My SALTWATER STINGRAY aquarium - The king of DIY

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The king of DIY aquarium projects, education and inspiration!
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[@RachelOLeary]

They are really beautiful!

[@moistdaddy1204]

fish

[@charleswashington9023]

Seeing the plumbing on the 375 is awesome. It's like seeing a science exhibit. Maybe label the individual piping and directional arrows to show water flow to show how it works. That would be incredible.

[@montanaaquarists3719]

9:16 😆😆😆 that Ray was like "oooooo bubble butt"

[@flossieshelley1838]

I love the tank without sand it makes the stingrays look more beautiful (if that’s at all possible) and I can’t wait to see when the tank gang are in that tank. I absolutely love everything that your doing in the gallery.

[@kenziyt3912]

Being able to actually see the rays now they are gorgeous. The gang of tangs will set it off. So much room to grow on this channel. Every video is a learning experience. Great work.

[@shawnahaines8713]

Oh the angle when you started talking about the sand is a great angle to see the tank even with the mechanics. I like seeing them in your gallery.

[@wowdad3055]

Like the salt water tank side view of the plumbing on the side. No sand for your sting rays makes it easier for you to maintain. People forget that you have to do all the work and maintenance to all those big tanks.

[@jinmengwong524]

Hi Joey I am a long term fan of yours and what you do for the hobby. Great that you still listen to feedback and questions and also explain your choices. Although I must say that the long rambling explanation of why the new ray tank reminds me more of prisoner cell than a sea habitat, shows that you know that it is a lazy compromise to omit the substrate. Yes your reasons are valid and make it easier for the owner, but it does not look nice and deprive your rays of the part of nature they most interact with. Saltwater stingrays spend pretty much all their natural life on and in sand, I study them frequently in the wild. For me this is the difference between having an aquarium and keeping a fish, keeping fish can be like zoos used to be (animals in bare cages, easy to maintain, easy to see the "prisoners" and less chance of injuries). From my perspective, serious aquarists should only keep the number of aquariums they can maintain a resonable environment in for their fish. What reasonable is will depend on the person, for me it includes features that mimics the fish's natural environment. Just hoping your bare tanks will not lead to many others entering the hobby thinking it is ok to just go with what's convenient over what's natural for the fish. Cheers

[@danimoller9465]

Joey is the absolute best for learning information on ALL tanks and genuinely cares about making great, fun, and informative content which is the best content. I look forward to more saltwater!!

[@XtremePS]

I know that you like to ear our opinion evem if it's not the same as yours. But specially in this aquarium, I'm 100% with you. Stingrays are not on the bottom of the food chain, and in a aquarium they have a lot of food, they don't need to hide that much on the sand. It's better for them to eat like this, better water quality... I guess there's no bad points on this decision. Btw your plumming being on that side it's perfect, because your channel it's about fish, aquariums and education! And it's your main saltwater aquarium so it makes sense to have such a important part of that aquarium showing! Keep up, looking forward for the next video. Cheers from Portugal.

[@chevyfish4028]

My saltwater tanks are barebottom and I feel it is safer, more practical & hygienic for the inhabitants that I keep. People can see examples of how to properly keep underwater life by just going to a zoo or public aquarium. Many of these places have classes people can take there to learn how & why things are done the way they are for their underwater inhabitants. I took many classes years ago at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and it is amazing what you learn that goes into keeping a thriving tank. Things we have no idea we do as hobbyists for our own aesthetics can actually be detrimental to the very pets we love. I highly recommend these courses to anyone wanting/needing a better in depth understanding of our underwater aquarium life. Fish need 5 things to stay healthy & thrive...places to hide, proper diet, compatible tankmates, clean stable proper water parameters and routine maintenance to manage the aforementioned. Your rays are beautiful Joey and for what you are setting the tank up for, it's perfect.

[@lionsfan8235]

"Its staying like that permanently" LMAO we all know that ain't true my man, nothing stays permanent with you.

