I need a good resource.

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Heathd

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 9, 2010
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Dallas, Texas
I need a good resource for keeping rays. I would really like to keep one or two in the future.

I would just google it, but some links can be rather nebulous and provide bad information.
 
Just read through this forum - after scouring everywhere, this is THE place to get info on saltwater rays. If you have questions, ask away - most of the time ppl here don't mind repeating themselves, so no one should give you the, "Use the Search Feature" response.

What kind of rays are you thinking of keeping? What size tank can you afford?
 
Also if you want some dry reading but good info go to elasmobranchhusbandry.org
for the most anybody here would be happy help out
 
I will do some reading at this site elasmobranchhusbandry.org and then blast away with whatever questions arise.
 
Ok, I read through the parts of that website that I thought were pertinent to me and I have a few questions.

First off, what is the correct foot print for a california/round stingray and a yellow stingray? It says the reccommended size tank is 200 gallons for either one, but with a mature size of 23 inches, I could buy a 250 gallon tank that would be completely pointless.

Substrate- I have sugar grained size sand in my reef tank right now and it seems like it would just kick up and irritate the rays. Would something like an "oolite" grade aragonite substrate work (check link)? http://www.marinedepot.com/Caribsea...Reef_Aquariums-CaribSea-CS1905-FISSLS-vi.html
At what grain/granule size does the substrate irritate or harm the ray, and how deep should the sand bed be?

Equipment- I assume that a properly maintained fuge and appropriately sized protein skimmer would be enough? I read about people using Ozonizers but I honestly dont know if they are really needed. Also, should UV be used?

Flow- do rays need heavy, turbulent flow?

Live rock- Should there be any in the display? If so, is there any particular type/region that is best for the ray(s)?

Acquisition- Who is a reputable company to acquire specimens from?

Temperature- I live in Texas where keeping my house at 74 or 75 drains my wallet during the summer. Even so, that doesn't mean that the temperature of the water will be what the house thermostat is since each room can have a variance, along with equipment like pump and lights dumping heat into the water. Is it, at all possible, to slowly acclimate a ray like the Urobatis halleri to a temperature of 78-80 degrees?

Lots of questions, and I appreciate the help any might offer up.
 
Heathd;4674152; said:
Ok, I read through the parts of that website that I thought were pertinent to me and I have a few questions.

First off, what is the correct foot print for a california/round stingray and a yellow stingray? It says the reccommended size tank is 200 gallons for either one, but with a mature size of 23 inches, I could buy a 250 gallon tank that would be completely pointless.

Substrate- I have sugar grained size sand in my reef tank right now and it seems like it would just kick up and irritate the rays. Would something like an "oolite" grade aragonite substrate work (check link)? http://www.marinedepot.com/Caribsea...Reef_Aquariums-CaribSea-CS1905-FISSLS-vi.html
At what grain/granule size does the substrate irritate or harm the ray, and how deep should the sand bed be?

Equipment- I assume that a properly maintained fuge and appropriately sized protein skimmer would be enough? I read about people using Ozonizers but I honestly dont know if they are really needed. Also, should UV be used?

Flow- do rays need heavy, turbulent flow?

Live rock- Should there be any in the display? If so, is there any particular type/region that is best for the ray(s)?

Acquisition- Who is a reputable company to acquire specimens from?

Temperature- I live in Texas where keeping my house at 74 or 75 drains my wallet during the summer. Even so, that doesn't mean that the temperature of the water will be what the house thermostat is since each room can have a variance, along with equipment like pump and lights dumping heat into the water. Is it, at all possible, to slowly acclimate a ray like the Urobatis halleri to a temperature of 78-80 degrees?

Lots of questions, and I appreciate the help any might offer up.
Click to expand...
Yes you are right, a 250 is worthless unless you get very small pups and then not even for a year, if you are planning to keep them I would like them in a 4x8 foot print and it doe'snt have to be too deep, 20-22" would be good. California Round Rays can live in a variety of temps (58-75) depending where they are collected. I would not go higher than 75 though ,and I would'nt go up near the 80 degree range with Cali's. As for sand I use special grade reef sand which is a step courser than oolite which really I think is better (oolite). Sure it will get kicked up but it settles down fast. A really good size sump with plenty of media and bioballs is needed. I have a 4200 gph pump running a nearly 1000 gallon system and is enough as I see it. If you have a basement a round plastic pool/pond or stock tank is a good option since it will sit on the concrete floor to keep cooler. They don't need costly lights, I run 225 watts in a 6' fixture over a 9' round pool and with 9K color temp and it seems enough for me. As far as where to get a reputable dealer I have tried a few and it has been a 50/50 on survival. The one I have bought from local places where I could see them and watch them eat has been a much higher success rate other than the 2 Blue Spots I bought. Hope this helps and others will chime in I'm sure.
 
Since Dean covered Round rays so well, I'll kick out some yellow info:

I've got my breeding group of yellow rays in 500 gallons. The substrate is super fine sand. I'd give them maybe 1 1/2" max. For me, depth just makes places for crap to build up and parasites to breed. I have a few rocks in there which the rays swim around/on/under a lot. Water here (where yellows are found) gets well into the upper 80F range (if not even into the 90s) during the Summer. It dips down to the low 70s in the Winter.

Ozone and UV will do the sterilizing, pick which you like. I prefer O3 because UV won't kill a lot of the parasites that impact elasmo species. I've also had issues with UVs leaking then catching on fire- but it's just me, not something most run into. If you don't want to run either, you don't have to by any means.

For the filter on the tank, I'd suggest HEAVY mechanical filters and a good skimmer. No real need for the fuge. I have a lot of turn over in my set ups for them.

If you want yellows, let me know.
 
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