Hopefully taking the shark plunge

bluedevils38 · Mar 9, 2014

well iv ebeen thinking about it for awhile but i think hopefully here soon i might take the plunge and made a shark tank! im looking for a 240 gallon tank with overflows! its gonna be a long process but i really want to do this! i would get some rockwork in the middle only about 100 pounds with a big piece on pvc through the rockwork for him to swim through! im looking into getting a banded cat shark or epaulette maybe one of each! if anyone has any advice that would be great! ive been reading up on them for the past couple months here!:bigsmile:

cutterx23 · Mar 9, 2014

I own sharks and rays. Contact me if you have any questions. Owned them for years now.

cutterx23 · Mar 9, 2014

One thing I will say is that a standard 240, IMO is not large enough for the lifespan of either of those sharks. A coral cat shark may be a better option for you in that size tank. The main thing wit shark tanks is the length and width, height isn't as big a concern, as long as it's not super shallow. But if you want a shark that grows to 3'+ and your tank is only 2' wide, that will be uncomfortable for the shark.

bluedevils38 · Mar 9, 2014

Yeah that's what I read! I'm looking for a 240 that's lower than standard! And yeah I don't plan to keep it the lifespan! Just something to occupy me till it gets to big!

Bry · Mar 9, 2014

Then what do you plan to do with it?

TJ's Reef · Mar 9, 2014

How about the info I read that says you need a rounded ends aquarium for most sharks ??? Or obviously as stated at least big enough to turn around comfortably.

When I first read the thread title thought something completely different and brought some not so fond memories of diving out of Cozumel. So the last time 'I took the Shark Plunge' it was nearly face to face with a 9-10' Tiger Shark and I'm sure the water became a lot more YELLOW in my vicinity. So much so that the Dive Master asked me to head back in for the day because the Shark paid to much interest in me from the smell of FEAR. Loved Sharks and had no idea my reactions would be such, a little embarrassing to say the least. This was many years ago (1985) and have since been within eyesight of several, though mostly just Black/White Tip Reef Sharks and none closer than 25-30 feet.

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this one, such fascinating animals.

Cheers, Todd

bluedevils38 · Mar 10, 2014

I have a local fish store gerbers that takes trade ins when they get big or donate it to Newport aquarium

cutterx23 · Mar 10, 2014

My tank does not have rounded edges, typically that is to motivate the sharks to swim cylindrically and not run into the glass at speed and damage themselves. I've set up rocks in the corners of my tank in an attempt to motivate them to do the same thing and I had very good success with that tactic, but I gradually took them out to allow more open room (which is the biggest key), and they don't go slamming into the corners. Square corners really become a problem if the shark is unable to back up and then becomes trapped in the corner, but most home aquarium sharks do not have that problem. The main key is to give them as much open space as possible and make sure they can turn and swim comfortably. My tank is 5' x 7' with a center overflow and return, I arrange my rocks around the center and hide the box and the rest of the tank is open now.

bluedevils38 · Mar 10, 2014

Do you have pics?

cutterx23 · Mar 10, 2014

Here's some older ones.

SharkGirl · Mar 10, 2014

cutterx23 said:
Here's some older ones.

Nice tank! That's kinda how I want mine. That's a nice sized eel too! Snowflake? Aren't you afraid of him jumping out?

cutterx23 · Mar 10, 2014

I have a snowflake and fimbriated eel... I cover it at night. I am making a clear top for it, it's going to be my kitchen table once all is said and done.

SharkGirl · Mar 10, 2014

That's awesome!

turbo21 · Mar 11, 2014

bluedevils38 said:
I have a local fish store gerbers that takes trade ins when they get big or donate it to Newport aquarium

I am sorry but that is not a good plan

So many things can happen in a few years

The store could close. Aquarium could stop taking in any more donations etc

So what is your backup plan? Because even bamboo sharks can get to. 36". And it's impossible to find a home for a shark that big
I know because it happened to me

I took in an adult sized bamboo because I had a standard 220 that had no fish in it. And the shark as living in a 125

He went from 26" and manageable to 36" and a beast. I tried every aquarium within a days driving and every aquarium shop within 3 states and no one would take him

So If spending some big bucks to have a custom made tank like the other guy in this thread has isn't in your plans. Please don't buy a shark

Here was my 36" bamboo in a standard 220

bluedevils38 · Mar 11, 2014

I hate to tell ya but gerbers is not going to close their one of the best public saltwater store in the US! And Newport Aquarium has tanks set up for donation sharks I wad there yesterday

reefsandrotts · Mar 11, 2014

Just because theyre the best doesn't protect hem from the economy, as for the aquarium budget cuts and its gone..... as stated by others you should have a personal rock solid plan in place, I had a neighbor that build an indoor pond in his basement for his sharks and it worked out great. Might be something to think about, you asked for advice and good or bad like it or not that's all were trying give.

bluedevils38 said:
I hate to tell ya but gerbers is not going to close their one of the best public saltwater store in the US! And Newport Aquarium has tanks set up for donation sharks I wad there yesterday

Trenbolone · Mar 11, 2014

bluedevils38 said:
I hate to tell ya but gerbers is not going to close their one of the best public saltwater store in the US! And Newport Aquarium has tanks set up for donation sharks I wad there yesterday

I think you're misunderstanding the point here. People aren't trying to say with 100% certainty this establishment or the aquarium won't be around in the future. They're simply trying to inform you of the possibility of this. You need to understand that owning an animal is a commitment. Especially with a creature like a shark. If you can't provide a forever home for the animal, why get it in the first place? Perhaps if your plans are so short lived, you're better off visiting the sharks at the aquarium instead. Now don't let this deter you, if you can safely and adequately house these animals for their prospective life span, then by all means do your research and give it a go.

turbo21 · Mar 11, 2014

I would also suggest you get a little more experience under your belt before you attempt keeping a shark.
With you only being 17 you have not been in the hobby that long and sharks are definitely not for beginners. We are just trying to give you good advice

cutterx23 · Mar 11, 2014

turbo21 said:
So what is your backup plan? Because even bamboo sharks can get to. 36". And it's impossible to find a home for a shark that big
I know because it happened to me

I took in an adult sized bamboo because I had a standard 220 that had no fish in it. And the shark as living in a 125

He went from 26" and manageable to 36" and a beast. I tried every aquarium within a days driving and every aquarium shop within 3 states and no one would take him

So If spending some big bucks to have a custom made tank like the other guy in this thread has isn't in your plans. Please don't buy a shark

This is why I said a 240 was not large enough for the shark you were looking at getting. Bamboo's get large, even for a "small" shark, and while not very active they will still need room to move. And as stated they grow fast, can grow almost 12" a year. So once you have the shark you don't have a lot of time to get the upgrade before you risk damaging the shark in a small environment. Again if you don't plan on having a much larger tank than 240, at least dimensions wise, but feel like you must get a shark, spend a little more money on the shark and get a coral cat shark which will only grow to 2'. Cooler looking sharks anyways, and much better suited for that size tank for the entirety of it's life. Please contact me with any and all questions you may have. And there are no stupid questions, it's the best way to learn without wasting time, money and animal lives.

veselym · Mar 11, 2014

sharks should be kept in zoos and public aquariums IMO...240G tank is not big enough and I agree that housing a fish for a short period of time because it doesn't work with your current setup is not a good plan and selfish

IF you want a shark, build the equipment around it and not the other way around