Fish in local rivers, streams, etc. are not the same fish in your tank. They are normally a totally different kind, and have adapted to live in those conditions. The tap water we all drink is filtered and has chlorine added to it.
Two questions - Fish? Sand Vs gravel
- Thread starter tmpadmin
- Start date
I don't see too much of a problem with using rocks/driftwood/sand/gravel from lake erie. As long as you go through the proper precautions such as boiling it repeatedly, it should be fine. But, you do run the risk of introducing something that may chemically alter your water parameters, like certain metals in the sand and such.
I think people make too big a fuss about adding foreign things into your tank. I've added tons of driftwood and rocks (but not sand) into my tank, and have nad problems yet, and don't think i will (although it was from the ocean, not a lake).
As for the "teacup stingray", its just a generic term used for describing a juvenile ray, most often they don't even know what species it is. The smallest ray will hit 12" in disk width, and thats not including tail length. You'l need to look at buying a tank at least 6' long and 30" wide minimum to house a ray.
I think people make too big a fuss about adding foreign things into your tank. I've added tons of driftwood and rocks (but not sand) into my tank, and have nad problems yet, and don't think i will (although it was from the ocean, not a lake).
As for the "teacup stingray", its just a generic term used for describing a juvenile ray, most often they don't even know what species it is. The smallest ray will hit 12" in disk width, and thats not including tail length. You'l need to look at buying a tank at least 6' long and 30" wide minimum to house a ray.
I bet the guys that collect these rocks and give them a quick blast with a pressure washer and sell them to pet stores would laugh their arses off if they read this thread, the original poster seemed to be opened minded and less anal then others here, I think he should use her own judgement.
Last edited:
I asked another fish store about the ray, he said "Cuban teacup". When I hit him back with "teacup" being generic term he didn't know what to say. But these "Cuban Teacup" get no bigger than a small fist (according to him). I have found NOTHING on the net in 5 days of occasional looking to validate any ray only growing fist size or smaller. More researching is necessary!!!
As for the elements from the local waterways here, I think I will hold off. I found a nice combination of sand and gravel I can mix to achieve my desired result. Besides I wouldn't want to introduce a perch or large mouth bass...
It's obvious I'm new here but I have to say I am excited to see everyone express opinions and no attacks. Most boards I have been to end up in hard feelings and personal attacks. It must be the stress relief the fish give everyone that help keep the attitudes down here. And thanks for making me feel welcome!!!
As for the elements from the local waterways here, I think I will hold off. I found a nice combination of sand and gravel I can mix to achieve my desired result. Besides I wouldn't want to introduce a perch or large mouth bass...
It's obvious I'm new here but I have to say I am excited to see everyone express opinions and no attacks. Most boards I have been to end up in hard feelings and personal attacks. It must be the stress relief the fish give everyone that help keep the attitudes down here. And thanks for making me feel welcome!!!
Can you get a pic? Does "smoth FW stingray" last pic here look like it?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwstingrays.htm
From the little I've read, the genus of FW rays is
Potamotrygonidae
Someone can correct me if there are others.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwstingrays.htm
From the little I've read, the genus of FW rays is
Potamotrygonidae
Someone can correct me if there are others.
Last edited:
Are we talking about the great lake that CAUGHT FIRE once? I think I'd just hunt up some cheap playground sand, and mix in whatever gravel I thought looked right after testing it. The vinegar test is brilliant btw.. never considered that to check for lime in rock before. As for introducing stuff you find in the wild to your home tank. Yeah. Could be good, could be bad. Take every precaution you can think of if you're going to do it. I used one piece of drift wood I got from a potable water river, and still boiled it for 5 hours before introducing it to the tank. I took it out after the "potable" water turned out to have 10 times the safe level of lithium carbonate leached into the water from natural sources. Stuff can suprise you. The more neutral a source you can find for tank furnishings, the better. At least that's my two cents...
Fish answered
The mystery is sort of over. The store calls them "stingray Plecos". But I did a google search and found this forum with someone who had the same question. The people there "seem" knowledgeable..
Stingray Pleco? Probably not.
The mystery is sort of over. The store calls them "stingray Plecos". But I did a google search and found this forum with someone who had the same question. The people there "seem" knowledgeable..
Stingray Pleco? Probably not.
as for the natural stuff from lakes and rivers, i jump on kas' boat. aside from the possible chemicals, consider the parasites and pathogens that may be in the water.
