Shall I Just Have 2 Blue Rams?

[minxfishy]

Hi, looking for some help and suggestions for my new tank.

My 90L (approx 20UK G) has finished its cycle, just gonna keep adding the ammonia for another few days to be on the safe side.

I would like to try and keep dwarf cichlids, specifically blue rams.

Not the largest of tanks, so should I just go with 1 pair of blue rams and leave it at that? Sand substrate, large bogwood, several plants and a couple of coconut caves for them to hide if they feel the need. I know you can keep tetras with them, but Im not a huge fan and as I already have a large community tank, I wanted to just do a cichlid tank.

Can I add any other cichlid to this tank? Im happy to stick with two if thats the advice.

Also, my ph is 7.6 a little high, however, the LFS is only 5 miles away, same water company, so they have the same ph as me. Ive been reading I could add peat to my filter, if thats the case, how do you add peat, what kind of peat?

Thanks for reading and grateful for any help with this as I want to do it the right way.

 

[ox5477]

One bred pair of rams should be fine in that tank. When they spawn, they may get a little aggressive towards the other stocking but shouldn't be anything too bad. I would not recommend a unbred pair in that tank though, as this is not enough room for two individuals.

I wouldn't put anymore cichlids in the tank.

Peat will help buffer the pH down but it isn't especially needed. even though most amazonian species prefer a lower pH, pH's up to 7.5/7.6 are fine and they should live happy healthy lives If it starts getting above this, then I would check the pH of my tapwater and if it's anything above this, then you will need to start buffering the water down.

 

[minxfishy]

OK thanks for that, tap water is same ph.

I was planning on a male/female pair so hopefully no aggression.

Shall stick with the two, thanks for the reply

 

[LosC519]

A large piece of driftwood will also drop your pH and I've found Rams to like driftwood caves. If you don't like Tetras you could go with Harlequin Rasboras.