Setting up 75 Gallon Ram Tank - got any Tips???

[Arkangel77]

Hey guys & gals, I am setting up a 75gallon tank for rams. Think I would like both Bolivian and Blue Rams. I was planning to do a sand bottom with Manza wood stumps and I may try some plaints (but not sure).

So I guess that’s the basics - Do you have any tips for me? I plan to do some research online and have started to read a few threads. What are good tank mates? What conditions do you find work best? Just want to snatch up as much of your personal experiences as I can.

Thanks, Arkangel77

[bs6749]

You will be limited to one pair of each in a tank that is 4 feet long. 82 for temps and change out 30 gallons of water per week (or more).

Tankmates can include anything from cories, BN plecos, many tetras, Endlers, guppies, ottos, discus, angelfish, etc.

As far as your stock goes, make sure they aren't Asian bred because they will only last you 6 months tops. This will only be an issue with the blue rams since those are mass produced and the Bolivians aren't. They use hormones on the blues to color them up for sale and to get faster growth out of the. This can be seen by the stretched bodies of the rams.

[abarilot]

I would go for a South American fauna tank with lots of plants! The species mentioned about all would work! I've heard of some of the blue rams requiring lower pH. I would also recommend species of Apistogramma, some color up very nicely!

[snoopy65]

There are those who have kept them together and succeeded. That being said, Bolivian Rams and German Blue Rams require different water parameters. Not only ph, but temperature as well. Bolivians like it cooler 78ish, where as the GBR like it warmer, warm enough that they thrive in Discus tanks. Both types of rams prefer the bottom third of the tank. They are territorial and require about twelve square inches of floor space to call their own-some more, some less. When spawning, they defend a larger area than their normal territory. They are not equipped to deal with aggressive cichlids, but will defend their brood against anyone. Bolivians are much heartier and more forgiving than the GBR.

You could possibly keep them in the same tank, you will just have to find that happy medium where both can live. I personally would choose one or the other and be able to keep the tank where they can thrive, not just live.

[rithunder916]

I agree, choose one or the other. I would stick with the Bolivians if this is your first rams. Otherwise alot of hiding areas, and put in some neons etc, and you should be fine!

MIke

[mostlycichlids]

I personally don't think the temp and ph between Bolivians and GBR is going to make that much of a difference....I would go with German Blue and Gold instead of the Bolivians. In a 75g there is plenty of room for 2 pair. Keep the water at 78-80 and a neutral pH 6.8-7.0 . I would recommend a trio of double or triple red apistos. You could add 6-10 large tetras and a nice group of corys to fill in the tank. Really I dont see any problem with two types of rams though.

[Arkangel77]

Gold ram? Is that a German also?

[snoopy65]

Yes, just a color variant.

[Arkangel77]

MMMMMMMMMMMMM k

[jpappy789]

Well technically speaking its a color variant of the 'blue' ram...but that's just me being all technical...:lipssealedsmilie:

I kept blues at 80 degrees without problems and the LFS I used to work at had bolivians around the same temp too. pH is not really important, and GH/KH needs are easily adaptable.

I would find local breeders if you want good stock. Most LFS only sell Asian bred rams, and the blues are usually more fragile.

[Arkangel77]

Hummmm - I think I found a guy in Florida who breads the Blues but No idea where to find the others? Do we know of any breaders here???

[bs6749]

To those of you that said Bolivians and blues can't be kept together or shouldn't be kept together, you must not have any experience with rams because they are perfectly compatible. As already mentioned, pH doesn't play a huge role in water chemsitry. I've kept and bred blue rams that were wilds, half wilds, and others as well (F5's, etc.), and I can tell you Arkangel that pH plays a very insignificant role in the setup of a tank. My wilds were spawning in a pH of 8.0 and a GH of 300+ ppm and fertility was 90-95% or more for my pairs. Doing regular water changes and keeping the water fresh is more important than an acidic pH. My wilds thrived in those conditions. My discus and angels are fairing just as well.

I wouldn't keep the temps of the tank higher than 84 degrees. Any higher than that and you will notice that your rams will start to turn pale (sign of stress) from the higher heat. Not to mention, if you want plants the temps should be on the cooler side of their range anyway.

[jpappy789]

I couldn't agree more with the above post. :thumbsup:

[Arkangel77]

sweet! That will work well for me then!

[mostlycichlids]

I couldn't agree more with the above post. :thumbsup: I will second that.

You can get the German Gold rams here....Beautiful fish IMO.
http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+889+2520&pcatid=2520

[bs6749]

I also want to add that an acidic pH is preferred for ram keeping, though not completely necessary. The reason that I would shoot for for an acidic pH in the range of 5.5-6.8 is because more ammonia (NH3), will be converted to ammonium ion (NH4+) the lower the pH shifts. Ammonium ion is far less toxic to fish than ammonia, and as already mentioned, rams (especially blues) can be sensitive to poor water conditions. Also, many aquarium plants tend to grow better in slightly acidic conditions, especially the swords that I would stock a ram tank with.

If you can't establish a tank with an acidic pH it isn't an issue as the larger water changes will be doing will remove a good portion of anything like ammonia or nitrites that you might encounter if you ever have a "mini cycle" in your tank. Nothing to worry about if you can't get an acidic pH though.

A substrate that I use in my high grade CRS/CBS tanks is ADA Amazonia II. This substrate is clay based and it keeps the pH lower than 6.0 and it removes hardness from the water as well. This would be a perfect substrate for a ram tank if you didn't already have one in mind.

[Arkangel77]

Thanks for the info- I was thinking sand BUT I will look into this as an option.

[steelshade]

Be sure to give them hiding spots (lots of cover). German blues can get stressed sometimes if they feel too exposed. Especially if there are competitive fish around.

[oscartank]

Good tips, thanks peeps!