Sand or Bare

[aquaman45]

if you dont have sand, then you are missing out on alot of intersting and natural behavior

I can't understand how people say it's easy to keep clean
With bare you have a extra bit of glass to keep free from Alge and if your tank is the right size for rays that bit of glass will be massive

As for amonia pockets in the sand yes that can happen in a non ray tank with very deep sand but in a ray tank you should have no more than 1 inch of sand which the rays should be turning over ever 6-12 hours

All very good and valid points though not sure about Ammonia exsisting in the pockets in the substrate certainly anaerobic activity ....but the principle is spot on.
I personally use small pea gravel,the pale round grade you can no longer get (the old Dorset gravel).This is very easy on the rays underside and mouth parts,ive used it for years,sands fantastic too but i have had issues with it getting into the impeller housing in some of my internal polishig filters and wearing the impeller down .
I love watching the rays throwing the substrate around its so entertaining,not only that a stingrays first line of defence is to burry itself when it feels the need..........surely it can't be right to deny them such basic instincts when afterall we are keeping them in captivity....i think a bare bottom tank definitely benefits the keeper rather than the ray,however they do seem to live long lives with or without,i also find having a substrate far more aesthetically pleasing.
Just my view!

 

[andersp90]

All very good and valid points though not sure about Ammonia exsisting in the pockets in the substrate certainly anaerobic activity ....but the principle is spot on.
I personally use small pea gravel,the pale round grade you can no longer get (the old Dorset gravel).This is very easy on the rays underside and mouth parts,ive used it for years,sands fantastic too but i have had issues with it getting into the impeller housing in some of my internal polishig filters and wearing the impeller down .
I love watching the rays throwing the substrate around its so entertaining,not only that a stingrays first line of defence is to burry itself when it feels the need..........surely it can't be right to deny them such basic instincts when afterall we are keeping them in captivity....i think a bare bottom tank definitely benefits the keeper rather than the ray,however they do seem to live long lives with or without,i also find having a substrate far more aesthetically pleasing.
Just my view!

I can only agree.

And to those who have problems with their sand, ending in their pumps: Dont use fine sand in a ray tank.

 

[longislandfish]

A thin layer of sand really makes the tank much more beautiful in my opinion. Bare Bottom tanks make the fish look like Laboratory animals instead of pets.

 

[vamptrev]

i actually like the look of bare bottom better. leos colors pop out alot better IMO

also my rays pay no attention to substrate anyway. they are always pouncing on the front glass begging me 4 food, and they know there is no food in the sand

 

[House 64]

if you dont have sand, then you are missing out on alot of intersting and natural behavior

Absolutely true......

Not saying any one is better than the other but the first time I watched them flick up sand on themselves to use as cover, I was pretty intrigued with the behavior. Personal preference and but I do see the pro's and con's of each.

 

[goestonemoa]

sand sand sand
it make the ray look cooler anyway IMO
it might be harder to maintain but thats why we are monster fish keepers right

have a good one
try it both ways ?
see for yourself...have fun

of all the substrate sand has been the easiest to keep clean for me...IME

 

[valderi123]

I have sand I love it and hate it. The rays seem happy in it. just recently my uaru has started going thru the sand like a bulldozer. to each there own.

 

[mgrady21]

I have AC110s and a magnum HOT for polishing and I don't have any problems with sand getting into my impeller

 

[vitaly]

sand is easier. you dont have to vacuum it. all the waste stay on top. it is actually a lot less work. just make sure filter intakes are installed a little higher than normal so they dont suck in sand

 

[T1KARMANN]

I have sand I love it and hate it. The rays seem happy in it. just recently my uaru has started going thru the sand like a bulldozer. to each there own.

Be careful with uaru and rays as they peck at the rays eyes