Shark Pond Question

[Ali]

Hello I am purchasing all of my equipment right now for my shark pond and I have a question. The pond I am planning on getting is 12'x 30" circular with steel poles that hold it up. I know that metal should be avoided when working with sharks but will these poles have a drastic effect on the sharks ability to navigate/hunt?

If the steel poles do have such an effect is their a substitute? I have been told to look into fibergrate or pvc/abs but I haven't found anything that I might be able to use in place of the steel.


Here is a link to the pool I am looking at. http://www.qualityinflatables.com/56994.html

Has anyone ever done a shark pond before? If so how did you build the pond an what materials did you use?

 

[rottbo]

the poles on those pools are not in the water they are on the outside of the liner

 

[Ali]

the poles on those pools are not in the water they are on the outside of the liner

Yes true, however I have heard that aquriums do not use metal rebar in their concrete because the sharks can still sense it. Any thoughts on that?

On my pond I am also laying a 45 mil liner over the pond in order to help protect against th salt and fish. This means that the wate will never come in direct contact with the steel.

 

[plah831]

I think the biggest problem would be if those poles were electrified. But honestly, I think they'll be noticing the electric-powered filter more than they will those poles Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Ali]

I think the biggest problem would be if those poles were electrified. But honestly, I think they'll be noticing the electric-powered filter more than they will those poles Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hmm, that is an interesting point. From the people I have taked to who have large shark systems they do not go to any extreme to "hide" the electric current coming from the pumps. Is their a threshold where the sharks begin to become affected by the electricity?

Also, will grounding the water help?

 

[Max]

I'd think that it would notice both the pump and the steel poles. The pump issues can be resolved by seperating it from the pool and upping your pump size to make sure that you have sufficient water flow. I'd also find a replaicement for the steel poles I couldn't imagine them having any issues detecting them through the liner ,"it's pvc right?" I'd be afraid that the shark would go and investigate ,"chew", and break through. You might consider coating them in a non conductive material like rubber but, I'm not sure how effective or feasable that would be. I'll freely admit that I'm mostly guessing here I've never installed a shark pond but, they are detection machines! Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
hth
Max

 

[Ali]

I'd think that it would notice both the pump and the steel poles. The pump issues can be resolved by seperating it from the pool and upping your pump size to make sure that you have sufficient water flow. I'd also find a replaicement for the steel poles I couldn't imagine them having any issues detecting them through the liner ,"it's pvc right?" I'd be afraid that the shark would go and investigate ,"chew", and break through. You might consider coating them in a non conductive material like rubber but, I'm not sure how effective or feasable that would be. I'll freely admit that I'm mostly guessing here I've never installed a shark pond but, they are detection machines! Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
hth
Max

That is what I am afraid of, the shark biting through the liner. The liner is a single ply rubber membrane. Here is a link http://www.azponds.com/pond_liner.htm

May you elaborate on how to seperate the pump from the pond? All of the pumps used on this pond are external pumps. I already have two of them. They are made by a company called Starite.

 

[Ali]

I have a second question regarding the filtration on this pond. I am searching for a sand filter right now and I am looking at the Triton II sand filter 30" and the StaRite System 3 2.4 sq. ft sand filter. Price and performence are what I am looking for. Any ideas on which one to get?

 

[Zoodiver]

Metal poles are a bad choice. Just cutting some sch 80 PVC will do the same thign without the negative interaction you'll see with metal. Just coating them will not work.

The Triton is a good filter for that size pool.

Sharks chomping the liner will be an issue you'll have to keep an eye on. I had a pool like this as a temp set up holding for some pacu - they chewed it up in about three days. Depending on the shark, it should be a problem, just keep your eyes open.

 

[plah831]

Is their a threshold where the sharks begin to become affected by the electricity?

They're extremely sensitive, so I'm sure it's something ridiculously low that they'd still be able to detect. I'm talking like a telephone through a thick wall they'd still be able to sense. So probably levels not detectable by any man-made gauge.

So Max is probably right that the metal poles will still cause a disturbance. Especially with the salt water being a perfect conductor. So go with the advice and choose PVC

Now that I think about it, every tank I've seen sharks kept in were plastic or some other insulator material.