For a while now I have been planning to turn my 72g bowfront into a saltwater
aquarium. A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to get a shark. They are
just so interesting and they have that man-eater history which will scare the crap
out of people when I stick their hand in the tank (not the main reason of getting a
shark just a funny one). Anyway, first step is planning. Planning on filtration,
skimming, UV sterilizing, lighting, decoration, etc.. First I did some research on the
question, do I need live rock. Live rock is good for adding saltwater filtration, BUT
sharks are harder to take care of, and they need smooth surfaces without jagged
edges. So I quickly learned that I would need GREAT filtration. I decided to that
I will probably get 2 Eheim canister filters (will post acually names later). For the
skimming, I will probably get a Seaclone 150 (Made by Instant Ocean). The UV
will most likely be a 8W Jebo UV Sterilizer. Just a basic one to help out with the
diseases. Now that I planned the equiptment, now I can plan the rest. For substrate
I am getting 75 lbs. of Live Sand. This will help keep the water filtered naturally.

For livestock, I am planning on getting a Brown Banded Catshark. I know these
sharks are very common, and get to a normal size of 2 feet long. So in about 5
years or so I will move it to a 150g tank where it will live for the rest of it's life.
For feeding, I am planning on getting some Marine Feeding Shrimp. I heard these
were good for feeding sharks. When I get the shark, it will most likely be an egg,
and hatch at approx. 7" long.

Currently the bowfront is a freshwater tank, but saddly I am loosing everything
living in it, including the fish and plants. Once I get enough money to start setting
up the saltwater tank, I will move the Tetras to a 10g tank and take the rest of my
fish to my lfs (if they aren't dead yet).

I will keep you all informed on what happens, with pictures.

Wow, that is going to be expensive. It'd be pretty cool though. But if you really want to scare people , good ol pirana's would definately do the trick. You'd get my hand into that shark tank before you'd get mine into a pirana tank

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Well i just thought of something. How are you going to move him when he's outgrown that tank? I bet he won't be that light, and it's just too funny to picture you trying to catch him in one of those huge fishing nets. Soo what are you planning on doing for that?

Well, when I move him he will weigh about.... 50 lbs.... I can lift that. I
lift that everyday. But if I need help I'll get one of those pond nets. And
yes, it will be expensive, about $550 to convert it from fresh to salt. I
thought about piranhas, but they eat eachother if you miss a day of
feeding, and a shark eats only twice a week, so feeding a shark is less
risky and also cheaper. I also like to study sharks and I figured this
would definatly be a good way to do so with me living 2 hours from the
ocean, and 15 hours from a GOOD aquarium.

Not sure he will hit 50 pounds when he is only 2 feet long. I caught leapord sharks around 6 feet that were not even 50 pounds.

Hmmm... Okay. Then no problems moving him then!

sounds cool here do you live? it would be awsome to catch a shark and observe it

I live in Virginia. And any shark caught here would need a chilling system so I am going to get a Brown Banded Bamboo Shark since they are semi-tropical.

good a leopard shark is waay too big for that 72 gallon you even said a young leopard shark needs at least 400 gallons on your profile.

Who ever said anything about a leopard shark? They get 9 feet long.

im sorry i misread

It's alright, no harm done.

Does anyone know if a shark will eat frozen shrimp from a supermarket?

I'm sure they would, just let them thaw first

lol, yeah. I wouldn't want to eat shrimp with ice on them either.