[@thekingofdiy]

Im not doing this again. This change took way too much time and money. Im setting it all up the way i should have from the start,

[@lionsfan8235]

@@thekingofdiy awesome. Its already on its way to being a favorite. Those Rays are absolutely stunning

[@sondercichlidaquariums4951]

LionsFan82 they are the best quality blue spots I’ve seen. Getting a male female pair of that quality is unheard of in the uk

[@JustRight02]

I woud love to see a shark in the tank

[@Pixiedust1006]

I'm super excited to see what else you stock this with! I personally like the simplicity of this tank!

[@speedfreak5616]

Awesome Joey! Been a fan for years, super proud of what you've achieved and overcome! A true inspiration for multiple generations, a true and genuine human. That's a rare quality that you have in abundance! I watch you're video's day and night the best way to spend my downtime before and after work, sneakily sometimes during work Haha, keep it up dude! Sending big love and admiration all the way from England! P.s get yourself over here soon people would love a meet and greet! Thank you again for making my day when you upload a brilliant coping mechanism!

[@daemonember]

I like it actually. Provides a visual barrier and gives the fish room to swim. I love that you build to the fish not to human preference.

[@CADguru78]

Could Aqua Decor make a stingray friendly bottom insert? (Just a thought) Maybe a solid weighted piece wouldn't offset too much water could even include some scaping details.

[@thekingofdiy]

they do make bottom inserts. so perhaps! I suspect when they see this, they will offer lol... i dont ask them for anything. I just let them surprise me.

[@Jinglemyberries]

I’ll be honest I stop watching your channel for sometime but now that you started doing salt water aquariums I been Binge watching all your videos. Keep up the hard work!! Love the new aquariums!!

[@BlackDragonWitheHawk]

also the plumbing beeing visible looks awesome :-)

[@thekingofdiy]

I check it daily. Didnt think i would so much! I can easily make adjustments based on flow rates im testing and make it silent within seconds.

[@somethingstupid1920]

its literally your fish room, why do people complain about how you design YOUR fishroom

[@thekingofdiy]

When you put your tank out to the public, its bound to be judged.

[@mushlove6933]

Do a video showing every tank at the very moment, interested in what they all look like and have stocked.

[@alexadams3831]

ATTENTION PEOPLE, WATCH THE VIDEO BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY UNNECESSARY COMMENTS THANK YOU.

[@thekingofdiy]

😂

[@rodrigoaguileraolvera3524]

Looking good. The rocks will look better when the tangs get in there. Funniest line on this video: "What am I saying. I'm not moving that tank again. It's staying like that permanently" Let's see where this tank is a year from now haha

[@bpaul1201awesome]

Thats what i was thinking. Haha

[@kevinaugustsson2202]

Do you ever feel like a stingray tooth fairy picking up barbs? lol

[@thekingofdiy]

They can degrade over time and disappear. it takes many months to years to happen though.

[@dishantdeepak6976]

Can you get deeper into pumps you use, how you setup the sump and a small peek into how each part like skimmer works?

[@raycooper2287]

Thanks for your explanation on the sand issue. I knew you would have an answer for why. Sorry if I had come across as a know-it-all.... I have four tanks all fresh water, and are still learning, as I always will. Great video again. As always...

[@kng3rd]

Sand would help with stress with certain fish and just looks great lol but I'm not one of those people that say you have to have it. I know nothing about the Ray's especially salt water. It looks great and I want it!! Keep going!

[@jaysreef5721]

Totally agree. First scape looked much better but this is probably better as u said already. If was a new reefer I'd say to make sure u get flow through the rockwork tho or will probably have detritus build up n such. But u already know all that n them mp40's should be nice for awhile lol. Only thing is I don't like rock layout for coral. But really can make pretty much anything work these days. So much equipment n such to help ensure success. So happy you got a big saltwater tho. I've seen couple of your older ones but always wondered how you would go about a large one. Loving watching this come together!

[@AckieGamer27]

Could you possibly try to keep an eel again? It would be so cool to see with the stingrays, and how about sharks? Those two babies were adorable!

[@JulianSanchez-im8pd]

Growing coral would be sooo cool.

