All stingray keepers I need help!

[SpeshulEd]

But let me ask you Pete...why do you do 75% water changes? and how often do you do them?

Technically, with rays, large water changes are needed as they're waste machines.

Smaller more frequent is a better route to take. But then again, you are from Jersey

Actually, it may be in the beginning when treating a sick fish, but generally, weekly water changes of 50% or more are necessary to remove nitrates. I'm unable to find a link to the article in tfh about water changes, so I scanned it. This is only part one, I still need to scan part two, but well worth the read.
http://speshuled.smugmug.com/Other/Water-Changes/9908331_4CHxL#675436671_gz8JZ

The OP already did a 50% change so his tank is now 50% tap water. Another 50% change gets him to 75% tap water, more Kh, less nitrate that'll reduce the Kh and less likely his Ph will swing. Zero downside and less of a parameter change than the first water change was.

I'm really not trying to pick a fight but a blanket statement like "changing more than 20% of tank volume does as much harm as it does good" is just wrong - and it gives the wrong message to someone who apparently needs to up their water changes.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree with you, the water change volume and frequency most likely needs to be upped. I was just trying to get the OP on the right track to figuring out the volume and frequency needed. I'm not trying to pick a fight either, as I think we're both on the same track here.

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

anybody read the Dec issue of TFH? there's an article about water changes from the editor himself stating that small water changes 10%-30% are useless. I myself change 80% on my ray tank every week and they seem much happier than a 50% change.

 

[SpeshulEd]

The link I posted is a link to the beginning of that article. The december issue was part two.

Yeah, small water changes really do nothing.

 

[TheRealMacDaddy]

anybody read the Dec issue of TFH? there's an article about water changes from the editor himself stating that small water changes 10%-30% are useless. I myself change 80% on my ray tank every week and they seem much happier than a 50% change.

I guess you missed Richard Ross' advice on water changes...that "With good filtration and water management, our experience is that stingrays thrive under the same regime as other tropical fish. A 20% water change every 2 to 4 weeks is adequate depending on the bio-mass, number and size of fish" Aqualog Special; Freshwater Stingrays of South America (Richard A. Ross, 2009).

As possibly the world's leading expert on freshwater rays, I think I'll continue to suscribe to Dr. Ross' advice in that he developed it over decades of research and study.

I'm not trying to start any fights here either, I'm just stating what most professional fish keepers will tell you. A 50 to 80% change of tank waters weekly is unnecessary.

 

[SpeshulEd]

I own this book, you're referring to:
http://speshuled.smugmug.com/Other/Water-Changes/9908331_4CHxL#675436671_gz8JZ

Please realize, this book was published 10 years ago. That magazine article (also written by a knowledgeable fish keeper) was written last month. I believe there have been changes in the ideas concerning water changes in the last 10 years.

I disagree with the 20% a week water change...especially after you look at the graphs and charts in the article. And I'm sorry to say, Dr. Ross's book is very informative, but I wholeheartedly disagree with 20% water changes ever 2-4 weeks. If I waited that long to do a water change, my nitrates would be in the hundreds. Of course fish can get used to bad water, but it doesn't mean its beneficial to them.

 

[snow]

I have now decided for myself that I'm going to do 30% WC every 2 days on my tank as for right now I'm doing 40% every 2 days and it seems to be helping.

anyways:
As you asked:UPDATE.

The ray is still alive. I'm going to to another 40% WC in a few mins. I'm doing this every 2 days. I have now shifted my efforts to the ray eating. She has slowed down in her eating. BUT I have found sources from other ray keepers on how to go about better feeding the ray. I'm going to take out that royal pleco tonight to as he craps to much.