New pond. Fresh water or salt water?

[n2extreme1]

Finishing up on my new pond. It is 6x6x1.5. About 400 gallons. I am torn between feshwater or saltwater. I already have several freshwater ponds. I really want stingrays but living in Fl Im limited to the Atlantic. Thats why Im thinking saltwater. What would you guys do?

 

[crowconor]

fresh

 

[Florencebigfish]

But i think freshwater rays are banned in Florida. Right?

 

[farawayinn]

if you really want rays, go salt. as far as i know, it's the only way in fl to legally stock anything other than atlantic rays. i gave up on the salt idea for an outdoor pond due to heavy evaporation and temp fluctuation.

 

[swede]

But i think freshwater rays are banned in Florida. Right?

don't worry officer, these are saltwater rays

 

[sostoudt]

do you have a cheap way to obtain saltwater? if not i would do fresh for a variety of reasons(price and difficulty)

 

[sostoudt]

But i think freshwater rays are banned in Florida. Right?

yep america(said america because of my same frustration except with asian aros) land of the free, this countries going down hill when you can even take a test and obtain a permit to keep one as a pet.

but hey you invite the neighborhood kids or a boy scout troop every so often to your house and call your self a educator you can get one. thats what people do with big cats in your state. just do that

 

[n2extreme1]

yep america(said america because of my same frustration except with asian aros) land of the free, this countries going down hill when you can even take a test and obtain a permit to keep one as a pet.

but hey you invite the neighborhood kids or a boy scout troop every so often to your house and call your self a educator you can get one. thats what people do with big cats in your state. just do that

No I dont have a cheap way of obtaining saltwater. I would have to make it. Cost was one of my concerns as well. I like the idea of education purposes though. Now how do I go about obtaining a ray for "education purposes"

 

[sostoudt]

No I dont have a cheap way of obtaining saltwater. I would have to make it. Cost was one of my concerns as well. I like the idea of education purposes though. Now how do I go about obtaining a ray for "education purposes"

Prohibited species may be imported and possessed for research, following approval of the research plan, including security measures to prevent escape; and by public aquaria, zoological parks, or public exhibitors with current accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association or the American Association of Museums.
To legally import prohibited species into Florida for research or public exhibition, it is necessary to have a special permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), per Rule 68-5.001, 68-5.002, and 68-5.003, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.); and Chapter 372.26, Florida Statutes. A biosecurity form is required with permit applications for possession of prohibited species for research.
There is no cost for this annual permit, and all special permits for prohibited species expire one year from the date of issuance. Possessors of prohibited species are required to maintain complete and accurate records of acquisition and disposition for each species possessed. The disposition of each species must be reported to the Exotic Species Coordination Section, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) by the permit expiration date as a condition of the permit, pursuant to 68A-5.004(3), F.A.C.

im unsure how you become accreditated with the AZA but it sounds like once you do you are in the clear, they probably check the animals living conditions or something.

btw theres another chance if the exhibitation doesnt work, you can attempt to breed them, the aquaculture permit doesnt seem to hard

Conditional Nonnative Wildlife

Conditional nonnative species (formerly referred to as restricted species) are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida. These species are not allowed to be personally possessed, although exceptions are made by special permit from the Executive Director for research, commercial import/export or exhibition purposes. Facilities with an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration and authorization to possess conditional species are not required to obtain the special permit, however a special permit from the FWC is needed to import conditional species for use under an Aquaculture Certificate. Conditional nonnative species are:
Conditional nonnative freshwater aquatic species

1. Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
2. Bony-tongue fishes [family Osteoglossidae, all species except silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)]
3. Dorados (genus Salminus, all species)
4. Freshwater stingrays (family Potamotrygonidae, all species)

btw i checked the big cat requirements and they sound easier lol.