Help! Atlantic Stingray curling!

[justonemoretank]

Cool, thanks. Ok, if this species (atlantic ray) has large kidneys and produces a lot of urine and amonia, wouldnt that be the cause for small traces of amonia?

No. The beneficial bacteria colony grows as large as it can. The ammonia produced dictates how much bacteria grows. If it can continue to reproduce, it will. So, you should never have ammonia, because if your biological filter is where it should be, the bacteria will constantly be converting that ammonia to nitrite, and then more bacteria steps in and converts that nitrite to nitrate. That's what you remove with water changes -- the nitrate. I have about eight feet worth of fish in my pond, with no ammonia, so I know it can be done, no matter the fish. The bacteria population grows with ammonia levels so that all ammonia is being consumed.

 

[bbrayer]

woah. 8 feet of fish? how big is the pond? my step mom has three huge ponds that she dug up herself and installed filtration and stuff....CRAZY. Its BEAUTIFUL. I want a pond. I dont know how she keeps everything alive in the winter, but she does. She is hard core on NO CHEMICALS...and she's never had a problem. Ponds are neat.

 

[Zoodiver]

The thing about keeping these guys is like you posted... they produce a lot of ammonia. When we say your tank hasn't cycled yet, it's becaue there isn't enough bacteria to convert the higher level of ammonia your ray is producing. Until there is enough to convert it, water changes are needed to get rid of the ammonia. Does that help?

And don't give up... you'll get it hammered out. Keep working at it and asking questions.

 

[spotfin]

Keep up the good work. Like zoodiver said, you will get it worked out.
And, that is a really big dog.

 

[abortedsoul]

If you need a PHD in "salt tanks" no body would own them. Pretty sure everything is trial and error by research and previous mistakes. I have one stingray. Not a shark tank. And since I was lied to, now its too late and I already have the animal. and I'm relying on the internet and everyones whose been so helpful "thus far" for my RESEARCH

I've lost a stingray to bad info given by a store owner who had bred stingrays in the past (I don't think it was lie per se, but it was a reckless and ignorant guess) and I know how much that can hurt.

Keep up the good work. Care to post any updated pics?

 

[bbrayer]

AS SOON AS I CHANGED HER WATER, THIS HAPPENED!!!!!

 

[bbrayer]

SHE LOOKS LIKE HE HAD A STROKE. SHE WAS SITTING LIKE THIS FOR LIKE AN HOUR BEFORE I WENT TO WORK. SHE WAS FINE BEFORE I TOOK SOME WATER OUT AND REPLACED IT. THIS IS INSANE! shes not gonna make it

 

[bbrayer]

i know i have to keep changing the water. i just dont know what to do now.....the tent like downward curl.....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

[bbrayer]

I have to be doing something wrong. i just cant figure out what it is....any other reasons for this other than poor water quality?

 

[Ade]

I have to be doing something wrong. i just cant figure out what it is....any other reasons for this other than poor water quality?

Afraid it sounds like new tank syndrome,
lead to poor water quality.
Really hope ray pulls through.
can u not buy a canister and ask shop give you enough to fill with colonised bacteria?