Bolivian Ram Tank - Ideas/comments/guidance Please!

[Kowalski]

Hello everyone,

I'm an expereinced Tropical aquarium owner. I currently only have a ten gallon running.

I'd like to upgrade to a 16 gallon and put Bolivian Rams in it. Here's what I was thinking:

Aquarium 16G Bowfront:
http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3202494&lmdn=Fish+Aquariums+%26amp%3B+Bowls&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Substrate 3/4s this:
http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3956163&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Substrate 1/4 this (because I have half a bag left):
http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147295&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Plenty of plants
Three pieces of driftwood
 
 
Would I be able to keep Bolivian Rams in a 16 gallon? If so, how many?

Would you the mix of sand/gravel be acceptable?
 
Thank you so much everyone.

 

[TallTree01]

Rams need a 20 gallon IMO.

 

[r.w.girard]

Yea, it would be a little tight.  It would be better to go with a 20L if possible (that's 30x12x12).  Still a small talk but you can do a lot more with it, what with its larger footprint.


Unless you wanted to just keep one and a few dither fish (like a single school of small tetras or rasboras - hengeli and not harlequin for example - and that would be about it).

 

[attibones]

Yea, it would be a little tight.  It would be better to go with a 20L if possible (that's 30x12x12).  Still a small talk but you can do a lot more with it, what with its larger footprint.
Unless you wanted to just keep one and a few dither fish (like a single school of small tetras or rasboras - hengeli and not harlequin for example - and that would be about it).

You must mean twenty gallons? A twenty liter tank is far too small.

I honestly believe that for rams to be happy, a thirty gallon would be best. If, however, your twenty gallon is fairly long, then it may suffice. Longer tanks are better for these guys. Because you wan to put plenty of plants and wood in the tank, you'd be better off with a thirty gallon.

If you mixed the sand and gravel, they will be fine, just be aware that thy like to pick at the substrate a fair bit.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

When he says "20L" he means a 20 US gallon "long" tank.  Hence the dimensions...which are  (30 inchesx12 inchesx12 inches).

 

[attibones]

Oooh. That's quite confusing as "L" can denote "liter." I figured the dimensions where there clear up confusion, but I, uh, failed. Who is it that uses muppet points here?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

RCA uses muppet points.