Setting up a ram biotope

[Sploke]

I've been keeping fish and turtles for a few years now, and have a fairly good handle on how things work. However, I always followed the "hey thats pretty, lets get that" approach for fish (although i haven't bought any new fish in several years). This biotope method really interests me, and I really like the pictures of some of the rams I've seen on here. So, I would like to take a stab at setting up a biotope tank for these guys. I have a 30 long being fishless-cycled right now, with an Emperor filter. I don't use the filter bags, i just fill the whole compartment up with biomedia. Right now the substrate is about half crushed coral, half blue gravel.

So I have a lot of questions. Goals: a few rams with some other compatible fish from the same biotope, planted but not heavily so. The hood right now is a single 36" flourescent light, not sure how much wattage, but however much planting that will handle should be alright (no CO2 injection or anything).

Is the crushed coral/gravel an ok substrate for both rams and plants? What other fish will get along with these guys? I realize in a 30gal I won't be able to put too much more in. What kind of parameters do rams thrive in? Whats the best combo for rams, a pair? a male and 2 females? Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[liv2padl]

your substrate is the wrong choice for this fish. Microgeophagus ramirezi require a pH of 5-6 with a dH 5-12. crushed coral is going to give you an alkaline pH and high dH and kH. this species needs higher temperatures than most cichlids. 82-85°F

rams are a timid fish and should not be kept with others that are aggressive or overly busy ... good tankmates would be smaller Tetras and Rasboras. note that the Ram is a short-lived fish, usually not living more than 2-3 years even under the best circumstances.

it's an extremely sensitive species and will fail in the presense of ANY ammonia or nitrite and needs VERY low nitrates. not a good choice at all for a 'new' tank, ... even one that is cycled. i'd suggest you wait til your tank has matured at least 6 months before trying these.

 

[Clurin]

I agree with liv2padl, the crushed coral is not a good idea for rams. They do need softer water.

I will differ, as well. I have my rams in a 10g that was made for them. I put in some live plants and let them establish themselves for a couple weeks, then added the rams. This means that tank WAS NOT cycled. I monitored the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate closely, and did get a nitrite spike. I responded with water changes and Bio-Spira.

Also, my water has a PH of 7.4, a GH of 7-8d, and a KH of 2d. My rams breed every 2 weeks like clockwork, and do not exhibit any signs of stress.

Now, my rams are also captive bred from Florida. I'm sure wild rams or Asian bred rams would probably NOT be okay in my tank.

As for tankmates, I have a pair of Otos and a trio of Ghost Shrimp. None of them bother each other.

For other tankmates, I would not keep anything that occupies the same level of the aquarium. Rams prefer the bottom levels, so cories would probably not work out. Mid-top dwellers that are not overly spastic (danios would probably be too active) should be fine.

Rams also like to be in pairs of opposite sex. In a 30 long (36 x 18?), you should be able to keep 2 pair without issue, as long as you put them all in at the same time. You may also want to add a couple additional females at first, until your 2 pairs are formed. You can tell because the male and female will stay relatively close together and defend their chosen territory from the other rams. At this point, remove the excess females.

I keep my rams with a substrate mixed roughly 80/20 of pool filter sand and black gravel. I also have some driftwood, amazon swords, and java moss. They prefer to lay their eggs on a flat surface, or in small pits in the substrate. You should have alot of decorations - slate, plants, caves, etc - on the bottom to break up line of sight between your pairs, and to allow the male or female in each pair to get away from their mate if they feel the need.

 

[Sploke]

Awesome, thank you both for the insight. I may end up saving this project for a later date, I'm not sure if I want to dig out 40 pounds of wet gravel.

 

[Onikun]

I keep 4 bolvian rams with some guppies, cories, rasboras (dunno if they are same biotope) in some pretty hard water. I"m in Toronto and our water is very hard. they seem to be doing okay though. my PH is 7.6+

 

[mooman]

I was going to mention that as well. I've read a lot of contradictory accounts, but have often heard that Bolivian rams (altispinosa) are often collected from waters that have a ph of, i believe 7.6. They are much hardier, and when in full color come close to rivaling blue rams.

None of my business really, but if you're trying a "biotope" tank, then I would think the blue gravel would be the first thing to go. Try flourite. Its made for plants, is very attractive, and small enough for the fish to move around if they need to clear a place to spawn.

 

[case_rums]

do your best to get captive bred rams. They are much hardier. Mine have survived finger paint being poured into their tank (silly kids) with flying colors. It really doesn't matter what I do, they thrive. I think they may need a higher PH to spawn. Mine haven't and I have very neutral water ~7.

I've got blue gravel in the bottom of my tank, it works. Though probably not too well for a biotope tank.

 

[liv2padl]

yes, bolivian rams are far more hardy than those ramerizi blues imported from the far east. if you can get tank raised animals, you'll likely do much better with this species.

 

[Sploke]

Well i just finished pulling all the substrate out. It was probably like 80% crushed coral, 20% gravel. I got it a long time ago from a friend who kept africans.

So, my plan is thus: let the filter continue cycling, get flourite substrate, some amazon swords and maybe some other plants, its going to be pretty sparsely planted, and I want to get a lot of driftwood. My one light right now is like 1-1.2 or so wpg, so obviously I can't hav a ton of plants. I've also been considering other apistos rather than rams. Are they all pretty much the same in care? It sounds like they prefer the same water conditions. My water out of the tap is neutral pH, 5* GH, 7* KH, and its well water so no funky additives. I figure with the driftwood and maybe some peat in the filter that should keep things alright.

For fish, here's what I'm thinking so far: 2 pair of rams or other apistos, 3 otos, 6 cories (will cories get along with apistos?) and a school of like 6 or 8 tetras, thinking flames, serpaes, or head and tail lights, depending on the color of hte other fish I get. Am I pushing it a little too much? Any comments are greatly appreciated, TIA.

 

[Sploke]

Whoops, just realized the cories may not be such a good idea....any other suggestions?