Question About Substrates

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

Dracofish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2003
1,266
0
0
CT
dragonmoonphotography.com
For you guys that post pics of the small guys like Corys, I've noticed that they're on a very small-grained sandy substrate. Can you tell me what it is? I currently use Estes Marine Sand (Ultra Reef) for my Rays, which is perfectly safe, but it's so uniform in color so I'm looking for something that looks more natural when I get my Tigrinus and Tiger Ray. My Leopoldi are on black which looks cool for them because they're black with white spots but Tiger Rays literally look like a tiger. Here's what they look like:

http://www.amazon-exotic-import.de/Gallerie/Rochen/Seiten/Potamotrygon menchacai.htm

I'd love to use some Play Sand like what I have my Jardini on, but I'm so worried about irritating the Ray's underside. They're very sensitive. I was considering using like 3 parts Estes tan to 1 part Estes black but I still don't think it will look like "real" sand.

Here's what Tigrinus look like:
tigrinushuge1.jpg


Both fish will be the only inhabitants in the tank. I'm getting them because of always wanted them, lol, and for photography subjects.
 
paradise said:
Mel, I use Silica sand (finest size) but I think that maybe a problem for those fish also
Click to expand...

Most silica sand, as in blasting-sand, is far too abrassive for rays.
 
you are probably right , Sean. Mel, look at my corydora pics recently, do you like that nice Brown substrate, it's REALLY Really fine. Dont know the name, bought at LFS a small bag, but looks beautiful, it's like chocolate brown. I bet black rays would look awesome on it.
 
Some people claim to have had luck with pool filter sand but I've heard the opposite as well. I have no idea what to do. Estes is getting harder and harder to find. I'm starting to think that the manufacturer is no longer making it.
 
paradise said:
you are probably right , Sean. Mel, look at my corydora pics recently, do you like that nice Brown substrate, it's REALLY Really fine. Dont know the name, bought at LFS a small bag, but looks beautiful, it's like chocolate brown. I bet black rays would look awesome on it.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that Black Rays would probably look brown on a brown substrate. I like my Leos on the black. I was looking for something for the Tiger. Being a brown-based Ray, I figured going with a darker brown substrate would be good. The distributor down in Peru said that he catches the Tigers out of a silty-slicky substrate and as close as we can get to natural is best. Tigers are one of the hardest to keep species of Ray.
 
Just to give you guys an update, we found someone locally that can get us Estes for really, REALLY cheap. We'll be picking up 60lbs of black and 60lbs of beige on Saturday for the new tanks. Can't wait!
 
The substrate is being purchased for two new tanks, one coming this weekend and the other in April. The first tank is an upgrade for my pair of P. leopoldi and will have the black sand and the other is for an eventual P. menchacai that will have the beige mixed with a little black. Hopefully it will turn out to look like I think it will in my head.

See, if it wasn't for the dang Stingrays I'd be able to buy some new lenses for the camera, lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom