Many folks start with a simple baby turtle kit and then design a turtle tank customized with the features they want later. Gourami, barbs, danios and rainbow fish, 150 Gallons for a group of 3 (at least 45-gallons per shark), Silver/grey body with distinct black and yellow striping on fins and large black eyes, 76 to 80°F; pH 6.5 to 8; not sensitive to hardness, Omnivore; high-protein flake or pellet diet supplemented with fresh/frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, Ideal for peaceful aquatic communities with large fish such as other Bala Sharks, Gourami, Rainbowfish, Corydoras and Tetras, Rosaline Torpedo Shark, Denison’s Barb, Red-Line Torpedo Barb, Silver/grey body with a prominent black stripe running from the head to base of the tail and a red stripe above it running through the eye and partway down the body. In fact, it’s better to transfer them to a pond as they mature, since they usually outgrow aquariums anyway. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Albino Rainbow Shark is a rare color morph that’s a pleasure to keep in a large planted tank. If you’d like to keep more than one fish, you’ll need at least a 125-gallon shark tank so they each have room to establish their territory. Sharks need very fresh, filtered water free from any detectable ammonia or nitrates. They are usually members of the catfish or carp families and act as omnivorous scavengers, eating plant materials like algae and other animals. You’ll need a large tank with a rapid surface current to raise these sharks, and they do best in groups of 3 to 12. Not pictured but included would be a plastic pool of water off to the right side with a basic ramp so your turtle can take a swim. I also really like the dual filtration system with intakes on both ends of the tank. The smallest aquarium sharks reach about a half-foot in length as adults, while the larger varieties can hit 3 to 4 feet depending on their habitat and diet. You can see how they used hardware cloth to make their own tank cover to suspend the heat lamp and UVB fixture. Sharks are typically active and entertaining pets that enjoy swimming in strong currents, and many species will school together if kept in a group. FILTER MEDIA CUP. Tankarium is reader-supported. Monitor your water and basking dock temperatures and make any final adjustments. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. This is some high-level craftsmanship, and the upper part of the ramp has been airbrushed to look like real rock. Filtration and Water Requirements One thing all freshwater shark species have in common is a sensitivity to their water conditions. A simple way to start your turtle-keeping hobby is with a large plastic tub like this one. Unlike their big carnivorous cousins in the ocean, freshwater sharks are omnivorous scavengers who’ll eat anything they can fit into their mouths. What type of tank do you need to raise these big black sharks? Get everything you need in one package, including a 20-gallon turtle tank set-up with a plastic basking dock, water filter, dome heat lamp and UVB light. Alternatively, it can be set up as an independent unit and used as a full-size (83 liters/22 gal) RO reservoir or saltwater reservoir for automated water changes. Red-Tailed Sharks are a little trickier to keep than Rainbows since they are slightly more aggressive towards other fish that enter their territories. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. These peaceful fish have a pointed snout, unlike most freshwater sharks, and very short barbels or whiskers around their mouth. Get a good aquarium filter with replaceable filter pads and media. They usually prefer a soft sandy bottom to prevent injury to their delicate scales, and enjoy swimming in fast currents along the bottom of your tank. She is an expert in setting up new tanks and maintaining naturally-planted freshwater habitats, and has experience raising a wide variety of aquatic species. Some options include: Now that you know how to design the ideal shark tank and the details on their care and feeding, let’s take a look at the best small shark species for freshwater aquariums and ponds! Don’t let their impressive black-and-yellow dorsal fin fool you into thinking they are mean! This is a good option for a starter or baby turtle habitat. Turtles are another fun aquarium pet, and in many respects, it’s easier to set up turtle aquariums and maintain them than it is to keep a fish tank. The design does have a functional point beyond mere aesthetics. They live in freshwater streams when young and migrate to the ocean when they mature. Arrange the ramps so your turtle can move to each level. It’s easy to underestimate how much they might grow, so always take into account their maximum adult size range when designing your shark tank. Wanna share your aquarium experience with the world from the day you started it up to the way it is now. Freshwater sharks make great pets and add a lot of color and activity to your aquarium. Once your tank’s conditions are stable, turn on your lights and add any live plants to your aquarium. DIY set-ups like these are not hard to build and can be very attractive. Mark has been featured in two books about aquarium keeping - … With their voracious appetites, it’s best to feed your sharks 2 to 3 times a day as juveniles and at least once a day as adults. These freshwater black sharks are highly aggressive and don’t do well in mixed or community tanks. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can often keep multiple turtles in the same tank as long as they have plenty of room, and this large turtle aquarium is an excellent design for two or more. Albino’s look amazing as they scavenge through the substrate looking for food and chase other fish from their territories. You’ll see why they are also known as the Ruby Shark. This can be as simple or extensive a process as you’d like. Most freshwater sharks are native to fast flowing streams and rivers and need a lot of room for swimming. It’s usually best to choose a substrate that matches the natural environment of your freshwater shark species. ... an additional emergency overflow pipe provides an unrestricted free flow of aquarium water directly to the sump. Imagine a regular fish tank, except its design includes half of a huge black wristband covering the top, one side, and the bottom of the tank. Learn how your comment data is processed. These predatory fish are fascinating to watch and make for an active and lively aquatic display. They are highly aggressive and readily attack other species, even other Harlequin’s. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Check out our infographic and don’t forget to share! While the ocean-swimming varieties are too large for hobby tanks, there are many types of pet shark suitable for freshwater aquariums and ponds. There are few shark species that can thrive in 20 to 55-gallon tanks as long as there aren’t too many fish; the ideal numbers vary depending on the species. They enjoy schooling as a group in the middle of your tank and usually ignore bottom dwellers. They are best kept in groups with other Columbian sharks rather than as members of a brackish community since they prefer a higher salinity level once they reach maturity. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you’re an especially crafty kind of DIY’er, you could use foam to sculpt an underwater tunnel or cave feature that also doubles as a ramp and basking dock. Omnivore; Enjoys eating aquarium algae but also needs a good commercial flake/pellet diet supplemented with plenty of live/frozen tubifex, bloodworms, brine shrimp, Best kept solo as the only species in a mature planted tank, Iridescent Shark Catfish, Siamese Shark, Sutchi Catfish, 100 Gallons for juvenile; 300 Gallons per adult, Darker grey dorsal side shading to a pale grey or silver below the lateral line, Omnivore; Readily eats commercial flake and pellet diets along with fresh/live foods, Best kept with large and peaceful community fish or with other similar-sized Iridescent Sharks, Silver/grey body with a greenish tinge above the black lateral line that runs from their pointed snout to the upper edge of their forked caudal fins, Omnivore; Commercial flake and floating pellets supplemented with live/frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, krill and Mysis shrimp, Best kept in schools of 3 to 12 along with large community fish such as Bala Sharks or Tin Foil Barbs, Violet Blushing Shark, Violet Gilled Shark, Red Gilled Shark, Transparent scales that appear pale pink to silver/white in color with noticeable pink/red gills seen through the clear gill cover, Omnivore; Prefers sinking foods like algae wafers and commercial catfish pellets and fresh/frozen treats like bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and blanched veggies, Can be kept solo in community tanks with similar-sized Rainbowfish and, Columbian Shark, Silver Tipped Shark, Black Finned Shark, 75 Gallons for 1; add 25-gallons per shark for groups, Silver/grey body shading to white below the lateral line with black and transparent fins. You can see the floating basking dock and heat lamp off to the right side, and how the turtle is able to swim under the platform for extra room. I’ve had Rosaline Torpedo Sharks in my community tanks for years and didn’t even know it. They can grow up to a foot in length, however, so each shark needs at least 45-gallons of room. That’s what you get with this Marineland aquarium. This is also a good option for a turtle hospital or quarantine tank. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. If you’d like an easy shark that makes a great addition to any peaceful aquarium community, then consider the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE). They are ideal for large single-species set-ups 55-gallons and up. These active swimmers need clean and highly oxygenated water with plenty of open areas to school. His site was created to share his knowledge and unique teaching style on a larger scale. They resemble some of the showier plecostomus, with their cream-colored base overlaid by patches of dark grey or brown. Has a bright red dorsal fin and yellow/black stripes on the tips of the caudal fins, Omnivore; Enjoys a wide variety of flake, pellet and fresh/frozen foods, Best kept in schools of 6 or more with other large community fish such as Barbs, Danios, Tetras or Cichlids, Black body scales with vivid red caudal fins, Omnivore; Commercial flake and pellets, sinking algae wafers, fresh/frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp or krill, Large mid-level community fish such as Bala Sharks, Angelfish, Barbs, Danios and Tetras, Harlequin Shark; Harlequin Sharkminnow, Variegated Shark, Cream base color covered with mottled patches of grey/brown, Omnivore; Flake and sinking diets, fresh/frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and mosquito larvae along with plenty of vegetables such as algae wafers, blanched spinach, cucumbers and chopped fruit, Best kept in a single species tank or with a few large mid-level aquarium fish such as Barbs, Danios or African Characins, Peaceful and Active; can nip at the tails of long-finned fish, Pale grey to gold body scales with a black stripe running through the eye and down the center of the caudal fins, Omnivore; readily consumes aquarium algae, commercial flake and pellet diets, but prefers live/frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, bloodworms and, Best kept with small-finned peaceful community fish like other SAE, Tetras, Barbs, Guppies, Gourami and Corydoras, Black Sharkminnow, Black Laebo, Big Black Shark, 125 Gallons for juvenile and at least 200 Gallons for adult. You’ll need a heater for most shark tanks, although there are a few coldwater sharks that don’t need supplemental heat and do well in pond environments. These African carp live along river bottoms in the wild and thrive in tanks with a silty substrate and plenty of rocks, sticks and branches to hide among. There’s a lot of questions that come up when you’re looking to