Tank setup

[monstermonkee]

For just SW rays, a large open bottom area, sand substrate, good lights, and lots of mechanical and biological filteration is needed.
Mechanical filter can be canister, HOB or a combo of both. Biological could be live rock, bio balls (or other plastic bio media), fluidized sand bed etc.... Sumps are great just because of the added water volume to displace the bio load of a ray.... which is much more than a similar sized fish.

so im okay with just running a HOB or canister? What type of media should i have in the HOB or canister? sorry for all the noob question. Trying to make this as simple as possible.

 

[ivgonmad]

I would say go with a wet dry or a fluidized sand filter (Fluidized sand is better) and a good protein skimmer. You will definitely need a sump.

 

[Zoodiver]

so im okay with just running a HOB or canister? What type of media should i have in the HOB or canister? sorry for all the noob question. Trying to make this as simple as possible.

Use them as mechanical filters.... so pleated paper, foam, filter pads, something to grab particulate out of the water column....

 

[monstermonkee]

Use them as mechanical filters.... so pleated paper, foam, filter pads, something to grab particulate out of the water column....

i was thinking of foam and some carbon?

 

[Zoodiver]

No carbon.

 

[Crumbs]

Matt, why do you not recommend using carbon?

 

[alcohologist]

also, monstermonkee, no, not JUST a HOB.

 

[Zoodiver]

Matt, why do you not recommend using carbon?

I run it about 2 days a month for clarity (if even that much). Other than that, I've seen no positive effect from it with elasmos, unless I'm pulling something (meds, metals...) out of the water. Seems like an extra expense.

 

[Crumbs]

Interesting. I always run a lot of carbon 24/7. At least Im keeping the supplier in business.

What is your take on granular ferric oxide or other chemical filtration if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Zoodiver]

I tend to sh awa from chemical stuff as much as I can....but that's just me.
I'll use calcium reactors w/ CO2 injection for pH control, or hit a tank with calcium carbonate (or soda ash) from time to time if needed. Other than that, I don't put much other than water in tanks. I like simple set ups: Bio (rock or media), mechanical (skimmer and sand or canister of some kind) and lots of water movement.