FW stingray question..

[Marx]

just wondering something.. im using a 1" pool filter sand bed.. but i read in the stingray book not to use silica sand due to the abbressive texture which will cut yup the sting ray..


im wondering if anyone has ever kept a stingray with silica substrate?

Thanks..

[328iGuy]

I have been spotting them in the Superpet stores and they look very interesting.

Not answering you're post per say but have you already got some or are you looking to get some in the future?

[Marx]

im looking to stock my 125..

i have it there with the silica sand.. and was wondering if i should pull out the sand.. and go buy smooth substrate..

[328iGuy]

im looking to stock my 125..

i have it there with the silica sand.. and was wondering if i should pull out the sand.. and go buy smooth substrate..

Very cool, where did you pick it up from?

[Marx]

bought it from a friend.. who bought it for a sump lol..

i just finished my stand..

just about to order 2 200w heaters and another filter.. from J&Ls..

[328iGuy]

bought it from a friend.. who bought it for a sump lol..

i just finished my stand..

just about to order 2 200w heaters and another filter.. from J&Ls..

Sounds like fun!  :lol:

[Marx]

$$$

actually my wife is getting into my hobby.. telling me to hurry up a get it running.. except she fell in
love with a stingray.. lol..

i told her there really hard to care for and require special attention..

[328iGuy]

$$$

actually my wife is getting into my hobby.. telling me to hurry up a get it running.. except she fell in
love with a stingray.. lol..

i told her there really hard to care for and require special attention..

I am still working on my wife.  She likes the show tank however still isn't into it anywhere near the way I am!  

Are they really hard to care for?  Are the very specific on parameters etc...?

[Marx]

i've read PH isn't really a factor.. like any fish they will adapt to a consistant PH.. people have kept rays in 7.8PH for years..

its the maintaince that would kill it for me.. at least 1/3 water changes per week min..

i will be running at first.. a rena xp3 and a fluval 304 roughly 220GPH filtration. then i'll add a AC 300 or 500..

but i don't like bare bottom tanks.. and wanted to add 1 inch of sand.. but i hear silica sand will irritate the bellies of tea cup rays..

[328iGuy]

i've read PH isn't really a factor.. like any fish they will adapt to a consistant PH.. people have kept rays in 7.8PH for years..

its the maintaince that would kill it for me.. at least 1/3 water changes per week min..

i will be running at first.. a rena xp3 and a fluval 304 roughly 220GPH filtration. then i'll add a AC 300 or 500..

but i don't like bare bottom tanks.. and wanted to add 1 inch of sand.. but i hear silica sand will irritate the bellies of tea cup rays..

1/3 per week would kill you?  HA! I do 2 x 50% water changes per week on ALL my tanks....they all stay pristine.

[rkmike]

I saw some really pretty rays at the Big Als' in Montreal about two weeks ago, they were going for $89 (they had two tanks full).

If you're looking for some, you should give them a call to see if they have any left, looked like a bargain to me! Not sure which kind of rays they were for sure, but they looked like teacups to me.

mb

[Marx]

what size tanks do you have Matt?

[Aquafish]

The tea cups in mtl sounds like a great deal!!!! I would get one if i had the space....

[Mettle]

Teacup sting rays are probably one of the hardest to care for, to be honest... But usually the cheapest, as well. So that factors into it.

As for water parameters. They absolutely must be introduced into a totally cycled tank. Ammonia 0 and nitrites 0. Nitrates need to be kept as low as humanly possible. Too high I've heard will be damaging.

As for silica sand and rays... Silica sand is basically small glass particles. If you use it, it will irritate and in my opinion eventually kill your stingray. Definitely not good at all. If you're thinking about dropping that type of money on a single fish, I would be sure to invest in the proper substrate.

[328iGuy]

what size tanks do you have Matt?

Hey well right now just:

100G
90G
20G
15G