Rays on a budget- My (somewhat long) story w/pics
- Thread starter Clearwater guy
- Start date
LOL...you mean my junk room hasn't been transformed into a fish room yet?!?! LOL..
I been threatening my kid to hire someone else for the job, so he showed up with his crew.. (or is it a Posse...I'm not really sure.)
I got the spraybar and pump installed. SO far it handles the flow just fine, but I still have more media to add to the sumps, and I am making some simple flow dividers out of the tub lids.
Sometimes it sure is like living a dream, but then the reality of the budget shortcomings set in...In the way I dreamed it, I wasn't going to run out of money...But this is reality. I have a set goal for now, to get the pieces in place....And then, I'm quite certain that I'll have to find another way to make some money while this all comes along. But until the foundation is laid, there nothing to do but keep working here.
Thanks for all the interest and encouragement!
I been threatening my kid to hire someone else for the job, so he showed up with his crew.. (or is it a Posse...I'm not really sure.)
I got the spraybar and pump installed. SO far it handles the flow just fine, but I still have more media to add to the sumps, and I am making some simple flow dividers out of the tub lids.
Sometimes it sure is like living a dream, but then the reality of the budget shortcomings set in...In the way I dreamed it, I wasn't going to run out of money...But this is reality. I have a set goal for now, to get the pieces in place....And then, I'm quite certain that I'll have to find another way to make some money while this all comes along. But until the foundation is laid, there nothing to do but keep working here.
Thanks for all the interest and encouragement!
Made a 400 mile round trip today, and seeing her in my pool makes me very proud... I started with Motoros, and I can't see ever parting with them...So I had to get a little something to sppice them up. She's about on the same maturity level as the new Leo. But it doesn't matter who tags her first, I'm looking forward to seeing what she yeilds.
She is #8 ray for me. #9 and #10 will be coming in soon, and a trio of Leo pups will be showing up shortly after.
I'm officially broke. Genetics aren't cheap. I didn't get the best of everything, but I got the best I could get with what I had.
I'll be able to finish up the pools to hold them all, but it's coming time for me to find a job while this all develops. The incoming Rays are pre-paid, The Tilapia are paid for and showing up next week as well. This was how I planned it...but I strayed from my plan a slight bit in order to get a better seed going on the Ray breeding. I hope I made the right choice, and time will tell.
I still have work to do, and this is an evolving proposal. It's on a 100% re-investment plan as well. I will find another way to cover the bills...because this has to grow into something that I can live on...It just HAS to.
I started a worm farm...I think I can manage their care needs, and it will cut my pup-feed costs. Perhaps if it works out, I'll have those for sale as well.
Don't worry... I ain't going to fade out...I didn't just spend my life savings for nothing. I'll keep the updates coming. I have one pregnant Motoro, a Henlei mix that is getting ravaged by my male...and all of these things are coming together. I don't know of any start-up business that would instantly take off with the amount I have been able to invest (not much as far as business goes).... This is all with my own funds...I have not much interest in borrowing money, only interest in aligning a network of friends and fellow Raykeepers and breeders.
Here's the new girl. More pics as the work progresses, and as the new rays come in. I have a lot of stuff coming that is already paid for, so there's much more to do!
Mike
She is #8 ray for me. #9 and #10 will be coming in soon, and a trio of Leo pups will be showing up shortly after.
I'm officially broke. Genetics aren't cheap. I didn't get the best of everything, but I got the best I could get with what I had.
I'll be able to finish up the pools to hold them all, but it's coming time for me to find a job while this all develops. The incoming Rays are pre-paid, The Tilapia are paid for and showing up next week as well. This was how I planned it...but I strayed from my plan a slight bit in order to get a better seed going on the Ray breeding. I hope I made the right choice, and time will tell.
I still have work to do, and this is an evolving proposal. It's on a 100% re-investment plan as well. I will find another way to cover the bills...because this has to grow into something that I can live on...It just HAS to.
I started a worm farm...I think I can manage their care needs, and it will cut my pup-feed costs. Perhaps if it works out, I'll have those for sale as well.
