Good question, I should've explained my temporary "growth tank cover" a little better. Picture a beach tent, then picture one big enuff to cover 650sq ft with walls that block wind and so forth....I'll use a bunch of tarp material, but I'll get it done. Probably gonna use steel poles for frame structure of cover. It's not meant to be permanent, but will do until I get the permanent in-ground setup completed. I'm the only person that's gonna be working on it, so it'll take a while before permanent location is ready. And I understand the water temp issue, I just put in an order for a water heater that'll hopefully keep temps in the safe range....those things are pricey.
Newbie interested in shark(s) for private enjoyment.
- Thread starter Mr Mikey
- Start date
Mr Mikey;4361058; said:
You know that heating will be the easiest part. Cooling it will be ridiculous...
The actual cost of heating and cooling that much water would cost more a month than spending 50k on an indoor custom acrylic tank...
Okay - a note on Atlantic Sharpnose - They don't do well when kept alone. They are a shark species that naturally lives in schools. So the only way to keep Atlantic Sharpnose is in a Small school of at least 3 to 5 individuals.
Sharpnose tend to be warm water sharks - generally preferring water temps over 70F
Generally speaking Smoothhounds tend to be a cooler water species perferring water temps under 70F. So in my option keeping them with the Sharpnose isn't a good idea - because of water temp preferences.
Here's a rough guideline list of compatitable species.
Atlantic Coast warm water - 72 to 82F
Atlantic Sharpnose
Bonnethead,
Nurse Shark (Juveniles to sub-adult)
Atlantic Coast Cool water - 60 to 68F
Atlantic Smoothhound
Chain Catshark
California Cool water -64 to 72F
California Horn
Gray Smoothhound
Leopard Shark
Swell Shark
Indo-Pacific Warm Water - 72-82F
Blacktip Reef
Whitetip Reef
Brown Banded Bamboo
Epaulette
Coral Catshark
In the case of benthic species such as epaulettes, bamboos & Coral Catsharks - is that they are reef dwelling species. Just like Whitetips Reefs & Blacktips Reefs are. However Sharpnose & Bonnetheads don't do well in a reef or rocky settings - they are at home is sandy bottom, coastal areas -with virtually no rock decor.
Sharpnose tend to be warm water sharks - generally preferring water temps over 70F
Generally speaking Smoothhounds tend to be a cooler water species perferring water temps under 70F. So in my option keeping them with the Sharpnose isn't a good idea - because of water temp preferences.
Here's a rough guideline list of compatitable species.
Atlantic Coast warm water - 72 to 82F
Atlantic Sharpnose
Bonnethead,
Nurse Shark (Juveniles to sub-adult)
Atlantic Coast Cool water - 60 to 68F
Atlantic Smoothhound
Chain Catshark
California Cool water -64 to 72F
California Horn
Gray Smoothhound
Leopard Shark
Swell Shark
Indo-Pacific Warm Water - 72-82F
Blacktip Reef
Whitetip Reef
Brown Banded Bamboo
Epaulette
Coral Catshark
In the case of benthic species such as epaulettes, bamboos & Coral Catsharks - is that they are reef dwelling species. Just like Whitetips Reefs & Blacktips Reefs are. However Sharpnose & Bonnetheads don't do well in a reef or rocky settings - they are at home is sandy bottom, coastal areas -with virtually no rock decor.
Krj- Most horn species these days are captive bred and acclimated to thrive in higher temperature such as 72-78. I notice this at almost every pet store near me, and even with breeders. Is this true or just a sales tactic?
Oh ok, I was just going by the supplier's description on the bamboos, it said they weren't "reef compatible", which I honestly thought was odd for the type of shark.
On another note, I am fixing to ask a stupid question that I'm feeling about now shouldn't be asked. When it comes to adding salt, will this setup work as a "salt adder"? http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Saltwater-System/dp/B002V1H11C It's supposed to have a control panel to adjust how much to add and how long to run, and is supposedly able to be manually run just to add salt when it's needed(when lvls are low).
I'll probably get the 3-4 sharpnoses first then add a bonnet in later....well, after saving more money first ofcourse. That green paper sure helps with hobbies.
I don't know how cooling could cost that much, what kind of cooling system are you thinking about anyways? And I don't have the funds nor interior space in my house to do something like paraimag(spelling?) did with the 15k and 50k additions; if I did, I can guarantee it'd be done that way, for sure.
