125 gallon reticulated stingray

[josh_canada]

I am setting up an odd ball tank. I thought the cheapest and smallest available ray would be ideal for the 18" width. Some people say a 4'x18" tank is ok, all the way up to 8'x3'. Alot of info i have read leaves it up in the air. From what i understand these rays are slow growers (like 1.5" in a year) sort of like clown loaches.

Which brings me to another point: tankmates, from what i understand clown loaches are one of few suitable bottomdwellers to chum it with a retic. I was hoping for eartheaters (maybe a smaller 6"ish species) and was wondering if the 5 fish minimum is applicable here. African butterfly fish are another oddball i really like. I was hoping for a group of earth eaters, 5 clown loaches (2"ish), about 8 butterfly fish and a plump 5-6" diameter pup at my LFS.

I understand initial health and care is detrimental in a ray, and i have a very reputable LFS. I would be happy to upgrade in a couple years or give the ray to a close friend. The clown loaches are certainly the first to go if bioload is an issue. I will be running a fluval fx5 along with powerheads, while leaving the surface calm for the butterfly fish.

Thanks to any opinions people can give me

 

[josh_canada]

clown loaches have been nixed. Would appretiate ideas for a smaller species of earth eater.

 

[hereticlosmorte]

my rays have tripled in size in a year and a half. retics. my male is already past the 18" length including tail and not done growing yet.

i'd advise going bigger.

 

[Ray112]

my rays have tripled in size in a year and a half. retics. my male is already past the 18" length including tail and not done growing yet.

i'd advise going bigger.

He's right your going to need a wider tank for sure

 

[grapedinox]

I have a retic female with a 14-15 inch disk not including tail........125 for life not a chance

 

[josh_canada]

walmart pool with pond filter, power heads and pool sand then? I could skirt it with rocks and mortar or something. fireplace style. indoors of course

 

[cheon]

U can find a good deal on kijiji I'n Calgary. Theirs sum nice 180 gl on their i seen them 2 days ago for 300.

 

[elisuwe]

I was looking into a ray, My 150gallon is here at the weekend 84w 18d 24h, I know the footprint isn't big enough but I'm looking at getting an 180-240 tank if 2-3 years any species of ray which would be suitable in this tank until then?

 

[hereticlosmorte]

I was looking into a ray, My 150gallon is here at the weekend 84w 18d 24h, I know the footprint isn't big enough but I'm looking at getting an 180-240 tank if 2-3 years any species of ray which would be suitable in this tank until then?

not for that long of a time till upgrade. like stated before, within a yr and a half, my rays were as long as your tank is wide. that tends to leave very little desired room for them. if gotten as pups, you should be looking to upgrade within a years time.