Hey guys, which brand or type of sand is best for a freshwater stingray? Any links as well to purchase?
Sand Substrate
- Thread starter Eric Theobald
- Start date
This is very simple for you. If you are only keeping rays and have no interest in ever doing live plants in the future, then pretty literally any sand will work. The cheapest solution is definitely generic playsand that you can grab at your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Rays can even kept with a bare bottom but I used play sand with my motoro (2 years ago) and he loved it. There are finer sands if you're paranoid but trust me when I tell you from experience: play sand will be more than adequate just be sure to submerge the sand until it settles completely before adding the ray.
CaribSea Sand? Is cleanup fairly easy? I've never used a sand substrate before so researching what to expect in maintenance is just as important. I have one Oscar about 10 inches and silver dollar which would be tank mates. Sand shouldn't be a problem with them correct?
Aragonite sands (such as Caribe Sea) are coraline sands which do a great job of buffering alkalinity, and maintaining pH, and they can be a bit on the expensive side.
If the alkalinity of your tap water is low, this might be a positive thing, although if you are trying to keep your tank water less mineral enriched, maybe not.
Play, or pool filter sands are generally inert chemically and don't have the samp pH raising properties. I use pool filter sand for cichlids in many cases, unless I want the buffering qualities of aragonite. And it is inexpensive, I can usually pick up 50lbs for around $5.00.
If the alkalinity of your tap water is low, this might be a positive thing, although if you are trying to keep your tank water less mineral enriched, maybe not.
Play, or pool filter sands are generally inert chemically and don't have the samp pH raising properties. I use pool filter sand for cichlids in many cases, unless I want the buffering qualities of aragonite. And it is inexpensive, I can usually pick up 50lbs for around $5.00.