We are still planning through what we would like to accomplish with our ray setup when we do it in the not too far off future. I like to have everything thought out/planned before starting a project...most of the time this is good but usually means I over think it a bunch.
Anyhow, here is the rough thought/plan (please change as you see fit):
Tank - 84" x 36" x 30-36" tall, Acrylic, likely 3/4" with 1" front (pool table 10 or so feet from the tank, and we break towards the tank).
Filtration - Sump with bioballs, unsure of the rest to be honest. Sump will likely run with 50-60 gallons of water in it.
Water changes - Daily 50-75 gallon changs automatically done (drop system) with larger changes down every 2 weeks when substrate is siphoned.
UV Sterilizer - 40w - Large Enough?
Lighting - T5HO for the plants, likely lights on 10-12 hrs a day.
Substrate - 2-3" of stingray sand, likely tan in color
Planning on keeping the tank around 80-84 degrees.
Rays - pair of nice marble motoros or leos.
Aesthetics - the big question.
I want a natural type looking tank. I have two thoughts for tankmates.
Reguardless of tankmates, I am planning on leaving the bottom completely open for the rays. I am planning on attaching driftwood to the back of the tank using magnets and other things. On this wood will be various live plants (easy to keep epiphytes).
I was wondering how a mix of small fish like barbs and rainbows would do with rays? Obviously I know the chance (and I assume it will happen) of the rays eating these guys. My hope is with the cover (plants/driftwood) and increased tank height they will only slowly eat them and will only need to be restocked every year or so.
Another thought I had was doing a mix of discus with the rays. I have heard as long as the discus are large enough, most of the time the rays are fine with them (some times I know this is not the case).
I know most of you guys keep other large aggressive fish with your rays - aros, p-bass etc. These do not really appeal to me (no offense to those with these tanks).
Any thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
Anyhow, here is the rough thought/plan (please change as you see fit):
Tank - 84" x 36" x 30-36" tall, Acrylic, likely 3/4" with 1" front (pool table 10 or so feet from the tank, and we break towards the tank).
Filtration - Sump with bioballs, unsure of the rest to be honest. Sump will likely run with 50-60 gallons of water in it.
Water changes - Daily 50-75 gallon changs automatically done (drop system) with larger changes down every 2 weeks when substrate is siphoned.
UV Sterilizer - 40w - Large Enough?
Lighting - T5HO for the plants, likely lights on 10-12 hrs a day.
Substrate - 2-3" of stingray sand, likely tan in color
Planning on keeping the tank around 80-84 degrees.
Rays - pair of nice marble motoros or leos.
Aesthetics - the big question.
I want a natural type looking tank. I have two thoughts for tankmates.
Reguardless of tankmates, I am planning on leaving the bottom completely open for the rays. I am planning on attaching driftwood to the back of the tank using magnets and other things. On this wood will be various live plants (easy to keep epiphytes).
I was wondering how a mix of small fish like barbs and rainbows would do with rays? Obviously I know the chance (and I assume it will happen) of the rays eating these guys. My hope is with the cover (plants/driftwood) and increased tank height they will only slowly eat them and will only need to be restocked every year or so.
Another thought I had was doing a mix of discus with the rays. I have heard as long as the discus are large enough, most of the time the rays are fine with them (some times I know this is not the case).
I know most of you guys keep other large aggressive fish with your rays - aros, p-bass etc. These do not really appeal to me (no offense to those with these tanks).
Any thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
