Hi, first things first. I have read that certain sized sharks and species require a certain turning radius, this makes sense. I have acquired some pool liners and frames for above ground pools and will be placing them in the ground so the earth will help support weight of water in the long run, also so the warmth from the ground will help keep temps from fluctuating so much during windy days/nights. I have already setup one of the pools above ground just to get an idea of the turning radius and such, it is ~24' in diameter and is a circle, and seems to hold close to 15k gallons(about 4.5' deep) according to my calculations. I was looking at either some bamboo's or possibly sharpnosed(tho they're high speed swimmers and wouldn't like the constant circle for long). I was also thinking about reinforcing the external of walls with the liner pad for inground pools and then making a 6" wall of quikrete, but that's up to you guys if you think i'll need it. The ground has a very high concentration of red clay, which could shatter the concrete if not done correctly. I guess my first question is how do i figure the turn radius of a circle that is 24' across, i know different lengths will require different degrees of turning, so take a fully matured black-tip to use as example, it's very close to resembling the atlantic sharp-nose, fully matured is 5'2". I'll reply later with more questions that come to mind....I had a list of things to ask, but I kinda brain-farted as soon as I clicked "Register" on site, lol. Also, if this was not the correct forum location to post this thread, please inform me so I may copy/paste to correct forum, then have old one deleted. Thanks again, Mike.
Newbie interested in shark(s) for private enjoyment.
- Thread starter Mr Mikey
- Start date
Well - it really depends on alot of different factors.
Such as your experienced level, & your budget. Also will the lagoon be inside a shelter or outdoors. An outdoor lagoon will leave the sharks at the mercy of the elements. While indoors is best for keeping controlling the conditions in the lagoon.
Ultimately you'll need to decide on which species your interested and the requirements to keep that species - or maybe look into a lagoon where you could keep multiple species that are compatitable.
Such as your experienced level, & your budget. Also will the lagoon be inside a shelter or outdoors. An outdoor lagoon will leave the sharks at the mercy of the elements. While indoors is best for keeping controlling the conditions in the lagoon.
Ultimately you'll need to decide on which species your interested and the requirements to keep that species - or maybe look into a lagoon where you could keep multiple species that are compatitable.
I have alot of experience in FW, but not SW, that's my cousin's expertise, but she's gonna help so yeah, the experience is available....budget is limited, hence why i'm planning on using stuff from the local rubber liner plant that makes liners for pools, among other things. I got the steel tube frames from a pool shop that went outta business couple weeks ago, they had a few liners also, these were mostly either displays or old ones that they hadn't thrown away. The liners from the rubber plant are all 3/4" thick and are supposed to be use'able in both fresh/salt water. Had to buy new pumps tho, because all the pumps were rated as FW only. Gonna keep the filters tho, cuz they're the sand-type; unless that isn't preferred for SW. They will be mounted outdoors and uncovered at first, but I can build a shed or something to cover top and 2 sides for wind resistance....altho where I live, it may not be 100% necessary. I live on top of a huge hill with trees covering all the hillsides pretty much blocking/slowing down any major winds. Also, the area it'll be in is a low spot(about 3-4ft lower than surrounding areas), so hopefully the surrounding land will act as "berms". ^may be rambling nonsense^....I DO know that I'll be spending alot of time out there with them, and I'm a neat freak to a point(goldfish pond never has more than 3 pine straw needles in it at a time, lol). I've do alot of fishing for black-tip reefs when I'm in Orange Beach, this last time I hooked one while fishing for jacks using a cheap setup($25 rod/reel combo and 12lb test line)....it was my nephews setup, and he got tired of sitting so he left and soon as he was gone, his rod just fell over really fast, a 4'8" black tip reef had gotten on there. I never expected to get one that size that close to shore, usually only accidentally catch a 2-footer every so often. Had to wear him down in fear of breaking line....41min later he was hitting the beach. 55lb on 12lb test means you can't drag him outta the surf, so going into his domain and picking him up was prolly the scariest impulsive thing I've done in a long time. Releasing a black-tip and it surviving is very rare, and it's a pain to get em outta their state of shock. Had to wade out in waist-deep water and push him thru the water....finally he woke up and I walked water back to shore. Whoa, sorry bout that rambling *eek*
Okay - for keeping sharks or any fish - you need fish safe pond liners, not liners for swimming pools. Swimming pool liners are often treated with chemicals that can be harmful to the fishes.
