Shark Tank Setup, Advice Appreciative

[sprntswimm86]

Ok, to start with I am new to the saltwater community, and yes I do plan on starting with a shark tank. Have always had various sizes of freshwater fish tanks my whole life, and I'm aware it's different. I've been doing research for quite some time now on various sites, but I feel you would be more honest, truthful, and knowledgeable than most sites I've been reading. My plan is to start with a 96x24x24 or a 96x30x24 tank (preferably the latter). In a 90 gallon sump I'm planning on having a skimmer (300+ gallon rating) and tons of live rock as filtration. The tank itself will have a 2'' sand bed with a live rock column on the sides against the overflows. I am chemically cycling the tank and expect at minimum a month before the shark is added. The shark will be one of the catsharks (banded, marble, epp, etc), and after the tank settling from that I'm planning on adding either a second or a grouper and eel.

Question is, should I stay with a live rock primary filtration, or should i switch to a refugium with a deep sand bed, crushed rock, plants and shrimp/snails/starfish? I've read that the shark is a very messy eater, and I figured that the animals in the refugium would help consume the uneaten waste that the skimmer misses. Also, the house will have central AC, so would a chiller be needed? Any other suggestions/recommendations on the setup is appreciated.

 

[Zoodiver]

For shark filtration, you're going to want good pt skimming and a good mechanical filter to pull debris out of the water prior to it breaking down and feeding the ammonia cycle. Live rock won't do much good.
I'd also suggest shying away from a deep layer of substrate. It will create too many dead spots that a shark will stir up after time, and it can release a lot of nasty anaerobic bacteria (that could wipe out the whole tank).

Chiller will depend on how hot it gets with the pumps you are using. mid to upper 70's is good for most sharks. Sometimes into the low 80's, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Tank sounds like a good starter, but you'll def want a bigger tank. Prepare for a 4' long shark (most of the species you listed get to roughly that). Coral cats and marbled cats stay smaller. The banded bamboo (almost any bamboo) and epps will be bigger.

 

[krj-1168]

Okay - first off - If you're new to keeping saltwater tanks - then let me say this. Sharks are very poor fish for someone to who is just getting into saltwater tanks. Even so called "beginner" sharks require an aquarist with moderate saltwater experience under their belts.

So a better plan would be to set up for an aggressive or semi-aggressive marine tank which may include - a grouper, eel, maybe a lion fish. Then after about at least 6-12 months of experience with these fishes - maybe you could add a shark to the tank.

 

[CanadianKeeper]

Okay - first off - If you're new to keeping saltwater tanks - then let me say this. Sharks are very poor fish for someone to who is just getting into saltwater tanks. Even so called "beginner" sharks require an aquarist with moderate saltwater experience under their belts.

So a better plan would be to set up for an aggressive or semi-aggressive marine tank which may include - a grouper, eel, maybe a lion fish. Then after about at least 6-12 months of experience with these fishes - maybe you could add a shark to the tank.

This also what kind of shark are you looking to get ? They differ alot in care

 

[Pazzoman]

Okay - first off - If you're new to keeping saltwater tanks - then let me say this. Sharks are very poor fish for someone to who is just getting into saltwater tanks. Even so called "beginner" sharks require an aquarist with moderate saltwater experience under their belts.

So a better plan would be to set up for an aggressive or semi-aggressive marine tank which may include - a grouper, eel, maybe a lion fish. Then after about at least 6-12 months of experience with these fishes - maybe you could add a shark to the tank.

You should stick with this set up as this will give you experience points. More work with saltwater I've noticed compared to my freshwater tank. In a tank like that you could get away with a number of semi aggressive/aggressive fish. If you go with the width of 30 (could get away with 24) you could have a few rays such as yellow rays and cortez (but still they are like sharks you should develop more time with fish like lions/triggers/eels/groupers/puffers).