600+ Shark Lagoon

[buckel2]

It has been finally slowly happening. I am building a 600+ gal shark tank.

It is getting built in my father-in-laws basement. With a 600+ gallon tub that we got from Reef Paradise. The tub was previously used for fresh water koi pond years ago.

The idea is that we are going to insulate/humidity proof a little room in the basement.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0248.jpg


The whole room is going to be insulated, and the window is going to be the vent.

The tub is going to be built on a wood platform held up by cement blocks.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0262.jpg



Working hard
http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0260.jpg


Now just put down some ply wood and some pink foam for insulation. AND WHALA we have a stand


http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0264.jpg

Putting some insulation on the walls to help keep the heat in.

The tub will be rapped in insulation also to help hold in the heat.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0315.jpg


We are insulating the whole room with the pink foam to help keep the humidity from rising through the ceiling and destroying the floor boards, and from getting through out the whole house. Also the window will be a fan to help divert it out side.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0369.jpg

Filled it with salt water and have some Green chromis. There is also about 300 lbs of rock.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0430.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0494.jpg




Sump.
The return is going in to a bucket and then flowing in to the 100 gal with the skimmer. The Chato is growing in another bucket with its own light and flowing in to the 100 gal. this will keep the Chato from getting in to the return pump and burning it up. Because we couldnt find a way to section off the rubber maid.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0433.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0436.jpg

We will be keeping the pink foam on the top as a lid and putting a pully system on it. So the heat will stay in the tank, When you lift up the lid you can see the sharks.

This is how we are going to do the lights.
Put a hole with glass and put the t5 on it. I works out perfect.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0496.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0491.jpg

Still in the making but it is coming along nicely.

[buckel2]

Now for the Monsters

They are in a 180 while the tub cycles and we make some minor changes.

One is a white spot cat shark from The Trop about 18 inches, and a banded cat shark from somthin fishy about 16 inches and a epaulette from trop about 10 inches. All are doing great and eating like pigs. I have had the Banded and the spotted for almost 2 years and have watched them grow. All of them are females

We call her big Big Hoss. she is the most active and will eat out of your hand and let you hold her.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0415.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0462.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0451.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0452.jpg

This is Chumlee. Not as active but still sweet

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0482.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0454.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0484.jpg

Now for the Baby, Jabawakee.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0458.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0464.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0488.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/Shark%20tank/IMAG0477.jpg

[Skyhigh]

looks like you need a horn shark to go with that mix....

[buckel2]

When I bought the eppi I was sooooo tempted. But soon I will have one.

Question for you skyhigh. How many males can you have in a tank? Because I have three different "breeds" I was wondering. I know I am def getting a male eppi but what about getting a male spotted also?

[Skyhigh]

When I bought the eppi I was sooooo tempted. But soon I will have one.

Question for you skyhigh. How many males can you have in a tank? Because I have three different "breeds" I was wondering. I know I am def getting a male eppi but what about getting a male spotted also?
1 of each u r all good

[Heidi]

This looks like a great home you are building for your sharks. Sharks are so cool, kinda like the octopus every reefers dream but not that many people know how to do it right. Can't wait to see this finished! Following along :)

[Corvette Reefer]

this is gona be the coolest thing ever! i cant wait to see it up!!!

[buckel2]

Thanks everyone!

[Sir Patrick]

A shark tub- Too Cool!!!!

What are your plans for maintanace, like water changes and such? What filtration are you using? Ect.

[jimsflies]

Great project! Following along... :popcorn:

[buckel2]

thanks guys!

The tank is right in front of the sub-pump for the basement. So we drain it in there and let it pump it in to the field next to us. Makes things so easy. Also if the tank or plumbing ever sprung a leak it would just drain in to it.

I have a 300 gal a day RO unit. I am doing a 100gal sump with calurpa and live rock. Also a Fluval canister filter running carbon. I am currently looking for a skimmer to handle the bestly tub. Also looking for a large UV big enough to put on it. I am also looking in to a few other filtration options at this point. Using thick filter floss or bio balls as a extra filter. But I am trying to stay away from them.

Just bought another Eppi from a friend to day. He is looking good and ready to eat.

[larryandlaura]

Any updates or new pics?

