German Blue Ram problems

You can do what you wish with the substrate. As long as the pH is stable 8.0 is fine. Just make suer to acclimate the GBR properly when you get them.

I'm afraid it is going to depend on the pH where the rams are currently housed. One of our lfs's keep their South American rams in 6.5. No way are you ever going to acclimate rams to 8. If you have a local breeder who keeps them in pH 8, then you'll be ok. Otherwise, I'd remove the coral and get your pH lower. You do know blue rams come from acidic water right? They really do best in acid to neutral ph's and not so high as 8.

Interesting. I have kept my rams for almost a year at 8.0 (sometimes higher) without any problems....I would ask your supplier...LFS, breeder, whoever...what they keep them at before buying however.

jpappy789 said:

Interesting. I have kept my rams for almost a year at 8.0 (sometimes higher) without any problems....I would ask your supplier...LFS, breeder, whoever...what they keep them at before buying however.

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Our PH is between 7.8-8.0 mostly due to the substrata i use, check the Ph at the store if you can, that will give you some idea for your acclimation process. Our lfs was around 7, and i acclimated as normal, no problems, fed a few hours later and they ate like normal........:idea:

Acclimation to a higher pH (esp. from 6.5 say to 8.0) as long as the actual GH and KH are close. Hardness is more important.

mostly cichlids is correct. GH is a very imprtant factor.

Blue rams ( depending on source) may be difficult to acclimate.

if local bred you may be better off as they have had generations to adapt.
that said.. Rams tend to prefer soft water(low gH)
as a result acclimating them may be key to your success.

while they may adapt to harder water..they may not thrive as well as the hardness of the water may cause osmo regulation issues.(osmosis) and may affect success if you are attempting to breed rams.

in general they usually adapt fine to harder water.
but if you have issues it may be due to the harder water.

My last post should read: Acclimation to a higher pH (esp. from 6.5 say to 8.0) should be ok as long as the actual GH and KH are close. Hardness is more important.