German rams

[leafs]

I recently purchased a pair of German Rams. They say that they prefer a low ph. My ph is around 7.5. Is it necessary to have a low ph? How could I lower the ph? Also, can they handle salt in their tank? Thanks.

 

[lizard]

I don't know about German Rams specifically, but as a general rule, it's better to leave your pH at whatever it's at and not mess around with it. pH swings will stress fish out more than having a pH that's a little higher or lower than what they're used to in the wild.

I haven't heard any warnings about Rams and salt, but again, I don't know specifics on Rams.

Good luck

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[leafs]

I think your right. Don't mess with it. I wanted to try the salt because I read that it helps reduce stress. They don't look too comfortable right now. They look a little nervous. I'll have to do some research.

Thanks

 

[MXPX4318]

I replyed in your other one but I'll reply in this one on the subject at hand, first how long have you had your rams? second who all is in the tank with your rams, and third how big is your tank? answering some of those questions might answer the shyness/ uncomfortableness thing, but if worse comes to worse salt won't harm rams, I was told that when one of my rams had ich (female I had had for 3 days got ich come to find out the store would take her back, so I did and they took care of her (and the rest of the ones they had in the store as they had caught ich as well, probably due to the temp. change but that's another story) that adding salt would help her respitory system and help unstress her a bit, but once again you have to take into consideration what other fish are in the tank.

 

[leafs]

I have 2 Rams which I purchase yesterday in a 10 gal with 3 Long Fin Danios. I'm going to be purchasing a 20- gal soon. This morning they seemed a bit more comfortable. I added a little salt last night and they seem fine with it. I guess salt is something that should be only used when fish are stressed or sick. They seem to be looking for food, which is a good sign. I haven't tried to feed them yet. I'm a little concerned about the Danios's eating all the food. The Rams tend to stay near the bottom. They seem to be very peaceful fish.

 

[MXPX4318]

yeah you should be fine with putting salt in the tank, I'd give them a few days before you start getting worried about them because any fish is going to be uncomfortable in a new location. Try some sinking foods, like shrimp pellets, but I recomend frozen brine shrimp (or even better live) mine loves it (and so does the rest of my tank) if you are feeding flakes, put those in first to get the danios eating something, then drop something that sinks in there for the rams. Helps them to get their share.

Yes they are peaceful fish until you get two males fighting over territory, or you get a breeding pair, then you'll see some aggression.

 

[leafs]

I'll keep an eye on them. Thanks for the advise.

 

[cluster]

I recently purchased a pair of German Rams. They say that they prefer a low ph. My ph is around 7.5. Is it necessary to have a low ph? How could I lower the ph? Also, can they handle salt in their tank? Thanks.

this is just me personally - but i think just about any freshwater fish is fine in PH of 7.5 i have never had a problem with fish relating to PH at this level at leats the ones i have kept and i keep quite a number of species now, kribensis can survive in ocean,river or any water i think this is one of the easiest fish to keep IMO water wise

i currently have yellow labs,kribs,rams,guppies,corys,neon and 2 unnamed af. cichlids at the moment at ph of 75 and i see no problem what so ever

 

[leafs]

So far, the Rams seems to be fine with the ph. I guess they have adjusted. The ph is probably similar to what they had at the lfs. The only problem I see now is that one Ram keeps attacking the other. When I brought them home they would hang out together. I think they're two males, but I'm not sure. I might have to seperate them. Do you think that in time they might get along, or is this they way it will be?

Thanks

 

[cluster]

possible that they would you are prolly better off adding a few more - my ram is very aggressive if i add anything but a female ram he attacks, so im dedicating my empty 29G to just him he deserves it

 

[leafs]

possible that they would you are prolly better off adding a few more - my ram is very aggressive if i add anything but a female ram he attacks, so im dedicating my empty 29G to just him he deserves it

I would love to add some more but I only have a 10 gal. with 6 - Harlequin Rosbaras and the ywo Rams. I think I'm pushing it a bit. I have another 10 gal with some Danios. I might have to put a Ram in there.

 

[cluster]

oh yeah thats a bit small

get a 20gal or 29gal

im putting black sand and bunch of plants and caves in my 29G that the ram is going in, dont know what to put with him besides 2 females yet

 

[leafs]

I'm going to get a 20 gal in a month or so. Just don't know where to put it. Right now I have my 10 gal in my carpeted living room. I'm always paranoid about the tank leaking all over the floor. I've heard some horror stories about Aquaclear filters overflowing and emptying out half the water. I hope it never happens.What kind of filter do you use?

 

[cluster]

i got a Whisper 20-40 on both of my 29Gallons
and a 30-60 on my 55G im planning on picking up 2-3 used filters probably to add one on each tank for more filteration, especially the tank my ram will be moved in since i will have to recycle most deffinently after changing it from gravel to sand

yeah i heard some bad storys about leaking also, alot of peopel on here have big tanks though id be real mad if my 55G leaked in my living room

 

[leafs]

Are you happy with the Whisper? I don't know too much about them. Are they easy to maintain? Aquaclears are pretty easy to maintain. I like the fact that you can add whatever media you want. Right now I'm using an Aquaclear 200, which is way more than enough filtration for a 10 gal. That's why I'm a little overstocked. So far no problems.