My Sharks in HD
- Thread starter griseum
- Start date
The pond itself, depending on depth, which is at a low now, can vary between 1200-1500 gallons, along with 500 gallons of additional tanks attached remotely. So at depth with all associated filtration and tanks 2000 gallons. But its shallow so most of that gallonage is spread over a very big footprint.
mattiej
New member
At that depth 175 may not provide enough power for photosynthesis. If possible I would decrease the depth to less than 30". Another option is to use reflectors that are designed to direct more light deeper into tanks than the standard reflectors, one example is the LumenBright minis.
Griseum, you are to be commended for designing a home that fits the creatures, instead of forcing the creatures to endure an unfit home. It sounds like such a simple concept, but it is lost on so many people. "Unsightly" is in the eye of the beholder, and I think any home that is designed with the best interests of the inhabitant in mind is beautiful.
I very very very much appreciate the compliment Brian!
I would be lying if I didn't say that originally hoped to house "swimming" sharks long-term in this system. But with experience, education and a moral conscience, I came to the realization that I could keep other smaller Benthic species for their entire lives and actually complete the life cycle by reproducing them. This is far more rewarding!! Swimming sharks should only be kept by a very select few.
I would be lying if I didn't say that originally hoped to house "swimming" sharks long-term in this system. But with experience, education and a moral conscience, I came to the realization that I could keep other smaller Benthic species for their entire lives and actually complete the life cycle by reproducing them. This is far more rewarding!! Swimming sharks should only be kept by a very select few.
mattiej
New member
I had assumed the corals and macros were not on the bottom. Even with them being a few inches under the surface, there is still a bit of intensity lost over that distance from the light to the water's surface. The pendants I mentioned are disigned to achieve greater light penetration into the water and should help. Best idea is try some macros under what you already have and see how it responds and go from there.
I agree with Brian, far too many purchase an animal without knowing how to care for it. The true measure for success is whether the animals under your care thrive and live normal life spans.
I agree with Brian, far too many purchase an animal without knowing how to care for it. The true measure for success is whether the animals under your care thrive and live normal life spans.
G4546
New member
This was very well said. +1
Its hard to find a source for moderately sized "tropical" stingrays. I've had many in the past but most of what you see for sale are either California, Cortes or just round stingrays. I believe all of these to be sub-tropical no matter what a LFS says and they don't survive long term in tropical temperatures. I am on the lookout for yellow rays which are true tropical rays. All of the others tropical rays like Atlantic and cow nose need much bigger aquariums.
mattiej
New member
Agreed! I have personally dealt with folks wanting to keep sharks as disposable animals. It even went as far as a certain individual contacted me because he wanted to get rid of a couple sharks that were purchased simply to make his tank look "bada**" for a party. He had no intention of keeping these sharks beyond a few days. It is behavior like this that is appalling and hurts the rest of the hobby.
I believe its that BadA** Image that attracts most people to shark keeping, atleast swimming sharks. Its a macho thing. You see it all the time (like with a recent new member who was posting a lot of threads).
Just my opinion, but crap shows like Tanked and that other crap program let people see sharks being kept in aquariums, or people walk into an LFS and see a Black Tip Reef for the first time (in an undersized tank) and it sparks a thought in there head, "I want a BadA** Shark Tank, Ill be cool".
Little do they know what it takes to keep one successfully.
And the only thing that keeps a lot more BTRs and Whitetips, etc., from dying, is their price tag. Luckily, for their sake, they are expensive.
And the proof is already there. This is why we have the Lacey Act and no more small Leopard sharks. They look gorgeous and were completely abused for so many years, because of this same mentality. And foolish people ruin things for responsible Aquarists.
Just my opinion, but crap shows like Tanked and that other crap program let people see sharks being kept in aquariums, or people walk into an LFS and see a Black Tip Reef for the first time (in an undersized tank) and it sparks a thought in there head, "I want a BadA** Shark Tank, Ill be cool".
Little do they know what it takes to keep one successfully.
And the only thing that keeps a lot more BTRs and Whitetips, etc., from dying, is their price tag. Luckily, for their sake, they are expensive.
And the proof is already there. This is why we have the Lacey Act and no more small Leopard sharks. They look gorgeous and were completely abused for so many years, because of this same mentality. And foolish people ruin things for responsible Aquarists.
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I wanted to comment on something. With all of the filtration methods ive tried over the years, finding the Natural Reef method has been a great success for me. Being a biologist, Ive mentioned how much I enjoy trying to create an immense Biodiversity Index in my entire system. Im constantly seeking new types of Macro-Algae to cultivate, and new inverts to add to my macro and LR tanks. Im fascinated by the Microfauna that develops in a nutrient rich environment, as large Shark tanks often become. Im not keeping SPS here so to say I maintain nitrates at <5ppm would be a complete lie. I do try to keep them within a manageable range however, hence the macro tanks, Miracle Mud, Aggressive Skimming, RDSBs, and lots of Biopellets.
What I want to talk about though is the rehabilitative properties of these diverse Macro tanks. I find great pleasure in taking in and even purchasing ill fish, most often HLLE to varying degrees. I keep them in these tanks, often large angels and tangs of varying size. For dry food, I feed exclusively New Life Spectrum. If I could be a spokesman for this company I would. Since switching to this food exclusively a few years ago, Ive never had happier, healthier, disease free fish. I also feed frozen, daily, usually PE Mysis which are gut-loaded, or spirulina enriched brine shrimp. I supplement the fresh seafood and shellfish as well as the Mysis and brine with Zoe and Zoecon, as of most recently, but always some type of supplement in the past, whether Vita-Chem or Selcon.
