Do Blue Spotted Rays need sand?

dj synystr · 09/09/2007, 09:58 AM

I am thinking of buying a blue spotted ray as a tank mate for my snowflake eal. the tank is a 75 gallon and one of two tanks plumbed together the other is a 125 mixed reef. heres the problem. one guy at the lfs said you need sand for long term keeping. another guy from the SAME lfs said no sand is needed they will live fine without sand. i looked online and all i have found is that they are found in sandy bottoms under ledges but nothing that says the NEED sand. any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

virginiadiver69 · 09/09/2007, 10:08 AM

You do know that they can grow to a diameter of about 3 feet with the tail doubling that....right?

dj synystr · 09/09/2007, 10:10 AM

some can but not this type it has a max of 14" and honestly nothing grows to full size in captivity.

SDguy · 09/09/2007, 10:11 AM

I'm not sure that there is any ray that will fit into a 75g tank, even without a single rock in it (which I assume there are since you have an eel). I think maybe freshwater rays come that small?

dj synystr · 09/09/2007, 10:13 AM

actually there is only 3 spots where the rocks are touchiung but as im doing more reasearch online i dont think its a wise choice unless i put it in the 125 and thats not an option. so thanks for the replies but i answered my own question.

rkelman · 09/09/2007, 10:16 AM

Your tanks are not even close to being big enough for this species. They grow to 70cm long and 30cm wide. They are similar to sharks in that they don't do well in home aquariums. They usually just steadily decline.. I don't beleive you would need sand they aren't a real burying Ray anyways.

virginiadiver69 · 09/09/2007, 10:18 AM

I'm glad your reconsidering. There are to many specimens suitable for home aquaria to risk the demise of one just for the "cool factor".

dj synystr · 09/09/2007, 10:25 AM

it wasnt a "cool" factor it was a i always wanted one. think there magnificent creatures and there interesting to watch. plus im cool enough with adding a ray to my system.

virginiadiver69 · 09/09/2007, 11:21 AM

Anybody who spells "synystr" the way you do MUST be cool.

Seriously though, the hardest thing in this hobby seems to be talking ourselves out of an addition that is not wise.
I am getting ready to add my first clam...I LOVE the looks of the Crocea and Maxima. I have T-5 lighting. 1 out of 10 people say I can get away with T-5. I know better but I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Travis L. Stevens · 09/09/2007, 11:35 AM

v-diver: Make that 2 out of 10 with me rooting for you

v-diver/Dj: I understand what it's like to have to give up something you like because you care about its well being. I want a lionfish and still do, but i know that it wouldn't be worth having one with the size tanks that I have.

09/09/2007, 09:58 AM	#1
dj synystr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PA Posts: 843	Do Blue Spotted Rays need sand? I am thinking of buying a blue spotted ray as a tank mate for my snowflake eal. the tank is a 75 gallon and one of two tanks plumbed together the other is a 125 mixed reef. heres the problem. one guy at the lfs said you need sand for long term keeping. another guy from the SAME lfs said no sand is needed they will live fine without sand. i looked online and all i have found is that they are found in sandy bottoms under ledges but nothing that says the NEED sand. any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks. __________________ Dj Synystr Battlefield/WLVR/AOL Mixtape Radio Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Room Divider Mixed Reef

09/09/2007, 10:08 AM	#2
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	You do know that they can grow to a diameter of about 3 feet with the tail doubling that....right? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

09/09/2007, 10:10 AM	#3
dj synystr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PA Posts: 843	some can but not this type it has a max of 14" and honestly nothing grows to full size in captivity. __________________ Dj Synystr Battlefield/WLVR/AOL Mixtape Radio Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Room Divider Mixed Reef

09/09/2007, 10:11 AM	#4
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I'm not sure that there is any ray that will fit into a 75g tank, even without a single rock in it (which I assume there are since you have an eel). I think maybe freshwater rays come that small? __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

09/09/2007, 10:13 AM	#5
dj synystr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PA Posts: 843	actually there is only 3 spots where the rocks are touchiung but as im doing more reasearch online i dont think its a wise choice unless i put it in the 125 and thats not an option. so thanks for the replies but i answered my own question. __________________ Dj Synystr Battlefield/WLVR/AOL Mixtape Radio Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Room Divider Mixed Reef

09/09/2007, 10:16 AM	#6
rkelman Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Canada Posts: 3,438	Your tanks are not even close to being big enough for this species. They grow to 70cm long and 30cm wide. They are similar to sharks in that they don't do well in home aquariums. They usually just steadily decline.. I don't beleive you would need sand they aren't a real burying Ray anyways.

09/09/2007, 10:18 AM	#7
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	I'm glad your reconsidering. There are to many specimens suitable for home aquaria to risk the demise of one just for the "cool factor". __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

09/09/2007, 10:25 AM	#8
dj synystr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PA Posts: 843	it wasnt a "cool" factor it was a i always wanted one. think there magnificent creatures and there interesting to watch. plus im cool enough with adding a ray to my system. __________________ Dj Synystr Battlefield/WLVR/AOL Mixtape Radio Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Room Divider Mixed Reef

09/09/2007, 11:21 AM	#9
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Anybody who spells "synystr" the way you do MUST be cool. Seriously though, the hardest thing in this hobby seems to be talking ourselves out of an addition that is not wise. I am getting ready to add my first clam...I LOVE the looks of the Crocea and Maxima. I have T-5 lighting. 1 out of 10 people say I can get away with T-5. I know better but I have to keep reminding myself of that. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

09/09/2007, 11:35 AM	#10
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	v-diver: Make that 2 out of 10 with me rooting for you v-diver/Dj: I understand what it's like to have to give up something you like because you care about its well being. I want a lionfish and still do, but i know that it wouldn't be worth having one with the size tanks that I have. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront