sharks or rays, I will get flak for this one

[Saltykirk]

Any expert advice on a tank for sharks or rays? Besides being really large. Am considering setting up a tank for a smaller, water column swimming shark. I do not want one of the bottom crawling types. What rays are typically imported for larger tanks. The minimum size is going to be 8L 4W 4H. About 450-500 gal. Sandy bottom for rays or lemon shark. This thing is in planning, no fish have been ordered so no death threats.

 

[Anonymous]

You're going way too small, then. More than double that size if you're serious about doing this right.

Think on the order of THOUSANDS of gallons, really and truly. If you're going with a paltry 450-500 gallons you'll have poor longterm success, and if that's what you're set on, it would explain why some people would become upset.

 

[Saltykirk]

thanks for the info. I would like to go with a lemon shark but, from what you are saying i would need to get into the 1000+ gal range. it might be beneficial to go for some big groupers in a 400 like loutis or something. any thought on rays besides the blue dotted ones? i hear they don't do so well. sorry no caps, holding my son while i type this. thanks for sane info for a somewhat insane query.

 

[fishfanatic2]

You could do something like an Epaulette shark or a Perry's Lantern Shark in a 450 gal., but no way a lemon or nurse shark. Good Luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry I dropped the ball on this one, SK. No worries--no caps is way better than all-caps.

Truthfully, any shark that's going to grow larger than 3' (and even those that don't) is going to be far easier to keep in the largest tank volume possible. Also, the shallower you can make this given volume, generally, the better.

I'll have to get back to you on the blue-dots, I know they don't do well, but I've misplaced "the rundown". I don't see why, as long as they don't outcompete the sharks, you couldn't have something like one of the great groupers, you would certainly have the space!

I'll suggest a search in our library, as well as Advanced Aquarist online http://www.reefs.org/library as well as BobF's site http://www.wetwebmedia.com (look in the marine aquarium articles section, and for ideas on larger systems, check out the aquatic business section as well).

 

[Saltykirk]

Thanks for the wealth of info Seamaiden. Those two threads helped alot.

 

[WRASSER]

Saltykirk,
I know you said nothing about triggers,but trigges and rays dont mix.Triggers and sharks dont mix either, the triggers will pick at them(fins,eyes,ect...) "Just a reminder".