Starting a ray tank.

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Poekin

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2008
154
0
16
Baltimore, Maryland
Hello. I am new to this forum and have been reading a lot this past week. I just wanted to introduce myself and get any suggestions from the experienced hobbyist's that frequent this board.

I am about to start up a fish tank from scratch. I have been without a tank for about a year now. Previously i had kept an arowana/sting ray tank and oscars for quite some time (not together of course :))

Unfortunately, i am living in an apartment right now and the biggest tank they will allow is a 75 gallon. I know this is too small, and i will have a larger home and a much larger tank next summer.

Originally i had hoped to do a Jardini and Motoro set-up. This is what i previously had and experienced no problems. But apparently i was lucky, because i have been reading that the Jardini and sting ray can be a risky combination, and that the Jardini can be very aggresive. This puts me in a weird spot because i prefer the Jardini's looks to the silver arowana. Perhaps someone here can suggest another combination of fish for me?

Also, i have picked out all of my items from dr. foster and smith's. If you guys could look over my item list and make any suggestions that would be helpful too. Thanks in advance :)

- 25 feet vinyl tubing
- Eheim Pro II 2028
- Jager TS 200 watt
- Stress Coat
- Stress Zyme
- Python no spill syphon
- Aquarium Salt
- Agramax Sand
- Whisper Pump
- Water quality test strips
 
Besides a bigger tank ASAP:

FX5 Cannister Filter
API Test Kits (Forget the strips the kits are more percise)
I use 250w stealth heaters with a heater guard so the ray won't get burned
Forget the sand, paint the all sides and bottom - better water quality and less clean up
Prime - water conditioner
A good powerhead
Good Luck!!!!
 
tonymofo;2335784; said:
Besides a bigger tank ASAP:

FX5 Cannister Filter
API Test Kits (Forget the strips the kits are more percise)
I use 250w stealth heaters with a heater guard so the ray won't get burned
Forget the sand, paint the all sides and bottom - better water quality and less clean up
Prime - water conditioner
A good powerhead
Good Luck!!!!
Click to expand...

dump the FX5 and get a eheim pro3 much better filter :D
put sand or a small pebble gravel ray like substrate as thats how they have evolved to live in substrate

heater gaurds are a must for any ray tank
 
I think the first two posters pretty much summed it all up. Don't forget a heater guard, Prime waterconditioner seems to be the best. Maybe add a feeding prong? this is how I feed my ray to make sure that he gets enough food. Also I would reccommed having a substrate, I think it is 100x better to not keep rays in a barebottom tank because it provides them with a more natural habitat.
 
Poekin;2335773; said:
Hello. I am new to this forum and have been reading a lot this past week. I just wanted to introduce myself and get any suggestions from the experienced hobbyist's that frequent this board.

I am about to start up a fish tank from scratch. I have been without a tank for about a year now. Previously i had kept an arowana/sting ray tank and oscars for quite some time (not together of course :))

Unfortunately, i am living in an apartment right now and the biggest tank they will allow is a 75 gallon. I know this is too small, and i will have a larger home and a much larger tank next summer.

Originally i had hoped to do a Jardini and Motoro set-up. This is what i previously had and experienced no problems. But apparently i was lucky, because i have been reading that the Jardini and sting ray can be a risky combination, and that the Jardini can be very aggresive. This puts me in a weird spot because i prefer the Jardini's looks to the silver arowana. Perhaps someone here can suggest another combination of fish for me?

Also, i have picked out all of my items from dr. foster and smith's. If you guys could look over my item list and make any suggestions that would be helpful too. Thanks in advance :)

- 25 feet vinyl tubing for what??
- Eheim Pro II 2028 great filter (look on ebay)
- Jager TS 200 watt i would with stealths hung vertical in corner of tank
- Stress Coat
- Stress Zyme screw them get prime
- Python no spill syphon yuppers..(i like the aqueon one a lil better, just the valve) think its cheaper too
- Aquarium Salt go to super market and buy morton kosher salt
- Agramax Sand no no to sharp and will buffer the water
- Whisper Pump yes sir... i recomend using hydro sponges with them
- Water quality test strips i dont ever test so i think waste of money
Click to expand...


tonymofo;2335784; said:
Besides a bigger tank ASAP:

FX5 Cannister Filter na a diy overflow and sump be better
API Test Kits (Forget the strips the kits are more percise)
I use 250w stealth heaters with a heater guard so the ray won't get burned never had a ray burn itself on a heater hung vertical up off the bottom... but yes stealths
Forget the sand, paint the all sides and bottom - better water quality and less clean up
Prime - water conditioner
A good powerhead for what???
Good Luck!!!!
Click to expand...

T1KARMANN;2335945; said:
dump the FX5 and get a eheim pro3 much better filter :D yes
put sand or a small pebble gravel ray like substrate as thats how they have evolved to live in substrate
after using some gravel ill agree i did like it...
heater gaurds are a must for any ray tank ill argue that for ever
Click to expand...

go for it... atleast 1 50% water change every week... i question jardini they like to kill fish... maybe look into a leicharti ;) also you will need to upgrade but if you are willing to do whats needed you will be fine for a lil bit... maybe look into a retic pup or 2...
 
I won't do a barebottom tank. It seems a little cruel, and plus i love to see a ray bury itself. Can someone suggest a good substrate? I would prefer sand. I picked agramax because i thought it said it wasn't abrasive... they actually recommended it for rays on the website.

The Vinyl tubing is for the air pump and air stones :) I probably didn't need to add that to the list but i just copy/pasted.

I will look into the prime conditioner :)
 
i use the morton kosher salt too lol..... havent noticed a difference really
 
Poekin;2336335; said:
I won't do a barebottom tank. It seems a little cruel, and plus i love to see a ray bury itself. Can someone suggest a good substrate? I would prefer sand. I picked agramax because i thought it said it wasn't abrasive... they actually recommended it for rays on the website.

The Vinyl tubing is for the air pump and air stones :) I probably didn't need to add that to the list but i just copy/pasted.

I will look into the prime conditioner :)
Click to expand...

play sand from home depot.... estes makes a nice black sand... 3M makes some nice sands in colors... prime is more concetrated and 1000x better... more bang for your buck

Poekin;2336344; said:
Also... you mean to tell me that Morton's salt is the same as aquarium salt? If that's true... i feel very dumb :WHOA:
Click to expand...


must be non iodized salt... so get mortons kosher as it is non iodised
 
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