Is a planted aquarium necessary for Bolivian rams?

JoBroCo said:
Also Convict Cichlids from what I read are great beginner fish but I'm currently getting mixed opinions about tank sizes.Some sites say 20 gallons minimum For a pair while other say a minimum for 1 is 30 gallons.
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I would not get convict cichlids, they are aggressive towards other fish in the tank and even to each other! They are not great begginer fish, I had a pair of white convicts in a community and they attacked my other fish in the tank until these were stressed out, its the first spawn that triggers the aggression towards other fish as well as each other. They grow to around 15cm in lenght and I'd say the minimum tank size for the would be 40-50 gallon tank as long as possible as they will want to chase each other around the tank. While I had mine separated from other fish, the male convict bit scales of his gf's side and ripped her fins. Not recommended for begginers. If you want a specific kind of fish you willl need to know:

-the nitrogen cycle
-water parameters, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
-GH, KH and pH (crucial)

Can you provide these?
 
While I know about the nitrogen cycle I haven't looked up what chemicals or items you would need for it yet.
 
I vote NO to convicts too. They (or even just 1) will likely beat the heck out of Bolivians. They also breed like crazy, not as cool as that sounds. Imagine 100 fry every month. Even if only a few survive each time, well, you get the idea...It's very hard to find homes for them. Don't do it!

Fish like a group of say 8 corydoras catfish of all the same species would be nice. As would a biggish school of mellow tetras (not serpae). It's much better to get 8-12 of the same species than, say, 6 of 2 kinds.

If you don't mind fish from areas other than SA, there are many choices. Harlequin rasboras are pretty & very hardy. If you want an upper level "centerpiece" fish a male pearl gourami. I love loaches, even more than catfish, so instead of corys maybe 8+ striped kuhlis?

Just some ideas...

Plain ammonia (no scent, no foamy surfactants) like from the Dollar store works for cycling. But it takes 6+ weeks.
 
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The convict is if I ever did get any would be In a 55 gallon tank that I might get along with my smaller 30-35 gallon tank that im getting. I love the look of kuhlis but since They seem to get long I thought they would need a bigger tank. And I was thinking of getting some Harlequin rasboras or maybe some neon tetras as they were recommended as good fish to go with the Bolivians.

So far I think the 30 gallon wil have a pair of Bolivians
At least 3 striped kuhlis
a small school 6 or so of Harlequin rasboras or neon tetras still deciding
And if there enough room a Pearl gourami or two. (as I understand If I get two it would need to be male and female?)

I might be able to get a 30g tank faster than I thought so i'm trying to decide exactly what to put in there before I actually get the tank.
 
Go 6-8 kuhlis, they need more than 3 to stay confident and happy.
In a 30 you could even go up to 12. But you also got the rams who will spend a lot of time in the lower section
 
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Okay I really appreciate The feedback Yall are giving me Y'all are making This much easier for me and I hope I can make good use of yalls advice. After the cycle should I try to add all the fish in 1 day or try to add them all over a few days or weeks.
 
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Id add them over the span of a few weeks start with the least territorial species. Id choose the ram last after the other fish are already added.

If you go with loaches you will need sand. It's better for their barbels and their behaviour of sifting for food out their gills. So keep this in mind. Cories would need the same.
 
I'm confused , do you mean a 30g breeder tank ( 3 ft x 15inch?) or a 30 long (4ft x 12 inch)? It makes a difference...but not too much.

Don't just get 3 kuhlis, get 7-8 or more (& skip the corys). They are fun in a group but shy with just a few...IF you want a pearl gourami (males are prettier) Than pick EITHER 8-10 harleys OR 10-12 neons (cardinals are slightly prettier IMO)....& that's pushing it. Wait until you get the hang of your tank & maintenance before going for maximum stocking. Less fish is always easier to take care of...but plants help to some extent...go slow & research before you buy!!
 
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So far im Leaning towards a 30g long since I seen more of them than breeders. I plan on having some plants mainly the ones you can attach to the rocks or driftwood (java and or anubias?) if I get any. Can plants be in the tank while cycling?

So 7-8 Kuhlis
10-12 Cardinals (looked them up they look amazing)
A pair of Bolivian rams
And maybe A male pearl gourami

Which ones do you recommend me putting in first.
 
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