Sickly Ram

[Skittyfish]

I'm going to post this now so that I don't forget the results.
At 8:40 am water from tap at about 73 degrees F.

PH is 6.4 (used two different test kits to check)
KH is 40 ppm (Hagen test kit took 2 drops to pale yellow and 3 to the yellow on the book)
Gh is 60 ppm


Tank water is
PH 7.4
KH 30 ppm
GH 60 ppm

No there are no shells or anything in the tank, 3 coconut shell halves, and 3 pieces of driftwood that has been in a while.

Anything else I should check for now? I will leave the same cup setting out until tomorrow.

(I counted from the first drop which is wrong, so i went back and fixed the KH and GH.)

 

[superstein61]

I too have found rams to be very sensitive. I bought a bunch of fish from a local breeder who is known for excellent quality / healthy fish, including 2 Blue rams. All of the fish (including several other dwarf cichlids) did well except the Rams. I lost the female after 2 days, the male after 6 days. My water parameters are very good and in the range suitable for Rams.

From all I have read, losing 2 out of 10 is not bad

 

[Skittyfish]

Next day...

PH from tap that sat overnight is, well it depends on which brand I use. Aquarium Pharm. test says about 7.2 The Hagen low range say 7.6 and the high range shows less than 7.6.

Also in the tank after a very small water change (maybe 15%)
the AP test says 6.6 to 6.8 the Hagen low range says 7.4.

The LFS says my Ph is 6.6 and that I have a low buffer (didn't say what it was though).

I need to go back to being a newbie........Or throw away all of my tests .

Anyway thanks for any help. I really would like to keep my Ph about 6.6 to 7.0 for my Angels and Rams. (two different tanks)