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

[Clearwater guy]

It's actually the breeders of the White Tilapia that I got. They buy Blues and grow them up a bit for pond stocking, but they don't have the facility to breed them because they focus on the whites. This involves wholesale pricing, but since it is my intent to become HUGE...I don't mind one bit. Volume is everything...and having an outlet for them takes a lot of pressure off of me wondering what to do with them. I have yet to even start on a growout tank since I diverted all those funds into Black rays...

I have another breeder tank to set up today. I'll set up as many as I can until the 150gal runs out of females...

I have also realized that to sell these as feeders, they need to be all-male. That way I can sell mixed-sex batches for closer to market price, and sell the all-male batches as feeders at the cut rate. Unfortunately, it just doesn't make sense to put people in the Tilapia breeding business for 1/4 the market price, so necessity dictates action.

Mike

 

[tscharf]

good deal man, wish they fix this picture problem i wunna see some fry, ive heard you can host pictures on photobucket and then post em here but i havent done it myself

 

[Clearwater guy]

Yeah, I wish it would get fixed too! I havn't taken the time to set up a photobucket page, I keep thinking that it'll get fixed anytime soon!

Just put another coat on the new pool. I really regret right now that I didn't pull out the carpet. The humitity is out of control down there since the sump failure a week ago. It's drying, and I have fans going...but still, after 2 days, the rubbercoat is tacky. I stepped in there, and almost got stuck like on flypaper. Some of it pulled up too...but it was only a thin coat on the bottom so far. I've been coating the corners and seams more than anything...

Mike

 

[tscharf]

idk you might wunna try this, get a 5 gallon bucket of rice and stick it down there... my grnadmother told me that work real well for pulling humidity out. makes sense since they keep rice in with salt and all

 

[Clearwater guy]

start thinking about your advertising

I hate competition... Just like anyone else.

Word of mouth, and a few things like the feeder ad I placed here, is hopefully all I will need.

I am hoping to align myself into a position where all of that is covered, and I can just focus on the Tilapia and the rays. After all, it's just me here doing all of this. There are established businesses much larger than myself that are far more capable, and which have established reputations and customers already.

I have a couple of things going that will hopefully become long term. I have a great person that I'm working with on the Stingrays, and need to look no further. The same thing is happening with the Tilapia, I hope...

As I said in an earlier post... I need only a network of trusted friends and business associates, and everything else will take care of itself.

Mike

 

[tscharf]

youve got a friend in me....youve got a friend in me

 

[Clearwater guy]

Thank you!

Last night I was able to lay my hand on the largest Motoro mom that is due soon. She stayed calm and still while I felt her babies moving several times.

I made a cage of sorts to put around the drain for safety purposes. It isn't perfect, but I can't update it much until the new pool is full and running. I need to install a second drain in it to improve the flow and reduce the suction. That will also make it easier to put better safety devices in place without them restricting the flow.

Mike

 

[tscharf]

yea becareful, learn from your mistakes as im sure you have.... look forward to seeing the pups, thats awesome that you were able to touch her.

 

[Clearwater guy]

I don't recommend "handling" the rays. People have told me I'm nuts...

I follow a few rules when I do, but that is my risk... I never reach for them, grab at them, push them, poke them, prod them, or especially startle them...I always approach them from the frontso they can see me, and always when they know I'm already there.

I put my hand in the water, and let them come to me. This particular time, they were all very calm, and as she swam under my hand, she stopped and I was able to rub her a bit. As she continued to accept me touching her, I gradually worked my hand toward her back where I layed it flat on her very gently. After a while, she just swam away, and another ray demanded some attention from me..

Mike

 

[earthstudent]

About the humidity issue. Have you looked into getting a dehumidifier? You can get a new one that would help you out quite a bit for around $200. I am sure you could find a used one for much less. Craigs List or the news paper? I am guessing that if you keep adding tanks, your humidity problem is going to get worse not better even without spills.

I would also suggest getting rid of the carpet asap. Spills are going to happen and the carpet is going to house mold, bacteria and fungus, especially if there is pad under it. I know it may not be the easiest thing to do at this point but I would at least cut out all you can get to for now.