Shark and Ray Pond

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mcarty

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 14, 2012
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NJ
Hello all,
I am new to the forum but i have see the great information that is relayed on this site so i figured i would give it a shot. I start by explaining the current situation. I am currently a highschooler in upstate NY (Millbrook School) and another student and I came up with the idea that it would be a cool thing to build a shark and ray pond. Also at our school we have an AZA accredited zoo so we could not have more of a perfect place to set one up. We have both had Saltwater tanks and the zoo staff that we would work with has always had a reef tank. So we have a moderate amount of knowledge but we are not experts. We also have someone on staff that started in marine biology so that is also a benefitting factor. What we would like to do is create a 400-600 gallon pond constructed of concrete. The pond would be a rectangular tank with rounded edges and also have a viewing window in the front. The dimensions we were thinking of would be about 8ft long x 5ft wide x 2ft deep. For filtration we were looking into using an Ultima 2 1000 bead filter along with an Iwaki pump. We would also want to have a capable tower skimmer because we are not sure we would want to have a sump in the setup( unless it strong benefits). For insulation we would also probably being using a chiller as this building is a climate controlled building. We would be looking to build the pond ourselves but then again we are not opposed to hiring a contractor or at least having assistance from one. As far as stocking go we are looking to stock it with a pair of coral catsharks and then a pair of the california round rays or something of a similar size. We do like the cownose rays but we think that those would outgrow our system pretty quickly.

Let us know if you have any feedback, suggestions or disagreements with the setup thus far. We are still months away from begining the build process so it is not to late for anything. If you do not believe me about the zoo, just visit my schools website. Thanks for the help.
 
Sorry it made a bunch of the ink black. Heres the repost:
I am new to the forum but i have see the great information that is relayed on this site so i figured i would give it a shot. I start by explaining the current situation. I am currently a highschooler in upstate NY (Millbrook School) and another student and I came up with the idea that it would be a cool thing to build a shark and ray pond. Also at our school we have an AZA accredited zoo so we could not have more of a perfect place to set one up. We have both had Saltwater tanks and the zoo staff that we would work with has always had a reef tank. So we have a moderate amount of knowledge but we are not experts. We also have someone on staff that started in marine biology so that is also a benefitting factor. What we would like to do is create a 400-600 gallon pond constructed of concrete. The pond would be a rectangular tank with rounded edges and also have a viewing window in the front. The dimensions we were thinking of would be about 8ft long x 5ft wide x 2ft deep. For filtration we were looking into using an Ultima 2 1000 bead filter along with an Iwaki pump. We would also want to have a capable tower skimmer because we are not sure we would want to have a sump in the setup( unless it strong benefits). For insulation we would also probably being using a chiller as this building is a climate controlled building. We would be looking to build the pond ourselves but then again we are not opposed to hiring a contractor or at least having assistance from one. As far as stocking go we are looking to stock it with a pair of coral catsharks and then a pair of the california round rays or something of a similar size. We do like the cownose rays but we think that those would outgrow our system pretty quickly. Let us know if you have any feedback, suggestions or disagreements with the setup thus far. We are still months away from begining the build process so it is not to late for anything. If you do not believe me about the zoo, just visit my schools website. Thanks for the help.
 
At 600 gallons, I'd look into a direct drive pump (1/2 hp or so) instead of a magnetic drive like the Iwaki pump.
A bead filter is a good idea. Aquatic Eco Systems sells a package that might be right for you.
Chiller is a good idea, with a pump big enough to move that volume of water you will see a lot of thermal gain.

As for a pt skimmer, a properly sized ETS skimmer would work.

There is no need for a sump with a pool like what you want. Everything can be pulled from the pool and return to it. Just make sure you use a combination of surface over flows and suction about half way down the side so you don't cavitate the pumps.
 
Thanks for the response and thanks for changing the text to a readable color. A quick update:the pond is most likely going to a fiberglass tank with a viewing window in the middle of it. It will be a rectangle with rounded edges so basically an oval measuring 8x6x3 (although the actual water depth will probably be about 24 inches, the extra 12 will be for a splash and jump guard. We will look into the ETS skimmer and the direct drive pumps, if aquatic eco makes a combo of a pump and the ultima that would be perfect. Would you recommending setting up a surface skimmer or would the overflows play the same role? We would also have about 600 or so pounds of live sand for bio filtration but not a lot of live rock, just enough to provide some caves. We were also thinking about building some type of in tank refugium that would be able to house some chaeto algae. Our budget would be in between 15,000- and 20,000. Does this sounds reasonable or would you recommend making it larger. Another obstacle with this system is that the zoo would be interested in making it as green as possible. Are there any tips for doing this? Stocking this tank would hopefully consist of a pair of coral cats, a pair of stingrays(we liked the atlantic stingrays but it seems like they get to big), and maybe a horn shark although we are not sure if the temperatures for our species match up. Does this system sound reasonable along with our budget. Thanks for the help
 
That budget would be realistic since you are looking at a fiberglass pool instead of making one.

The over flow boxes feeding into the filter will cover you surface skimming. The refuge will be mostly pointless on a system like this.

I'd suggest using enough sand to cover the bottom, and not worrying about the exact lbs. Your biological will be supported in the bead/sand filter (which is one reason I love them so much - mech/bio all in one).
Most horn sharks are cool/cold water. The Atlantic ray would be a great size for a pool like this. If you could step up to a 10' or even a 12' length for the oval of the pool, you'll have a lot more room for a few cownose stingrays.

As for making it 'green' - my only suggestion would be reclaiming the water. When you backwash the filter, have the waste water fill a vat of some type. Filter that and use something like ozone to sterilized it/clean it up. Then you can re-use it again the next time you do a water change. The only added water would be using freshwater to control your salt level. (If the reclaim process example didn't make sense, let me know and I'll try to explain it better. I've done several set ups like that to conserve water.)
 
By reusing our water would we some how have to remove the nitrates from them or would the UV do that. For stocking we would want 2 coral cats. 2 stingrays, would our pool be able to house 2 atlantic stingrays for life or would something larger be necessary to do that? Some small variation schooling fish to add color and movement and also give the sharks and rays some enrichment. And then if we had room we would be looking into one more bethnic shark. Are there any good ideas or is our system just not large enough. If it is do you think there would be any other sharks that would fit in. Thanks for all of the help
 
I am not going to get into a big long winded post on setting up this pond. Matt is doing a good job with pointing you in the right direction. If you are truly serious about doing this... I would be more than happy to help you out. I will say that your in luck since your in Millbrook. My store is right in Fishkill NY about 30min from your school and your about 10min from my shark holding facility. I am also pretty sure that I have sold supplies to the Trevor zoo. Witch I am pretty sure thats the one at your school. So stop on by I have banded hounds, coral cats, horns, and bamboo's instock that you can check out. We are also putting in a lagoon at the shop soon for ORV sharks very soon. Should be good for you to check out.
 
If you can work with Josh (Turbo253), that is the way to go. Expert advice right in your backyard! He can do everything from the design/build to getting you healthy livestock.

For the reclaimed water, I'd use ozone to sterilize it and clean it up. If you run it up to 600mV for about 24 hrs and then let it come down to 350mV you should see nice clean water to put back in.
 
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