New to rays.. But been researching.

[Aquaticfan]

Hey all. Ive been looking into getting into rays now for some time. Ive spent a great while (more then the last 6 to 8 months) lurking as a guest here and some other sites long before joining.. But.. Now im here as ive decided after doing as much research as I can everyday, I want to head into the direction of getting a pair of rays. Ive actually bought some of the recommended books. The first one being Dr. Richard Ross's book. The other is the pet owner's manual for Ray's. Of course Im not going to claim I know anything and definitly differ to those of you with the great and vast experinces.

So........ Having said that...

Ive been into aquaria for more then 34-35 years now. Been involved in most all aspects. Fresh, Salt, Reeef, Africans, Live plants, etc.. But im currently looking to do some new projects I have not done. One of them being Ray's and the other larger SA/CA cichlids. Not in the same tank. Ive got a couple larger tanks. Im just trying to make sure before I make the leap, ive got it right.

Im a hard core change the water kind of guy. The minimum on all my tanks is once a week, and 50 to 75%. Sometimes its twice a week. I dont think doing water changes are a big deal. Just do it. Im also not worried about the stinger/spine of a ray. I know they can hurt and you have to be careful. Ive managed to be stung/barbed/bit by some various creatures in my life. Especially aquatic. Some venomous, some not. Im aware, but not worried, if that makes sense. Anyhow.. Ive been building up filtration. I know you cant over filter at all ever. Currently ive got a 125 gallon, a 180 gallon, and a 300 gallon. Currently the 300 gallon is being set up for the CA/SA fish. So ive got a 125 or a 180 for now to use for the rays. So for either tank, ive got a huge sump/wet dry. I plan to cycle the tank 10 times a hour. PLUS Ive also got 2 FX5 canisters. I plan to do a bunch of live plants in the sump. Im going to do a sand bottom in the tank. I plan to run the tank for a long enough time dosing the tank with Ammoinia to cycle the tank long before any rays are added. The heat for the tank is provided via the sump. No chances of a ray getting burnt. Our water here is only 4dkh to 5dkh. GH is around 4 to 5. PH is7.0 to 7.4. I run most all my tanks right at 80 degrees. Did I mention im a stickler for doing water changes minimum of weekly? Ive made sure I leave where ray's are leagal. So, On with the ray of choice and my questions.

Ive found, and decided to do true Hystrix. Yes, I know they are hard to come by and sometimes False Hystrix are sold in the place. But ive found somone that has them and sells them. Id rather prefer to keep a smaller size ray. I know they can be difficult. BUT I totally feel im up for the challange. So here is the questions.

How many would anyone recommend keeping in one tank of the same species? Should I try to shoot for male and female? Whats the smallest tank youd recommend? (I know bigger is better) Could a pair live in a 180 just fine for a while?(im planning on a short, wide/long tank in the future for them. Something around 200- 250 gallons thats 72L x 36W.) What preferences for sand do most of you use? Pool filter sand im assuming wont work as its a high silica base.


So........... Any thoughts opinions or comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[DIDYSIS]

Welcome
A pair would be a good choice for the 180, giving them the space hystrix will need. Might as well try for a pair. Glad you like water changes my auto drip is spoiling me and water changes are not all that fun in my opinion on the other tanks. Sand can be your choice lots of options available. I use torpedo beach which is a larger grain and I love it. Rays can still dig into it all the time but it does not stick to the rays either and is easily shaken off. Good luck with the rays, order worms and start growing a worm farm if the rays will be small. Shrimp is a great food as well along with talapia.

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[spotfin]

Welcome
A pair would be a good choice for the 180, giving them the space hystrix will need. Might as well try for a pair. Glad you like water changes my auto drip is spoiling me and water changes are not all that fun in my opinion on the other tanks. Sand can be your choice lots of options available. I use torpedo beach which is a larger grain and I love it. Rays can still dig into it all the time but it does not stick to the rays either and is easily shaken off. Good luck with the rays, order worms and start growing a worm farm if the rays will be small. Shrimp is a great food as well along with talapia.

Sent from my DROIDX using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

x2.

Sounds like you are on the right track. You can keep a pair of Brazilian hystrix in a 180 for awhile. Eventually you will probably want a wider tank. What are the dimensions of your 300 gal? Hystrix shouldn't be any more difficult to keep than other species of rays. Are the ones you are looking to buy wild caught or captive bred? There aren't many around of either type.
Caribsea makes makes some great ray substrates (including the Torpedo Beach).

