German Blue Rams and PH

B

Blueiz

THE TypoQUEEN
Sep 5, 2005
5,668
10
62
NC
My ph from the tap is at most 6. I currently run crushed coral in all of my tanks with the exception of the tank I just put my new rams in. My question is, is a PH of 6 to low for these fish?

I purchased them yesterday, water they came in measured 6.8 for ph, i drip acclimated them for a bit over 2 hours to my ph of 6. Since introducing them to the tank, they have stayed in one spot for the most part, and are acting really stressed. I do have some neutral regulator I can add in small quantities to raise the PH up a bit, and then add crushed coral to keep it stable.

So..does anyone think the lowered PH is why my rams are hiding and acting stressed? Could possibly be because they are so new to the tank..just don't want to do anything to cause thre demise..

Blue
 
I've seen a lot of people here say that a stable natural pH is better than one you've tried to artificially change. In my experience, that has been correct.

My tank water stays around 7.8-8, and my fish adjust to it just fine.

When I first added my rams, they were fairly stressed. It only took them a day or so to take charge of the tank, though.
 
A stable PH is better...that would be what the cc would do...I would never reccomend usiing chemical means to adjust the ph of the water continuously...

Have dimmed the lights , I think if one of them would venture out, the other two would follow..
 
yes, theyre most likely going to stick together for the first week or so.. sometimes it takes a few days for them to get used to things, i bet theyre just stressed from the aclimation and the new environment.
 
Why are you trying to change the pH for the rams? Your water's pH is 6? Rams LOVE low pH. Love love love.

I've kept my breeder pairs of rams at that pH. They love it. They're from waters which naturally have a low pH. I think they can even thrive in pH 5.5 or 5 water. Thrive.

The other posters are correct too. Most fish would rather have a consistent, but wrong, pH rather than one that oscillates back and forth. The exceptions being Rift lake cichlids which really do need a pH of at least 8.

Don't use that pH 'correcting' stuff. It's just snake-oil used to get a few more bucks out of you.

Sam
 
It took a few days for mine to not hide in the back corner under some plants. I would keep the lights low or off, and possibly try to spot feed them with some frozen bloodworms or similar. A pH of 6 is perfect.
 
I was asking for advice on whether I need to up the ph. As I said, I do not, nor do I recomend using ph raising chemical products on a continual basis. Crushed coral is a natural, completely safe way to raise the ph of water and keep it stable.

My main concern was the PH they were in was 6.8, I did not want them to go into-be in osmotic shock because the PH dropped from 6.8 to 6 in less than a few hours. Was asking for advice to see if I should raise the ph and drop it overit over a few days.

I did loose my first ram last week..just dont want a repeat..One of them did venture out and explore the tank a bit a while ago..

Thanks everyone.
 
Blueiz said:
I was asking for advice on whether I need to up the ph. As I said, I do not, nor do I recomend using ph raising chemical products on a continual basis. Crushed coral is a natural, completely safe way to raise the ph of water and keep it stable.
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I'm sorry that misinterpreted your question. I saw that you use coral in all your tanks and assumed that you are using in the ram tank (which would be unnecessary).

Blueiz said:
My main concern was the PH they were in was 6.8, I did not want them to go into-be in osmotic shock because the PH dropped from 6.8 to 6 in less than a few hours. Was asking for advice to see if I should raise the ph and drop it overit over a few days.
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I don't think that's enough to give them 'osmotic shock'. Anyway, it would probably be more stressful to raise it again and then lower. Best not to mess too much.

Blueiz said:
I did loose my first ram last week..just dont want a repeat..One of them did venture out and explore the tank a bit a while ago..
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That's good to hear that they're exploring a bit. It's a good sign.

One question, are these locally raised rams? I only ask because I've had horrible luck in the past with rams from Singapore or Florida farms. Rams that were bred and raised locally by hobbyists have proven to be much more hardy.
 
I think they are, not sure..i ordered them through my local pet shop. I would assume they are bred by the suppiers..were like 5.99 each..

Blue
 
Blueiz said:
I was asking for advice on whether I need to up the ph. As I said, I do not, nor do I recomend using ph raising chemical products on a continual basis. Crushed coral is a natural, completely safe way to raise the ph of water and keep it stable.

My main concern was the PH they were in was 6.8, I did not want them to go into-be in osmotic shock because the PH dropped from 6.8 to 6 in less than a few hours. Was asking for advice to see if I should raise the ph and drop it overit over a few days.

I did loose my first ram last week..just dont want a repeat..One of them did venture out and explore the tank a bit a while ago..

Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

some folks use the drip acclimation system some use drop and plop..end result is the fish survive.
I recommend the drip acclimation in the case where the ph is extreme take your time .I have drip acclimated fish for over 4 hrs with no issues.
I have also drop and plopped fish..but they are going to tanks with similar water.

even if you use crushed coral to raise the pH..you will need to devise a methd to keep ph stable with water changes..in general the big issue with rams, especially blue rams, is water quality.. they seem to do well in tank with discus..and discus should get frequent water changes..
I change out 80% of the water in my discus tanks over the course of the week..some change out 100% over the same course.
with these large water changes..you would have issues with ph unless you have a methd of correcting the ph to the new water prior to adding it to the tank.

if your water is stable at 6.o ph..I would suggest you leave it there..and think about raising some other cichlids that like that pH..wild angels come to mind ;)
 
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