Thinking about rays

[LolRAWR]

Hi
I bought a tank a few weeks ago with the intention to do a Dovii tank. But now when I found this site and the extreme amount of information I got really stuck on rays.

The tank itself is 82" x 32" x 24" / 260gal and which after reading through almost all threads on the forum would be perfect to start out with. But of course I got a few questions.

1. I have an Eheim 2260 and thinking about buying a FX5 or another 2260, what do you guys recommend?. Will this be enough? I could add a background module filled with media and a small powerhead for further filtration. I´m not very keen on doing a sump since I haven´t used one before and I´m sceptical to the thought of having water in an unclosed system outside my tank.
2. What are the growth rate for Motoros? From what I´ve collected from the other threads it will last 2-4 of them least a year before they need bigger housing, assuming I get them as juvis.
3. If I get the rays at different times will there be any problems with fighting and food competition due to size differences? Should I get all the planned ray at the same time or what is suggested?
4. How about lighting? I haven´t read anything really specific about it. Flourescent(sp?) or MH? Or both? What is recommended? I spose pretty dim though...

Thanks in advance for any answers! I´ll probably have a million more questions when I get some more sleep.
Thanks!

 

[Kevaldo]

hi, for filtration go as big as you can, as you are thinking about 2-4 motoro's they make a lot of mess and the more filtration you have the better, i use FX5's and like them very much. The growth rate can vary from ray to ray, you might get one that grow's very quickly but one that is not as quick. And motoro's usually grow quite quickly anyway but you should get 2 years in that tank with them if not more.

ive never had ray's fighting that have been put together at different times, but if you put 2 mature males together with a mature female expect some fireworks.

as for lighting, nothing special i just have some T5's on mine.

have a quick read of the sticky's at the top of this page.

Kev

 

[ashleysomething]

Hi
I bought a tank a few weeks ago with the intention to do a Dovii tank. But now when I found this site and the extreme amount of information I got really stuck on rays.

That's awesome! Glad to have you on board.

The tank itself is 82" x 32" x 24" / 260gal and which after reading through almost all threads on the forum would be perfect to start out with. But of course I got a few questions.

That is a great starting size!- as long as you are (for sure) dedicated to getting or building them a bigger tank in a year or two.

I have an Eheim 2260 and thinking about buying a FX5 or another 2260, what do you guys recommend?. Will this be enough? I could add a background module filled with media and a small powerhead for further filtration. I´m not very keen on doing a sump since I haven´t used one before and I´m sceptical to the thought of having water in an unclosed system outside my tank.

The Fluval FX5 has been a wonderful filter, and quite the bang-for-the-buck, so to speak. An Eheim 2260, FX5 and background module would be more than sufficient for filtration, but you might want to go ahead and get a powerhead or two. It appears that rays really like to have a good current going, as long as there is some calm place in the tank.

What are the growth rate for Motoros? From what I´ve collected from the other threads it will last 2-4 of them least a year before they need bigger housing, assuming I get them as juvis.

I hear they can go from pup to almost full grown in 2-3 years. I've never kept motoros before, but I've done some research. I would recommend hitting up the stingray profiles page.

If I get the rays at different times will there be any problems with fighting and food competition due to size differences? Should I get all the planned ray at the same time or what is suggested?

It depends; if you get them when they are all pups, I couldn't see a problem as long as they are all Motoros. I've got a large leo/pearl in with some smaller rays, and you do have to be careful with feeding. I found that a good way to fix this is to free-feed 3 days on, 1 day off with adult rays, plain freefeeding, or feeding at different spots in the tank at the same time. At your own risk (as I do, sometimes ), you can handfeed the smaller ones to make sure that they get their share.

Also, it is always a good idea to only add one new critter to your tank at any given time, due to bioload. You could always use BioSpira or Turbostart to add if you are going to add more than one ray, but if you've got the time you could spread it out a bit.

How about lighting? I haven´t read anything really specific about it. Flourescent(sp?) or MH? Or both? What is recommended? I spose pretty dim though...

When the rays come in for the first time, give them at least a few days with no light so that they can get used to their new environment. Regular ol' lighting works fine for the rays, as it is for you and not them, unless you have plants in the tank. I would recommend only using your light when you are viewing them or feeding them.

Thanks in advance for any answers! I´ll probably have a million more questions when I get some more sleep.
Thanks!

No problem; If you have any other questions (I may or may not know the answers, but I will always try to get them for you) you can email me or message me here and I'll do my best.

Good luck with your rays, and make sure to post up a "new arrival" post when you get the little suckers in!

 

[Nic]

growth rate depends on water quality and feeding.... read the sticky why fresh water stingrays die... as far as filtration a sump is best.. use the search feature in the diy forum.. easy to set up run and hold alot more media.... good luck