really? That's a light snack for all the aforementioned animals.
 
The only thin I could think of would be a nice sized puffer should do fine.
Eel? Maybe if the shark doesn't think of it as food, sure.
 
Ah, thank you for the information. I actually came here for my research, and to subject my ideas to those who know what they're doing so I don't make an expensive mistake!

My main goal is to have an interesting and unique tank. I don't mean to be stupid when I say I'd like eels or seahorse; I just want a few unique fish in there to offset the normal fish. The space that we're plenty willing to sacrifice is about a 10 feet area and a 12 feet height. We're interested in a walk around hexagonal tank.

If anyone has a good recommendation for a good combination of species I'd be happy to listen. Sharks and rays are a must though!
 
i dont know enough to assist you with shark and ray set other then. those animals tend to do best in a species tank as other fish will pick on them, usually the eyes. puffers definitely a no no with them from what i heard.
puffers and eels would probably work. and would work in the space you have, actually less space.

you could probably keep some cat sharks and type of small rays together, in the space you mentioned.

i recommend you read through this site about the type of fish your considering http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sharks.htm
i must stress the research, if you planning on building this yourself. this isnt you just throwing a bunch of fish in a tank and it some how works.

i dont know your economic situation, but i would also have you look into the funding this endeavor. make sure its finacially pheasible. this wont be a couple hundred dollar project nor will it be a couple thousand dollar one. it will probably be in the 10's of thousands of dollars by the end.
 
Large angelfishes, triggers, puffers
are fish that dont work with sharks. any other fish that are bigger then mouth size would probably work.

dont know what will work with rays
 
I'm aware of the cost, I just want to know what works. Cat sharks and ray are a definite, the other species are inconsequential.
 
SilasX93;3363675; said:
I'm aware of the cost, I just want to know what works. Cat sharks and ray are a definite, the other species are inconsequential.
Click to expand...
you could probably have large tangs. eels may work.

do you know what type of filtration you gonna implement? do you know where you can store the equipment for it? on another floor or in another room?

you will need a rather huge protein skimmer, there are people that make them specially. if not you may need multiple smaller skimmers(small is only relative), the asm g6 is the biggest i know of but it only does 1200 gals. your tank buy my calculation is over 3000 gallons.
 
There are plenty of commercial skimmers available for that size. Check out RK2 and Deltec. These skimmers start at around $5K, and climb past $50K quickly. Again, you should be more concerned with footprint than height for sharks. 12' high is great for your "normal" fish, but sharks and rays to some extent want a lot more straightline swimming room. But having only a 4' radius? Small for the big sharks you originally mentioned. You plan to have a reef in there too? (Per your request to have reef fish).

Cat sharks and some rays will be ok in the area, but they are typically going to stay at the bottom. And typically, eels will eat, or at the very least stress, these smaller animals. Tangs and puffers will tend to pick at them.

Do more research here and Sharkraycentral.com - which has great info on individual species care.

Your best bet may be to scrap the idea of sharks/rays, and stick with puffers, tangs, and an eel or two (a big tessalata eel is GORGEOUS). I know having all manner of species in a fairly large tank is tempting, but please be careful.

What kind of look do you want? Do you want a reef? Or do you want fish only? We're more than happy to help you out here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom