German Blue Rams + Community

[littlefishie]

I've actually had Co2 running since I set up the tank. Without it the pH is around 7.6-7.8. I think it's the sand I use. It's Geosystem something by Hagen. I looked it up and apparently it buffers the water to a higher pH. Unforunately it didn't say that when I bought it. If I'd know I'd've spent the extra money on Tahitian Moon Sand. I'm going to look into the driftwood option tonight, though. Perhaps that, plus Co2, will bring the pH down.

 

[Dubby]

Remember that driftwood will color your water yellow as well. If you dont like that then dont invest in driftwood.

 

[littlefishie]

I'm not to worried about that either. I can always soak the driftwood to release the tannins, but it seems like the piece I picked up has already had that done. The water's still clear.

I just picked up a small piece anyway, since they'll be going into the ten gallon to spawn after reading week. After that the driftwood can go back into the regular tank, so I had to get a small piece anyway.. there's not much room with all the plants!

 

[Dubby]

I can visualise your problem with all the plants and no room for anything else

BTW, Its the tannin (acidic) in driftwood which causes the yellow colour and the PH to drop. Once the tannin stops leaching, I dont believe you will have much of a PH drop !!!

 

[littlefishie]

Dammit, I knew I forgot something.. *Mutters*
Either way.. I think I've given up on attempting to spawn them for now. I got the bare ten gallon and everything, but I think I'll be taking it back for a refund. I kinda need food. Me = poor university student. And it's gonna cost me more to raise the rams til they can go to the LFS than I can afford..

Maybe in the summer, when I have more time and a decent job.
*Sigh.*

 

[mematrix77]

HI again littlefishie This is Curtis I posted a reply to rams laid eggs post asking about your ram fry and didn't see this one ohwell Curtis

 

[Dubby]

Littlefishie:

There is a workaround Let the rams spawn in your normal tank. Buy some RO water for your 10g, add necessary additives and you should be able to get fry!!!

 

[keane]

can i be really daft and ask...what is RO water??

my rams have spawned too and don't know what to do (although mematrix77 has been giving me some helpful hints! cheers Curtis. )

steve B)

 

[pica_nuttalli]

BTW, Its the tannin (acidic) in driftwood which causes the yellow colour and the PH to drop. Once the tannin stops leaching, I dont believe you will have much of a PH drop !!!

surely we all know by now that just because you can't see it, doesn't mean its not there!!

but yeah, sneak in that peice of driftwood and just see if it helps. mine was well-soaked and had no visible effect on the water, but it still did a number on my pH (which was originally nice and neutral). and don't worry about raising up the fry. since you aren't trying to be a breeder, just let what happens, happen. You'll have a lot less stress that way.

Have you tried replacing any of the sand? You may want to try pulling out some of the old and replacing it with a non-buffering type. I think I read in the DIY section that pool filter sand makes an excellent, inexpensive, non-reactive substrate. presuming you're not too far north for swimming pools... *dig, dig*

 

[littlefishie]

Haha, I'm not too far north.. I can get pool filter sand really cheap, since that's what my friend used to set up his 25 gallon. His grandfather gets it in bulk or something, I'm not sure..

Thing is, I'm addicted to black sand. And given that my bank account balance is like.. $3.57 and I have a $20 in my pocket, I can't run out to get the Black Tahitian Moon sand.. I'm stuck with what I've got until I start working after school's over.

When the rams did spawn in the 15, it was in a back corner all over the sand.. I wouldn't know how to move the eggs off of the sand..

It looks like it'd just be a huge hassle and I wouldn't really be able to take care of the fry all that well. I'll probably just keep the ten gallon in my closet until later, and when I have the time and money to do this in the summer, I will. It'd be too hectic with school and everything, especially since it's midterm time and then finals are in April.

 

[Dubby]

can i be really daft and ask...what is RO water??

No problem at all. I am also learning something new everyday RO is reverse osmosis - so you get utterly pure water of PH 7 (no buffering, minerals, nothing). You can add appropriate substances to suit your needs. There are people on this forum who either use their own RO units or buy RO water who should be able to help.

 

[keane]

cheers Dubby.

steve B)

 

[Dubby]

Wish you luck with your eggs May you get lots of fry

 

[keane]

sorry, meant to say....my rams have now eaten their spawn of eggs!!

maybe next time!

steve B)

 

[dirtydogg]

It can be tricky, My rams have spawned about 10 times or so, and I've yet to get any surviving fry. I read somewhere that other fish eat them and then the rams will eat them once there aren't many left in order to start again quicker, so I removed the other fish. This added a few days to the frys life, but they still end up getting eaten. I think it's the "mom" as now "dad" won't let her anywhere near them. I have also read that corys love eggs.

just my experience with ram babies.