Outdoor Saltwater Pond??

[btsride]

I am considering building an outdoor (under a roof) pond to house sharks and rays. I know heat will be my main issue but has anyone ever seen one or have any advice? I've seen a few online but they dont have much info on them. Thanks for looking

[inthedeep2]

paradise point by sea world has one in their outdoor restaurant. pretty sweet looking

[rudy]

Seems like this subject comes up about once a year or so, here's a few things to consider;
Evaporation- top off with ro, or have an algae problem
Salinity will fluctuate
Rain runoff-pollutants/fertilizers
Water quality-sharks are messy eaters
Temperature-some sharks like it cooler
Birds and other animals-eaten or contaminate water.

I'm sure there's more.

[jasonp87]

paradise point by sea world has one in their outdoor restaurant. pretty sweet looking

I have seen this pond too. It is very neat but I believe it is connected to the ocean. The opening is big enough for water to flow in but too small for the sharks rays and other large fish in the pool to swim out. That keeps the parameters in the makeshift tide pool pretty stable. Almost like a pond with the ocean as the sump.

[btsride]

So do you think in our climate cooling the water is more critical than heating? I have a RODI and a few 50 gallon barrels for the top off and I was going to put it under an overhang to eliminate the rain water problem. Any other possible suggestions or reasons not to? Thanks

[jasonp87]

I think you will face both heating and cooling problems. Probably more cooling though. Most sharks like the water a little cooler I think and our weather in the 80s will be a problem for them when the water raises to the same temperature. The overhang will help with this and evap. I would contact some of the places that build ponds and see what they have to say about maintaining a certain temp in this area.

So do you think in our climate cooling the water is more critical than heating? I have a RODI and a few 50 gallon barrels for the top off and I was going to put it under an overhang to eliminate the rain water problem. Any other possible suggestions or reasons not to? Thanks

[cutterx23]

If your wallet is large enough you won't have any problems. But you'll need a large chiller and heaters to maintain a constant temp. May cost a small fortune. I wanted to do this as well but the financial logistics are hard to sell to the wife. Hope you have better luck.

[Sun&Ocean]

Outdoor has lot of challenges that indoor. Also Shark system need to be big in volume & bigger system need special care & investment.
Check this video, might give some reference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPS76_7xg4M

[cutterx23]

awesome vid, I want that house lol

[jasonp87]

Awesome pond.

[Sun&Ocean]

awesome vid, I want that house lol

Yeap, I was thinking the same when I saw the vid!

[btsride]

Thanks for the tips. Selling this to my wife is going to be the battle. I'm trying to have all the information I need to sell it to her. Cost if a big factor.

[cutterx23]

What type of sharks are you wanting to keep? How many? For the entire lifespan?

[btsride]

I'm looking to keep a few bamboo sharks and blue dot rays