Stingray setup ?

[acea091489]

Hello,

I have always wanted to know if a bare bottom tank or a sand substrate is better for a stingray tank. I was told that sand is not a good idea because it will build up bacteria in your tank. I was told that a bare tank was a bad idea because it would make the ray stress out due to not having anything to cover itself with. Which would you do? Thanks.

[Eric99]

I have fine black sand in mine. They love to bury themselves in it sometime but it can clog filters easily.

[abortedsoul]

Sand works, but if you own feisty rays they can kick the sand up into the intake for your filter, which means that you may have to replace your impeller. Rays do fine on bare glass bottoms, but it takes them a little while to learn how to move around on it without "slipping." Glass bottoms allow you to clean it a lot easier, however.

A good medium would be small river rock gravel, as long as it is smooth and small enough it won't get in your filter and your ray can bury itself. :)

I have a 125g with sand, and it is doing fine. As long as you don't put too much sand in and you siphon often (small circles about an inch above the sand) you don't have to worry about anaerobic conditions deteriorating your water. Bacteria growing in the sand is a good thing, as long as there isn't waste material locked down in there somewhere.

[Malawi-]

I would go with sand, I know some species do care, but others like the sand and will/can burry them in it.. Its a personal preferance and makes the aquarium look good.

[Cdog]

In circumstances where the sand does not get stirred up you can have problems because bacteria can get trapped, but with stingrays they will stir it up and bury themselves. Like previously said it can get into your intake and filter system rather easily. Good luck

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Moved to ray forum....

[Nic]

its all preference... it doesnt matter is you have it or not.... with new rays its better cause you can see them eating