Tips for new Motoro

[Eric A]

Hello all.

I'll be getting a motoro in about 5 weeks time, a small male, 13-14cm disc size. I have read, and re-read, then read again, the info on here. The 12 tips, and the motoro infomation sheet. I have talked with the seller, and got his water conditions and feeding, and adjusting my tank water and feeding accordingly. I have allready decided I am getting 2 stingray books. One written by Doctor Ross made by Barrons, and another, i can't remember (not the aqualog one).

But. I still want some other opinions and personal tips.

The tank is a 6'x2'x2.5', and is filtered by a Fx5 only. (Will be getting a sump soon after the ray arrives). It has a relativetly deep sand bed of 2" to 3".

Here is a picture of the tank for you guys.

Thanks all, Eric.

 

[wheresalbany]

I would take out a lot of those large rocks so that the ray has as much "floor space" as possible to swim around. Also anything that can fit in it's mouth (i.e. tankmates) will become a snack if given the chance. I don't know how big your other fish are, but just something to consider. Good luck and welcome (almost) to the world of raykeeping!

 

[Gshock]

Lilke Wheresalbany said, I would remove the rocks, they might caught some trouble in the future and it really does limit quite a bit of swimming surface. Another thing I would also consider is removing a bit of sand. With such a thick layer of sand, there will be an unimaginable amount of crap trapped under it even within the first week of having your ray.

 

[Eric A]

I was going to take the three right rocks out, and keep the left pretty dense, to provide cover for smaller fish. The smallest fish in there is a 7-8cm Geophagus Altifrons, but I have another tank to put her in if the need arises. Too much sand? Damned it, I only just put all that sand in there a few weeks ago, at least sand is easier to get out than coarse gravel .

 

[jeffers]

looks like you have a nice tank and good plans but you will also need a heater cover or move the heater to your sump when you have that up and running. but motoros love to move around so i would suggest that be one of your first priorities. i use rena smart heaters they work great and have never burned any of my rays. plus im sure they could prolly work with your fx5 maybe ask around a little bit as i use mine on an xp and another canister.

 

[mareshow]

i have an fx5 and a eheim 2026 and a reaction 4 (260gph) and i think i want to get another fx5

 

[Eric A]

Okay, now how is ~2.5cm of sand? (~1") I will definantly make a heater guard, easily one of my top priorities.

 

[skylineiz]

dont worriy about the heater guard if your going to get a sump! put it in the sump mate!
your right an fx5 isnt enough so good work getting the sump.

I have a sump + fx5 on my set up too. works good for me!

Definately remove all the rocks they need a good footprint to swim around,

I have a very thin sand in mine and it works well, as they love to digg it up, so if possible i would take it down to like 1cm max (but thats just my personal opionon)

Also try get the sump a while before you get your rays so you can cycle it and have it ready to go before they get there.

You probly already know, but this is the most important thing i learned when i started with rays.
As for water conditions don't do anything, just add prime and at most some aquarium salt. Theres no point messing with the ph or anything due to the large number of water changes you will be doing

are you going to install a weir or use a DIY overflow or something?

cheers,
iz

 

[skynoch]

Welcome to rays. If your getting a pup you will need to remove the sand to just enough to hide the glass. As it gets bigger you will have to make your very nice tank boring by removing anything on the botom, only downside of rays.

 

[Eric A]

Okay :s.

I was going to have the ray in there for about a month before i sumped, just doing very often and vigorous water changes and substrate cleaning. I think that should be good for a month or so.

I was then going to build the sump while the main tank was still going, and only pull it down a bit to drill the glass and put the new better 3D background in. I won't worry about lessening the sand too much more, as that will ruin the intention of having sand, for the geos, besides the sand will go down with water changes.

Will start with the redecorating this weekend .