Another reason for barebottom

[vamptrev]

i had probs when my rays werent big enough to totally stir up the sand. since then ive had parasite probs 2 times where im very glad i didnt have sand. it made the parasites very visable.

i love barebottom and being able to see their patterns at all times. i will never go back... and my rays dont care at all...

 

[ShadowStryder]

It seems to me that everyone who is having problems right now has recently received
newly acquired imports.
Personally I turn my gravel over once a week, I keep Eartheaters which constanly are sifting the gravel.
I see no need to change.

 

[BigJ]

I'm with Big Nic on this! Bare bottom for sure

 

[Lupin]

The bacteria might colonize the substrate, but it should never become a problem unless the ray is stressed. If the ray is stressed, then you have something else going on that you need to resolve. There are a lot of different kinds of bacteria constantly present in an aquarium, whether there is a substrate or not. Its stress on the fish that brings about the infection, not being on a substrate, IMO.

I still think that some kind of substrate will mimic their natural habitat better and make them more comfortable. I think that is likely to lead to less stress and less likelihood of infection in the long run.

IMO bacteria exist EVERYWHERE...when your immune system is at its weakest point (stressed or sick), then the bacteria will infect the body.

So I don't think going barebottom will totally solved the problem (or potential ). The key is keeping your fish healthy.

stan

Anarobic baccteria will always grow in dead pockets. If you have substrate and dead pockets, that' just poor tank care - regardless of rays or fish or anything else aquatic.
Good water flow, regular hydrocleaning (siphoning) and turning over the substrate is an easy fix.

Bottom line, this is personal preference. Let the person decide what he thinks is best for his fish but you do have to remember that insufficient tank maintenance is often responsible for the health issues on the part of your fish, let alone improper setups (not that barebottom is always the best setup). You don't see the natural habitats barebottom either nor the fish in perfect health. Not everything is perfect. Every single living thing harbors bacteria, parasites, etc. You cannot always avoid the health issues but you simply have to try your best to prevent the health issues by doing your tank maintenance religiously. If anything is to blame, it is how you provide for your fish.

 

[Knowdafish]

Rays live on bare bottoms in the wild? NOT!

 

[ewurm]

I just got off the phone with South America, and they apparently are going with bare bottom substrate as well.

 

[BigJ]

I just got off the phone with South America, and they apparently are going with bare bottom substrate as well.

 

[Marius]

I just got off the phone with South America, and they apparently are going with bare bottom substrate as well.

LMFAO



I can see substrate being a problem if one keeps it thick as hell and one's fat ass doesn't move enough to clean and vacuum and do the water changes.

Personally, I prefer the sand + Earthers as tankmates in a ray setup. I just find the bare look a little sore to the eyes.

 

[rudy]

I don't think the bacteria lives in the sand. From my uinderstanding the sand aggrevates the disk when the bacteria is present. My problem, Scotts problem and all the others I know with the problem was simple...We did not quarantine the rays.

Quarantines should be bare bottom but my tanks will always have sand.

 

[xxblwn408]

I don't understand how people can say " You don't see the natural habitats barebottom either nor the fish in perfect health" & Rays live on bare bottoms in the wild? NOT!

How can you compare a system like the Amazon with millions of gallons to a aquarium?