pH for rams...

[David]

okay, well i just tested my water in the tank and im not sure what it's at because the meter goes from 6.8 and up... i would say around 6.6 or so, but i will try to get it up around 6.8 before my fish come in

I think 6.6 should be fine.

 

[SConrad]

okay, is there a way to keep it stable??

 

[parker313]

okay, well i just tested my water in the tank and im not sure what it's at because the meter goes from 6.8 and up... i would say around 6.6 or so, but i will try to get it up around 6.8 before my fish come in

No, the lower 6.6 is even better. They thrive in the lower pH water (just not 5.0) 6.6 is just fine, I wouldn't mess with it a bit!!!!

It should come out of your tap at a consistent pH. Some places have problems with fluctuations but as far as I know, it's not a widespread problem.

 

[SConrad]

does pH change though? or will it always be 6.6?

 

[cation]

I would invest in a low-range pH kit so you will know what the real pH reading is...

 

[David]

does pH change though? or will it always be 6.6?

The only way it will change is if you accidentally lower it by adding a piece of wood that can acidify it or by adding dead coral which will amke it more alkaline.

 

[AmberC]

okay, is there a way to keep it stable??

This is what I do for mine.

I add Acid Buffer by seachem FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS and when I get my desired pH, I only add more buffer when doing a water change to keep it lower. Otherwise mine stays stable after I lower it. Sometimes adding stuff to the tank can make it jump around tho as David said. And as Parker said... your pH is just fine at 6.6. I keep my ram tank at 6.4. If its coming out of your tap like that then you have the perfect water for your rams and you dont need to change a thing!

 

[SConrad]

will a pH test kit be expensive?

 

[AmberC]

No. I bought a kit to test my pH which came with both high range and low range, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites and hardness for ten bucks at petsmart

 

[SConrad]

ok thx

 

[Kittycat]

I just want to clarify, would rams be able to adapt fine to neutral water? I saw some in the LFS that have been there for a week or so, they seemed well, and I asked the salesclerk about water chemistry and she told me they use tapwater and do not do anything to lower the pH. Far as I know, our tapwater is around the range of 7 to 7+.

Would it be safe to keep rams with this level? Also, if there is no intention to breed, would it be all right to keep only one in a community tank, or would it get lonely? And lastly, would it be fine with the following tankmates: guppies, neon dwarf rainbow, dwarf gouramis and ottos?

 

[parker313]

Yes, that pH should be just fine - I'm sure they've acclimated to it in the lfs. The tankmates sound fine too. A single ram is fine - more is better of course, but a single ram is OK too.

--Kristin

 

[CathyG]

When I introduced my rams, the PH of my tank water was 7.8. I introduced them slowly, even though my LFS assured me their PH was at 8. I took out some decor which I believed was affecting my levels (from the tap it is 7.4) and now my tank reads 7.4. Maybe if I wanted them to spawn, I would have to consider lowering the PH, but at least they are happy and healthy.

 

[Elite]

My rams are in a pH of 7.2. It's wonderful for mine, and rams can adapt pretty well to "higher" pHs in the low to mid 7s. Of course they'll be a little happier in the 6.0-7.0 if they're not acclimated. Not saying rams aren't fragile or anything, which of course they are, but they can be fine in a higher pH.

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks, Kristine, Cathy and Elite. I feel so much better and am excited about getting new rams! I think I'll put in a pair since that's what most research tells me. I'll just wait till my guppy fry grows big enough to rehome, though, so there'll be more tank space for the rams.