 

[Reedmaster16]

Great post providing some of your background and future plans.

Im with spotfin & didysis on the Caribsea line of sand, expensive but a good product.

One suggestion I would make is when designing the filtration setup is to make sure you have sufficient mechanical filtration that is easy to clean or dispose of.

Large amounts of waste is produced by rays and they eat alot. Easy to maintain mechanical filtration will make it less of a hassle to change it out more frequently therefore removing the waste from the water column. Other than that a wetdry sounds good and just keep up with weekly or biweekly water changes.
Welcome.

 

[brutonsbrew]

I have kept many hystrix and are almost as easy as motoros just prepare a way to have blackworms on tap if they aren't weened off. The two I currently have are ten inches and 2+ years old and are barely growing so although bigger is always better if 180 is 24 wide they will last awhile

 

[Aquaticfan]

Welcome
A pair would be a good choice for the 180, giving them the space hystrix will need. Might as well try for a pair. Glad you like water changes my auto drip is spoiling me and water changes are not all that fun in my opinion on the other tanks. Sand can be your choice lots of options available. I use torpedo beach which is a larger grain and I love it. Rays can still dig into it all the time but it does not stick to the rays either and is easily shaken off. Good luck with the rays, order worms and start growing a worm farm if the rays will be small. Shrimp is a great food as well along with talapia.

Sent from my DROIDX using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Thanks for the reply...

I wouldnt say I "like" water changes.... But im a busy body kinda person. So Water changes are a good something for me to do. I do have a water change system already that does drain and fill. I keep several large water tanks with preconditioned water at the correct temps ready to go. All I have to do its flip some valves and away I go. I will have to check your auto drip out sometime.

 

[Aquaticfan]

x2.

Sounds like you are on the right track. You can keep a pair of Brazilian hystrix in a 180 for awhile. Eventually you will probably want a wider tank. What are the dimensions of your 300 gal? Hystrix shouldn't be any more difficult to keep than other species of rays. Are the ones you are looking to buy wild caught or captive bred? There aren't many around of either type.
Caribsea makes makes some great ray substrates (including the Torpedo Beach).

Thanks!!! Thats what I kinda figured. Thus the plan with the 180 and im sure a wider tank will be something I will do. Probably a custom acrylic. My 300 gallon is a 96x24x36. My undeerstanding is the guy breeds his or has axcess to wild.. Is there a preference? Ive heard they can be hard to come by. He currently has 4 in his group that he owns and breeds.

 

[Aquaticfan]

Great post providing some of your background and future plans.

Im with spotfin & didysis on the Caribsea line of sand, expensive but a good product.

One suggestion I would make is when designing the filtration setup is to make sure you have sufficient mechanical filtration that is easy to clean or dispose of.

Large amounts of waste is produced by rays and they eat alot. Easy to maintain mechanical filtration will make it less of a hassle to change it out more frequently therefore removing the waste from the water column. Other than that a wetdry sounds good and just keep up with weekly or biweekly water changes.
Welcome.

Thanks you very much. I love to learn and I love to do things 100% all out as right as can be. I never just jump in without gathering all the facts and knowldge I can. To me, thats just setting yourself up for failure and to fail here would possibly cost the life of such beautiful creatures. Point well taken on the mechanical filtration. Any suggestions or tips? Im still all in the planning of this so I can change or do anything I want. and again.. Thanks for the welcome!!

 

[Aquaticfan]

I have kept many hystrix and are almost as easy as motoros just prepare a way to have blackworms on tap if they aren't weened off. The two I currently have are ten inches and 2+ years old and are barely growing so although bigger is always better if 180 is 24 wide they will last awhile

Thats a great bit of info and is a reassuring bit as well. Ive got easy axcess to black worms no problems. BUT its my plan and goal to ween them off.

Got any good pics youd share?

 

[spotfin]

Thanks!!! Thats what I kinda figured. Thus the plan with the 180 and im sure a wider tank will be something I will do. Probably a custom acrylic. My 300 gallon is a 96x24x36. My undeerstanding is the guy breeds his or has axcess to wild.. Is there a preference? Ive heard they can be hard to come by. He currently has 4 in his group that he owns and breeds.

Get cb if you can. I haven't seen many wild hystrix around. It seems they are only collected/sold in the fall and early winter. I've had mine for 4+years now and the first pups were born last October.