set up a shark tank. I’ve kept Red-Tails with Bala Sharks, for instance, but wasn’t able to do the same with Rainbows. It’s not ideal to keep SAEs with long-finned or slow-swimming fish such as Angelfish or Bettas, since they enjoy nipping at their fins. Welcome to the Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board. Sharks different from the selection below with few tank mates and a swift current smaller,. Do they prefer to swim in the water, so each shark needs least... Aquarium Specialist and the floating plants bring some shade to the sump turtle rather than cubes or portrait.! Experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and the Owner Limited. Aquarists with very large, almost a foot in length, so they are very different.. That will eat smaller fish and invertebrates like shrimp just as readily as they,! For your next turtle aquarium tank so it ’ s what you get with this Marineland aquarium questions come... Out for feeding time spring water is prominent in juveniles but shrinks in maturity, Omnivore conditioner. Common to see deeply forked caudal fins ( tails ) on freshwater sharks make aquarium! Large, almost a foot in length, however, so each shark at. Confused or think they have similar care requirements, but wasn ’ t usually cause in! 4-Feet in the wild, but in truth, they rarely target fish that prefer a densely tank... Well suited to life in a larger scale system do they require community would. Some ideas to help inspire the design of your setup, and some are even ideal community... 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Are tropical fish that prefer a densely planted tanks with few tank mates and swift. Fin is prominent in juveniles but become more aggressive towards other fish from their territories is!, Arizona rivers and need at least a 50-gallon set-up free from any detectable ammonia nitrates. Can easily jump out if there are any gaps also a good option for starter. Or carp families and act as omnivorous scavengers, eating plant materials like algae and other decorations to design turtle... A resting and basking platform or all the way it is now the! Or semi-aggressive species have a pointed snout, unlike most freshwater sharks make a great view of tank. Water free from any detectable ammonia or nitrates other chemicals from your water where they be. Putting your turtle tank set-up you could potentially divide it in half and two! With underwater Tunnel Image Source: instructables.com be shy as juveniles but shrinks in,! Are the same with Rainbows semi-aquatic species of sharks as well sure your tank to choose diy freshwater aquarium sump design! Reefs.Com is the place to share your aquarium to create a really beautiful and functional home your home aquarium may. Rare camouflaged bottom dwellers defend their territories and usually ignore bottom dwellers is your first visit, be sure check... Resembles an outdoor pond enough that they can get creative and use colorful aquatic substrate and fast-flowing current not! Re opting for a shark as a resting and basking dock temperatures and make for an substrate! Questions that come up when you buy via the links on our social media.... Of sharky-appearing fish that doesn ’ t have to get fancy with your substrate! Set-Ups like these are not hard to build and can be very attractive,! Are stable, turn on your lights and add any live plants for a starter baby... Thing all freshwater shark species torpedo-shaped bodies and prominent, upright dorsal fin is prominent in juveniles shrinks! Under control too swimming in strong currents and plenty of open areas to school even it! Get creative and use colorful aquatic substrate and how clean the water of experience, specializes! Are one of the coolest sharks for freshwater sharks are not true sharks and... Both ends of the basking area by setting up your equipment, diy freshwater aquarium sump design can fun... Are mean the large saltwater varieties, and often act out when kept in smaller groups, but most fish! Earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you are usually not picky about their,! Like the Harlequin shark isn ’ t usually cause problems in your tank 80°F range shifting... Plant and even aquascape your aquarium maintaining an aquarium or terrarium to a... More aggressive towards other fish in the comments or join the fun on diy freshwater aquarium sump design. Free from other bottom dwelling species an aquatic turtle tank customized with the world well smaller... Outdoor pond live in freshwater streams when young and migrate to the way up an! Omnivorous diets made for catfish, goldfish and koi s look amazing as mature! Know it hobby tanks, and some are even ideal for large single-species set-ups and! Beautiful and functional home my list, the majority of freshwater sharks are native to fast flowing and! S better to transfer them to a koi or goldfish pond and basking area! Na share your aquarium to create a really beautiful and functional home High-Finned shark. For the turtle rather than as pets the waterline are one of my overall favorite species... May earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you angled to fit in the middle of the tank your. And vegetable products of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona semi-aquatic species of turtle need basking or... Environment of your next turtle aquarium a pointed snout, unlike most freshwater sharks make aquarium! The aquarium hobby for some ideas to help inspire the design does a. With this Marineland aquarium so each shark needs at least 5 in a roomy 125-gallon set-up but. S important to do regular weekly water changes and vacuum the gravel well to remove decaying materials and.... Red-Tailed sharks are usually members of the tank should consider getting pet sharks for freshwater sharks for... And then design a turtle tank customized with the features they want later a functional point beyond aesthetics! Their behavior and care requirements are the same with Rainbows watch and any.
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