New possible stingray tank - need help

[Clothsack]

Hey guys,

Im about to start my first diy project but before i start tohe build i must have some questions answered.

Can i keep rays in my new tank?? Thats the main questions.

Dimensions:

Length : 180(cm)/70,87(in) ( if needed i can extend this to 200cm)
Width : 120(cm)/47,24(in) ( could extend this to 150cm but idk if my girlfriend will accept this eventually)
Waterheight: 70(cm)/27,56(in)

Current dimensions make the tank 400us gallon / 1512liter

Will this be enough to keep a ray or multiple for life? Or should i go for the second option by extending the tank wich will make it 554us gal / 2100 liter

Looking for some serious advice because i really want to keep them for life.

Im not sure if this is the correct topic, im new here.

 

[Bigfishnut]

Bigger is always better for rays. Build it as big as you possibly can, rays get big and live a very long time, so don't take the planning stage lightly. Most of us rays keepers have had to upgrade several times because as rays grow they will make your giant tank seem tiny!! Plus rays are addictive, you'll want to add more over time. Your dimensions are technically big enough for most species of rays, but an adult ray will be a bit cramped. Good luck!!

 

[Clothsack]

Bigger is always better for rays. Build it as big as you possibly can, rays get big and live a very long time, so don't take the planning stage lightly. Most of us rays keepers have had to upgrade several times because as rays grow they will make your giant tank seem tiny!! Plus rays are addictive, you'll want to add more over time. Your dimensions are technically big enough for most species of rays, but an adult ray will be a bit cramped. Good luck!!

Thanks for the advice, if i upgrade in the long run howmany rays could i keep in the tank im going to build and for howlong? Like if im going for a couple or a trio and maybe some eventual tank mates

 

[Clothsack]

Eventually i could upgade to the following dimensions length : 250cm/8.2' by width 200cm/6.6' and waterheight 100cm/3.2' what would make 1320USGAL/ 5000 Liter, but that would take another 3-4 years because of other priorities to the house.... then it would be in the garage behind the house and i need to isolate it before i build a tank in there because in the winter it can get -5 to -10 degrees celcius here...

 

[Bigfishnut]

It depends a lot on what species of ray, but you'll be good for 3 or 4 years with a trio of even large rays like motoro I think. Bit of advice: make sure you do a drip system, you'll play hell trying to keep up with waterchanges

 

[ShadowStryder]

I would shorten the height and increase the width. Larger footprint is much more important than Height.

 

[Clothsack]

I would shorten the height and increase the width. Larger footprint is much more important than Height.

The height is for eventual tankmates

 

[ShadowStryder]

Understand, but a large growing species of ray will barely be able to turn around in a 2' wide tank in 3-4 years. Even if its only 16-17 inches. It will be at least 24" long. Not a great situation for 1 large raymuch the less multible. Now if you do Marbles, Hystrix, Scobina you can get away for several yrs if not more.
You can cut your height down to 30" and go to 36" wide and get several more yrs of growth for large rays. JMO

 

[Clothsack]

Understand, but a large growing species of ray will barely be able to turn around in a 2' wide tank in 3-4 years. Even if its only 16-17 inches. It will be at least 24" long. Not a great situation for 1 large raymuch the less multible. Now if you do Marbles, Hystrix, Scobina you can get away for several yrs if not more.
You can cut your height down to 30" and go to 36" wide and get several more yrs of growth for large rays. JMO

Thanks for your info but, im going for 4' wide if im correct and 1' is 30cm( im going for 120cm wide and 180-200cm long right now,I might be wrong but i dont know where the 2' comes from

 

[ShadowStryder]

From your 1st post.
Width : 120(cm)/47,24(in) ( could extend this to 150cm but idk if my girlfriend will accept.

If I misunderstood I apologize.