[@Iguana5k]

Question about barebottom tanks. So there are realistic looking backrounds (like the ones from aqua decor). Wouldnt it be possible to make an artificial floor? Then you would have the benefits of a barebottom tank while it looks cool.

[@shadowremorse]

you basically can set the background as the floor but cleaning it wont be practical

[@Iguana5k]

@@shadowremorse But what If you would just make a flat lets say rubber mat. Thats kinda rough on the surfache and has sand optic. You might even be able to glue it flat to the bottom so no dirt gets under it.

[@leighspeck4398]

I agree with all you said, and most viewers know the pros and cons of substrate, but in the most part we’re all looking for as natural as possible scapes’s so still why no sand etc.

[@fishmi6031]

I'd love to see you get more involved with corals I think that be really neat

[@MoZZa1788]

Joey you should do 2 smaller islands of rock bro, the rays have lost way too much floor space and it would just look more natural too. Take it easy bro💪

[@PancakeJake123]

Not a bad idea. I'm not super knowledgeable about stingrays but having more floor space sounds good.

[@birdguy05761]

Beautiful, what about 2 rock piles?? with a front to back lane in the middle?

[@TarikNovalic]

An idea for when the rays get bigger, you could cement the rocks together to form an arch, sort of like a bridge, that goes from side to side, that way you would have only two rocks on the bottom and the rest of them "in the air" so that there is much more space on the bottom of the tank.

[@MoZZa1788]

Excellent idea!

[@TarikNovalic]

@@MoZZa1788 Thank you!

[@canopychondros]

Yeh that would be sick

[@Hollister74]

I love the idea of coral on and around those rocks that would be amazing!

[@AtomicJay1]

Man it’s been so long after watching you I’ve just got out of the hobby since my fishes died a couple of years ago... but I’m glad to see your channel growing ❤️

[@thekingofdiy]

Im not going anywhere!

[@chrissyweer4441]

I love that the plumbing is visible! There are some tanks where the plumbing underneath is just as cool looking as the tank itself.

[@jameshamblin7346]

Thank you for being honest with everyone and educating them. I've kept freshwater rays off on on for a long time and couldn't help agreeing and anticipating what you were about to say before you said it. Keep up the good work.

[@Rose-rx7ly]

1st, I also like being able to see the working mechanics on the 375, i think you made the right choice. 2nd, whoa! the vieja are getting big xD! Feels like just yesterday when you were unboxing them and adding them to the 375.

[@remy3610]

Made my first tank 140 gallon with a sump filter by learning from your videos and everything going good, thanks a lot man!!

[@ghettoaquatics7261]

I really wasn’t looking forward to the salt water stuff (to be honest) but I now find it amazing and the rays are beautiful, and now I’ve ordered my first marine tank! And can’t wait, and yellow tangs (5 or 6 there only £20 each in England) are what I want to get, my wife thinks in a traitor to my tropical tanks ha ha but had to have one and she will change her mind soon as we get them

[@wowdad3055]

She will change her mind later.

[@FickleCA]

I like the jump you’ve made to saltwater, one day I’d like to attempt it. I’m curious to see if there is a difference in the barbs of saltwater vs freshwater stingrays.

[@jessicarose3274]

Fantastic, can't wait to see the colorful fish swimming through it.

[@KassandraQuiseng]

You’ve made me fall in love with stingrays! I met some at the Miami Zoo a few years ago and thought they were cool, but seeing the passion you have for them has made me adore them.

[@calionfire9394]

i think the tank works out good i like the rock work doesn't have to be a very flashy setup. i go for function over anything when i setup a new system

[@atfinthehouse8631]

The scape is good and very similar to what rays in nature are attracted to.

[@TheGreenThunderbolt]

only joey could make a 11 minute video about some rocks in the middle of a tank

[@princessbarbieunicornia]

3:28 i thought he was gonna say phenomenal lol

[@dionsirgobind1079]

Loving the saltwater setup. Can’t wait for the next update

[@JPsPetNation]

Me to it looks so good and the Ray's are loving it so that is so the import thing

[@kennyjag2891]

Bro watching you, always inspires me. Thanks Joey. 😁

[@justdempsey7937]

Said it before and I'll say it again ... BEST CHANNEL EVER 👍

[@danielsanderson3965]

I think this tank with the rays would look amazing with coral

[@matryxmichaelcimino3913]

Just my opinion, but I'd suggest you remove a piece or two from the left top and place it on the right top side . So it's not so uniform. It will make it look more natural. Or remove from the top middle and place on the top right giving you alot of depth from the viewers point of view. Well done have a great day.

