Nitrates with Coral Catshark?

[Kasey Grohowski]

Cycling my tank, and nitrates are at 40. Makes me wonder if coral catsharks are nitrate sensitive? I've heard people with fowlr tanks don't even test for nitrates as long as algae isn't growing they dont care about nitrates. Anyone know what an acceptable level is in a fowlr/predator tank? @alprazo

 

[Feet4Fish]

If cycling , what is your ammonia and nitrite? 40 isn’t a big deal on a FOWLR . What is the question regarding the cat shark?

 

[408Dartfish]

I’ve never owned a shark but I read a lot. From what I’ve read sharks like lower nitrates.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

If cycling , what is your ammonia and nitrite? 40 isn’t a big deal on a FOWLR . What is the question regarding the cat shark?

What should the nitrate level be to keep the shark healthy and happy, ammonia is 1 and nitrite is 2.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I’ve never owned a shark but I read a lot. From what I’ve read sharks like lower nitrates.

Do you know about how low?

 

[dantimdad]

I have kept bamboos and coral cats. While the high nitrates won't kill them. They are much happier in lower (less than 20) nitrates.

They seem to feed less readily. Which, I guess long term, could effect their health. I just did water changes to bring them down if they showed slowed feeding.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I have kept bamboos and coral cats. While the high nitrates won't kill them. They are much happier in lower (less than 20) nitrates.

They seem to feed less readily. Which, I guess long term, could effect their health. I just did water changes to bring them down if they showed slowed feeding.

What were your water changes? I'm planning on doing 20% bi weekly

 

[Feet4Fish]

I might not have read the first post right, but if this system is just recently cycled then be sure to stay on top of your water changes! Agree nitrates has under 20 ppm is best. A shark presents a high bioload demand on a biofilter so water changes will be important until biofilter matures.

 

[dantimdad]

I did 10% weekly unless there was a problem then I did 10% biweekly after an initial 20% until the problem subsided.

Sharks HATE quick changes. They also like cooler tanks which makes your filters work harder.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I did 10% weekly unless there was a problem then I did 10% biweekly after an initial 20% until the problem subsided.

Sharks HATE quick changes. They also like cooler tanks which makes your filters work harder.

Coral catsharks do well 72-76 my tank is 74. So do you think 20% bi weekly is good?

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I might not have read the first post right, but if this system is just recently cycled then be sure to stay on top of your water changes! Agree nitrates has under 20 ppm is best. A shark presents a high bioload demand on a biofilter so water changes will be important until biofilter matures.

My tank is in the process of cycling, and yes my skimmer should make up for the premature biofilter.

 

[dantimdad]

No, I think 10% weekly is better. No big changes unless necessary.

BTW, what size tank?

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

No, I think 10% weekly is better. No big changes unless necessary.

BTW, what size tank?

Oh I didn't think 20 was big, 220.

 

[dantimdad]

OK. If there was ever a case for an auto water changer, sharks are it.

If I was to do it again, I would do a 2ft deep plywood lagoon about 12x12 honestly and do 2% a day via a controller.

I would run an ammonia scrubber and no skimmer.

I would also run a very soft substrate.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

OK. If there was ever a case for an auto water changer, sharks are it.

If I was to do it again, I would do a 2ft deep plywood lagoon about 12x12 honestly and do 2% a day via a controller.

I would run an ammonia scrubber and no skimmer.

I would also run a very soft substrate.

Wow I'm not getting a great white haha. Just a 2 foot benthic shark. And my substrate is soft, wont scrape the sharks stomach. Caribsea fiji pink .5 mm grain size. Nearly sugar

 

[dantimdad]

I had mine in a swimming pool in my fish room before.

I think these animals need a lot of room.

Just my opinion.

 

[Flame2hawk]

You can go a bit nuts trying to keep 0 nitrates. 20-40 is fine. I’d be more concerned about your traces of Ammonia and Nitrites...they s/b 0.