Can i keep rays?

[Pota]

Hey,

I want to start up with a ray aquarium, and i wonder if things looks ok.

Im planning getting a 900liter 200x75x60.
Does it looks like i have all i need?:

- 1 Eheim 2260 1900l/h
- 1 powerfull air "bubble"
- 2 Jãger 300watt heather
- 1 Powerhead 1200l/h at surface to create oxygen
- 1 UV filter to kill Bacertials and Algaes.
- Very very fine sand as substrate.
- And few roots.

After I filled tap water in my aquarium, will it be enough if it stays for 6 weeks before i put in my rays?

What should the pH and gh/dh be for these rays:

- Potamotrygon falkneri
- Potamotrygon castexi

I have heard that falkneri is abit hard to get eating, but is it a problem or will it start eat? and btw. Is it ok to only keep one ray? or will it die of lonlynes?

You have to excuss some of my english

 

[Miles]

I wouldn't worry too much about pH/gH/dH unless you have really extreme tap water.. it's easier to not mess with it to allow you to do large and frequent water changes.

Looks like youre doing everything right.. Just keep reading on rays before you purchase, and think about getting a book.

Keep in mind that falkneri and castexi get very, very large.. and although your tank might seem huge, they will outgrow it eventually.

 

[Nic]

make sure your tank is very well cycled too before you add rays 1 amonia spike can wipe them out really quick.... also maybe use the roots your planning on adding to cover the heaters... good luck

 

[Nick660]

Are you going to do a fishless cycle?

 

[Pota]

Yeah i was planning a fishless cycle. Isent that ok? or should i add some Cardinal tetras?

 

[Nick660]

Sorry, to clarify, when I said fishless cycle I meant a technique using pure liquid ammonia.

Have you seen this article?
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

if you Google it you'll find there's loads of info about it on the www.

 

[Pota]

Well what do u suggest? Does it helps if i let the aquarium stay for 6 week?.. BTW i have a bottle of that chemical.

 

[Nick660]

IMO a tank just left empty for 6 weeks will not develop a sufficient bacterial colony to prevent ammonia and nitrIte spikes when you introduce fish and start feeding them.
Rays produce a lot of waste and require a well established filter - the more delicate rays are very sensitive to pollutants.

If it was me, I would use the fishless cycling method using liquid ammonia, and then introduce some other, less expensive species of fish first, just to test that everything is ok before adding any rays.
Read a few different articles on the subject before you start. I believe if it's done right you will be able to develop you filter to support a large bioload as soon as its fully cycled rather than have to build up your stocking levels gradually.

Of course, if you already have an established filter in another tank that you can move or take media from then that would help enormously.