I'm Worried About My Bolivian Rams

[Rach71]

Was this "live bacteria" stored in a fridge or did it come off the shelf, what was the brand and name on the bottle??

No it was off the shelf and it was called Safe Start, It was made by Tetra. The guy in the shop said it was a new product and that they were the only people that made it and that it would mature the filter quicker.

 

[Truck]

what temperature are you keeping them at?

25 oC

a bit low for rams IMHO, rams are prone to disease at lower temperatures, 28oC is generally best, but depending on your other fish they will hate you for it.

 

[TigerIssey]

No it was off the shelf and it was called Safe Start, It was made by Tetra. The guy in the shop said it was a new product and that they were the only people that made it and that it would mature the filter quicker

It is not live bacteria then. There is one produce avaible from Maidenhead aquatics (that I know to) called soll bactinettes, this is kept in a special refridgerator. Anything off the shelf cannot possibly have live bacteria in. If you can get hold of the bactinettes, it will shorten your cycle, but you will still get some ammonia and nitrite readings before you are cycled. The rams probably won't survive a cycle in your tank as they are very sensitive to water quality.

a bit low for rams IMHO, rams are prone to disease at lower temperatures, 28oC is generally best, but depending on your other fish they will hate you for it.

This is a much better temperature for rams.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with tigerissey.
There are products that you add to the tank to help beneifical bacteria grow fast.
To be honest there a complete waste of money as some of them don't do anything.

 

[Rach71]

I agree with tigerissey.
There are products that you add to the tank to help beneifical bacteria grow fast.
To be honest there a complete waste of money as some of them don't do anything.

We've taken the Rams back to the shop and we're going to let the tank mature for a while longer now but thankyou for all your help everyone.

 

[WILDER]

Think you made the right decision.
Good luck with the rest of the fish.

 

[Truck]

I agree with tigerissey.
There are products that you add to the tank to help beneifical bacteria grow fast.
To be honest there a complete waste of money as some of them don't do anything.

We've taken the Rams back to the shop and we're going to let the tank mature for a while longer now but thankyou for all your help everyone.

you did the right thing, and it was a good decision, i know it can be hard letting go of a cichlid, but you did a good thing