Nitrates with Coral Catshark?

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

Cycling my tank, and nitrates are at 40. Makes me wonder if coral catsharks are nitrate sensitive? I've heard people with fowlr tanks don't even test for nitrates as long as algae isn't growing they dont care about nitrates. Anyone know what an acceptable level is in a fowlr/predator tank? @alprazo

Feet4Fish · Mar 13, 2019

If cycling , what is your ammonia and nitrite? 40 isn’t a big deal on a FOWLR . What is the question regarding the cat shark?

408Dartfish · Mar 13, 2019

I’ve never owned a shark but I read a lot. From what I’ve read sharks like lower nitrates.

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

soffutt said:
If cycling , what is your ammonia and nitrite? 40 isn’t a big deal on a FOWLR . What is the question regarding the cat shark?

What should the nitrate level be to keep the shark healthy and happy, ammonia is 1 and nitrite is 2.

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

408Dartfish said:
I’ve never owned a shark but I read a lot. From what I’ve read sharks like lower nitrates.

Do you know about how low?

dantimdad · Mar 13, 2019

I have kept bamboos and coral cats. While the high nitrates won't kill them. They are much happier in lower (less than 20) nitrates.

They seem to feed less readily. Which, I guess long term, could effect their health. I just did water changes to bring them down if they showed slowed feeding.

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

dantimdad said:
I have kept bamboos and coral cats. While the high nitrates won't kill them. They are much happier in lower (less than 20) nitrates.

They seem to feed less readily. Which, I guess long term, could effect their health. I just did water changes to bring them down if they showed slowed feeding.

What were your water changes? I'm planning on doing 20% bi weekly

Feet4Fish · Mar 13, 2019

I might not have read the first post right, but if this system is just recently cycled then be sure to stay on top of your water changes! Agree nitrates has under 20 ppm is best. A shark presents a high bioload demand on a biofilter so water changes will be important until biofilter matures.

dantimdad · Mar 13, 2019

I did 10% weekly unless there was a problem then I did 10% biweekly after an initial 20% until the problem subsided.

Sharks HATE quick changes. They also like cooler tanks which makes your filters work harder.

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

dantimdad said:
I did 10% weekly unless there was a problem then I did 10% biweekly after an initial 20% until the problem subsided.

Sharks HATE quick changes. They also like cooler tanks which makes your filters work harder.

Coral catsharks do well 72-76 my tank is 74. So do you think 20% bi weekly is good?

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

soffutt said:
I might not have read the first post right, but if this system is just recently cycled then be sure to stay on top of your water changes! Agree nitrates has under 20 ppm is best. A shark presents a high bioload demand on a biofilter so water changes will be important until biofilter matures.

My tank is in the process of cycling, and yes my skimmer should make up for the premature biofilter.

dantimdad · Mar 13, 2019

No, I think 10% weekly is better. No big changes unless necessary.

BTW, what size tank?

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

dantimdad said:
No, I think 10% weekly is better. No big changes unless necessary.

BTW, what size tank?

Oh I didn't think 20 was big, 220.

dantimdad · Mar 13, 2019

OK. If there was ever a case for an auto water changer, sharks are it.

If I was to do it again, I would do a 2ft deep plywood lagoon about 12x12 honestly and do 2% a day via a controller.

I would run an ammonia scrubber and no skimmer.

I would also run a very soft substrate.

Kasey Grohowski · Mar 13, 2019

dantimdad said:
OK. If there was ever a case for an auto water changer, sharks are it.

If I was to do it again, I would do a 2ft deep plywood lagoon about 12x12 honestly and do 2% a day via a controller.

I would run an ammonia scrubber and no skimmer.

I would also run a very soft substrate.

Wow I'm not getting a great white haha. Just a 2 foot benthic shark. And my substrate is soft, wont scrape the sharks stomach. Caribsea fiji pink .5 mm grain size. Nearly sugar