Shark Tank Again

[krj-1168]

Maybe I have made some generalizations, about these rays.

But all reports I've read & most of people that I've spoken to on other aquatic forums - suggest that the ribbontail is very difficult to keep.

And - I have a personal problem recommending any shark or ray species that are difficult keep - to people who may be fairly new to keeping sharks or rays.

IMO - recommending a difficult species to someone without the neccessary experienced needed - is simply setting them to failure.

I never - said that the ribbontail ray is impossible to keep.

Just that they need very experienced hands to be kept successfully, and are best left to the care of professional aqautic institutions.

 

[psusocr]

havent been around in awhile but i see KRJ could use some help .. heres some pics of my tank for some ideas

They LOVE EACH OTHER!

 

[psusocr]

 

[ralphie16]

wow absolutely amazing pics and tank

 

[krj-1168]

agreed - cool tank.

 

[Bhewko]

That is a beautiful tank. My tank will look partially like that minus the eel unfortunatly lol When Its all up in running around Mid-January I will post pictures.

How old is your Banded Bamboo?

 

[mdiddy7s]

That is a great tank. That gives me some ideas. What is some good advice on how to keep the algae down in an agressive aquarium? It seems like the algae takes over a lot of the AQ's that I have seen (particualrly hair algae).
Thanks,
Mike D

 

[krj-1168]

Generally a good clean up crew for most SW aquariums - include snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp. Also you could some starfish, urchins, and conchs may help - if algae becomes a problem.

Just make sure your shark don't have a mostly invert diet - like a horn shark.

 

[mdiddy7s]

Okay, but if they start getting eaten I am coming to talk to you. J/K Which sharks would be best for that reason?
Mike D

 

[krj-1168]

Well - as I said horns are known feeders of inverts - even known to attack urchins, squid & octopi. The have very powerful jaws to break thru the hard shells of urchins, conchs, and hermit crabs.

Even with well feed horns - you will likely have to occationally replace the cleaning crew.

The fact is all bottom dwellling species of sharks are quite capable of feeding on live shrimp & certain other inverts.

But not all bottom dwellers are primarily invert feeders. And certain species of crabs, cleaner shrimp & other inverts may do better with these sharks.

For example most species of bamboos, eppies & coral cats generally won't feed on hard-shelled inverts - like lobsters, hard shelled crabs, snails or urchins. Possible because their jaws aren't powerful enough to break the shells.

Cleaner shrimp are also helpful in removing parasites from bottom dwelling sharks - like bamboos, eppies, & coral cats.

Still it's best to introduce the clean up crew before adding any sharks or rays to your tank. Since as the shark is acclimating it's less likely to see it's fellow tankmates as potential food. But will most likely see any new additional inverts added after it's introduction to the tank as food.

 

[mdiddy7s]

I appreciate the heads up. I will definitely have to try that.

Are there some sharks that are more likely to swim around and be better for viewing purposes? Sitting on the bottom is okay, but swimming would be great. Please keep in mind that I will have quite a bit of water flow in the aquarium to prevent settling of waist. I will have either 3 or 4 3/4 inch closed loop return lines from the floor of the aquarium and 8 3/4 returns from the overflow boxes. The closed loop will be pumped by a sequence 4200 and the return lines will likely be a mag 24-36 or the equivelent in-line pump. That is the plan at this point anyway.
Mike D

 

[Domboski]

I wanted to add my $.02.

Number 1: Listen to krj-1168.

Number 2: I wanted to make a suggestion on something to consider for your tank (see pictures). I basically took some plastic rectangular type piping for decks (bought at Home Depot) and laid it across the back of the tank and created three entrances (see pic 1). This has proved convenient for the charks in two ways:

1- Generally the type of sharks we keep in the aquariums like to hide in caves (this addition keeps them happy)
2- You actually open up more space by stacking your live rock on top of the man made cave. I laid down some slate and some natural rock tile I bought at Home Depot (see pic 4).

The downside is the sharks tend to hide quite a bit. 2 of mine (bamboo and marble) only come out at night or for feeding. One baby bamboo never hides (hatched from egg).

Just my opinion. One other thing I wanted to mention is that I have a stingray (california) in the tank too so opening up sand space was a must. He is happily buried in the sand (can't see his eyes in the pictures). I have seen many people with sting rays but when they are not happy with your setup they will swim at the top of your tank constantly.

I hope this helps or gives you some
ideas! Sorry about the picture too.

 

[krj-1168]

Nice tank - there Domboski.

Excellent way to maximize the swimming room.

 

[psusocr]

im not sure how old my shark is but i have had him for abotu a year now and hes gorwing VERY FAST

Domboski,

are they angels and wrasses with your shark? if so do they pick at him at all?
you should keep a close eye on them if so so they dont one day decide to pick his eye out of his head

 

[Domboski]

They stay as far away from him as possible. He is about 2' now. If they dare get close to his face they will be eaten. In fact, he ate two wrasses recently (there is none left in the tank). Only the coral beauty is left from the angelfish and wrasses.

 

[mdiddy7s]

I appreciate the heads up from you as well. I do not think that the Mrs. will like the little tunnels out of square tubing but I will try to find something similar for them probably out of live rock and PVC combo to create caves. I still have not heard any feedback on the amount of water flow i will have. I guess it is not an issue too much?
Mike D

 

[Domboski]

Flow is not as much of an issue (especially with the caves). Actually my marble shark likes swimming against the night current in my tank.

 

[Bhewko]

Domboski - Do you have any actual pictures of your sharks? If so please post them up.

 

[mdiddy7s]

Sounds good. I am creating all of the flow just in case I decide to change it to a reef later.
Mike D

 

[krj-1168]

If anything - the size of your returns sounds a bit too large for the size of your tank.

But when dealing with sharks & rays - it better to have too much flow - than not enough flow.

Generally - most reef aquariums require at least a 3 x tank volume turn over in flow. While most home aquariums (in the 200-900 gallon range) for sharks & rays, require a flow rate of at least 5-6 x tank volume.