ok im getting a shark egg..

[Hammer1126]

ok i have decided to order a banded shark egg..i am going to first set up a 125gal tank,,any ideas on what filtration i should use and what fish i can put in the tank while the egg is in there?? so i am first gonna cycle the tank and put a sand bed and some live rock in there, than after the cylce i want to add the egg and if possible some other fish to keep the tank lively untill the hatching..any ideas?

[ChilDawg]

You mean Chiloscyllium punctatum? They get to be 40" long...a little large for the 125!!!

[Guy W]

Originally posted by Hammer1126
ok i have decided to order a banded shark egg..i am going to first set up a 125gal tank,,any ideas on what filtration i should use and what fish i can put in the tank while the egg is in there?? so i am first gonna cycle the tank and put a sand bed and some live rock in there, than after the cylce i want to add the egg and if possible some other fish to keep the tank lively untill the hatching..any ideas?

Well, a banded shark, if we are talking about "Chiloscyllium punctatum" can get over 3 feet long. I don't think they have any business in a 125 gallon tank unless you seriously plan on upgrading to a 300+ gallon tank in a few years.

People always say, "ya I"m going to get something bigger eventually". But usually that isn't true. why spend thousands of dollars now on something a little smaller, then spend that much again and more in a few years?

Anway, if you get atleast a 300 gallon tank I would say anything that gets fairly large and is semi-agressive and not bottom dwelling would be good. A Large tang perhaps. Maybe a Puffer. A Niger or Picasso Trigger would be cool maybe.

Really if you want sharks or rays you should have a few shallow tank that is round. A tank that is 2 or 3 feet deep but 4 feet by 8 feet is what I'd recommend for a shark that gets 3 feet long.

I hate to be a buzz kill, but I just don't think people should keep sharks in fish tanks when the shark won't be able to turn around as it grows. I mean a 125gallon tank is 18 inches wide. The shark is going to be 36 inches long. That just isn't right.

Guy

[Hammer1126]

i know i am going to have to get a larger tank within about a year...i have read a bunch of pages saying that a banded bamboo can live in a 125 easily,,but i think a little larger tank would be better..so im gonna use a 125 until i think that he needs a bigger tank than im hoping to get something in the size of 250-300gal and maybe get another shark for the tank if it is possible...But i wanna know what type of filtration and water movement devices i should use and if i can add more fish with the egg?? Thanks

[ChilDawg]

I wouldn't recommend adding anything to that tank until the egg hatches in case there is something that might eat larval sharks or egg-bound ones.

[Guy W]

Originally posted by Hammer1126
i know i am going to have to get a larger tank within about a year...i have read a bunch of pages saying that a banded bamboo can live in a 125 easily,,but i think a little larger tank would be better..so im gonna use a 125 until i think that he needs a bigger tank than im hoping to get something in the size of 250-300gal and maybe get another shark for the tank if it is possible...But i wanna know what type of filtration and water movement devices i should use and if i can add more fish with the egg?? Thanks

again my point in my previous post. why spend thousands of dollars on a 125 and then spend thousands of dollars again in a year to get a 300?

I'm not saying that your lieing. I'm just saying I work at a LFS part time (sometimes), and I hear people say this all the time. It makes little sense. I always try to talk them into going bigger at the beginning, even if it means they have to wait a little longer to save the money.

And, I still think if your serious about getting sharks you should think about doing an indoor saltwater pond. Sharks and Rays are cool, if properly housed.

Guy

[Hammer1126]

yeah i am not too sure about adding anything until it hatches now that i think about it...i wouldnt want something picking at the egg,,,what is a good addition to the tank after the shark hatches?

[Guy W]

sorry, i didn't notice in your thread about wanting to have something in the tank with the egg. I thought you meant after the egg hatches.

I'd just put the egg in a specamin container so that nothing can get to it in the tank if your worried about it getting eaten.

