Ray experts... I Need some HELP!!!

[xxblwn408]

I set up a 150 awhile back for my brother inlaw in NJ. He does not have computer access.
He told me that the rays haven't been eating lately and were alot less active. the tank is over stocked with 5 rays and 3 large aros. He told me he has been doing atleast 2 50% water changes per week.
A mag-drive 18 is running 2 W/D with about 15 gallons of bioballs maybe a little more.
I told him to test the water, he didn't have a kit but he got a friend to test it. He told me that the amonia and nitraits are very high. The test kit came out dark green.
I told him to do a large water change.

What should I tell him to do next ?

 

[Honda12]

Um, with that many fish, he should be doing a water change every day. If he doesn't he is going to be loseing rays shortley. He should do about 50% a day.

I have two rays in a 90 right now with 3 fluval 404's. I have to do 50% waterchanges every 3 days or my water quality will get bad.

He either needs to get rid of some fish, do the water changes, or get a bigger tank, and one of these should be done very soon.

 

[teamdynasty691]

To start off with id tell him to do more water changes and less feeding. Its because of the ammonia and nitrates that there not eating and alot less active. Second id tell him to get a bigger tank or build a pond or sell the fish. Neither the stingrays or aro's can live in a 150 gallon

 

[teamdynasty691]

He either needs to get rid of some fish, do the water changes, or get a bigger tank, and one of these should be done very soon.[/QUOTE]

i agree but id say do a combo of all three

 

[KJP]

Do we even want to know how big the rays are?... doesn't matter, i couldn't agree more 50% water changes at the very least every other day, for now every day to get levels down. They aren't going to eat until those levels come down. THIN OUT THE TANK. Some fish have to go.

 

[redtailfool]

Tell him to get a ph ,ammonia , nitrate and nitrite test .. do a test and you can tell us about the results asap. Have him clean his filter media with aged water or water from the tank.. and do not let up on the 50% twice weekly water changes.

 

[DiXoN]

definatley too many fish if they are big.
has it been ok for a while or gradually got worse.
has he checked for uneaten food hidden.
probably needs more filtration and/or bigger tank.
large water changes is all that can be done realy except for relocating the fish diluting the ppm of ammonia and nitrites will solve the symptons but will not cure the problem.
i dont really know what else to add and i am no ray expert

 

[xxblwn408]

Thanks for the quick replys. He does have a 450 that has been cycling for a week.
He seeded the filter with about 5 gallons of bio balls. Is it to early to move some fish over?

 

[michael]

The filtration sounds pretty good but like everybody says the water changes need to be done and he needs a test kit. The 5 rays hopefully hon't have no bigger than an 8-10" disc or they're way too crammed anyway. He is going to need a bigger tank even if he fixes the imbalances in the tank.

 

[xxblwn408]

As I stated above, he has a 450g running. I guess he just got greedy. The 450 tested okay.
Should he move a few of them? Would that just stress them out more?