It is either the black granite tile or black Estes marine sand I am going to use in my tank. Any suggestions? I already got the tile but it can be returned just as easily. I just wanted to make sure it will be ok for the fish and Stingray. I keep reading conflicting articles where sand is much better for Rays but then I see articles that claim bare bottom is better.
Should I use Black Granite Tile or Black Estes sand?
- Thread starter Eric99
- Start date
Keeping rays on a substrate allows them to perform natural behaviors such as foraging (blowing in the sand to uncover food) and burying themselves whenever they feel it necessary. Although a bare-bottom/tile tank may be a bit easier for the aquarist to maintain, it does not offer the rays any enrichment which in captivity is crucial to keeping them happy and stimulated.
When I used Estes Beige Marine Sand (safe for both saltwater and freshwater use), it sank quickly when disturbed and looked very "natural".
I have black tiles and sand i found that the rays would allways move the sand from the front of the tank and did not look as good with the bare bottom so if you have the tile already then put it down and get the sand its the best of both worlds.
For my overflows if I would seal off the bottom inlets so no sand gets sucked up in it would that be ok? It would only take in water from the top though. I did use Estes black sand a couple of years ago and hated it because it always got sucked up and then some would eventually get sucked up in the pumps which isn't good at all. Maybe if I do things differently this time it might work ok. I am in the process of resealing my tank now and the overflows are off until two more days or so.
I would definitely go with sand. There are some sands out there that have larger particle size and stay down better and are less likely to end up in your filter system.
alot of people will and have said that sand houses bad bacteria that can cause all sorts of problems.i am not expert on this but i am assuming thats why alot of the large ray breeders dont use it.in my experience sand is easier to clean than tiles,well than may depend on the tank too
put the tiles in whats it going to hurt,you can always put the sand over the tiles later in a year or whenever
put the tiles in whats it going to hurt,you can always put the sand over the tiles later in a year or whenever
If I put sand in I am going to block off the bottom inlets on the overflows so they don't suck up sand. If I use tile I am going to leave it be. My neighbor seems to think it would look alot nicer with sand though.
Sand looks so much better. If you are keeping lots of rays, breeding rays, or trying to make it easier on yourself then go with the tile. If you want a display tank, go with the sand. I use pool filter sand about 3 inches deep and my rays love it. Get a tall vacuum tube and you can clean it well. Also get a couple of good sand sifters like giraffe cats, big geophagus, or other sand sifters and your sand will stay pushed around and remain clean.