sting ray advice???

**mr mittag** · 09-27-2012, 07:06 PM

im just getting some advice on rays. im looking into a new SW tank.. havent decided on size yet either a 150g or a 120g that is almost square in shape and not as tall as an average tank. just wondering if anyone knows some smaller ray species and if they can go in a reef tank

**Crispy** · 09-27-2012, 08:59 PM

bluespotted rays (taeniura lymma) only get 14". problem with having rays in a reef is that reefs require lots of rock, and rays like lots of open bottom space. I also think a 120g would be a bit too small. what is the exact footprint of the tank you want for a ray?

**Cliff** · 09-27-2012, 09:09 PM

+1 to the above

I have yet to find any type of ray that I would put into anything less than a 180 gallon with almost no rock in the display tank. But that is only based on what I had read (no actual experience with them).

**Crispy** · 09-27-2012, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Cliff

+1 to the above

I have yet to find any type of ray that I would put into anything less than a 180 gallon with almost no rock in the display tank. But that is only based on what I had read (no actual experience with them).

yeah, 6'x2' seems to be the minimum tanksize for even the smaller species. they are also HUGE bioloads due to their extremely high metabolism. they are producing ammonia constantly in a closed environment. you would need really heavy filtration on any ray tank.

**mr mittag** · 09-27-2012, 10:39 PM

i believe the 150g is long gotta be close to 6ft and the 120 g has a rather large surface area not sure on the dimensions i was kinda eyeballing them. i would really like to add a ray to my plans, but with wanting to create a beauty reef the two together sounds like it wouldnt be a good idea. maybe i should look into some interesting pipefish like the alligator pipefish or something. i dont want to get a small ray and have to re home it in a year or two, or keep it out of its element.