Guy

[Hammer1126]

i understand that but i been calculating it and it shouldnt cost me a thousand dollars to set up a 125gal tank..maybe if i go to a LFS and get raped on everything i buy, but i think the only thing im gonna get from a store is the tank..i can find the canister filter and powerheads online for a lot cheaper..i think im gonna use that sand from home depot instead of buying live sand..and i can get a larger one untill i move into my apartment in my basement of my house because my bedroom now isnt large enough...it might even be less than a year that i have the 125gal..i just dont wanna wait to get the shark..im inpatient..thanks for the concern though

[Guy W]

Originally posted by Hammer1126
i understand that but i been calculating it and it shouldnt cost me a thousand dollars to set up a 125gal tank..maybe if i go to a LFS and get raped on everything i buy, but i think the only thing im gonna get from a store is the tank..i can find the canister filter and powerheads online for a lot cheaper..i think im gonna use that sand from home depot instead of buying live sand..and i can get a larger one untill i move into my apartment in my basement of my house because my bedroom now isnt large enough...it might even be less than a year that i have the 125gal..i just dont wanna wait to get the shark..im inpatient..thanks for the concern though

I'm not trying to be a Pain in the a$$. honestly I'm not. But I have a 125 gallon tank and I stopped counting after I spent over 4000 dollars on it. And I got all of the stuff at my store I work at, at wholesale prices!!!

And, being patient is the key to a sucessful saltwater tank.

Anyway, I really wish you and your fish the best of luck. I just think you should really re-think this idea of yours.

Also, don't use a canister filter. None of them are really recommended for saltwater use. There are better methods.

Guy

[Hammer1126]

well im sure that alot of that 4000 was on LR and coral and other things like that...thanks for the info though,and of course im not gonna attempt this unless i am really sure that i can afford it and if i have the space..i am not just gonna go online and order this thing untill i have a tank set up and ready to go ...any tank mates though??

[MonoSebaelover]

The thing with sharks is you HAVE to dedicate a tank just to them. There are VERY few other fish that will work with them. BTW Guy, Triggers are horrible tankmates for sharks. They are known for picking at the shark and are infamous for picking out the sharks eyes. So either dedicate a tank to the shark or don't do a shark. Even when it is an egg. Why risk loosing the shark due to another fish picking on it? Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[ChilDawg]

Same thing for Puffers, MSL...I've heard many cases of Puffers doing that to sharks and other bottom-dwellers...

[MonoSebaelover]

Thanks Chil I thought I had added that but I guess I forgot. It was supposed to be in the same line as the triggers. Thanks for the help.

[mogurnda]

i just dont wanna wait to get the shark..im inpatient Oh dear.....

[ChilDawg]

I know, Dave, I know...

No prob, MSL...I figured that you intended to put something like that...

[Guy W]

It is just my opinion but I do think some of the trigger species could work with a Banded Shark. Some of the less argressive triggers like the Niger, Blue Throat, Picasso.

Certainly, no take mates at all would probably be best for a shark but if your going to keep one, in my experince with those fish, you could get away with it. Again it's just my opinion.

But I'm also of the opinion that you shouldn't keep sharks in small tanks. I think people should keep them if they can house them. But like I said in my previous post, a shallow indoor pond is what I would use.

Also, not to be nit picky, but saying you shouldn't keep a shark in a tank because they belong in the deep blue sea, but considering it acceptable to keep any other type of fish doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Anyfish that is kept in a box isn't any more or less "moral" than keeping a shark. Seriously they all come from the ocean.

But if you can provide a tank that is much longer and wider than the fish is I don't see why you shouldn't keep anything that you can sustain.

I don't condone keeping fish that we can't properly feed or care for however.

Anyway those are my 2 cents.

Guy

[MonoSebaelover]

