Got the tank set up now ...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Just go easy with the stocking as Rays produce a lot of waste and the filters need to adapt, that said the Oscars produce a lot of bioload therefore if you can keep the water stable you should be fine.

Retics are only hard to get going as they are sold in such poor condition due to shipping stresses with loads packed together in poor water.

Make sure they are feeding well in the shop with big fat behinds and big fat tails.

Do not be afraid to put down a deposit and visit the shop regularly to see them feed (you could even get a stool sample tested for worms / parasites) do not be afraid to ask the shop to test their own water for ph and nitrate etc to see what they are being kept in (I would assume a shop has zero ammonia and nitrite)

Be wary that the Oscars COULD cause the rays some issues so be prepared to shift one or the other out. I would shift round the decor when you add the rays to keep the oscars guessing and keep the lights off for a few days.

Personally I test the water weekly for Nitrate and spot check the others (do not use dip stips) I monitor the PH constantly with a digital tester (same with temp) I also keep an ammonia alert disc in my sump and check this every day or so (just to be safe) The SAS say "check, check and check again!
 
I spoke the the LSF/dealer about them, he says i am welcome to see them once out of quaranteen in a few week, but not yet...made me wonder why, but he doesnt keep them in a shop, he has a industrial unit and when ready takes them home to sell from there. Sounded a bit sus at first but folk have spoke about him before, just in the mention of what he sells. nothing bad.
He told me the water they are in PH6.8 , mine is PH7, didnt mention the nitrates or nitrites, the water hardenss is near the same as mine also, all a good thing then there.

Now the oscars are a wee bit small, they are near 3 inch, so i mite have to take them out as they arent bought for feeder fish LOL.

I will be leaving the decor as is for now and see what happens, when i had rays around 15 years ago they were in a similar deco tank and didnt cause any mess in the 12 months i had them.
If they do i will remove whats needed and replace with a few smooth boulders that will pin down some plants.

I am trying not to get to excited as dont want to rush in getting them................but cant help it:headbang2
 
rearranging the decor when you get the rays would be a good thing to do, because the fish in the tank have already established territories and once you add the rays they could be picked on by the other fish do to being in the other fish's territory ....

But if you want to risk it , its your call
 
Cakilla;4596195; said:
rearranging the decor when you get the rays would be a good thing to do, because the fish in the tank have already established territories and once you add the rays they could be picked on by the other fish do to being in the other fish's territory ....

But if you want to risk it , its your call
Click to expand...

I will be shifting a little about when i get them to give them more room but not all the decor, unless they rip it all up.

Oh and just had a call about a pair ( male and female ) of motoros which are ready for collection.....tempted, seen a vid of them and they have great markings and feeding like pigs.



My water has been stable now for a good few weeks before and after water changes so all seems fine......am i rushing this ?
 
Well i got my 2 mootoros this weekend, we bellters they are to.

Here they are on drip for a hour before i shown them there new home.
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Here is my boy having a good much on pellet and a bit of prawn.

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The female was hiding so no pics of her yet, she is alot more pale in coulour towards the male but was feeding like a pig. They both keeping hunting for food through the sand so i am going to bury a few peaces of food for them to find, aslong as i remember where i put them myself incase they dont find/eat them.

They are just what i was looking for home breed and not imports and a good size.

I mite try and get a few small earth worms tonight and see how they take to them for a bit of live food.
 
They will love the earth worms just cut them up a bit if they are too big

Very nice pick up :) I am also a firm believer in captive bred rays
 
Nice Wayne. When u get your sumps running remember to add some mature bio media from your externals and Some of that gunk too . Will help seed the sump media.
I wouldn't add any more Fish until your sumps are Running. When I cycle
My tanks, I make Sure the parameters are stable (not fluctuating) over a
6 to 8 week period of cycling
 
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