Substrate For Gold Rams

[kcharley]

Hi all,

I'm on the lookout for some gold balloon rams to add to my wife's 22 gallon and am concerned about what substrate is best for them.

Right now the tank is heavily planted (as in not possible to vacuum the gravel) with pressurized CO2, PH is 6.0, temp is 81F. Current substrate is ADA Aquasoil under a layer of small inert gravel.

I've added some small slate pieces with java moss but it's not grown in yet.

Should I top some of the gravel with sand for the rams?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Greg

 

[Truck]

you should have atleast an inch of sand for rams, as their scientific name suggests (mikrogeophagus) means mini earth eater so sand is essential.

 

[kcharley]

you should have atleast an inch of sand for rams, as their scientific name suggests (mikrogeophagus) means mini earth eater so sand is essential.

An inch!!? Crud, more work. I'll get the sand and replace as much of the gravel as I can but I will have to leave some to keep the AS down.

Good to know though.

Thanks.

 

[Truck]

you should have atleast an inch of sand for rams, as their scientific name suggests (mikrogeophagus) means mini earth eater so sand is essential.

An inch!!? Crud, more work. I'll get the sand and replace as much of the gravel as I can but I will have to leave some to keep the AS down.

Good to know though.

Thanks.

when you disturb the aqua soil it will give off ammonia. so keep up with water changes

 

[tenohfive]

Funny that, I always kept my Rams in a tank with gravel, and whilst I know geophagus refers to earth eating, they never spent any time on the substrate - even when I moved them to a tank with sand as a substrate. They were quite happy in both tanks.

Based on my experiences, unless you prefer sand as a substrate (I generally do) then I wouldn't bother.

 

[TigerIssey]

Have to say have always kept mine on sand to encourage their natural behaviour. Mine often play about in it and flick the sand about. Quite a pleasure to watch. A little annoying if they uproot newly placed plants though.

 

[kcharley]

Thank you all for the advice. I will watch the water stats carefully after I remove the gravel. I've got some new ADA AS that I will age outside the tank. (It is either that or I will have to rehome the fish for several weeks until its initial ammonia release subsides.) Thanks again.