Can I Get Rams In A 2Ft Tank

[nate uk]

Ive got Juwel Rekord 600 which has just finished cycling i think its about 63 litres I bought 6 sterbai cory and they are doing fine. But ive been offered a pair of bolivian rams from my dads friend i just wanted to know if my tank will be big enough for them and will they be fine with my corys =)

 

[thefubar]

I can say compatibility is fine between the two species. It is my plan to add more sterbai and a pair of ram to my tank too.

Size...

tricky one,

63l probably doesn't allow for substrate and a bundle of other factors (filter, decorations, plants, total fill level)

anyway, 2' would probably (no way of proving it so its MY opinion) be classed as a minimum for a breed that likes to establish a territory.

Are you using the internal filter? how often do you WC? How long have the sterbai been in? you might get a mini-cycle as the filter copes with the new additions. because its a smaller volume of water the percentages have a bigger impact.

I'm nosy too

, could you get a picture? even a mobile phone one would be cool.

 

[Wills]

I think you can add them no problems cories and rams usually work really well together and you will be able to add in a shoal of maybe 6 small tetras or similar as well. Rams are probably one of the top 10 feature fish for a 15g tank IMO. I can accept what the Fubar is saying about a 2 foot territory and I wont argue how ever its usually documented that rams (among other dwarfs) take up around a 12inch square of territory in a tank. However as they are the only cichlids this will only be a problem if they breed really, unless they do stake out a "home" but all that will happen is the corys get chased out. Bolivian rams are usually a bit more forgiving than the blue rams as well so I wouldnt worry at all.

So far as the inch per gallon rule goes its a good guide but by no means is it a definitive rule. Again no disrespect to Fubar but I would never take into account decor substrate filters etc to take off liters. You have a 63 liter tank so you should always fill it to the fill line as well.

I dont think you will have a mini cycle from adding 2 rams either. But still keep an eye on it but I would be quite surprised if it happens.

Wills

 

[thefubar]

Just to clear up a few things.

Mini-cycle was referring to the 6 corys. Happened to me and i wasn't prepared for the extra WC i need to do. Lost a few of my first fish.

I mentioned in another thread about the difficulty with stocking and the different methods. I think i'm going to back away from answering stocking questions as its

one part opinion
two parts conjecture
three parts gut feeling.

I've seen 2' tanks with 3-4" of sand, big decorations and an internal filter, probably dropped the volume by 30-40% from the advertised amount. Just shows the "inch per gal" is a guide not a rule, as you said.

TBH, most people checking this thread will want to see the pictures of the corys and the rams when they're in. I know i would!

I didn't realise there was a difference in behaviour between the two rams.

If you don't go small shoal of tetra, then look into shrimp. Unless they creep you out (which they do to some scared types

)

 

[yhbae]

How long have you had your tank fully cycled with your cories in it? Typically, bacteria multiplies by x2 every 24 hours. If your tank is fully cycled with all of your cories, you should be ok adding your rams.

As others have mentioned, chemistry between your cories and rams are fine. I too believe you have some room to add a group of small tetras or other low bioload shoaling species.

Have a look at your aquarium stock plan.

What kind of filtration do you have?