What's a good sand for rays?

[Totskie]

I'm looking into getting a ray and just want to ask what's a good sand substrate for a ray. I've used the sand from Home Depot before for cichlids, but don't know if that's compatible for their oft bellies. My plan is to do a community tank with a ray, dats, clown loaches, chocolate cichlid, and other fish.

The tank is 5' long and about 30" high.

Also, how do you clean sand? I've vacuumed it before and it would just get sucked up, leaving me less and less sand every time I clean.

Help a totskie out gals and guys! Thanks a million...

 

[Brent]

whats a totskie?
anyway use pool filter sand from leslies rinse it out good though it looks good like beach sand and rays can handle it
for me i dont clean my sand with rays they constantly blow in it and stir it up so its not necessary

 

[mshuangchao]

Also, how do you clean sand? I've vacuumed it before and it would just get sucked up, leaving me less and less sand every time I clean.

Help a totskie out gals and guys! Thanks a million...

You simply don't. Don't make the layer too thick and rays will constantly stir it up.

 

[ShadowStryder]

whats a totskie?
anyway use pool filter sand from leslies rinse it out good though it looks good like beach sand and rays can handle it
for me i dont clean my sand with rays they constantly blow in it and stir it up so its not necessary

I am with Brent. What is a totskie?

Pool filter sand is cheap, but only comes in the light color.
The pool sand by me is almost snow white though.
If you want a darker color it will cost you more. I use
Estes Marine Ultra Reef (black) and some peeps are
using 3m quartz.

 

[keepinfish]

i love the 3m sand. I would recomend it.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

^ agreed ^ with all the above

My plan is to do a community tank with a ray, dats, clown loaches, chocolate cichlid, and other fish.

Only thing to add is that based on growth rates, you will need to find some large clown loaches (not always easy) and to be very careful of your cichlid selection. Many of them are known eye and tail biters!

 

[spotfin]

I am currently using Estes Ultra Reef sand in beige. Have ordered a bag of the 3M sand in dark brown as I want something darker. The new sand will be delivered today.

 

[Totskie]

Nice info peeps! I'll be a on a journey to the pool stores today and look around. How long do you guys wash the sand before putting it in the tank?

Totskie = a chillax mofo who's always looking for something better.
=(Origin) In the squalid, busy streets of a port city on northern Mindanao.

 

[spotfin]

Wash some in a bucket until the water isn't cloudy anymore, then add the sand to the tank. Repeat with another bucket of sand.

 

[Nic]

if i were to do sand i would do 3M sand... i did and do like the fine gravel