I do understand what you are saying Guy but few people keep fish that easily grow to 4 feet long and are pretty active especially at night. That is why I don't agree with keeping them in tanks. I mean your average 200gallon is only 7'x2'x2 foot. In that tank a shark can not even turn around effectivly. I love sharks with some of my favorite movies of all time being the Jaws series and Deep Blue Sea. I would love to have a Bamboo shark but I don't have a pond to allow for them. Someday I would like to own a pond that is 20'x20'x3'(l,w,h) for a shark. But until then I just don't see it acceptable to keep them in tanks (ponds are a different story) Actually Picasso's aren't particularily one of the nicer triggers. They are the most likely to pick other tankmates of the triggers (they love to pick on Lions, Eels, Sharks, Rays, etc). It also really depends on the trigger. Both my Nigers are FAR meaner than the Queens and Blue line and Clown..... Triggers can never be trusted especially with anything that sits or lays on the rocks or sand bed. Both places are where triggs find food so a shark claims the bottom territory so they are bound to get picked on at some point by a trigger. I would say of any of the triggs go with the Xanth. species but even then I wouldn't do it. Just my opinion though, live and learn I guess. Anyway, hope this helps and again this is just my opinion.

[Hammer1126]

well i think that it is better off that i keep a shark in a 200 gallon tank with good water quality and good food sources rather than the egg either get thrown away by the store if not sold or sold to someone who is gonna keep it in a 55gal with other fish in it until it gets too big and dies...i am pretty sure it will thrive just fine...people eat shark for god sake..if u wanna get into all that than everyone should be a vegitarian..

[MonoSebaelover]

Hammer, why are you getting defensive? Guy and I were stating our opinions and different view points. If you want to jump people for sharing their opinions then go elsewhere, it is not tolerated here. NOTHING in the fish hobby is set in stone, so the best way to get information is by trying things or getting people's opinions. You had questions that you wanted answers for, you got them. You want to get a shark, that is fine. That is your decision and you will have to deal with him. But you start getting defensive and I can 100% guarentee you that people WILL loose respect for you. Just warning you in advance. So please don't get defensive, learn patience, and respect the answers give you even if they are the answers you don't want to hear.

[Hammer1126]

well if that was offending to anyone than u guys gotta lighten up alot...this is a fish message board...and dont get me wrong i love fish too but everyone just gotta calm down...im not shoving a human being in a shoebox or anything, i do respect ur advice and i was just giving my opinion on what i thought about ur opinion..isnt that what its all about? its not like im cursing anyone out or offending anyone..so sorry if i offended u or anyone else

[MonoSebaelover]

Its okay, just your last comments in the last post were a bit controversal. Just informing you. Anyway, I am glad that you did take the time to ask for help prior to getting one. Many people don't which is sad. But it does sound like you have all intentions of creating the best possible solution for him, which I greatly respect. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do (btw, sorry I was a bit uppity, and I apoligize, its just I'm kinda tired since today was my first day of college, and I miss all my fish at home, etc. No excuses though so I am sorry for being snappy). I'm going to bed now so will be in a better mood tomorrow. Sorry again.

[ChilDawg]

You can save the NEXT egg by not buying the first one, Hammer. Just my .02 and not intended to be a flame.

[Hammer1126]

no prob..thanks again everyone, but i am gonna get that egg one day when the time is right so all the help on tank size and tank conditions and tankmates is both helpfull to me and the shark...anyone know a good page that explains the salinity, temp,ph and all that stuff??

[ChilDawg]

Glad to see that it's changed from impatience to when the time is right! :)

[Guy W]

Originally posted by Hammer1126
no prob..thanks again everyone, but i am gonna get that egg one day when the time is right so all the help on tank size and tank conditions and tankmates is both helpfull to me and the shark...anyone know a good page that explains the salinity, temp,ph and all that stuff??

I don't know a page, but the first book I read was The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner. Good book, easy to understand, great starting point. As with all information sources there are a few facts in this book that hobbiest's question. For example this book says NOT to use Silica Play Sand for substrate, but most any serious hobbiest will tell you they've used it with no ill effects. But the majority of the info in this book is good.

Guy

[mogurnda]

Funny, I was just reading the shark section of CMA at lunch. I was supposed to be writing, but...
Anyway, Fenner gives specific suggestions about tank setup for small sharks. High flow, excelllent filtration, little decor except for a small hiding place in the middle. It looks like a good starting place.
Fenner's WetWebMedia is worth a look, too.

[redpaulhus]

Have you read Scott Michael's Sharks and Rays yet ?

I wouldn't even consider setting up an elasmobranch environment (pond or tank) without reading and re-reading it a few dozen times...

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1890087572.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg