Should I Give Up On My Dream Shark Aquarium?

[AwesomePossum]

So recently I’d finally saved up enough for the construction of my dream shark aquarium. I was planning on converting an extension in my house into a massive shark aquarium.

Originally I wanted a zebra shark (it was brought to my attention that they are threatened so that’s no longer my intention, I assumed they weren’t because my FS sells them on occasion) and black tip reef sharks. I posted on a different forum and immediately received several replies saying I shouldn’t do this and I could never have an aquarium big enough unless I built a 50 foot long one.

I figured here there are more experts, should I just give up and stick with small fish? I’ve cared for small sharks before and am quite familiar with them as well as worked in and around large aquariums with sharks but would it work in my home? Has anyone else had tanks with larger sharks?

 

[tlindsey]

So recently I’d finally saved up enough for the construction of my dream shark aquarium. I was planning on converting an extension in my house into a massive shark aquarium.

Originally I wanted a zebra shark (it was brought to my attention that they are threatened so that’s no longer my intention, I assumed they weren’t because my FS sells them on occasion) and black tip reef sharks. I posted on a different forum and immediately received several replies saying I shouldn’t do this and I could never have an aquarium big enough unless I built a 50 foot long one.

I figured here there are more experts, should I just give up and stick with small fish? I’ve cared for small sharks before and am quite familiar with them as well as worked in and around large aquariums with sharks but would it work in my home? Has anyone else had tanks with larger sharks?

Welcome aboard
Unfortunately the member that could really give you a solid answer imo isn't active here anymore.
Old thread I found
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...lon-shark-tank-by-black-tip.45035/post-712515

 

[fishhead0103666]

I’d recommend looking into the posts of Zoodiver who is probably the one tlindsey is referring to

 

[danotaylor]

What are the dimensions & volume would the tank/pond you proposed for the shark habit?

 

[Kayden]

I have seen well done shark tanks a lot smaller than 50’ long. Fully Pelegic species like black tips are difficult though due to many other factors.

would recommend hound sharks or white tips reefs for something more manageable with all the movement.15-20’ ovals would be great for either species.

Zebra sharks are also mostly captive bred from populations at public aquariums. So unless it says WC there is no reason to worry about conservation.

another option similar to zebras would be nurse sharks. Very large, but benthic, so I’ve seen people get away with those in 30’ tanks

you would still need a lot of money for all of these species, however with proper funds, research, and dedication it can be done well. The setup isn’t even the worst part! You do math on feeding black tips and it’s thousands a year!

 

[AwesomePossum]

Welcome aboard
Unfortunately the member that could really give you a solid answer imo isn't active here anymore.
Old thread I found
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...lon-shark-tank-by-black-tip.45035/post-712515

Thanks for this! I enjoyed reading through it

 

[AwesomePossum]

I’d recommend looking into the posts of Zoodiver who is probably the one tlindsey is referring to

Ok thanks! I was a little confused on who was the expert but the thread was great to!

 

[AwesomePossum]

What are the dimensions & volume would the tank/pond you proposed for the shark habit?

It’s still a little flexible as of right now but I’m looking at about 35’ or 30’ by 16’ and 9.5’ tall. I’m knocking down a wall between two rooms and the tank will take up both of them. So that would be roughly 35000 gallons. Or at least that’s the goal.

If I don’t have sharks either, we’ll just do one room because I have a deal with a small local aquarium to give workshops to small groups of their students (they host a lot of camps and educational programs) at my tank only IF there are sharks. So depends on whether I get some funding from that. (I want to clarify I would not be giving the workshops, others would but they wanted a smaller aquarium for the younger kids to get more hands on AND I can fully pay for the shark tank without this program even in the long run, in case things fall through halfway or it isn’t enough)

 

[AwesomePossum]

I have seen well done shark tanks a lot smaller than 50’ long. Fully Pelegic species like black tips are difficult though due to many other factors.

would recommend hound sharks or white tips reefs for something more manageable with all the movement.15-20’ ovals would be great for either species.

Zebra sharks are also mostly captive bred from populations at public aquariums. So unless it says WC there is no reason to worry about conservation.

another option similar to zebras would be nurse sharks. Very large, but benthic, so I’ve seen people get away with those in 30’ tanks

you would still need a lot of money for all of these species, however with proper funds, research, and dedication it can be done well. The setup isn’t even the worst part! You do math on feeding black tips and it’s thousands a year!

Thanks so much for this! The zebras aren’t WC but I’m worried about it being unethical as many other have told me it would be to keep one. Maybe I’ll have to switch to white tips then. My tank will be about 30’ to 35’ (not an oval unfortunately but I’ll be aquascaping it so the clear paths are in a circular shape). The tank could POTENTIALLY be longer, but only by about 5’ and that depends on the inner structure of my wall according to my engineer so we’ll see. I aim to make it as big as possible.

As for funds, I’ve got many saved up, enough for initial construction, and between my parter and Is income we will be able to sustain the tank easily. I’m a big finance person so I’ve been making budgets and crunching numbers constantly and as of now it should be able to work well and hopefully if things take a turn in that department we’ll be able to recover quickly.
I’ve also worked with sharks in many aquariums and worked with a few ocean researchers so I like to thing I’m well educated on shark care. Of course there’s always more to learn but I believe I can provide for them. The only real thing I’m shaky on is tank size as it’s not something I had considered before this project and many told me it would be cruel to do so.

 

[tlindsey]

I’d recommend looking into the posts of Zoodiver who is probably the one tlindsey is referring to

Yes