Stringray Newb here.

[h0ckeyfreek20]

Tried stingrays a few years ago. Disaster story. They were wild caught and Beautiful, but infested with diseases and transported roughly. They Soon passed away and infected my whole tank.

Fast forward to today and I know all about quarantining and medicating. I'm not new to fish keeping anymore, but new to stingrays. I will list my plans. And the Ray experts get to have fun and rip me apart but teach me something in the process haha!

-Current tank is 8' x 3' footprint (a little small for rays I know)

-Bare bottom tank with minimal driftwood and maximum floor space.

-180g sump with 50 gallons of media and UVs. Very high flow rate 6,000gph. Will the rays blow away, like kites in the wind?

-The rays will be captive bred this time. For the sake of them being heartier and less sensitive to water parameters. plus No shipping.

- 2 Pearl Rays? They are beautiful. I see varying sizes listed on the internet though. Will they fit?

-I'm getting rid of a few nocturnal tank mates as to not stress the rays at night, as per an article I read. Aren't Rays Nocturnal though?

- Tankmates - Arowana, 8 Severums, Geophagus, Parrot, 2 Irwini catfish, Flagtail, Tinfoil barb, Uaru.

Let me know how this sounds to you all. Any input or advice is much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Bigfishnut]

What kind of media you running in your sump? I'd recommend using K1. Fluidized media is very efficient and self cleaning. Has really performed flawlessly for my rays. 6000 gph seems a bit high, but rays like some current. Should be ok. This tank already up and running with fish?

 

[MariaS]

As far as filtration goes, I agree with Bigfishnut

As for medicating, ( I was in the same situation as you bout 5 years ago) just remember that all the knowledge you have in this regard sometimes is not safe for rays so do some homework first and if not sure ask.... Everyone has always been very helpful when I have needed

Rays are not really nocturnal like catfish that hide during the day and come out at night
Rays are active right through the day and night.. at least mine are

As for tank mates from my experience, Arowana, severums and geos are ususally perfect for rays. Tinfoil should be ok
I am not sure of the parrot and your two catfish as I have never owned one.
The Flagtail is luck of the draw. Some flagtails are ok others like to suck the slime coat of the rays so you will have to monitor it and see how it goes.
The Uaru should also be ok, I never had a problem with mine except they eat like wolves and would not allow small rays to get their share. With big rays they should be ok

Good luck with you new babies