Freshwater Stingray need salt? Also need a few tankmate recommendations

[sea-community]

I'm completely dumb founded because I never said 125 would house one of these forever. If he grows full growth in 1 year (impossible takes 3 years to completely get full size even if the tank was 1,000,000,000 gallons) I will buy a bigger tank to help fit him. I'm not some novice idiot who is going to torture a fish...I've went to multiple breeders sites, contacted a petstore guy that knows alot about rays and read the actual facts on rays through like dictionary.com and other sites like so as well. They said minimum tank needs to be 6 1/2 x 18" and that will house retics, hystrix and scopina rays. So again, this is temporary just for a year or two.

Another thing, lets say the ray gets big and grows to be 14". You recommended a 2' wide tank to house him once he gets full size. Well that only gives him 10" of play room....if I buy one that is 4"-5" that gives him 13" of play room....so what you said doesn't really make since now does it? It all depends on the size of the ray from what I was told...if he does get bigger I will buy another tank that would house him or at worst i'd sell him.

I appologize if I seem arguementative it's just frusterating that I've called around, talked to breeders and looked up the facts and everywhere I look says 125 gallon is fine for a starter tank...then u guys basically say im stupid and should never do that. But within 2 years you need to move into bigger...if you can actually find a site that proves this wrong PLEASE let me know. I'm not saying you guys are completely wrong maybe its just me....but I want to know who cites the information you are getting because a forum post from someone else doesn't mean anything to me. If you read some of the comments on here you'd be shocked. I saw a thread where a guy said a 200-300 gallon tank would house a big shark....so again if you could just send me links to other informational sites that'd be awesome!~!

Sorry again and I appreciate your help and comments~!~

haha, you tell him A.D.

 

[jpappy789]

Aquariumdude,

as with many sites and online posts you really can't tell what folks are saying.. it is verbatim. one problem with no real interaction this makes it easy to take things wrong..

most folks here are just gently suggesting alternatives.
Like I said , ultimately you will make the decision.


a 125 would be nice start. but, so often as mentioned, folks don't do the upgrades. so many are gun shy and would like to see the correct set up from the get go.

can you blame them? many of the tropical fish we keep are gorgeous creatures it does no justice to them to house them incorrectly. so many here are nearly fanatics when it comes to beautiful creatures like rays.

Take it with a grain of salt. you really don't have to justify it but you do have to live with your decisions.

hang in there .

I agree. Aquariumdude it is COMPLETELY up to you to decide what to do with the tank and no one can stop you. It's all just advice and opinions. But do keep in mind that what has been said is for a good reason. Many members are hesitant when they see plans of "upgrading." It's nothing personal, just based on what many of us have witnessed first hand.

haha, you tell him A.D.

This forum should not be about telling people off, it's about offering advice which is all that I see from previous posters...JMO...sorry I don't mean to be rude but no reason to edge on an argument just for the sake of it...



Anyways as for new tankmates what else interests you AD? I'm sure something other than rays catch your eye (again still you decision). I think a silver dollar school would look nice and/or a group of larger rainbows if you want more color.

 

[James0816]

I have a rena filstar xp3 with 2 other 300 aquaclear. I have 4-5 pvc pipes under the sand so really I probably dont have 125 pds of sand. So it's about an inch high and he never comes out besides obviously peaking his head. He does come out to eat worms every other night but once he grabs it he's gone. Therefor I figured a ray still had the whole surface area to himself. I had piranhas starting in a 29 gallon tank, got more and upgraded in a month. Got a nice 55 gallon then got another one to house a few more...I was going to keep them and that's why I just recently bought 125 gallon. Obviously you can see where I'm getting. I love fish and I think they are very majestic as well...awesome creatures. You can see I'm willing to spend the money to upgrade, money isn't an issue. Anyways what would a custom tank run? Just curious on what I'm getting into. Now from this forum I am having second thoughts....i'm willing to upgrade but not if it's gunna be like 3k if you know what I mean. What are some other neat looking fish? I love the clown knife but obviously he's too big....i think flounder can be kinda cool too. Anyways need suggestions again....

AD...kudos on the commitment!

"How much does a custom tank run?" Now...here's where it can get real fun. Are you handy with tools? Reason I ask...build yourself a plywood tank. You can definately build one cheaper than buying the setup. For my tank, it is saving me hundreds in the build as opposed to buying the glass. Once again, I have to refer you to our sister site ]V[onsterfishkeepers.com. You will find tons of threads on building monster tanks.

FWIW...flounders are cool....but (i know...there's always a but isn't there)....they are brackish. A couple of these guys...with some gobbies...makes for a nice 20long.

 

[James0816]

"Now from this forum I am having second thoughts....i'm willing to upgrade but not if it's gunna be like 3k if you know what I mean."

Side bar: do not...DO NOT....get discouraged....if anything...be encouraged! Your diving into a rhelm where many of us haven't been. If you're ambitions are to own a ray (or more)....go for it. As capt picard would say...."Make it happen".

Oh gimanee....bad cliche...I'm not even a treky.

 

[dmann]

aquaruim dude, dont let comments of those get you discouraged. i posted a thread on here that i was puting a ray in my 180g and people were telling me that it to was way to small to house a ray. well i have one on the way.get one if you want one.

 

[James0816]

aquaruim dude, dont let comments of those get you discouraged. i posted a thread on here that i was puting a ray in my 180g and people were telling me that it to was way to small to house a ray. well i have one on the way.get one if you want one.

dmann....I remember your thread. I don't recall anyone saying your tank was too small.

 

[jpappy789]

aquaruim dude, dont let comments of those get you discouraged. i posted a thread on here that i was puting a ray in my 180g and people were telling me that it to was way to small to house a ray. well i have one on the way.get one if you want one.

Huh?

In your thread you said you wanted a ray in your 180 gallon (72x24x24 inches) and James commented that you should have at least a 6x2x2 footprint...the exact same thing.

Once again why are we stirring up controversy when it is uneeded?