Between this very healthy NLS pellets of varying size and the PE Mysis and supplemented frozen and fresh foods, this sick fish that I take in usually rebound in less than a month. About three months ago, I bought a stunted purple tang that had HLLE so bad that his Dorsal Fin and Anal fin had eroded to almost a third of what they should have been. I put him in a macro tank and as a marker, I checked him fully after exactly one month. The Lateral line was completely healed as was the head, and his fins were almost completely regrown, albeit slightly more progress needs to be made there.
I also just bought an Adult Imperator Angel with the worst Hole in the head Ive seen yet. Super deep holes all throughout its forehead, and the usual lateral line erosion, as well as a bit skinny to the point that I could see his ribs. I believe this fish was brought to the LFS because of its condition, The LFS is very reputable I don't think it was from their suppliers. Had it remained in the store, it never would have recovered. They just don't have the time or space to provide a fish this ill with the proper environment.
So because of the lack of girth, low weight and HLLE, Im first treating this fish in QT with Prazi because I believe it may be a case of intestinal worms that are causing the weight loss as well as the vitamin deficiency causing HLLE. Ill post pics of the Angel and recovering Tang in a minute. I want to log the recovery process of this Angel in a Natural Reef method Aquarium.
Pics to follow:
(Im also going to make this post a thread in the disease and treatment forum)
Plus: I promised some Pics of the tank room and additional vegetable filters. They are coming as well.
What I want to talk about though is the rehabilitative properties of these diverse Macro tanks. I find great pleasure in taking in and even purchasing ill fish, most often HLLE to varying degrees. I keep them in these tanks, often large angels and tangs of varying size. For dry food, I feed exclusively New Life Spectrum. If I could be a spokesman for this company I would. Since switching to this food exclusively a few years ago, Ive never had happier, healthier, disease free fish. I also feed frozen, daily, usually PE Mysis which are gut-loaded, or spirulina enriched brine shrimp. I supplement the fresh seafood and shellfish as well as the Mysis and brine with Zoe and Zoecon, as of most recently, but always some type of supplement in the past, whether Vita-Chem or Selcon.
Between this very healthy NLS pellets of varying size and the PE Mysis and supplemented frozen and fresh foods, this sick fish that I take in usually rebound in less than a month. About three months ago, I bought a stunted purple tang that had HLLE so bad that his Dorsal Fin and Anal fin had eroded to almost a third of what they should have been. I put him in a macro tank and as a marker, I checked him fully after exactly one month. The Lateral line was completely healed as was the head, and his fins were almost completely regrown, albeit slightly more progress needs to be made there.
I also just bought an Adult Imperator Angel with the worst Hole in the head Ive seen yet. Super deep holes all throughout its forehead, and the usual lateral line erosion, as well as a bit skinny to the point that I could see his ribs. I believe this fish was brought to the LFS because of its condition, The LFS is very reputable I don't think it was from their suppliers. Had it remained in the store, it never would have recovered. They just don't have the time or space to provide a fish this ill with the proper environment.
So because of the lack of girth, low weight and HLLE, Im first treating this fish in QT with Prazi because I believe it may be a case of intestinal worms that are causing the weight loss as well as the vitamin deficiency causing HLLE. Ill post pics of the Angel and recovering Tang in a minute. I want to log the recovery process of this Angel in a Natural Reef method Aquarium.
Pics to follow:
(Im also going to make this post a thread in the disease and treatment forum)
Plus: I promised some Pics of the tank room and additional vegetable filters. They are coming as well.
pics!
Rehab'ed Purple tang, it was so bad originally, its dorsal and anal fins looked like crescents when extended, less than a third of what they should of been.
The angel is in QT with prazi in case the HLLE is because of worms starving it of vit/mins.
Rehab'ed Purple tang, it was so bad originally, its dorsal and anal fins looked like crescents when extended, less than a third of what they should of been.
The angel is in QT with prazi in case the HLLE is because of worms starving it of vit/mins.
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Thanks G
I find that I form more of a bond with fish that I have helped heal or have rejuvenated. I enjoy the challenge and its more rewarding for me than buying a perfect show fish and just admiring it.
Im no saint or missionary or mother Theresa. Just a science guy with an indepth passion for aquatic animals, specifically Marine fish and sharks. Helping the ill fish bounce back from a severe illness is more self serving I guess, but it does serve a purpose. One less fish lost due to negligence or ignorance and one less fish that needs to be collected from the ocean to be replaced.
Not to mention, I get the fish at a great discount, when the LFS just wants them OUT!! LOL.
But honestly, that comes lastly.
I value the fish that I rehabilitate more for whatever reason it may be.
I find that I form more of a bond with fish that I have helped heal or have rejuvenated. I enjoy the challenge and its more rewarding for me than buying a perfect show fish and just admiring it.
Im no saint or missionary or mother Theresa. Just a science guy with an indepth passion for aquatic animals, specifically Marine fish and sharks. Helping the ill fish bounce back from a severe illness is more self serving I guess, but it does serve a purpose. One less fish lost due to negligence or ignorance and one less fish that needs to be collected from the ocean to be replaced.
Not to mention, I get the fish at a great discount, when the LFS just wants them OUT!! LOL.
But honestly, that comes lastly.
I value the fish that I rehabilitate more for whatever reason it may be.
for you guys watching this thread, I could use your help with a Centropyge Hybrid or Morph ID??? Im leaning towards hybrid Coral Beauty x. Lemonpeel
But I just purchased these two and they seem to be ill. Ragged fins and slightly large eyes. Maybe decompression issues from being caught in deep water??? IDK but heres the video.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1YdbSBHUSW8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
But I just purchased these two and they seem to be ill. Ragged fins and slightly large eyes. Maybe decompression issues from being caught in deep water??? IDK but heres the video.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1YdbSBHUSW8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