Don't worry... I ain't going to fade out...I didn't just spend my life savings for nothing. I'll keep the updates coming. I have one pregnant Motoro, a Henlei mix that is getting ravaged by my male...and all of these things are coming together. I don't know of any start-up business that would instantly take off with the amount I have been able to invest (not much as far as business goes).... This is all with my own funds...I have not much interest in borrowing money, only interest in aligning a network of friends and fellow Raykeepers and breeders.
Here's the new girl. More pics as the work progresses, and as the new rays come in. I have a lot of stuff coming that is already paid for, so there's much more to do!
Mike
I tell you what I always thought would be a great idea, if it could be done.
Develope a line a SMALL freshwater rays.
I have never kept rays or skates, but love to watch them. Looked at one yesterday that would look great in my tank. Yet i know that while it was a size that would fit niely in my tank now, in a short while it would be to big.
But if someone could develope a feshwater ray that was as smal as the short nose electic and would stay around 4".
Those would be big sellers!
The 6" ray at the LFS was 125$. People would pay twice that for a smaller 4" ray when they knew it was full grown. IMO
Develope a line a SMALL freshwater rays.
I have never kept rays or skates, but love to watch them. Looked at one yesterday that would look great in my tank. Yet i know that while it was a size that would fit niely in my tank now, in a short while it would be to big.
But if someone could develope a feshwater ray that was as smal as the short nose electic and would stay around 4".
Those would be big sellers!
The 6" ray at the LFS was 125$. People would pay twice that for a smaller 4" ray when they knew it was full grown. IMO
How about a trade-in program?
I think a lot of people want rays, but don't have the space. I was thinking of a "keep it small" program that would benefit both parties. The person who bought a Ray and couldn't provide a home for it when it grew, could exchange it for a new baby.
I don't know how many people would want to trade off their pet every year or so, but it would be a solution of sorts...
I think that working to downsize any breed of animal, is possible, but perhaps it would take too many generations for one peson to accomplish in their lifetime. I think it would be a massive project. But...yes, it would be awesome to see.
Mike
I think a lot of people want rays, but don't have the space. I was thinking of a "keep it small" program that would benefit both parties. The person who bought a Ray and couldn't provide a home for it when it grew, could exchange it for a new baby.
I don't know how many people would want to trade off their pet every year or so, but it would be a solution of sorts...
I think that working to downsize any breed of animal, is possible, but perhaps it would take too many generations for one peson to accomplish in their lifetime. I think it would be a massive project. But...yes, it would be awesome to see.
Mike
Thanks! It's going to take some getting used to the rapist nature of these Males. My Motoro is very aggressive and has torn up the back of the new Henlei mix already....I hope she gives in, so that it isn't for nothing. All I can do is keep an eye on her wounds to make sure no infections set in, keep the salinity correct, and cross my fingers.
They are ALL very happy so far, and everyone is eating a great mix of food...some more than others. I think that there are a few that are still feeling a bit "displaced", so I have been trying to feed smaller pieces, and smaller portions 3-5 times per day.
The Leo ("Mr. Leo") is still my favorite. He plays tag, and likes to wrestle me just like a puppy. He comes over to get his underside tickled, then I playfully push him off and move my hand to another spot in the pool...He comes charging right back over. The others are playful as well, but this guy loves every minute of it! The only thing I make sure of is that all of them are aware of my presence before I reach for them. It didn't take long to realize that they are easily startled if they don't know I'm there.
Mike
They are ALL very happy so far, and everyone is eating a great mix of food...some more than others. I think that there are a few that are still feeling a bit "displaced", so I have been trying to feed smaller pieces, and smaller portions 3-5 times per day.
The Leo ("Mr. Leo") is still my favorite. He plays tag, and likes to wrestle me just like a puppy. He comes over to get his underside tickled, then I playfully push him off and move my hand to another spot in the pool...He comes charging right back over. The others are playful as well, but this guy loves every minute of it! The only thing I make sure of is that all of them are aware of my presence before I reach for them. It didn't take long to realize that they are easily startled if they don't know I'm there.
Mike
Interesting idea. I might would try that. how big are infants and how fast do they grow? You would have to find out about your clients i think. Like myself, my tank is 72x18x18 it might be to narrow for any rays, in some ppls opinion. And you might have to tell folks sorry, rays wont work for your setup.
