Ok, so, heres my plan. Over then next few years I will be moving at least twice. In a couple months, my girlfriend and I are going to move into an apartment, probably stay there for 3 or 4 years, and save up hopefully for a house or a condo. When I move into my new apartment, I want to get a tank that can house some rays. So, I was thinking, theyre going to be in there for a couple years, anywyere from 2 to 4 probably, what size footprint would be good for say two to four rays? I wanted to know - are there any standard tanks that are 3' wide? I was thinking about a 7x2x2.5 265 gallon just for the apartment (going to get/build a monster when I eventually move into the house or condo, but thats a far way away), but would the 2' wide tank be good enough from some good size rays? (I was thinking a pair of p14's, a leo, and a marbled motoro, if possible, btw) If the 2' wide tank wonto do, where can I get a tank thats more than 2' wide? I dont have the time or experience to build one, nor do I think it would be worth it just for the apartment as Ill only be there a couple years, and I dont want to have to buy a custom tank. So what do you think? 2' wide enough, or not, and if so, where can I get something suitable?
Tank planning...size question
- Thread starter gonnelro
- Start date
If you have the money for a pair of P14 and Leo, you should just look into acrylic tanks. I know that there is at least one large scale manufacturer in Jersey and I am sure that 3' width is no problem. If you plan on moving it anyway, you will very happy when moving time comes! Those 265's are heavy!!!
2 feet width is too small for almost any ray. You want 3 foot wide for sure-any less and they will outgrow it.
They would probably be okay in a 2' wide tank for a year or two. The biggest problem will be you won't be able to get them out of the tank safely when the time comes. Lifting a 16" ray out of a 24" opening would not be fun in my opinion.
Yea, I know theyre expensive, but Ive always wanted some p14's and leo's, and if I save up for a while I can get them one at a time. Realistically Id probably end up with one of each, and then maybe a pair of marbled motoro, or just one marbled motoro. What about acrylic scratching over time? Are there any drawbacks to acrylic that Im not aware of, Ive never owned an acrylic tank?
O, and I found a good way to lift large rays that my LFS showed me - he has a rectangular shaped plactic container, basically a garbage can with no lip, he just puts it in the tank, they eventually slide in, then he closes the lid behind them, lifts it out, and drops it into their new container and opens the lid. Saw him do it when he sold a mature ray, and looked fairly easy to do (and it was in a 265).
Save your money and buy a real tank before you consider buying black rays..
P14s will stay smaller than both the Leo and Motoro.. Motoros can be aggressive eaters and tankmates, so make sure they are smaller than the black rays when they are introduced..(ie: let the black rays settle in for 6-12mo first.)
Maybe P14/Henleii might be a better choice for you? Someone was telling me the other day Henleii stay smaller and grow slower.. but Rudy's 30" female doesn't agree with that statement.
Either way.. tank first, rays later.
P14s will stay smaller than both the Leo and Motoro.. Motoros can be aggressive eaters and tankmates, so make sure they are smaller than the black rays when they are introduced..(ie: let the black rays settle in for 6-12mo first.)
Maybe P14/Henleii might be a better choice for you? Someone was telling me the other day Henleii stay smaller and grow slower.. but Rudy's 30" female doesn't agree with that statement.
Either way.. tank first, rays later.
Miles;1721083; said:
mike has some pretty beastly henlei as well... i would say get your self settled and permanent before buying black rays... they are really expensive to be traveling with...then get a 600 gallon and enjoy them for life...