[Sir Patrick]

I forgot all about this thread! I second the updates!

[buckel2]

HI ALL!

O Man I almost forgot I had this thread on here! My computer broke and then my phone broke and those are the only way I can get on here. (other than when I'm working at the store) I have a new phone now so I will defiantly update everyone. I'm going to post pictures later tonight.

All is going well. The sharks are as happy as can be. No issues with the tank. I am keeping a close eye on my water quality because of how much they eat and everything always checks out perfect. Not to much done extra to the tank yet. I am putting off the final finishing touches to make the tank look pretty just in case something bad does happen. It would be just my luck I get the doors put on and make it look nice and then something would happen were I would need to take it all apart.

I now have Three Eppi sharks. 2 females and one male. I am growing a mangrove in the sump now also.

But... Ya... All is good!

[larryandlaura]

Post more pics please.

[buckel2]

FINALLY!!!!

Haven't done to much to the tub. Just the basics still. I am really not in a rush on this project. This being the first shark tub I didn't want to rush to make it to pritty just yet. Still a few kinks to work out.


http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0130.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0132.jpg

Automatic pully system for the lid :roll_eyes:
http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0133.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0136.jpg

The rocks were all neatly stacked so you couldn't see the PVC stand they are on. But the sharks decide to aquascape when they are bored.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0140.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0137.jpg

Hard to believe I have had these two for about two years!

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0158.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0150.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Sweet pics thanks for the update! Where did you get the tub?

[buckel2]

My Little guy and gals!


I have 2 females and a male... every few days I see them trying to breed. They are to young of course but its still neat to see.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0120.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0119.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0118.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0116.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0112.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0109.jpg

These guys are harder to take pics of. To fast for my camera phone.

---------- Post added at 04:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:10 PM ----------

I got the tub from reef paradise awhile back. It used to be some ones Koi pond. The store had no use for the tub so I bought it.

[TM01]

Too cool...nice work so far!

[larryandlaura]

Keep the update pics coming! This thread is making me want a shark tank!

[purerebel]

Looking GREAT Tony, can't wait to see it!

[Sir Patrick]

Awsome!! Looking forward to more updates!

[burningbeard]

This is one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time. Keep up the great work and more pics please.
very cool!!!

[dlhirst]

Agree with all. VERY COOL project, and I am looking forward to seeing more pics. Show us how the mangroves are doing, I have always been infatuated with them...

[buckel2]

The mangroves have been a bust. I am only trying one and its not working so well. The Idea was to have a bunch growing out of the main tub but that didn't work because of the lid. So we rigged something up on the sump to see if it could grow there.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0129.jpg

As you can see its not doing the best. Granted I always forget to mist it to. I am going to keep trying tho. Mangroves in the tank would still be cool.

[buckel2]

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0123.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0127.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0121.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0108.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0136.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0147.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/IMAG0156.jpg

[buckel2]

Few more pics

VIDEO0003.mp4 video by imashrimp2 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid758.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/VIDEO0003.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid758@@AMEPARAM@@758@@AM EPARAM@@xx229/imashrimp2/VIDEO0003@@AMEPARAM@@mp4 (http://s758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/?action=view&current=VIDEO0003.mp4)

VIDEO0001.mp4 video by imashrimp2 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid758.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/VIDEO0001.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid758@@AMEPARAM@@758@@AM EPARAM@@xx229/imashrimp2/VIDEO0001@@AMEPARAM@@mp4 (http://s758.photobucket.com/albums/xx229/imashrimp2/?action=view&current=VIDEO0001.mp4)

Hope the video works???

[Fish Dad]

That is really unique...
Videos worked great - keep posting videos

Now next summer when I'm fishing with my brother in law off Irish road I can bet him that I have seen sharks in the waters around Davison....

[iyachtuxivm]

I agree keep posting the videos! Very cool.

[Badfish]

Wow this thread is Awesome! One quick question... are you a super villain or possibly an evil scientist? Because this totally seem like a set up that you would have in your secret hideout so you can drop your enemies or henchmen who have failed you in to it.

[Fish Dad]

its really cool! thanks for telling me about it at the store :) thanks for helping us out tonight! :) see you guys soon hopefully , Jenny~