Rams In Community Tank?

[Ken]

I have a 55gal tank with platys, hatchetfish, neons, corys, ottos,mollies, and ghost shrimp.

I've had this setup for over a year, it's planted, stable, and well within safe parameters.

Can I add two or three rams to this mix without conflict?

Will the ghost shrimp be ok?

Also, total alkalinity/buffering capacity is between 120 and 180, but ph is pretty much off the scale, at 8 and above.

I know this is very high, but all my other fish seem quite happy with it.

I don't want to breed the rams, I just don't want to kill them.

 

[Karnaaj]

As far as the fish that you have, everything looks OK except for maybe your ghost shrimp. Thats a coin flip there. I have kept Rams in the upper 7's with no problems, but I don't know if over 8 is possible or not. You might want to try and find a local breeder to get your fish from rather than the lfs.

 

[Mooch28]

I have 6 Rams in my 72 gallon, and its seems to be just enough space. I also have 6 tiger barbs in my tank, who surprisingly have been great towards the Rams and rest of my community.

Id say for a 55 gallon, go with 4-5 Rams, no more because they need there space.

As for your PH, i should be fine. Just make sure you very slowly adapt them to the new water. Add very small amount of water to the bag for a couple of hours and they will be fine.

 

[LMOUTHBASS]

rams will be ok - i have similar fish like you and keep rams - they might go after the shrimp though - i've rbeen told it's best to keep only 1 pair of rams per tank though because the dominant pair might kill the others - i can't confirm this though another member on the boards that was a ram expert said this to me

 

[Ken]

Yeah, the shrimp are my main concern. I really like the little guys and I think they help a lot in keeping the tank clean.