Is this a good setup

**Ramsarecool** · 02-09-2012, 12:56 PM

A 55 gallon planted tank, with a pair of well bred germen blue rams/ about 15 or 20 cardinal tetras and a zebra pleco, using RO water with a ph of 5 ( I would like the rams to spawn, hopefully) Filteration would be marine land bio wheel emperior 400, Note the tank isn't set up yet I just want to know what tetras/dither fish I could get to put in RO water with the rams. I also heard catfish in a ram tank are bad because if they spawn the catfish eat the eggs?

**ScottishFish** · 02-09-2012, 12:58 PM

Unless you buy the rams as a confirmed pair then I would advise getting 5 to give you a better chance of 2 pairing up. Also there are many fish species that would eat the eggs, but remember as they are cichlids they will protect their eggs. Hope this helps a bit.

**Ramsarecool** · 02-09-2012, 01:01 PM

I know rams need dither fish to feel sacure ... is that right? I was told that Cardinal tetras are about the best fish I could put in with the rams due to the high temps and low ph i would need for the rams..

**nikelodeon79** · 02-09-2012, 01:34 PM

If you're buying captive bred rams (rather than wild caughts) they should be fine in most pH levels. What is the pH of your water?

Yes, most catfish will eat eggs/fry, including their own. So will a lot of dither fish.

**Goes to 11!** · 02-09-2012, 01:44 PM

Your first issue is that rams will really be better suited in a mature and stable tank as opposed to a newly set up one.

Successfull spawns are not a piece of cake btw.

**pjaldave** · 02-09-2012, 05:14 PM

pH of 5? isn't that too acidic for most of your fish?

+1 to nick. if you're planning to buy captive bred GBR, it should do well in most pH ranges.

**guzmandevin** · 02-09-2012, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Ramsarecool

A 55 gallon planted tank, with a pair of well bred germen blue rams/ about 15 or 20 cardinal tetras and a zebra pleco, using RO water with a ph of 5 ( I would like the rams to spawn, hopefully) Filteration would be marine land bio wheel emperior 400, Note the tank isn't set up yet I just want to know what tetras/dither fish I could get to put in RO water with the rams. I also heard catfish in a ram tank are bad because if they spawn the catfish eat the eggs?

i woudent get cardinal tetras because they can be pretty fragile in terms of water i hear;neons also.

**sailor** · 02-09-2012, 07:46 PM

Do not use straight RO water, mix it 50/50 with your tap water. As funny as it sounds Pure RO water is too pure and clean for an aquarium.

**Ramsarecool** · 02-09-2012, 09:59 PM

I was told by world of fish all I have to do to the RO water is add something called remineralize RO to the water and its okay for those types of fish..

what dither fish besides cardinals would do well with RO water and rams. I like Rammay nose, lemon tetras/ect.