To start I have a 96"x20"24" acrylic, 2 FX5's, 2 48" Glo T5 H.O. Dual bulb fixtures. Currently with roughly 2" of 1/8" and smaller black starlight granite substrate, one peic of drift wood 18"hx12"x14" upside down tree roots, a few misc. plants, 2 fluval 300w heaters, 10" Jag, 13" Tiger oscar, 2 sailfin plecos, 5" striped rapheal catfish, 14" spotted gar. The gar is extremely dosile he doesnt bother anything EVER never once had a problem with him. So what im asking is Ive heard a few mixed opinions about these guys that i need R.O. water and they are SOOOO hard to keep. I know the Plecos gotta go other than that I dont think Ill have any problems with the other fish bothering a ray.
Wanting the Ray hobby to be mine help
- Thread starter tyjo1334
- Start date
I know we have some serious professionals or at least some big time ray keepers. Im a newby help me get like you.
hey bud.....u dont need r/o i dont run it. rays are not hard to keep just harder then say an oscar...very sensitive to ammonia, so with a good knowledge of water params and such ull be ok.
Is that 20 wide or 20 high? 20 wide doesn't sound like enough to me, and there isn't a chance in you know where that I would put an oscar with a ray imo. I have never used RO water with my rays, they are in a PH of 8 straight out of the tap. Just my .o2 cents
If your tank is 20" wide, then I would recommend getting Hystrix rays. The length of the tank would be awsome for them ( width a little tight ). You will just want some open areas for them to swim in. They are hard to find right now. Probably be around $150 each ( at least ). R.O. water is not needed. I agree plecos and oscar need to go. There are plenty of awsome fish that are compatable with rays. Good luck.
I dont know what starlight granite substrate is? But rays need really soft (round) sand. I changed my substrate three times before I got my rays! make sure its round if its crushed or sharp get rid of it!
Rays are awesome! no RO water it is lacking essintial minerals... also rays can get burned on glass heaters, good luck!
Rays are awesome! no RO water it is lacking essintial minerals... also rays can get burned on glass heaters, good luck!
So does anyone recommend a certain substrate to get? I really like the black. Is there no way I could keep my certain substrate I spent a pretty good amount on this stuff I believe I have like 300lbs in there I think? I was just hoping I could make a couple adjustments and toss a couple teacups in. Do I need to get rid of my large sailfin plecos?
Teacups? That is just a broad general term for a juvenile ray. Generally a "teacup" is a reference to a Hystrix or Reticulated ray. They are the smallest of the freshwater rays that you see generally for sale. I don't have any Hystrix yet but I do have reticulated my female that I got at 4 inches 3 years ago is now at 14inches just for her disk add another 9 for her tail which got broken in transit before I got her and you have a "teacup" that is 23 inches tip to tip. If you figure a retic that doesn't have a broken tail at 3 years old you could be looking at a ray that is closer to 26+ tip to tip hope that gives a general idea of how not small the "teacup" can get. So the 20 inch tank....I couldn't imagine putting my female in there it would just be cruel. Just do lots of research before jumping into rays they are awesome animals but do require quite a bit of devotion and care.