Black Diamonds

[Musha]

Hey all, a few weeks ago I created a posts asking which ray to get because I was undecided. Thanks to some of your input and research, I have decided to go with BD's. I have been dealing in Flowerhorns for years so I have a few international hook-ups. If I buy in the U.S. I may try to use @Vamptrev. Either way these are the rays I am going with. Im going through the sticky's and I see some information, but not all so I will ask here. BTW the my tanks footprint is 120x48x30, Im undecided on the thickness of Acrylic due to price. 3/4's or 1 inch?


1. Filtration: I know they produce a ton of waste. I am having a tank built strictly for my Rays, no other tank mates will be permitted. My question is, on a 10 for thank, will 4 wholes for bulkheads suffice? I've only used filters, never a sump.

2. Water conditions: What is the prefered pH, current and temp for Black Diamonds?

3. Stingers: I'm a passionate person, I will get stung (lol)! Are there any treatments I need to keep handy other than hot water?

4. Hospital Tub: Will a 300 gallon rubber made work for a hospital/quarantine tank?

5. Diet: What is the "idea" diet for Rays? I want them to be happy and breed frequently lol.

6. Quality and Price: What is the least I should expect to pay and what is the most? I know this is going to vary greatly but I'm asking for a reason.


here are a few that I'm thinking about buying, these are not my fish as of yet. These are my sellers pictures, I will nto put his name out either. These are different qualities of fish. Each has a separate price, can you see why? I can tell the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3, but not between Tier 3 and Tier 4.

 

[UnstoppableJayD]

Nice choice!

I will answer what i can... on that size tank i think you need to go 1 inch or risk bowing or worse. As far as drains it depends on the size of the holes and the turnover your pumps will be producing.

Diet- you will get a million answers here... I work with a BD breeder in NY who has been doing it for years with originally wild caught true BDS never mixed with anything. I mimic his diet which is silversides and massivore, I also add in Krill and cut shrimo for variety.

Temp- there is actually a thread on this right now, but 78 to 80 seems to be the consenus

Stinging- there is really no reason to get stung but if you do all I have ever heard is hot water

the tub sounds fine for quarenting and i would plumb it into the main system

As far as price and quality- Price usually somewhere between 2500 to 3000 a pair. Quality- it is hard to determine how a pup will turn out with out seeing the parents pups change alot. Also just an FYI asian rays are not always what they say they are... there is a lot of crossbreeding done in asia and then sold to what they appear to be when pups... IE this one looks like a BD sell as BD while its brother doesnt have all the qualities sell as leo... etc... for instance the pups you have pictured pic 2 probably is not a true bd.

If you want pm me and i can give you the numeber for my breeder in NYC I just picked another one up last week and he has about 9 8 inchers ready to go.

Good Luck!

 

[Musha]

Only reason I said I may get stung is because I want to eventually hand feed. I will be in contact bro, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[vamptrev]

Where are the pics from? The pics are very high quality they will fetch about 2500 ea but there are alot of quality ranges out there.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Musha]

Hey Vamp, I was hoping your would chime in. They are from a friend in Thai and if what you say is true then he has offered me a very good deal. I will PM you.

 

[T1KARMANN]

You need to put overflow and return pipes in weirs

Get much bigger holes than you need this will give you the option to add more flow if you need it

I have 4 x 80mm holes which is just under 4 x 3.1/4"drains

Go big with the drains as it near impossible to make them bigger if you need them


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[jsodwi]

I have the same size tank. 3/4" acrylic no bowing at all been up since 09' I have 2-2" drains and 3-1" returns I pump 6000 gph on a heavily stocked tank with an 180g sump.

 

[T1KARMANN]

Hey Vamp, I was hoping your would chime in. They are from a friend in Thai and if what you say is true then he has offered me a very good deal. I will PM you.

The price for the above rays should be around £1,000 or £1200 tops
Rays seem to be a bit cheaper in Europe


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[T1KARMANN]

I have the same size tank. 3/4" acrylic no bowing at all been up since 09' I have 2-2" drains and 3-1" returns I pump 6000 gph on a heavily stocked tank with an 180g sump.

I started off at that sort of flow rate but as my rays and other fish grew I added more flow I'm up to about 15,000 gph now and it's just about right no flat spots or power heads needed


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app