Proper temps?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Njh

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 7, 2009
35
0
36
Royal Oak Mi
Ive read alot of variable info on ideal temps for rays . . .

Some keep it lower 70,s some say 78 is perfect , yet others keep it in the mid to high 80,s

What temps do you all keep ypour rays at?

I Had it at 79 to 80 but recently raised it do to the addition of discus, i will gladly lower it if thats the best for rays. Ive always kept them at 78-80 with no problems, but do to recent research have raised it. But I would like a couple experienced opinions on this please . . .

thanks again!
Nate
 
i keep them all at 80. in the summer the tank gets up to 87-89 with no problems at all for about a month or 2. i wouldnt worry about it too much just be consistent and keep up with your water changes. if you do keep the temps in the upper range make sure the tank turns over alot i.e wet.dry filter or powerhead or large airstones.... all of which discuss arent all that crazy about.
 
I only raised it to 83-84, both stingrays and discus seem to be doing great. The water gets turned over in the filters 10 times per hour. And I do three water changes a week . . . .
 
ive always kept my rays at 80.

their was some talk not too long ago about how in their natural habitat, the temps are cooler that we would think...
 
I've been experimenting with simulating proper searsons for my rays. I checked some research (you can find bits and pieces about temperature variation in research papers such as this one) and I've found that different parts of different rivers have different levels of swing for various depths in the water column. When in doubt, 72F-78F seems like a safe place to start.

I would say that when keeping any wild animal, it is best to take the time to find out as much as you can about their natural environment and simulate it as accurately (yet as benignly) as possible. Millions of years of evolution has designed these creatures to live a certain way, and it is always a good idea to make friends with your pet's evolutionary history.
 
"The water temperatures of many of the tributaries where our rays have evolved are remarkably similar. They range between 72F and 82F on a day/night cycle, varying a little within this range between flood/not-flood seasons. Keeping in mind that water stratifies in temperature layers and rays are mostly bottom dwellers where the water is always cooler and are active at night, again when the water is cooling down from the daytime temperature gains, it is safe to say that rays are optimized for the lower end of this temperature range."

something I wrote here not long ago
:)
 
76-82
 
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