Everywhere you read it says to keep rays in soft water with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for some species and 6.5 to 7.0 for others. I know people on here keep there rays in harder water with higher pH's. I have tried searching with the search feature and reading stickies and can't find much info on who keeps there rays at a higher pH. So who on here keeps rays at a higher pH and what kind do you keep. My tap water is 120 ppm or 7 deg DH which is at the bottom of being hard and my pH is 7.5. I figured motoros can live in water with my parameters, any other species?
? for ray keepers with high pH
- Thread starter FishDog
- Start date
most will handle your ph if acclimated right... motoros are very hardy rays just gota make sure you are cycled well amonia is a problem at high ph
I have some red retics in pH 8. You need to acclimatise slowly using a drip feed but I have had no problems with the red retics and previously a pair of male 'normal' retics. I felt it was better to leave the pH as it was rather than trying to alter it. pH changes/crashes cause much more of a problem.
My pH is 7.8-8.2 depending on the season.. I have yet to drip acclimate a ray, but I haven't worked with any 'sensitive' one either (tigers, flowers, etc).. I usually just dump them in 
Rays are adaptable, the whole 'they need soft water' thing is just old fish lore.. I think the reasoning is that people didn't understand biological filtration as well, and ammonia was more likely to occur in a ray tank.. Having a lower pH, makes this ammonia less toxic, therefor they had better results and less losses in the past.. Now adays, consistency is key and just change LOTS of water.. whatever your tap water source is, should be fine.
Rays are adaptable, the whole 'they need soft water' thing is just old fish lore.. I think the reasoning is that people didn't understand biological filtration as well, and ammonia was more likely to occur in a ray tank.. Having a lower pH, makes this ammonia less toxic, therefor they had better results and less losses in the past.. Now adays, consistency is key and just change LOTS of water.. whatever your tap water source is, should be fine.
So is there any good ways to maintain a slightly acidic ph in a tank that narmally is rahter high on its own.... I guess it goes both ways....
You are worried about ammonia and ph swings at the same time...
Its seems like there should be an easy way to slightly soften water as a part of your drip system....., that way the rays are getting fresh/slightly acidic water changes......
Anyone soften their drip system water......????
You are worried about ammonia and ph swings at the same time...
Its seems like there should be an easy way to slightly soften water as a part of your drip system....., that way the rays are getting fresh/slightly acidic water changes......
Anyone soften their drip system water......????
Thanks for the info guys, I have read of people keeping rays with higher pH's and I don't know anyone that has tap water with a pH of 7 or below unless they have well water or RO units. I read that you can use peat moss to soften your water and lower the pH. I tried this by putting some in a filter bag and placing it in my sump for a week. My water parameters stayed the same just got cloudy looking. I guess it has to start to decay before it has an effect on the water. I will just work on keeping my water clean and stable.
i would just keep them at your water out of the tap and dont mess with it.... good cycled filter and plenty of water changes and you will be fine...