I agree that cooling during the summer months will be harder than warming during our temperate winter months, especially if we have any more 100+ degree summers like this last one. Any tips on cooling other than hand-building a water cooling system where it virtually sends water thru an a/c condensor? The temp location won't get much sunlight, if any, so it will mostly just be the temperature of a shaded area; plus by the time they're ready to be moved into the permanent tank, the spring will just have started, so the cooling shouldn't be too much an issue I hope. I probably won't get setup until mid-august, hopefully the suppliers will still have sharpnose and bonnethead pups in stock.
On another note, I am fixing to ask a stupid question that I'm feeling about now shouldn't be asked. When it comes to adding salt, will this setup work as a "salt adder"? http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Saltwater-System/dp/B002V1H11C It's supposed to have a control panel to adjust how much to add and how long to run, and is supposedly able to be manually run just to add salt when it's needed(when lvls are low).
I'll probably get the 3-4 sharpnoses first then add a bonnet in later....well, after saving more money first ofcourse. That green paper sure helps with hobbies.
I don't know how cooling could cost that much, what kind of cooling system are you thinking about anyways? And I don't have the funds nor interior space in my house to do something like paraimag(spelling?) did with the 15k and 50k additions; if I did, I can guarantee it'd be done that way, for sure.
I agree that cooling during the summer months will be harder than warming during our temperate winter months, especially if we have any more 100+ degree summers like this last one. Any tips on cooling other than hand-building a water cooling system where it virtually sends water thru an a/c condensor? The temp location won't get much sunlight, if any, so it will mostly just be the temperature of a shaded area; plus by the time they're ready to be moved into the permanent tank, the spring will just have started, so the cooling shouldn't be too much an issue I hope. I probably won't get setup until mid-august, hopefully the suppliers will still have sharpnose and bonnethead pups in stock.
What I am trying to say is that if you don't have 10-15k to build an indoor pond you shouldn't build an outside one. In one year it will probably cost you 10k to heat and cool your pond and keep it running constantly fighting mother nature. I just see major failure with anything outside, especially on a budget. If you can't do it inside, why the hell would you try outside? I don't know, i am not trying to be a downer, just realistic...
I looked into the cost of heating and cooling a 500g in my garage, and that was stupid money.
Those are my babies
I looked into the cost of heating and cooling a 500g in my garage, and that was stupid money.
Those are my babies
Ok then, just don't worry about it guys, I'm not going to run the risk of failure and killing the fish.
Mr Mikey;4361449; said:
15,000 gallon is a lot of water.... What about hospital tanks for the sharks if one gets sick? Additional pumps? Filtration? Heating Cooling?
I just see this project easily going over $10,000, before even filling it....
It CAN be done, but i am just playing devils advocate here...
Whats wrong with building a 900 gallon and trying to breed some bamboo sharks?
Or even a 260 with marble catsharks?
That could be done indoors with a decent cost with much more satisfaction.
Or even a 260 with marble catsharks?
That could be done indoors with a decent cost with much more satisfaction.
Yes -it's true that most horns species can thrive in 72-78F. Most Heterodontids seem to be temperate to subtropical sharks, and are often in the wild found in waters between 57-78 F.
But I would hardly say that most of the horn sharks sold to LFS, or private aquarists are captive bred. Yes there are a few breeders - but most horn sharks sold to private aquarists are still come from wild caught juveniles.
Mr.Mikey - Honestly your best bet -if your really serious -is start of small. In other words - It would be better to build a tank or small lagoon in your basement (or other enclosed area) for some nice benthic sharks. Then it would be to build the very large(15,000+ gallon) swimming pool-size shark pond to house a few requiem sharks.
First off, even hardy benthic shark species are considered to be fairly difficult to keep by more marine aquarists. And requiem Sharks (no matter the species) are without a doubt the hardest of all saltwater fishes for a private aquarist to keep. As such they should only kept by those few private aquarists who have tons of experience, and lots of space & money.
Also a great big myth is that you aren't really keeping sharks - unless your keeping requiem sharks - THIS IS SO COMPLETELY FALSE. Some of the best private shark aquarists I've talked to only deal with benthic sharks - and do so to point that they are successfully breeding these sharks, in their own homes. There are many species of benthic sharks that are very cool, and interesting to watch. Even though they may not have that "classic" requiem shark shape. The fact is that there are more benthic species that are available to private aquarists - then there are swimming sharks.
So Mr.Mikey - what I'm saying is don't give up the dream of private shark tank or pond. Just consider altering the dream. And stick with benthic species. After you gain a few years of experience with benthic sharks. If you still want to keep requiems, and feel you can meet the requirements to keep them for life - then at that time - Go For It.
