Tank from Hell

[Shaummy]

I can't disagree with the consensus in regard to the cat shark, and I won't make another post just to say it again...

That said, I think it's easy to forget that for many animals (including fish) stress can be a silent killer.

Fish get stressed out..get weak, then something takes them out..maybe it's a shark, maybe they just succumb and end up in an anemone, stuck to a power head etc.. Fish don't have to be chased around 24x7 to get stressed out.

Sure..maybe the faulty power head was introducing voltage/current into your system...surely would have caused even more stress on their environment, so it's good you got that out of there.

If it were me...I'd let things stabilize and ensure that the livestock you have left start to thrive in your environment, in the mean time, you can start to get a longer term game plan for that shark.

I think if you go right back to adding more livestock, you will continue to see the revolving door effect you are reporting right now.

 

[Ostara]

Scott Michael's book is considered outdated and not a good source of information on tank sizes, as most of the sizes given in it are much too small for the species. Alprazo could give you detailed information on an appropriate sized tank if you are willing to listen.

You mentioned wanting to emulate the tank on YouTube, but that one is 360 gallons and it's work noting that yours would need to be about twice as large to do so.

 

[robs.mark]

mate you asked a question, recieved advice on the matter, and because it wasnt what you wanted to hear have dismissed every bit of it! the tank is too small, i have a 187 and wouldnt dream of keeping a 17" shark in it! lose the great white or keep killing fish simple!

 

[Alex T.]

Just from perusing the below chart, it's abundantly clear that large angels, groupers, eels, lionfish and another shark or ray are about all you could keep with any shark. It's also listed that the bare minimum tank size for any "legal" shark that we can buy is 180 gallons. Lose the shark.


http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm

 

[fishfreak2009]

Just from perusing the below chart, it's abundantly clear that large angels, groupers, eels, lionfish and another shark or ray are about all you could keep with any shark. It's also listed that the bare minimum tank size for any "legal" shark that we can buy is 180 gallons. Lose the shark.


http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm

You do realize that large angels and lionfish are considered to be horrible tankmates for sharks (especially the angels). My shark is also a smaller species then those regularly sold on Liveaquaria.

Honestly I think the majority of my problems lie with the anemone. I started looking at older pics from when I added the anemone until today, and I realized 15 fish have gone missing (some of which I know the anemone ate) between when it was added to the tank in August and now (only 4 of which were in the tank when the shark was added).

I am pulling the shark out this friday, as well as both squirrels and putting them in the 180 gallon. As for the other fish they will be going into a 75 gallon to heal up (no I won't be medicating them). As for the anemone, it will be going into a 30 gallon by itself (until I eventually put a pair of clowns with it).

With everything out of the tank I will do a major clean up of the Sump (I know some gunk has built up in the refugium), clean up all the powerheads with hot lemon juice water, and siphon out as much detritus as possible.

 

[enjetek]

Stop spending money on fish and get a bigger tank for the shark. Then all the other fish can maybe go into your 180s...

 

[Mikefallen13]

Well I am going to agree with everybody else, you either need to get rid of the shark or get a huge tank. I mean these sharks can reach 3 1/2' in length keeping one in a 180 gal tank is crazy, and even after removing the shark your talking about adding several tangs to the tank which is just asking or trouble. I've never been able to keep more than 3 tangs in one tank without issues. I think you need to do some research, and lightly stock at first and very slowly add more fish. I had similar problems to you I had an 225 which I severely overstocked and eventually had to remove pretty much all my fish. I'm sorry but were not trying to discourage you but just give you advice. If you don't take the given advice, your tank from hell will always be hell.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

Your tank is too small for the animals that you have housed in it.

 

[rrasco]

Well I am going to agree with everybody else, you either need to get rid of the shark or get a huge tank. I mean these sharks can reach 3 1/2' in length keeping one in a 180 gal tank is crazy, and even after removing the shark your talking about adding several tangs to the tank which is just asking or trouble. I've never been able to keep more than 3 tangs in one tank without issues. I think you need to do some research, and lightly stock at first and very slowly add more fish. I had similar problems to you I had an 225 which I severely overstocked and eventually had to remove pretty much all my fish. I'm sorry but were not trying to discourage you but just give you advice. If you don't take the given advice, your tank from hell will always be hell.

Coral cats reach 27" maximum and that's a full grown female. Males will typically stay smaller. It will take them years to reach their growth potential. Bamboo sharks get to 3 1/2'. Banded cat sharks are not true cat sharks.

I find it funny how everyone ignored the fact he said he has a 14' pool he can setup in his basement he can move it to if needed. I'm pretty sure he said he was going to do that when it got bigger.

 

[Mikefallen13]

Coral cats reach 27" maximum and that's a full grown female. Males will typically stay smaller. It will take them years to reach their growth potential. Bamboo sharks get to 3 1/2'. Banded cat sharks are not true cat sharks.

I find it funny how everyone ignored the fact he said he has a 14' pool he can setup in his basement he can move it to if needed. I'm pretty sure he said he was going to do that when it got bigger.

Thank you for the correction on size! I always thought they were a type of cat shark and I didn't see the part about the pool. I still don't think it's wise to keep it in an 180 gal tank but I guess it's his choice. Good luck!