20g/ 7.4pH

[Matt W]

I am currently cycling a 20 gallon tank and have been thinking about what to put in it. I currently only have experience in running your standard community tank with a 55g.

I have been reading quite a bit about cichlids and would like to try my hand with them. I was thinking about putting a pair of blue rams in the tank, but my pH runs around 7.4. From what I understand that is probably a bit high for the rams.

Can anyone suggest a good starter cichlid that I can put in this 20g tank? I would preferably like to put in at least two, so it would need to be a smaller fish.

FYI, I also plan to have some cories in the tank, so the cichlid would need to tolerate them. On the cories, I have read that a 7.4 pH should be OK for them. Can someone validate that?

thanks in advance!

[DarthV]

If you're talking about the true Bolivian rams (Microgeophagus altispinosus), then your PH should be fine. They should be hardier than the german blue rams.

[GobyGuy5]

I've kept a couple bolivians for a year or so, nice fish really, in my experience they have been quite hardy.

Matt, were do you live? The Bolivians I have I mistakenly purchased for Blue Rams, If you live near me, you can have them for free...

EDIT: Also, I've kept mine in hard water with a pH of around 8.0, didn't phase them, so your water would be just fine, and on the cories your pH should be good, most fish can tolerate a pH range of 6.5-7.5

[Matt W]

I'm in Northeast Florida...

[GobyGuy5]

ouch...I'm WAY up here in Indiana...

Although I'd be willing to ship the fish, I don't have ANY experience in that...

[Matt W]

Thanks for the offer though. I do appreciate it.