Rainbow Fish and Angels

[Ritchie]

Compatibility charts tell me that I can put Angels in a Rainbow Fish tank (55 Gallon) but can I really?

[Taurus]

The required water parameters are very different...although angels are quite adaptable..but I wouldn't think it would be good for their long term health.

[Ritchie]

The required water parameters a very different...although angels are quite adaptable..but I wouldn't think it would be good for their long term health.

Yes they do. Rainbows and Rams would be ok as far as water parameters go

[Taurus]

I think most rainbows require hard water while angels need soft water? That's one reason I don't keep rainbows as my water is soft.

[angelcraze2]

What is the hardness of your water? Kh, gh or TDS? German blue rams definetely need softer water to thrive! Although I have soft water, I still think an angelfish would fair better in harder water. It depends on how hard though.

[Ritchie]

What is the hardness of your water? Kh, gh or TDS?

I went to the pet store today but they didn't have a Kh/gh test kit

[angelcraze2]

I went to the pet store today but they didn't have a Kh/gh test kit

They don't usually. I bought the test for myself. You can find a TDS meter on amazon for cheap

[Ritchie]

They don't usually. I bought the test for myself. You can find a TDS meter on amazon for cheap

I have a TDS meter on my "to get" list on Friday. I was at a pet store recently (forget which one) and they did have Kh/gh test kits

[angelcraze2]

What is your pH?
I think a kh/gh test and TDS meter are worth buying, and they are worth learning about. It's helped me tremendously.

[mermaidwannabe]

That's probably why my Rainbows do so well -- my water is on the hard side. Plus, they're well fed . . .

[AmazonJoe]

I think most rainbows require hard water while angels need soft water? That's one reason I don't keep rainbows as my water is soft.

Indeed....they do. Granted rainbows adapt very easily however chances are they are being mass produced in hard water. Also with an amazing color communication system like they have you will want to keep them in optimum conditions to really bring that out. So...I agree with Taurus. :)

[Slaphppy7]

Cheaper to buy test kits online...and as one new member found out recently, test kits at the LFS often times are out-of-date by the time they're purchased

[Ritchie]

Right out of the faucet, my pH is 7.2 or 7.4...I forget which one. It's well water too.

[Slaphppy7]

Allow a sample to sit out for a day, and test again

[Ritchie]

Will do....