Tank tips anyone?

[ShelShark]

Hey guys... Newest member here seeking a few pointers
Hey guys. Very new to this forum but not so new to fish keeping. I've had a 30 gallon cichlid tank (that used to be saltwater) for a few years now but always wanted the joy of a large saltwater tank like the waters of where I am from (Antigua)

Then.. it happened. =)

A friend of mine was moving away and gave me his 180 gallon tank w/ the oak wood cabinet stand, cover & HOB filter. I've cleaned out the tank, added a nice shine to the stand, decided what fish I'd like, and prepared a space for the aquarium.
I plan to keep... (Obtained in this order)
-4 Tangs
-2 puffers
-1 small ray
-2 small sharks

Few items I'm picking up this week include Red sea Salt, 4 power heads, a heater, Aquaripure nitrate canister filter, live rock, live sand, crushed coral and testing kits.

?Anything else I might need?
?Is the Aquaripure Filter A good option for filtration? Has anyone used it?
?Is sand from hardware stores safe for the aquarium?
?How long must the aquarium "CYCLE" before I add life to the tank?
?What kind of lighting would be good for the life I plan to support?
?Any other fish that sharks won't mess with?

Any other comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[krj-1168]

Actually - there aren't very many sharks that can be kept in a 180 g for it's entire life. None of the most common species (i.e. bamboo sharks, Eppies, & coral Cats) can. So about the longest you will be able to keep them in a 180 is maybe 2 years - if you get them as pups.

Also it's not just about fish that the sharks won't mess with - but also fish that won't mess witht the sharks. That said Puffers are definitely off the list - as they have been known to mess with benthic sharks and rays. Truth is the only fishes that would be truely save to keep with benthic sharks - is other species of benthic sharks and rays. There are some fish which can be paired with sharks - although caution needs to be used in doing so; Species such as tangs, foxface, groupers, Eels, & parrotfish.

As for the filtration system - a Protein Skimmer is a must have - sharks & rays are messy feeders .