Rays on a budget- My (somewhat long) story w/pics

[Clearwater guy]

Good day today. I've had a few things come in this week, vbut mostly just supplies and such. Today I picked up some cool fish. Right now they are in my Nursery tank, but will be moved into my 65g in the livingroom. only the Plecos will stay there though, the others will be temporary...

Got-
3x Dats. Ntt or It (they were mislabled for sure) from a non-vendor source.

and some Awesome fish from Snookn21

8x Peru Mono
3x L-066 Pleco

All are under 3"...so this will be fun to see evolve.

Mike

 

[sixftsam]

I've just spent two days reading this thread from start to finish, and you really are an inspiration to most of us on this forum! I wish you all the luck in the world with it.

Longer term, and when you have a little more time, I'd love to see you write this up as an article. Would be great to have this condensed into a more easy on the eyes read.

I hope it all goes well and who knows - in the future I might be taking out your franchise!

Sam

 

[Clearwater guy]

Thanks!

You aren't the first to comment that this might be done in a different format, I just have yet to try and do anything... I need an Editor! LOL...

But really..maybe a few people could PM me with some details of what you have in mind. My ability to portray things I think is ok, but my layout and organization of the material is where I lack. But I suppose it's all layed out right here.

Mike

 

[Clearwater guy]

Well, I took a plunge and bought 8 75g tanks today. With the deal I got on them, it just was way easier to just buy them for $99/ea. than try and find used ones all over the place one at a time. I was going to use 40 breeders and try to fit 12 of them, but the footprint would be at least a foot longer which would cause problems with space. I had also looked at doing 3 high for the breeder tanks using 45g tanks that were 48" x 18" x 12"h....for $79/ea...but I just dont want to deal with 3 high in my basement and I think 8 more breeder tanks will do a lot for me before I need more.

Also bought a used 50g long to hold my hatching jars...and I still need to get a whole bunch more tanks to hold fry.

I also need to get 7 57g tanks and a 50long from Lansing to Charlotte without making 7 more trips in my Prizm...Did I mention my truck is broke?

The funs starts soon. Things are starting to show up here. I'm also getting my 65g upstairs tank back in shape. It's got some algae eaters and is holding a bunch of feeder guppies for these new fish I got now. there's actually some nice looking guppies in there though. I'm going to set my youngest kid up with a little tank in his room and see if he will take to the hobby and breed guppies...lol. I can't afford to feed any of my Tilapia to the fish.

Mike

 

[goldenswimmers]

Have to confess...I cheated..read page1,2 then jumped to 62 then here!!...do you blame me!!!..but have to say now your into it!!!...I think its awesome...off topic here but I fell in love with exotic ranchus(yeah a goldfish) and yep dropped everything and set up a small breeding farm...its a winner...and now Im on here looking into small sharks...and your thread is a GEM!...from nothing to up and running full steam..can see the biziness in your posts I am looking to move into some similar type of stuff and love the hands on get into it approach...have to say this site is a winner too...other fish forums/sites give alot of negative feedback when people talk "business idea"...and I think because people on here are already into something "big" ...ideas and action are more crucial...its all positive...GREAT WORK and as they say...do a job you love and you never work a day!!
All the best!

 

[Clearwater guy]

You bring up several valid points.

Aside from being flamed, a lot of feedback that is negative, is some of the best to have. Sometimes feedback is tough, but usually I am able to put aside the emotion and focus on what would be best to improve my situation...there is a lot of good info in that negative feedback sometimes.

I think the key for me is that I am really in the food business. I know for sure that the hobby-fish business is very tough to make a buck... so naturally, a lot of the normal business ideas of a fish person often fall in the same path as others who have failed. I mean, the plan for me is to eventually sell grown Tilapia for human consumption. The Rays were a secondary plan...and really a way to get rid of (what I thought would be) an abundance of 3-4" Tilapia....And mostly a way to incorporate my favorite aquatic creature into my business. But in reality, I wanted to "split my eggs up" a bit when I did both...


Mike

 

[Niktam]

WOW, been trolling MFK for awhile, and finally made an Account, and I stumbled cross this thread, and I am hooked, will be following you, I am very jealous of the oppurtunity that you've found in this project.

Keep the press on and storm through the failures to learn!

GL

 

[tennfan56]

Are you selling any tilapia to the public at this time? I would be very interested in buying 3-5" frozen tilapia to feed to my gator.

 

[Clearwater guy]

Are you selling any tilapia to the public at this time? I would be very interested in buying 3-5" frozen tilapia to feed to my gator.

In time that will be available. However, I don't think I'll ever be able to beat the price at the asian market for Tilapia. Not like I don't want to promote myself, but you should hit all the Asian markets in your area...they are a smorgasboard of deals for stingray (and Gator) foods.

BUT...I cooked a meal with the Tilapia I bought there...and again with the shrimp...not soo good..no wonder they use so much seasoning over there. It must cover the sewage/catfish taste.

Can't wait to get some pics up. I know,...I've been lazy with the camera lately...but there really hasn't been anything too exciting going on...but right now, I'm sitting here next to a stack of 75g tanks and 4 SunSun 525gph filters.

I MUST get to the lumberyard tomorrow and get going on this stuff...the problem is that the 'boss' isn't gonna tolerate the whole front room full of packages resulting from a backed up receiving area caused by a slow construction crew... But from my angle...these 75g tanks need to sit here for a bit until the new hatching system is completed and the new fry holding tanks are installed.

I better get my butt in gear eh?!?!

I'll put some camera batteries on the charger.

Mike

 

[tscharf]

eh leave the wife, fish dont talk back