Also - by being outdoors- your more likely to have huge water temp swings, and the rain or lack of playing havok on your lagoon's salinity. In addition to having debris from your yard end up in the lagoon, and possibility of animals thinking of the sharks as food. In other words -having a lagoon outdoors creates a whole host of problems.
Also - are the Blacktips your caught before if they are the local species - Then I can tell you - they ARE NOT the Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) -which often does so well in captivity. The Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) found in along the Southeastern & Gulf coast states - is a high strung, & fairly aggressive species, that is very difficult to keep in captivity - which grows to 8ft or more in length.
Since your budget and experience is limited - it would be best to seriously consider going with smaller benthic sharks - which are generally hardier, and require less space than active swimming species.
Also - by being outdoors- your more likely to have huge water temp swings, and the rain or lack of playing havok on your lagoon's salinity. In addition to having debris from your yard end up in the lagoon, and possibility of animals thinking of the sharks as food. In other words -having a lagoon outdoors creates a whole host of problems.
Also - are the Blacktips your caught before if they are the local species - Then I can tell you - they ARE NOT the Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) -which often does so well in captivity. The Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) found in along the Southeastern & Gulf coast states - is a high strung, & fairly aggressive species, that is very difficult to keep in captivity - which grows to 8ft or more in length.
Since your budget and experience is limited - it would be best to seriously consider going with smaller benthic sharks - which are generally hardier, and require less space than active swimming species.
Steel frame might give you some issues with the shark's ability to navigate the edges.
A 24' round pool will be fine for something like black tip reef, white tip reef, bonnetheads, sharpnose, smoothounds or the smaller species like them.
Like Ken is saying, outdoor pools suck to control. Rain means drop offs in salinity. Sun means more algae. Lots of algae can give you pH swings during different points of the day. Temps will also very alot unless you have a good chiller/heater unit.
Sandfilters will work fine for large scale shark set ups. I highly suggest them. I'll toss out that you might want to look into using city water to backwash them with, so you don't lose your salt water when cleaning them.
Another thing I'll suggest is a BIG biotower of some kind to help off gas any excess CO2. Usually big (or several) pt skimmers will do this, but sometimes it's cheaper/easier to use a degas tower. It will also help keep your water quality in check.
A 24' round pool will be fine for something like black tip reef, white tip reef, bonnetheads, sharpnose, smoothounds or the smaller species like them.
Like Ken is saying, outdoor pools suck to control. Rain means drop offs in salinity. Sun means more algae. Lots of algae can give you pH swings during different points of the day. Temps will also very alot unless you have a good chiller/heater unit.
Sandfilters will work fine for large scale shark set ups. I highly suggest them. I'll toss out that you might want to look into using city water to backwash them with, so you don't lose your salt water when cleaning them.
Another thing I'll suggest is a BIG biotower of some kind to help off gas any excess CO2. Usually big (or several) pt skimmers will do this, but sometimes it's cheaper/easier to use a degas tower. It will also help keep your water quality in check.
So start small, that's what I was thinking; and building a shelter to control humidity/temps/prying animals etc. I will upload a pic of shark and let ya'll have a looksey. Explain 'benthic', less active? Also, I've always thought that sharks didn't have "gill pumps" so they had to keep moving, thoughts on this assumption?
Sorry Zoo, guess I was typing while you had already posted. The steel frames are the tube style and with the 6" thick foam pad and thick liner, along with fish safe liner, i'd hope they don't hurt themselves. Also, main reason I was asking turn radius is because in my view, anything that has to swim circles forever, would eventually get curvature of the spine, is that not plausible?
Mr Mikey;4359396; said:Pix of what i thought was a black tip, iunno what i been catching now.
i hope you let it go..
The blood on gills was from a previous catch by someone using a jig, it broke the line attached to lead, then the lead went across from left side of mouth where jig was hooked and went out the right side gills. Getting that jig out wasn't the easiest, it had gotten hooked behind the lower jaw bone and wasn't easily accessible from outside.