[@migueldiaz1111]

Hey Joey. Great Video, man! I love that you are making saltwater aquarium videos now. I never skip your vids. I have a question for you: Why is it that not many saltwater fish are captive bred? To my knowledge, captive bred fish do a lot better in aquariums. Is there not many breeders out in the hobby?

[@SOLODRIVEN]

This style of video with the pre recorded audio takes me back to the old school videos 😎

[@dobegirl101]

i really like the scape, love the little nooks and crannies, fun that they can swim under.

[@wowdad3055]

The ones that got to love their environment are the fish. Sometimes simple is better.

[@InappropriateReefer]

Loving the stingray tank! The whole tank is going to look super full of life after the Tang Gang goes in. 😎

[@reefboy2558]

Inappropriate Reefer, Hello! 👋

[@CooperAquatics]

I love what u do I have a ton of fish myself it’s so enjoyable keep it up Joey I never miss a video

[@wmfilhart]

It would be sweet to see you get a moray eel of some kind

[@KingsAquariumsAndAntWorld]

The tank looks amazing mate, the scape is perfect for the rays and also the other saltwater fish. Great job as always

[@shadowmarez7457]

Bare Bottom= Clean and Easier to Clean. Smart move

[@Fish_Face]

i think a small amount of rock removal and minor adjustments to rock position would really make this thing pop baby.

[@perigrine]

Looking forward to the return of the Tang Gang! Those stingrays are beautiful, looking forward for you telling us if and how these rays differ from your freshwater rays.

[@tipperz_]

Looking great joey! Love the look. even though am all about fresh water, I can still appreciate what you're doing with this salt water tank.

[@SeanVanho]

you should've done two islands, one more closer to the front of the tank to provide both swimming and depth of view.

[@viperr007]

Since your salty now can you show how to keep a mandarin goby. They are a stunning fish

[@John-ch8lr]

I like the bare bottom and the rock work in the middle of the tank. I have a similar setup with mine (I have 1 bag of substrate in the tank and it is a pain to clean) that the Powder Blue Tang and Hippo Tang and the Blue Chin Trigger all enjoy going in and out of that rock work. I also am liking the idea of keeping the plumbing and wavemakers reachable because it is much easier to remember that you need to clean the equipment from time to time.

[@Crewserdriver]

I gotta get a pair of these guys when I can, they’re beautiful 🌊

[@luisg1653]

Hes bulked up over the years, probably from lifting all these tanks 😎

[@joshhibbs_nola]

Cool! I was wondering about the sand and now that you explained it it makes a lot of sense. The animals are priority over the aesthetic. 👍🏼

[@primussmith5276]

“ Big hairless gorilla monkey “ I had to stop the video I was laughing so hard 😂

[@thekingofdiy]

we all are! lol

[@lashellecorsi5339]

Hi Joey! This is one of my favorite tanks since all the construction. Great work .

[@ArmandoDiazMiami]

You can cover the plumbing with window tint made from a thick black lawn / leaf bag. Cost $0. Spray water, squeegee and trim. Viola!

[@Aj-.07]

You were so close to getting me to set up a freshwater tank, embrace the salty side, I have the same type rock work in my tank and the fish love the maze it makes

[@rainishell]

yessss i needed something good to watch right meow.

[@jperdue3567]

At about 8:58 you touched on one of the main reasons why no substrate is better than having it. If there were sand, it would be much more difficult to find the barbs when they're shed.

[@HealingAquariums]

Nice! Would be also interesting to hear about how you take care of water parameters and what do you measure.

[@theferryman]

Nice set-up!

[@army03281]

I'm liking the ray tank.

