300 gallon stingray/shark tank update - and ideas needed

[klwheat]

As some of you all may remember, about a year ago I started a 300ish gallon tank system with a California round stingray, an Australian marbled catshark, and a couple other fish. We went into this know that we were going to need major filtration. So, here goes the update. The equipment is a 252 gallon custom-shaped tank courtesy of Polly's Pets (thank you Steven and Randy and all!). A ruby elite 36" refugium/sump, SRO-5000sss skimmer, and various pumps and powerheads. Lighting is by 2 ecotech radions (love the programmability). It has about 1.5-2" fine sand bed, a decent amount of macroalgae in the fuge, and about 180lbs of live rock between the sump and tank. Now, I know (now) that this is not enough rock for the tank/waste that needed to be managed, but I didn't want to take up any more room that the ray needed. So, after dealing with high nitrates (and I mean HIGH!) with water changes, I purchased a precision marine media reactor for biopellets. After 5 weeks, I had nearly given up hope. My nitrates were well above 100 when I installed it. I also did a 200 gallon water change (what a chore!) to get it back down. After 5 weeks, nitrates were back up to 100 again! I worked very "off" shifts this last week and didn't have much time to do anything other than adjust the reactor for better biopellet tumbling/flow. Then, suddenly this last Thursday, it looked like all of the coral/xenia in the tank were dying! (yes, they had actually been doing reasonably well until then). I knew that this was because of my out of control nitrates and was becoming frantic about doing another huge water change. Just to check before the change, I retested all my water parameters. Imagine my amazement when my nitrates were <10! After 1 more week, and better reactor flow, my nitrates had PLUMMETED! Now, I'm just waiting for everything to adjust. I started the biopellets with just a 1/2 cup, and added slowly each week, but it all of a sudden seemed to work. Not how I had anticipated..but my nitrates are actually down! Just wanted to let everyone know about my experience with biopellets. I even took the water to Polly's Pets to have them test it again because even after 2 tests of my own, I didn't believe it.

[klwheat]

So, now on to the ideas needed portion. I'm going to wait a couple of weeks for things to settle and make sure all is good. After that, I'm looking to expand my tank's population. Current stocking is an 8" or so California round stingray, a 12" or so Australian marbled cat shark, a 4-5" Harlequin tusk, a 6" magnificent foxface, a 6" sailfin tang, and a 2.5" tomato clown. There is also a small carpet anemone that I couldn't remove (all other corals were moved to my 90 gallon tank when I was afraid they were dying in there). I would like to add a larger anemone for the tomato clown. I'm looking for suggestions for other tankmates. The tank is 6' long and 3-3.5' wide depending on the part of the tank you measure. Thanks for the help!

[edshas2]

Webcam is pretty cool, how bout some pictures

[klwheat]

hmm...haven't taken any pics in quite a while. I'll try to get some tomorrow morning when the lights are up. Thanks!

[rrasco]

How long ago did you add the marbled cat? Where did you find him?

[Big_Pun]

bio pellets are weird they take a while to kick in sometimes, i use a culture to start mine up. either some pellets from a friend, or this time around i used dr tims waste away to start them up.

[klwheat]

rrasco, I added the shark about 10months ago. Got her from Polly's Pets in Universal City. Big_Pun...didn't think about doing something like that..lol. I've been adding MB7 weekly...but nothing directly to the reactor.

[rrasco]

Awesome.

I was just about to ask if that was a h. tusk, rabbitfish, and a sailfin tang....but I see you already listed them above so I won't ask again. Very nice. Nothing picks at the marbled cat? I've wanted to get my girl some tank mates for awhile, but I'm proceeding very cautiously.

[klwheat]

I've not had any issues with things picking on the shark. We did have a panther grouper for a week or so, but apparently the shark thought that she looked appetizing and she stayed too still one too many times. We're also very cautious about tankmates. That's the biggest reason that I've posted for thoughts/ideas :) I'm thinking about perhaps a lionfish next? What do you guys think?

[rrasco]

I've been too scared to get one myself, but I think they are fairly common to keep with other aggressive species. With any species it's kind of hit or miss. My biggest concern is something messing with my shark or introducing a parasite to the tank (ich mainly because sharks can't be treated with copper). If the shark takes a chunk out of a fish, that's a bummer, but not as much of a bummer as losing a shark. I have heard of a cat shark choking on a chromis though.

I just want some more swimmers. Maybe schooling fish or some tangs. I have a kole tang I just pulled from my reef tank I am thinking about putting in with her.

[klwheat]

As long as they're fed, your other fish should be safe. Schooling fish (are you thinking damsels/cardinals/etc?) would be fine, tangs fine. I would avoid triggers and puffers because they like to nip...same for large angels. Also, slower bottom dwellers (such as the previously mentioned panther grouper) could end up as shark food. I would definitely put that kole tang in...just keep an eye on them for a bit, bit I wouldn't expect any issues with that.

[rrasco]

I think the Kole tang would be fine in there. My biggest fear is introducing parasites though, so I might end up QT/treating him first, just to be safe. I wasn't really sure what schooling fish I would do, but it's a 6' tank with just a shark in it, so it can be rather quiet most of the time. Would be cool if there were a bunch of fish swimming around. Maybe chromis. Maybe yellow tail damsels. I even thought about a bunch of anthias, but that would get expensive quick.

[klwheat]

don't forget that a 6 foot tank offers all kinds of options for bigger fish too. lionfish, tangs, etc :)

[rrasco]

Yeah I know. Not in a hurry to put anything in there so just seeing what others' experiences were at this point. Spending too much on coral lately anyways.

[glarior]

My 300g I added a XL miniatus grouper, tessalata eel (tries to eat everything) and a XL lionfish. Working on getting a XL gray bamboo shark and XL cortez stingray. After those are added I will not add anything else to that tank. I like having the bigger fish way more than I would have thought. When the eel comes out of hiding searching for food it is really cool and I get to see how big he really is. The grouper has a unique personality and I swear the eel and him are friends now.

[klwheat]

That sounds pretty cool. I'm thinking either a large lionfish or porcupine puffer perhaps

[rrasco]

I think they advise against puffers and sharks. Not 100% though.

[klwheat]

hmm..I'll have to look more into that then. Any idea why?

[rrasco]

I think they were pickers or aggressive towards them. I don't really recall and I could be wrong, but it's something to look into.

[klwheat]

hmmm...didn't know that..I'll definitely look into it. Anyone here have experience with puffers/sharks together?

[Southern Flame]

*In Random thought* I want a sting ray, one with blue spots

[klwheat]

*In Random thought* I want a sting ray, one with blue spots
hehe, well mine doesn't have spots...but she love to be pet and is a blast for the kids :)