Bolivian Rams In A High Ph.

[ZoddyZod]

Hello,

I started another thread in 'Tropical Discussion' looking for a centerpiece fish for my 125L (33g) tank. One recommendation that I am very keen on is a pair of Bolivian Rams.

Original thread

I've read that BRs will be fine up to 7.8pH and can even be kept happily at higher. *edit* forgot to add that my pH is around 8.0

I'd like to know if anyone here has been successful keeping them at this sort of pH and if they lived a relatively long and disease free life?

 

[minxfishy]

Providing they are acclimatised properly to your tank water, they should be fine, I had my two in 7.8ph with no problems, they have since gone to another member here who has them in approximately the same ph (same area), moved them several times as well from house to house, still happily living their lives with no problems at all.

Most rams you get these days are tank bred, therefore are used to less than their designated preferred ph, like I said, just ensure you acclimatise them slowly and keep good water parameters, I cant see there would be any trouble with them.

Edit to add: If you use some bogwood in your tank, this can lower the ph slightly not by much but a little, also softens the water a little too.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Most rams you get these days are tank bred, therefore are used to less than their designated preferred ph, like I said, just ensure you acclimatise them slowly and keep good water parameters, I cant see there would be any trouble with them.

Edit to add: If you use some bogwood in your tank, this can lower the ph slightly not by much but a little, also softens the water a little too.

Thanks for the info. I've been reading up in the 'drip' method and will use this if and when I buy the rams.

My local lfs (where I intend to buy them from) have them in 6.5 - 7.0, so I am guessing they were bred in those conditions as well (will ask when I am next in there).

I've got a couple of pieces of bogwood in there already, but it's currently not made a difference to the pH. Could be because I am doing frequent water changes though.

 

[ALW]

I've got a couple of pieces of bogwood in there already, but it's currently not made a difference to the pH. Could be because I am doing frequent water changes though.

Yes, you could also filter though peat! That will help too.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I've got a couple of pieces of bogwood in there already, but it's currently not made a difference to the pH. Could be because I am doing frequent water changes though.

Yes, you could also filter though peat! That will help too.

I guess this would mean an external filter of some sort?

I notice you are keeping Cockatoos. Is this the method you are using or is the Yorkshire water much softer?

 

[ALW]

What filter are you using?

 

[ZoddyZod]

What filter are you using?

Fluval U3

 

[Bebobb]

It seems to me like you could put the peat in a HOB filter also...

 

[ZoddyZod]

I've got a couple of pieces of bogwood in there already, but it's currently not made a difference to the pH. Could be because I am doing frequent water changes though.

Yes, you could also filter though peat! That will help too.

Hmmm, did some reading on using peat. For someone who has only been keeping fish for a month, seems a bit more 'advanced' than I'm prepared to go at the moment. Once I've got some more experience I might try this method so that I can keep the more delicate South American cichlids.

cheers for the tip.