[@adimio]

Keep the hair dude! Looks good

[@philbarrett3739]

I'd much rather see you provide a non toxic environment rather than an artistic masterpiece. I'm sure the Tangs will brighten it up. People don't realise how bland the oceans are.

[@DesignerMaker]

The ocean does tend to have sand

[@philbarrett3739]

@@DesignerMaker, it also tends to have trillions of gallons of water to dilute the toxicity coming from the sand. It's all about proportion.

[@paulholland4139]

Beautiful tank! I love those rays!! Think the lack of outro works for you. Helps show that you aren’t working off a script like you used to. Side note, how do I reply to your reply on another comment?

[@timtei5678]

I love your videos ceep it up!! 🐠🐡

[@danielmontemayor7674]

Lol love the videos as always Joey!! It’s crazy how captivating you can be. It was an 11min video over rocks in your tank. But only felt like 2mins and it was over. Keep up that passion that you have for the hobby. It’s contagious! Also on ending the video.... maybe something natural like “thanks for stopping in, I’ll see yall in the next one”. I think if you had a catch phrase or something it would be too cheesy for you. You’re great at being more natural, and unscripted compared to your first videos you did when you first started. They were great and very informational but very scripted.

[@FEEFS.]

Dude. I love saltwater stingrays

[@Loveofpets]

You gave a good explanation of why they don't need sand.

[@davidmadej5955]

Hi, I just wanted to say thanks, I’m learning a lot about salt water fish keeping from you.

[@alexline4131]

My buddy wants a saltwater aquarium- I'm helping. Thanks for the inspirational videos.

[@firstnamelastname5330]

Kinda silly, I'm sure the Ray's prefer substate. Just as I'm sure if you were kept in a glass cage for the rest of your life you would prefer sand over glass. Doesn't it make sense to set the tanks up as close to the natural habitat where the creature is from.

[@Fresh2D1818]

Why do you run an airstone in a saltwater tank? Doesn't it lower Ph and create foam on the surface of your display tank. Would be better to use a skimmer in the sump imo. Looks great though, and awesome rays! Also another suggestion would be to lower your return, so its not picking up bubbles. Just a nice ripple across the top. Keep up the good work my man.

[@user7516]

I have several tanks with 10 cm deep substrate that is mostly sand and I have never had issues with anaerobic regions and toxic gasses. But I also don’t keep stingrays and I understand the practicality of having a bare bottom especially when you have to maintain so many tanks. That said I would never keep bottom dwelling fish without a substrate.

[@mathyskramer7576]

That tank isn’t there permanently Joey and you know it. 😉Love the tank and I am absolutely jealous of this tank. Only own a 55G tank stocked with some fancy goldfish. Love it though and when I move out and start living on my own you have given me a couple of life goals (can also own Asian Arowana here in the Netherlands). But keep on doing what you do and can’t wait to see everything when your finished with you Aquarium Gallery make over.

[@lievebats3009]

Hey een andere Nederlander! Ik hoop dat je ook ooit een arowana kan houden!

[@thomasyoung1685]

Well I just can't wait to see the new place for the gallery and no sand is a good idea a lot less headaches and worry.

[@JPsPetNation]

I agree it looks not has nice but it cuts down on more work than is needed when u have so many tanks to sort out dialy

[@thomasyoung1685]

@@JPsPetNation exactly the amount time it would take to sand sift this tanks it would be an all day Job to do it right

[@sal9842]

Wow I thought it would be over all good with out sand and I’m so glad everyone was asking because I Learned a whole lot An it was so cool.. man can’t wait to learn more .. sting ray 101 this will be a exciting class.. thanks so much Joe for all ya do really appreciated.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😁👍👍👍

[@ZebedeeH]

Nice tank Joey, outtro is genuine cause it’s always different in the same way lol!

[@GoddessTara923]

Don't rays love to snuggle down into sand?

[@AP-vc7up]

Rays are looking so beautiful 🥺 those rays looks like blue berry pancakes 🤣🤣🤣

[@spencerchapman4652]

Waited all day to get to watch this video once I was notified! It would be awesome to get one of the salt water rays barbs when it falls off!